Running Alde for heat after winterizing with AF

jules2go

My 2020 320S user manual indicates that if I used antifreeze for winterizing then I'm not supposed to use the Alde for heat, without first draining it from the tank (page 23 of 2017 320s manual, top of right column). Yes? No? 

Denny16

This is true if antifreeze is in the hot water tank.  If you did not have the Alde bypass valve closed, which prevents antifreeze from going into the tank.  On the  2020 TaB 320, with the Nautilus system, the red valve handle is on the left side of the Nautilus compartment.  If the bypass was closed, then antifreeze would not be in the hot water tank, and it is safe to use the Alde for heat, just turn off the hot water option on the control panel.  

If the valve handle was in the Normal position, then you need to drain and flush the antifreeze out of the hot water tank first.
cheers

jules2go

@Denny16 (or anyone) I moved the bypass valve from closed to opened for winterizing mode, and then ran the antifreeze. I didn't realize this would render the Alde heater non-usable. I plan to winter camp all winter. How do I utilize the benefits of antifreeze in the rest of the camper, and still be able to heat with Alde? Thanks again. 

ChrisFix

@jules2go
If you followed the Nautilus panel's settings for winterizing, then the Alde hot water heater was in bypass mode, and no antifreeze was put into it.
If that is correct, then use your Alde heater as normal...nothing special needs to be done. 
If you inadvertently added antifreeze to the Alde hot water tank, then open the two Alde drain valves (assuming you have the Alde Flow in the 320, otherwise, just one Alde drain valve), and then flush the system with fresh water.
You can use the Alde heating system with no water in the Alde hot water tank...but you can't run it with antifreeze in the hot water tank as the temps are too hot for the antifreeze.

EDIT:
I see you have a 2020 model...which doesn't have the Nautilus water management panel.
If you put the Bypass valve in the winterizing position (i.e. 'bypass mode') then no antifreeze was put into the hot water tank, and you can use the Alde heater without issue. Otherwise, same applies from above, you'll need to drain the Alde hot water tank and flush with fresh water, then you can use the Alde for heat.

jules2go

@ChrisFix How do you flush the hot water tank with water. No comprende! Sorry. I will "get" all this soon! I hope! 

Sharon_is_SAM

@ChrisFix - she has a 2020 - no Nautilus.
@jules2go - if the Bypass was turned to Normal when you ran the AF, assume it is in the Alde tank.  As Chris said, you need to flush it out.  I don’t see any way to flush out the Alde without disrupting the AF in the remainder of the system.  If you open the hot water floor drain to flush out the Alde, the AF in the red plumbing lines will also drain out.  While you can drain the Alde of the AF using the Alde Safety/Relief drain, you can’t flush it easily.  So, I would just start over by turning the Bypass to normal and hook up to city water and open a hot water faucet and flush until clear, then drain the Alde, Bypass, then add AF.

Denny16

The Alde Bypass valve is not part of the Nautilus system per se on the 320, but is a separate valve off to the left side of the Nautilus system.  Yes, you are going to need to drain the hot water tank, and as Sharon pointed out, run City water  connection to flush out the hot water tank, then drain the hot water line with the low point drain, since you are using the Alde to heat, no need to run more antifreeze into the hot water line, since it is above the floor in the heated space.  The hot water lines are PEX, which is freeze resistant and draining out through the valves should remove 90% of any water in them, which should be enough to prevent cracking, as enough air is in them.  Leave the hot water valve open, and Bob’s your uncle... 
cheers

Sharon_is_SAM

@Denny16 - She does not have a Nautilus system. 

I don’t think that she will keep the TaB heated all the time.  After opening up the hot water drain and draining the hot water lines that lead to the sink and shower, at least there will only be residual AF in those lines, so maybe that will work without re-Winterizing.

Denny16

Thanks Sharon, I thought the 2020 TaB320 had the Nautilus system also.  Either way, with or without Nautilus, draining low points and Alde cutoff process is the same.

Yes, I agree, once the water lines are adequately drained, any slight residual moisture is not going o be an issue.  ThenOP asked about running the Alde without rot water in winter, so my response just address this situation, not general winter storage.
cheers

jules2go

@Sharon_is_SAM The bypass was open (in your post above you mentioned the word "normal" when referring to that valve's position -- I'm not sure what normal would mean) before running the AF, which is what appears to be the recommended method. I spoke with Mike at Nucamp yesterday and he said that with the bypass being open before running AF that it would be inside the hot water tank and so I'll need to drain and flush everything out. He said that when I winterize next time that I should close the bypass, but allow the AF to go into the cold and hot water pipes next to the hot water tank, and then I would be able to use the Alde for heat. 

It would seem to me that Nucamp could clearly state that if you winterize with AF and it goes into the hot water tank, then you're not able to use the Alde for heat. And to say somewhere that it's OK to use AF for winterizing, and that the hot water tank does not need to be winterized. 

Next time I winterize I'll be sure not to put the AF into the tank, because I'll be camping throughout the winter and when I do, I'll need my heater. 

Thank you everyone for your con't help with this. 

Sharon_is_SAM

@jules2go - Normal would be the non-Bypass position.  Instead of open and close, probably better to say switch to Bypass because the Bypass actually opens a valve to allow AF to flow through the plumbing and avoid the Alde.  Anyway, hopefully you are able to redo and camp this winter!

I know the manual does not address this.  Too bad that the 2020 model with the Bypass lever was not discussed in the 2017 Owner’s Manual.  

jules2go

@Sharon_is_SAM Thanks for clarifying about open/closed and what it means exactly. And yes I will be camping all winter!