Help Frozen!

[Trish_374414861]

H, due to family member's illness and hospitalisation since 1st December, we have been unable to visit our seasonally pitched caravan in the New Forest. Up until then we were using it 3-4 days per week, but because we couldn't forsee the events that have kept us fully occupied, when we left the caravan last time we hadn't drained down or winter prepped the caravan at all.

The caravan is a 2008 Fleetwood Heritage, it has Alde Boiler system, on board water tank, large pump and we think solonoid mounted under the kitchen sink and an electric flush Thetford toilet - plus obviously kitchen washroom and shower tap heads.

We are going down tomorrow (with fear and trepidation!).... But, in what order should we look at things? and in what order should we go around turning things back on?...

We assume the central heating system will be OK as it has glycol/anti-freeze in the pipes... But obviously the water heating part of the sysytem doesn't. Not being an expert on the Alde.... are the central heating and the hot water systems separate? Can each be used in isolation?

Ironically due to a mild autumn we had barely used the Alde up to the point where we "abandoned ship"!

Sorry for all the questions...but we want to take a calm staged approach so as to both identify ALL the problems and not make matters worse than they may already be!

Lee & Trish

 

[Parksy]

I'm not familiar with the Alde central heating, hopefully another member might be able to help.

The best thing to do is to have a look underneath the seats and cupboards at the pipe runs to check for any obvious signs of damage before re connecting the water. Take things gradually.

Then have a good look for signs of leaks from the pipework and the same for the toilet, just fill very gradually with small amounts of water initially then if there are leaks the water leakages will be minimised.

Hope everything goes well, Good luck

 

[baggy2508]

Hi Trish.

The way I would go about it is firstly have someone inside the van and then if not already on turn the water supply on very slowly.

If all is well,but this is a big if,then turn the gas supply on to your boiler, make sure you have water to all of the taps and if ok turn the boiler on and let it heat up the water and heating and test.

I hope all goes well but I fear you may find a leak somewhere.

Regards John

 

[Jennifer_374461363]

Alde heating can be run without the hot water system being filled.

 

[forestgump]

alde heating can have anti freeze in it and run ok the rest just let it thaw ,wat damaged is done is done i dont think its as bad as you think.

 

[JTQ]

Whilst the heating and water systems of the Alde [Compact 3010?] are separated they are both within the same concentric cylinder boiler; the fire in the centre, surrounded by the heating circuit water, and finally around this the "hot" water.

We have had days well below freezing in the New Forest, down to minus 8 C. If as you say you left the fresh water un-drained [and presumably off EHU ]in the boiler this is very likely to have split the Alde.

Depending on how the boiler split it could easily also have ruptured the heating circuit. The latter should be evident in emptying the Alde's header tank.

The fracture of the hot water side of the boiler ought to be evident by water leakage during the thaw and again as you attempt to use the system and so fill it.

Dont put Alde on gas or electricity until you know everything is okay, as this could add considerably to the final repair cost.

Should you have done such freezing damage to the Alde, console yourself that much of it will be salvageable and repair with a new boiler drum shell is viable.

Speak to Graham Cutmore Engineering 01933622593 if in need. [ www.grahamcutmoreengineering.co.uk]

Hope things go well, John

 

[Trish_374414861]

Thanks to all who offered advice and/or commiserations!

We just might be the luckiest caravanners alive.....

The temperature guage we have in the caravan showed that the internal temperature had dropped to almost -5C but it looks as though the only casualty is our Whale Smartflo pump - which we think probably froze and has burnt out. OH has dismantled it and it appears that the impeller is now off-centre and the motor head is burnt out. Looks like an

 

[ANTHONYB1]

Thanks to all who offered advice and/or commiserations!

We just might be the luckiest caravanners alive.....

The temperature guage we have in the caravan showed that the internal temperature had dropped to almost -5C but it looks as though the only casualty is our Whale Smartflo pump - which we think probably froze and has burnt out. OH has dismantled it and it appears that the impeller is now off-centre and the motor head is burnt out. Looks like an