Alde heating help!

[Madsking23]

Hi all,

Just bought our first van, Bessacarr cameo circa 2000. Has Alde compact 3000 heating system in it which we were advised had been drained as had been in storage. Have filled up according to manufacturers guidelines but there doesn’t seem to be any ignition from the gas has anyone else experienced this? There is power to the ignition control unit but doesn’t seem to spark...

 

[Hutch]

Welcome to the forum Mad. Back to basics, have you checked the gas valves, ? The previous owners might have turned them off, including the one near to the gas bottles, near to the regulator. . Do your gas cooking rings work ?

 

[Madsking23]

Thanks for your response! Ah! It seems we’ve found some shut off valves under the sink we didn’t know existed!

Thank you for your assistance!

 

[chrisn7]

I had this unit in our old 1998 Bessacarr too. There are a couple of things to note - there is a black knob on one side, and if you unscrew it, there is a re-set button underneath. On another side there is a brass spindle which may or may not have a knob fitted, and you can use this to vary the hot water temperature. There is also a drain tap at floor level which on our 550Gl was not exactly easy to spot or use.

Under the boiler cover is a circuit board which has 2 glass fuses as well.

Good news is that the unit is very reliable.

 

[Madsking23]

Ok, so an update.... got it all working on the gas at home! Have driven 30miles to a site with no hook up and it’s not working again! Any ideas please??

 

[Parksy]

We don't have the Alde heating system but was the 230v hook up connected when you were at home?

 

[Madsking23]

It was connected but it definitely ignited from the gas as we heard it tick then ignite!

 

[Parksy]

I know nothing about Alde systems, but does the igniter work via the caravan 12v system?
It might be a good idea to check that the leisure battery is fully charged.
The 12v system would work when on ehu regardless of battery condition.

 

[Hutch]

Like Parksy, I don't know the Alde system, but on the control panel is there a selection for the power supply, ie, 4 amp /8 amp , gas only , electric only that has to be selected. Also on my caravan the master switch for the electrics has to be on, for the ignitors for the fridge, cooker and water heater, to work, this gives the caravan a 12 volt power supply to these units.

 

[chrisn7]

Obvious maybe, but have you located the rocker switch on the control panel that selects 1Kw, 2Kw or neither?

 

[waffler]

Look at the control panel. You should have gas option there. Make sure it’s on. The noise you heard might be the pump. Also ensure the caravan master switch is on. The system control works on 12 volt so as long as gas is selected it should work.