This is my first winter with my van that bhas a Alde heating system fitted.
I know the system runs on an antifreeze mix, but is there anything I need to do for the the period Nov / Dec / Jan ?
I do keep the van at home and will occasionally run the heating for an evening through the worst of the winter (i.e. during snow or severe freezing conditions), but is there anything I should do to prepare it for standing with little use for 2-3 monts?
If you want to run it occasionally, either do it manually, or set the temp to say 5 degrees and the power on 1kw and it will kick in when it gets very cold.
Thanks all is it better to leave the electrics on all the time so the heating can kick in when it needs (Jennifer) or just power it up to the electricity when needed? I will leave the battery in, I was wondering if the charging system is constantly powered for a month or two to run the heating when needed, could it damage the charging system?
Thanks
You need to empty the water in the Alde during winter; note I said the water not the antifreeze. Remember it is your water heater[sometimes referred to as boiler]and should there be a freezing spell with a "power outage" very expensive damage will occur, if it is filled with water.
As a routine you should empty this water regularly even whilst the van is in use, they used to say every 4 weeks. This is to ensure a small air bubble remains trapped within the boiler casing to accommodate expansion.
I leave mine with the EHU "on" and put the Alde on at its minimum setting of 5 deg during the very coldest, or dampest bits of a winter. This can be done without requiring any water in the boiler.
The antifreeze must always be in the system, regular antifreeze is changed every 2 years to retain its corrosion protection abilities. Better higher spec "Long-life" antifreezes that last 5 years can be used [I use them, mine with Alde's approval, Comma Long Life Red]. They must still be the types that are Ethylene Glycol based. However the system needs to be well flushed to "up grade" to these better products as there are incompatibility issues with the corrosion inhibitors used with those in the more basic antifreeze. To guide you on what is in use in your system; by convention, thought not an absolute rule the more basic antifreezes are dyed blue & green whilst the Long-life ones tend to be red & orange in colour.
Re the charging system and battery I cant advise you as I don't know the equipment used in your caravan. Our German equipment is specifically designed to be left powered, an earlier UK van we had however could not be left powered when not in use.
Thanks all and (JTUQ) for the detailed info, I always drain my hot water tank down at the end of every trip, so there shouldn't be any water in there, I suppose it's better to leave the drain tsp open ?
Quote: Originally posted by Dave11 on 16/11/2011
I always drain my hot water tank down at the end of every trip, so there shouldn't be any water in there, I suppose it's better to leave the drain tsp open ?
Yes I think so but I open my drain down cocks as soon as I pull off the grass of a pitch [to save killing grass]and tend to close them next time I enter the van at home. That way I don't get an earful when somebody else "cant get the water to work" on site arrival.
Over winter yes leave them open to be sure as possible. For info I actually blow the system through via the shower hose [head screwed off]. With all taps open and left open in centre position. Pulse the toilet flush button if electric type whilst blowing.
You should be fine to leave the van hooked up all the time, no problem with the charger, unless there are specific instructions to the contrary in your handbook.
We keep ours powered up constantly, almost 4 years soon and no problems.