Alde wet heating - bugger bugger bugger.

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glascoed

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Well technically it's a Truma Aquatherm but made by Alde.

Van will be used as an annex for family over Christmas so I thought I'd check it out and air it today, under floor heating been on all day.

Couldn't hear the pump although in bare feet there was some heat coming through the floor. Couldn't see water level in the viewing window. Assuming it must be low i took the access panel off. Water level was way over max (i hadn't topped up!!!) Guess about half litre.

I've had the van 20 yrs and usually check level regularly. Didn't this time before switching on!!!

I'm assuming there must have been a leak, the level fell below min and the damn pump has been pumping air into the system all day. Has the pump stopped cos level too high?

Could there be any other explanation? I'll let it cool over night and try to bled it with the only bleed ripples I know of. On the rads behind the cab seats.

Never had to do it before. Any tips? Apart from checking the bloody level BEFORE switching on.
 
Our tank always reads higher when warm, I thought the tank was actually an expansion tank as both antifreeze and glycol ( I’m sure I read this is also used) will expand with heat. Have a look at the level when cold, I’m not a chemist so could be totally wrong.
 
If there is a lot of air in the system, ergo there's not not much fluid. It might have triggered an overheating cut-out. I'd leave it for a few hours, see if you can top it up and take it from there.
 
lorger said:
Our tank always reads higher when warm, I thought the tank was actually an expansion tank as both antifreeze and glycol ( I’m sure I read this is also used) will expand with heat. Have a look at the level when cold, I’m not a chemist so could be totally wrong.
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Agreed. I reckon ours goes up about 10-15mm when hot. Any more and it’s probably air still in the system, which is how I discovered two more bleed points I’d missed hidden behind the seat backs, and only accessible by removing two plastic covers that had clearly been fitted with a sledgehammer.
Also, worth taking a 500ml bottle of antifreeze with you on your first trip afterwards as, if any air you’ve missed does come out, the level can drop below the minimum and the pump can get noisy. Don’t ask me how I know.
 
peterc10 said:
You need to use Alde's antifreeze for topping up.
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Which is the same as G12++ and G13 Peter, available from any decent Motor Factor. :xThumb:
Alde even mention that on one of their tutorial videos. :xwink:

glascoed. Which are the highest bleed valves in the system, and are they hot or cold? They do say to run the pump when bleeding the system.
Like others, ours always shows a higher reading when hot, so much so once, that I had to use a glycol hydrometer tester to extract some of the fluid from the reservoir. :xeek:

Good luck with it. :xThumb:

Jock. :xsmile:
 
OK thanks all. Sorted for now bled the two ripples I know of. Level now bang on max when cold so might bleed it again after Christmas. Working fine now. I did look at a new pump yesterday a lot more expensive than the one i changed 10/12 yrs ago.

But I did notice it claimed to run at 0.2 amp. Current one according to battery monitor seems to sucking 0.6/7. The wife insists on it running 24/7 in winter on Europe so I'll see if see wants to buy me one. 😄

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JockandRita said:
Which is the same as G12++ and G13 Peter, available from any decent Motor Factor. :xThumb:
Alde even mention that on one of their tutorial videos. :xwink:
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I know that Jock, but the OP said he filled up with water. There was no mention of antifreeze. As you know that could cause problems when the weather gets colder.
 
peterc10 said:
I know that Jock, but the OP said he filled up with water. There was no mention of antifreeze. As you know that could cause problems when the weather gets colder.
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glascoed said:
Couldn't hear the pump although in bare feet there was some heat coming through the floor. Couldn't see water level in the viewing window. Assuming it must be low i took the access panel off. Water level was way over max (i hadn't topped up!!!) Guess about half litre.
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I assumed the OP used the term "water," as generic terminology for the antifreeze/ethylene glycol mix. 🤷‍♂️

Cheers,

Jock. :xwink:
 
Jon Stewart said:
Is that G3? Seems to be the same red colour?
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G12+, G12++, and G13 are all violet in colour and contain glycerine. It should be mixed with a ratio of distilled water, unless you are buying it already pre-mixed.

I serviced our system using the 5 x year G13 and distilled water, and always carry a litre of the concentrate for the very occasional top up. :xThumb:

Cheers,

Jock. :)
 
Mine has stopped working on electric and only occasionally will fire up on gas, Truma won't look at it because it's obsolete :( so if anyone knows anyone that might, i'd appreciate their details (y)

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ChrisL said:
Mine has stopped working on electric and only occasionally will fire up on gas, Truma won't look at it because it's obsolete :( so if anyone knows anyone that might, i'd appreciate their details (y)
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Similar to yours Chris, but on the gas side, I ended up replacing the gas burner and igniters on our 3000 model, as advised by Graham Cuttmore, Alde UK's former Head of Field Engineering, who set up his own business.
His advice upon knowing the symptoms was spot on, so I bought the spares from him, as well as others likely to require renewal over the years, including 2 x 12v pumps.

He is retired now unfortunately, but may be happy to advise on your specific model.
PM me please should you require his contact details.

Cheers,

Jock. x:-)
 
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JockandRita said:
G12+, G12++, and G13 are all violet in colour and contain glycerine. It should be mixed with a ratio of distilled water, unless you are buying it already pre-mixed.

I serviced our system using the 5 x year G13 and distilled water, and always carry a litre of the concentrate for the very occasional top up. :xThumb:

Cheers,

Jock. :)
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Thanks a lot Jock.

That's what I needed to know. Ours seems a little low, and need to add a bit.

(No apparent leaks or gas in the system)
Jon
 
Jabstatt said:
Can you help me understand?
What is 5 x year?

And how much distilled water please?

Thank you.

Tony
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The older blue coloured fluid had a 2 x year life on it, whereas the modern violet coloured fluid has a 5 x year life on it.

Your ALDE manual should give you the correct coolant to distilled water ratio, but if in doubt, speak to ALDE at Wellingborough.

Alde Service Centre at Moosewerks​

Huxley Close
Park Farm South
Wellingborough
Northhants
NN8 6AB
UK

Opening times: Mon–Thu 09:00–16:00, Fri 09:00–13:00
Appointment booking: www.moosewerks.co.uk

HTH,

Jock. x:-)
 

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