Best Of
Re: Changing out the Alde fluid.
Here’s what I did to change my Alde fluid. It worked well with very little mess. I’ll break this post up in two sections: 1) How I created the tools and 2) The actual fluid change operation.
Overview
Previous discussions seemed to talk a bunch about draining all the fluid out with the possibility of using compressed air, removing hoses, air in the system, risk of breakage, etc. I set out to minimize the work, yet get a clean fluid change. Basically, I just pushed the old fluid out with new fluid. The amount of air introduced in the system was very minimal. I did not disconnect ANY fittings or drain plugs.
Section 1: The tools
I purchased a RV water pump to do the work. My dealer had a FlowMax unit. I think it cost me about $70-80. Advantages over the Sureflo pump (that is in the official Alde tool) in stock at my local dealer, price and fittings were included. The dealer also mentioned that many customers replace their Sureflo units with the FlowMax. I got a 12Volt model since I would be powering the unit from inside our T@B. I mounted the pump to a chunk of plywood, added a switch and about 10-12-feet of wire to a 12-Volt “cigarette lighter” plug. Note, the fuse in our T@B to the power plug is 15 Amps and the pump draws 7, worst case.
I had 2 leftover hoses from a washing machine. I left one end on each hose and attached the other to the fittings supplied by the pump. I took one of the removed ends and attached it to ½” OD vinyl tubing. The vinyl tubing was about 8-feet long with nothing on the other end.
I created 2 adapters to attach within the Alde reservoir. I used 3/8” OD tubing, typically used to supply water to toilets. I wanted low restriction, ability to bend, yet have some strength. Standard toilet pipe was a good choice. On one end of each I put a right-angle fitting (3/8” tubing to ½” Female Pipe Thread) then another adapter to standard garden hose thread. One piece of tubing is straight. The other has about a 2-1/2” offset.
The other end of the tubing was a little more involved. I got 2 neoprene stoppers (purchased at Lowes). The diameter was 27/32” at the large end and 21/32” at the small end. The overall length was 1”. (I apologize that I don’t remember the part number. These dimensions I measured were from my assembled adapters, so there may be some stretching of the stopper as they are installed on the tubing) To make the holes in the stoppers, I first drilled a ¾” hole in a scrap of wood, then inserted the stopper in the wood. That would hold the stopper so I could then drill out the center of the stopper with a 5/16” drill. I used a brad-point or forstner drill bit to make a clean hole in the neoprene. I then stretched each stopper over the end of each of the tubes. The neoprene fits tight enough that no clamps or gluing was necessary. (I might have used water to help when slicing on.)
That’s it for the special tool creation. Pictures below:
Re: Exterior Shower Hose Upgrade
Re: Snow-Bird Prep = = = Ramblings
It was a good trip but did not go to 'plan'. Actually, this was my first major trip without prearranged reservations at all stops and it's just as well as the weather and my courage caused several 'detail level' changes while the overall route was about as planned.
Only major change was to return North via I-5 instead of Utah/Idaho due to a late snow storm in Utah. To adjust for that change my northbound stops were all at 'new locations' for me. But after the first stop or two I got focused on getting home with ever increasing driving miles each day . . . vs the standard 270'ish miles per day (and my back noted the extra miles)
As always the 320S did great . . . while after 3+ weeks I was wishing for a bigger trailer
Due to weather the boondocking nights dropped to 2 vs. the planned 7.
Those missing 5 boondocking nights shifted to RV park or 'family driveway' nights.
At 5-weeks this was my second longest single trip outing.
It was also the most expensive at $88/day . . .
Next mod, Added a separate 12v/15amp DC circuit to my trailer for outside use.
I wanted a 12v DC power source to use outside under my awning next to the table. So, I made one, it involved a little drilling and some wiring. Now I can power my Ham Radio or any 12v accessories while sitting outside. Right now it’s powered by a 20Ah power station under the door side couch. I also put a port on the inside as well as a switch to turn off the outside ports. (It’s got a red led to remind me that I have it on.) I use lithium batteries and can plug a solar panel into the outside port to recharge it. But eventually when I switch my Tab over to lithium I’ll tie it all into my trailer DC power bus. I can patch it at anytime to the Trailer DC bus to either share the charge of my batteries or run the DC setup while I’m on shore power. I’ll share a couple pictures.
its a Powerpole and 12v car accessories port.
its controlled by a lighted switch just inside the door.
Home Battery Backup Mode!!
I thought, why not put all that stored energy to a second use!!! We live in hurricane country and often without power for a few days after storms.
I added a transfer switch to the output of the (new) inverter so that if I flipped two breakers, the shore power socket outside the T@B becomes an *OUTLET*!!
Made up a special cable and now I can plug it into the house and (with an inside transfer switch) lite-up portions of the house - internet router, TV, lights, and some outlets to even make coffee! Below is a photo of my "lite-up-the-house" test - worked GREAT!
Victoria to Las Vegas or bust!
I was on shore power for most of the trip, something I rarely get on Vancouver Island.
Before the trip, I had my 7-way plug replaced. The replacement plug had smaller tabs than the original. On day 1 of my trip, the plug fell out, likely by getting bumped on the ferry trip and it got destroyed by being dragged down the interstate. I had to wait a day in southern Washington state to get it re-replaced. It was an unfortunate ordeal and now I zap strap it in place to make sure it it stays in.
One of many fantastic vistas in southern Oregon, Route 101
Minor inconveniences during the trip were a few blown Alde fuses and one 30 amp battery fuse. Always encountered at night in the dark, of course!
Glamping in Las Vegas. For an “off grid” gal, I found the Las Vegas RV Resort to be safe, hospitable, and clean. I really appreciated the laundry facilities and hot showers.
Re: Post up some shots of your T@B set-up at the camp site! #3
Re: Post up some shots of your T@B set-up at the camp site! #3
Two nights at Campsite at Chutes Et Gorges, Grand Falls New Brunswick Can. Walking and cycling on local rail trail. Planned first night waypoint, proved a wonderful fortuitous stop.
The (panoramic) view below and a five minute walk on the campsite trail from our Tab!
Most of the St. Johns River flow is diverted to hydroelectric tunnel upstream, exposing this 1/2 mile bedrock gorge in upturned beds of Ordovician Limestone.
Two nights at Carleton Sur La Mer in PQ. Narrow spit with ocean and mountains on both sides. Looking south back to mainland NB. Explored Miguasha fossil NP and local area waterfalls. You can also stay in a rental floating Yurt in the bay for the night.
Six nights at Perce, PQ. Entire campground to ourselves! Closed but asked and permitted to stay.
the famous le Rocher Perce at left. Tab on right.
Opposite view from our Perce campsite, limestone cliffs with dozens of Gannetts divebombing in shallows and harbor seals feeding within fifteen feet of shore. After morning outings I would go back out hiking while my wife watched the wildlife.
No campsite pic- limestone cliffs at Forillon National Park. Four nights. Extraordinary place. Note the swirled and deformed basal limestone uncomformably overlain by later deposits.
North shore of Gaspe peninsula heading west then south to maine. Numerous campgrounds are right on the water. Woke to five seals hauled out overnight just below our camper.
I'd go back just for the french croissant bakery in Perce.. it was tough to leave!
Re: Corrosion of Alde Convectors
Upgraded from the Tab 320 to the 2024 Tab 400 Boondock
