Nucamp video on changing glycol fluid

T@Balong

Some time ago, there was a video from Nucamp on how to change out the glycol fluid.   I've searched but can't seem to located it.   Can anyone share the link?

jkjenn

Is this the one you were thinking about?
https://youtu.be/WauzRYpGhhg

Bayliss

Here's a couple YouTube videos, but they describe the process with Alde's special pump (maybe more than you are looking for):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwrFfntcQoc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADhn3cdR954

T@Balong

I thought I recalled some time in the past that NuCamp posted a video of how to replace the glycol fluid without the special tool which is featured in some of the videos.

Denny16

That video shows where the tank is, not how to change the fluid.
cheers

jkjenn

Denny16 said:

That video shows where the tank is, not how to change the fluid.
cheers

My bad, I misread. I though T@balong was asking how to fill. 

I don't believe there has ever been a video on how to change, but I could be mistaken.

ScottG

I'm not aware of any nuCamp video on changing the Alde glycol.

I have communicated with nuCamp on this topic and was told that as long as the fluid still "looks good" their approach to changing it is simply to drain what they can and refill. North American Aldes have an auto bleeder that should eliminate any trapped air when the glycol is circulated.

Be aware that the drain and fill method only replaces about one third of the glycol--the remainder remains trapped in the convector loop. Removing that requires a forced flush and fill--a considerably more complicated process that has been discussed in great detail here if you are interested.

pthomas745

A dealer/owner in San Diego over on FB is saying he now has the pump and the training from Alde to change out the Alde fluid.  Which is great.  The new "magic number" being pulled out of thin air is change the glycol "every two years."

It is amazing how opaque and difficult to decode the information about glycol fluid and the Alde tanks has become. 

Denny16

The frequency to change the Alde fluid I’d not a mystery, everything I have read on the subject from Alde states a two-year cycle, and maintaining the level meanwhile.
cheers

jkjenn

pthomas745 said:

A dealer/owner in San Diego over on FB is saying he now has the pump and the training from Alde to change out the Alde fluid.  Which is great.  The new "magic number" being pulled out of thin air is change the glycol "every two years."

It is amazing how opaque and difficult to decode the information about glycol fluid and the Alde tanks has become. 

It's always been 2 years. In Europe, they use a different type of glycol and they can go every 3 years.

pthomas745

There are numerous threads here that say 5 years.  Older, of course. 

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&sxsrf=ALeKk02_1H0Un5edj22TV-JMKE5bfAKQ1A:1590509591536&ei=F0DNXryhIN-80PEPzuKg-A4&q=5+year+alde+glycol+site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&oq=5+year+alde+glycol+site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQA1C3EVikTmDUVGgCcAB4AIABYYgBihOSAQIzN5gBAKABAaoBB2d3cy13aXo&sclient=psy-ab&ved=0ahUKEwj8iNz59dHpAhVfHjQIHU4xCO8Q4dUDCAs&uact=5

ScottG

Yes, there was quite a bit of discussion several years back about different glycol options, and whether the (more toxic) five-year stuff could be sourced from Europe. That confusion has been cleared up more recently. Century transfer fluid is the only glycol recommended by Alde for use in the U.S., and they recommend a two year change cycle.

That said, there seems to be some pretty good evidence that the Century fluid can last much longer than two years, particularly if the Alde is used infrequently. While there are no definitive answers, the thread I referenced above also includes quite a bit of discussion about testing the glycol to ensure it retains its antifreeze and anticorrosion properties. 

T@Balong

Thanks for the most recent input on the glycol issue.  After reading through the comments and watching videos, I've decided that replacing the glycol is several levels above my pay grade.   I am in my sixth season with this trailer but have not used the Alde extensively.   My inclination is to leave well enough alone.   However, I will probably add it to the list of future maintenance items for the dealer to work on next time I have reason to be there.

Denny16

That is what I am doing, the dealer is going tp replace the Alde fluid.
cheers

TommySax

This is all quite interesting and, for me, a bit overwhelming so I asked my dealer about changing the glycol "every 2 years" as I've had my 2021 320s now since August of 2020. He said it's "2 years of actual use" which is not the same as 2 calendar years to my mind. This implies several thousand hours. We've used it a fair bit, but not nearly that much. This seems very odd to me. I think he's mistaken. The fluid level has always been good (although to check it you need a mirror because the tank's indicators are facing the back). Perhaps testing the fluid is the way to proceed? Thanks!

Sharon_is_SAM

@TommySax - the glycol needs to be changed every 2 years for best protection.  It is not based on Alde use.  The corrosion inhibitors dissipate over time.