Alde wet central heating

[milliesdad]

We are looking to replace our caravan and the layout that appaeals to us is a 'van that has the wet central heating in lieu of the more common heater and blower systems.

Can anyone with 'vans with this system let me have their comments - positive or negative, using gas or electric?

We 'van all year (including -9 degrees last New Year) and were cosy with the heater / fanmaster using gas, and don't want to change if we're going to be chilly.

Thanks all.

 

[Wendy-Norfolk]

Hi Millies Dad,

We've got the Alde heating system in our 'van and it's fab.

There isn't any negative sides from this sort of heating, it's not as instant as the blown air type, although once you switch the heating on, with the gas as well as mains to get it going, it soon warms up. Once up to temperature switch back to mains. It doesn't really take very long, particularly if the heating has been on for a day or two before you leave home.

We caravan throughout the winter, and most nights, even in the very cold weather, we were sleeping more on top of the duvet than under.

Wendy

 

[TripHazard]

Hi millies dad

We have the Alde in our Cameo and i have to agree with wendy its great.

No cold spots and the heating control panel like at home to set thye time the heating comes on and off no mre leaving the fire on. Its seems much warmer than the Blown air which we have had in the last three vans

We have used in on Gas as well as Electric and it works just as well on either.

As a Scot we caravan all year round too and it has coped with the frost and the snow with no problems.

Martin

 

[Val & Frank]

At the dealers today to pick up our new van ( I do like saying that )He switched the heating on and within 5 minutes the water was warming up. I think if I understood it right you have a choice of 1kw or 2kw or Gas as the power source, depending on the electricity hook up.

Val & Frank

 

[Val & Frank]

I just read the handbook, you can have 1kw or 2 kw or 1 + 2=3kw

If power supply permits. I think that would have to be at home as an extra bedroom for 3kw power supply.

Val & Frank

 

[milliesdad]

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

It backs up what the sales guys have said, but then i've never heard them say anything bad about any 'van.

I'll continue to monitor this thread but thanks again.

Stewart (Millies dad)

 

[Wendy-Norfolk]

I just read the handbook, you can have 1kw or 2 kw or 1 + 2=3kw

If power supply permits. I think that would have to be at home as an extra bedroom for 3kw power supply.

Val & Frank

Frank, the heating runs on 1kw or 2kw, if you put both switches down it still runs on 2kw. 3kw and a kettle, you won't have many friends on site!!:O)

 

[Pelyma1]

Great system, we went for it as my son got burnt on the Trauma fire, he is 6 and sensible with no lasting effect but we have a loony 2 year old girl and the heating was our main non negotiatble in our new van. Its easy to use and programmable to alter through out the day; its not like blown air either where it cuts the heat out and creates a draft when up to temperature, so no more cold ankles! Our bathroom has a nice heated towel rail too!

 

[milliesdad]

Thanks for all your replies - another question. Do you need to drain down the system in between outings as frost protection or is it a sealed unit with antifreeze?

If it neds draining how easy is this and how easy is it to refill and bleed again?

Thanks in anticipation

Stewart

 

[Val & Frank]

The system is enclosed with anti freeze, so no need for draining down.

Val & Frank

 

[Scouser1]

A lot depends on which van it is fitted to. I bought a Fleetwood Volante last year with it fitted, and the designers did not consider the change from blown air to radiators. As a consequence, they did not make enough ventilation holes underneath the seats to allow air to circulate over the fins. I've had to modify my van- I've cut a hole 200 mm square under the seats,cut extra slots in the woodwork under the window, and have put aluminium sheilds over the fins to direct the heat upwards. I went into a recent Volante, now called a Heeritage, and the extras I have done are not there- despite telling Fleetwood.

Results- yes- it's liveable now, but it does not heat up that quickly. In winter, it takes at least 1/2 hour to get warm on gas. It could do with a fire as well. We now call in the pub to let it warm up on first arrival at site.

The system is full of 33% car type antifreeze, which has to be changed every 2 years. A tip- carry a bottle of the mix, as a lot of use causes it to evaporate, and if the design is the same as the Fleetwood (pump at the highest part of the system), then the pump stops working (usually on the coldest night).There is nothing in either set of instructions to warn you about this, and I defy anyone to be able to spot the level in the opaque plastic "glass" provided by Adde!

The electricty power is 3Kw, but the gas(propane0 is 5.6kw- it keeps you warm.Personally, now I've sorted it, I would not go back to blown air- too dry and too noisy.