Can the alde be used while there is antifreeze in the system for winterizing?

KAR

So our 2015 T@B is tucked away and winterized.
We realized that Moraine Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park is open year round and the weather so far has been pretty mild this winter. Which got us rethinking about camping:)

We're wondering if we decide to wake the T@B back up for a winter outing would we need to flush out all the antifreeze so that it would be safe to use the heater?

We'd have to use it with propane as there are no electrical hookups in the national park.

If we have to de-winterize for the trip and then re-winterize we might not take her out.
Thoughts?
Thanks!
Happy Holidays!
Stay healthy!

CrabTab

@KAR If you used antifreeze, hopefully you drained the tank and cut off the supply to your Alde before adding antifreeze fluid. 

As I understand it you can use the Alde as long as the tank is empty (no antifreeze inside) in the winter.

Note: I edited my reply after I reread the title of your post and noticed you mentioned using antifreeze to winterize...

Sharon_is_SAM

@KAR - depends on how you winterized.  If you only used the pink RV antifreeze in the P traps and at the gray and black tank, then you can use the Alde to heat the cabin  without doing anything.  However, if you used the pink stuff throughout the plumbing including the Alde water tank, then it is not recommended to use the Alde unless you know that your brand of antifreeze can tolerate the high heat of the Alde.  If you use the pink antifreeze throughout the plumbing and you bypass the Alde (not sure if you can bypass the 2015 TaB Alde), then you can heat the cabin with the Alde.

So, how did you winterize?

KAR

Thanks for the response-all tanks were drained (fresh and grey tanks) and antifreeze was added thru the fresh water tank and run thru to faucet and into grey water tank.  I am not sure if the supply was cut off though to the Alde.  Not sure of a process to exclude the Alde

Sharon_is_SAM

Well, if you do not have an Alde bypass valve, then you can assume that there is antifreeze in the Alde.  It would be best to drain and flush the entire system and then use the blow out technique to winterize.  Only then would it be safe to heat the cabin while winterized.  Otherwise you risk reducing the anti-corrosive properties of the Alde and damaging the Alde.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/6372/winterizing-manuals#latest

ChanW

If you have it, The bypass-valve system is visible in the Alde under-bench compartment - a set of three(?) valves in the Alde's water lines that isolate the Alde (take it out of the loop) while allowing the hot-loop to be completed.

Here's an image of the system (from a different thread):

There is lots of discussion on the forum about the bypass system, if you need some pointers. Probably search for "bypass".

Flushing in freezing weather might be challenging!

KAR

Chan--thanks for the picture -picture worth lots of words-and with the other responses it helps a bunch.  Will check it out and search "bypass" also.  Really needed to figure out the procedure of leaving on the Alde heater  during sub freezing weather and shutting down the rest of the plumbing system. 

Denny16

The Alde bypass valve will isolate the Alde from the water plumbing system.
cheers

KAR

Thanks!