Anyone attempted a glycol exchange on Alde?

visher

I drained and flushed the Alde boiler fluid on my 2014 T@B yesterday. I used about 1.25 gallons of Century Chemical TF-1 Heat Transfer Fluid. Unlike some of the suggestions on this thread, it is safe for potable water and aluminum systems. I used a little hand operated fluid transfer pump that I bought at Napa for $15 and it saved a lot of hassle with funnels and such. I used a 1/8th inch tube attached to the bleeder valve on the rear starboard radiator then ran it to a jelly jar level with the bleeder valve so I could see the bubbles. I drained first then, filled, ran the circulation pump a little, filled, squeezed the pipes, jumped up and down inside, etc until, the bleeder stopped sending out bubbles,  I heard no sound of circulation, and the reservoir no longer drained. I did not to do the lowering or raising of the tongue. Then I tested for about 2 hours and everything seems fine. All portions heat without airlock.

As I read the limited instructions and specs, the US system has an automatic bleeder and would eventually evacuate all air with use. I did not trust it so I used the bleeder valve. I have cut two vents into the board that extends over the rear radiator. Our bedding blocks the slots for air circulation that T@B came with. There was a kink in one of the big rubber hoses as it left the bottom of the reservoir. I attached a clamp that seems to open the kink and allow full flow. Finally I marked the Min and Max levels with a sharpie so I can check levels easily and often. 

I've written this up at length because I believe most T@B owners have not had to face this task yet and there is very little information available  for novices like me about how to do this job. 

jkjenn

Nice write-up @visher. Thanks for going to the trouble if documenting 

db_cooper

I think the auto bleeder worked in our case.  I replaced our fluid last year, and did the raise and lower thing, but just poured the fluid in the tank.  After a nice bouncy trip I noticed a few gurgles, and the reservoir was a little low, so I topped off.  No sounds since.  Don't be afraid to tackle this on your own.