Getting hot water while boondocking

stmur7

I found the manual to be confusing. Says you don't have to do anything? I assume I must use my propane? I opened my tank and clicked the flame to on on the Alde control screen to gas, and I moved the hot water heating to the middle position (half gray/half black). I did that about 15 minutes before my shower. It was cold?? What did I do wrong?

Thanks in advance,

Steve

MuttonChops

Change 15-minutes to 60-minutes for a nice hot/warm not cold shower.

stmur7

Ok, so I needed to have it on longer before the shower. That is manageable.😃 I thought I had read it was pretty instant.

pthomas745

What year and model of trailer?  If the trailer is new,some other adjustments might need to be made.

ScottG

Yeah, I'm wondering if there is something else that needs to be set or adjusted. Even 15 minutes of heating with propane should have increased the water temp noticeably. Did you check to see if the propane burner had actually ignited and was running for all that time?

rcarlson1957

When boondocking it has to be on gas. Look at your ALDE service screen and monitor the water temperature in the ALDE boiler. The water temp should start increasing on the screen fairly quickly. That tells you the ALDE boiler is working and doing it's part. Only other thing I can think of is that hot water valve is closed preventing the hot water from getting to the shower/faucet. It happens to best of us when we're de-winterizing and forget things. And of course, if the water pump isn't turned on the water (both cold and hot) wouldn't be pumping through the pipes.  Hope this helps. 

Sharon_is_SAM

@pthomas745 - @stmur7 has a 2022 400 (info from previous post).  I agree with Muttonchops - give it more time.  Especially starting with very cold water or very cold ambient temps.  

stmur7

Thanks everyone. Yes, 2022 400. Right now I assume I need to give it more time. I also didn't know I could see the hot water temp on the Alde console screen. I will look for this.The gas was working. I am confused about this hot water valve. Under the bed there are two valves with little yellow levers. I assume one is cold water in and other hot out. Not sure when I will use these? Also, it says if not used for 10 days, release a valve to get an air pocket in hot water tank. No idea where this valve is either. I'm such a newbie!!!

stmur7

As far as I can see, I am not shown the temp of the water in the heater. Is this an extra?

MuttonChops

@stmur7 ;
See the Glycol and Hot Water Temperature on the Settings / Service Screen
Access per figure A.    Data shown in figure B.

Very worthwhile to read the Alde User manual, lots of interesting Display Panel information.

pthomas745

The Famous Yellow Flapper valves: are drain valves for the Alde "main" tank, and for the Alde "Flow" tank. The one for the Alde Hot Water tank is also the "pressure relief" valve for the entire plumbing system.  The valves will be opened whenever you are trying to drain all the water from the trailer.  The "pressure relief" valve will also open, automatically, when you use the city water connection and forget to use a water pressure regulator on the hose.

Bayliss

@stmur7, in response to your question about creating an air cushion in the Alde tank, you need to open the yellow flapper(s) (i.e., "Safety/Drain Valve") for about 10 seconds every 10 days, or less, to relieve pressure from the tank and create an air cushion.  The air cushion is required to allow heated water in the tank to expand.  Without the air cushion, the water in a full Alde hot water tank may create excessive pressure.

Remember this simple task as "10 in 10."  Open the yellow flapper (flip up) for 10 seconds to allow the tank to drain some water and then flip the lever back down.  

NOTE:  Although the Alde manual also states that you should drain the tank every 10 days to ensure that a new air cushion is created, I see no need/value in doing that if you are regularly creating an air cushion/expansion space every 10 days.

Denny16

Also, you can put the shower control all the way to the right to get a full dark arrow, which will heat the water tank quicker, and give you more hot water for your shower, as the Alde Flo tank is also heated, extending the amount of hot water for showers.  This setting is on a timer and goes back to the middle half arrow after about 45-60 min.
cheers

stmur7

Thank you!!