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gandj

I read in the Alde manual that when the Alde is in continuous use, it should be drained and refilled every month in order to maintain the air cushion against surges in pressure. How seriously do other people take that? I would, of course, drain it when out of use or stored, but doing that every month (we live in our van pretty much all year) seems excessive?
Graham

Gazzer

I have had the Alde system in my two Concordes for 8 years. Works perfectly and have never done this yet. So.......

happygolucky

Hi Graham,
I have had my chic I47 just over a year now and have drained it twice. Once because it started to surge a lot, and the second time whilst i had the van off road for two months over the winter whilst away in New Zealand. It really isn't a big job, just flip the drain plug, and when empty close it, turn the power on with water in the fresh water tank and it automatically refills. When i asked a rep from Alde at the NEC last year he said it was'nt really necessary, but whilst the van is still under warranty i think it's worth doing in case a problem arises.
I am in Germany for the meet, if you are going to be there i will show you how to do it.
Regards
Brian

gandj

Thanks Gazzer and Brian. As it is a straight forward task I think I will do it.
Graham

gandj

If anyone is still interested in this, I think I have it sussed, now. After 2 or three weeks continuous use the pump 'pulses' when you open a tap. By this I mean it switches on and off quite rapidly, being on for about a second before going off for a second, and then repeating. I always thought this didn't seem right, somehow. But after draining the Alde it behaves more normally - coming on shortly after the tap is opened and remaining on until the tap is closed. This seems much better than the frenetic on/off action, and much better for the pump. Eventually, the pulsing will begin again, initially with a long cycle, but shortening over the next month.

So now, all I do is listen for when the pump 'pulses' become unreasonably short, and then I drain. Next time I am not going to drain the Alde boiler completely, just drop a couple of litres, as I think that will have the same effect, of removing the rapid pulsing. We'll see.