Alde Noise

manyman297

Just took our 2021 400 BD out for a trip where we used the Alde for nighttime heat for the first time. Just curious if it’s normal to hear the Alde and how loud it should be. I noticed that it sounded like a car at idle outside near the exhaust vent. Is that normal? Inside it’s more like a low, low bass note. You definitely know it’s on but it’s not that loud.

Verna

What is your elevation?  

manyman297

@Verna

Just as I posted this I did a quick search and realized it might be elevation. I was at 9,000 feet running on propane for the first time. Previously we camped at 5,000 feet and used the Alde for hot water on electric. 

Verna

Good. I assume you have found the high elevation setting for the Alde?

By the way, you were experiencing what has been called the “Alde Freight Train”.  The Alde 3020 took care of the loud noise with the addition of the high elevation setting that the Alde 3020 model did not have. 

manyman297

Ha...no I didn't even think to set it. At what altitudes should I turn that on? I forgot to add that on initial startup I received that "fan failure" message. Turned the panel off and on and it was fine after that. 

Edit: Just read that it should be turned on at 3300 ft which is probably 90% of the camping we'll be doing.

Verna

Quieter camping now

manyman297

Thanks @Verna !

Verna

You’re welcome 

bergger

We have our high elevation on all the time.  You can still hear the alde when it turns on but it is sooooo much quieter than a forced hot air system. And campers next to you won’t hear it unlike you hearing their forced air unit exhausts.

manyman297

I'll have to try it out at home (5k elevation) and see if there's a difference. It wasn't terribly loud inside. Just a low drone but it sounded like a hot rod at idle outside by the vent. 

Love the Alde so far though. Amazing way to heat a trailer.