- Jun 16, 2020
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Having just returned from a couple of weeks away I felt the need to do some jobs. While away the Alde heating started playing up noticeable on the cold evenings. Ours came with an header tank pump, not the best when it is close to your head when trying to sleep. The pump would sometimes fail to start and need a wiggle to encourage it. I decided to upgrade to an inline pump and it coincides with the need for the second fluid change at 7 years old. I ordered the parts and posted the price savings in another post.
The heating system in my Lunar is close to identical to the Unicorn I did a fluid change to previously. But this one was not as easy to drain as the Bailey. I am now convinced this is because the non return valve must have been faulty on the Bailey. The working valve on the Lunar made draining the boiler completely difficult. I had to do some mopping up!
Once drained, the pump was easy to fit. But I found that the convector behind the bench seat needed two fixing screws missed out in the original build and some pipe supports. I got Comma GG40 as recommended by Alde. But I got concentrated on line, and also deionised water from Tesco. Total £34 compared to over £100 using ready to use fluid. Always pays to research and shop around.
The system filled up up by pumping into the flow pipe through the header tank. Not too much bleeding required. Pump worked straight away.
Second improvement. I fitted an anti-scald thermostat as in the picture. I believe Manufacturers now fit these at least to higher end vans. It should help with preventing the stupidly hot water at the sink and make controlling the shower easier.
I had a few issues with leaks which now seem cured, hence the use of kitchen paper to try and detect any water.
I should have taken more pics but this is the finished job. Pump is the blue bit in the background.
I am hoping it works OK and the temperature is easy to moderate, but it does seem to fluctuate a bit. Time will tell.
The new pump…
Prep done to fit pump……
How the plugs need to be refitted…..
Thermostacic control with the pump behind….
We now need to take another trip for a proper test.
John
The heating system in my Lunar is close to identical to the Unicorn I did a fluid change to previously. But this one was not as easy to drain as the Bailey. I am now convinced this is because the non return valve must have been faulty on the Bailey. The working valve on the Lunar made draining the boiler completely difficult. I had to do some mopping up!
Once drained, the pump was easy to fit. But I found that the convector behind the bench seat needed two fixing screws missed out in the original build and some pipe supports. I got Comma GG40 as recommended by Alde. But I got concentrated on line, and also deionised water from Tesco. Total £34 compared to over £100 using ready to use fluid. Always pays to research and shop around.
The system filled up up by pumping into the flow pipe through the header tank. Not too much bleeding required. Pump worked straight away.
Second improvement. I fitted an anti-scald thermostat as in the picture. I believe Manufacturers now fit these at least to higher end vans. It should help with preventing the stupidly hot water at the sink and make controlling the shower easier.
I had a few issues with leaks which now seem cured, hence the use of kitchen paper to try and detect any water.
I should have taken more pics but this is the finished job. Pump is the blue bit in the background.
I am hoping it works OK and the temperature is easy to moderate, but it does seem to fluctuate a bit. Time will tell.
The new pump…
Prep done to fit pump……
How the plugs need to be refitted…..
Thermostacic control with the pump behind….
We now need to take another trip for a proper test.
John
Last edited:
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