Alde efficiency

Okpete

My concern is how long it takes from indoor temp. of 55% to 70 with osa of 50%. I’ve heard about 10% per hr. Anyway, how fast does interior heat up. Thanks

qhumberd

We just tested our T@B400 Alde this weekend with a starting temp of around 40 degrees  and a low that night of around 25 degrees. We had the heat set at 65 with starting temp interior of around 40 and had electric and propane. Electric was priority, but propane switched on soon after starting and the cabin was clearly heating in about 20 min. Interior came to 60 degrees in less than an hour and an hour after that it was 65, which felt warm enough for sleeping in the space. Electric only would have taken quite a bit longer. So we heated around 20 degrees in less than 2 hours easily.

So my lesson was due to the energy output of the Alde, if you have electric and it is near freezing pick 2Kw electric and propane with electric priority. When cabin is warm enough the glycol can be maintained at 150 deg or more on electric only in below freezing temps and that will save propane. But keep the propane on as  secondary for backup..

dragonsdofly

@Okpete, you didn't specify if you are referring to a t@b 320 or 400. We have a 320. From the time we turn on our alde, whether it is on electric, propane or combination, we begin to feel the radiating warmth within an hour. Within 90 minutes or so, it is completely comfortable and at sustained temp, unless the ambient temp is 10°F or colder. We have found, and we are not recommending this, that just 10/15 minutes of having the stove burners on, will warm the interior to comfort levels while the alde is heating from the inside out. We turn on the alde as soon as we stop for the night. By the time we heat soup or make grilled cheese, etc for dinner, the inside is comfy. The alde "catches up" as the warmth from cooking dissipates.

We have also heard some people will turn on the alde an hour before stopping and the trailer interior is fully warmed by the time you do stop. Again, not recomnending this procedure, but stating that some people do it.

Good luck. It is all a matter of personal preference. You decide what will work for you and what is your personal preference.