Alde Freight Train (Alde 3010 model)

NateColo

I just finished installing the factory kit in my 2017 320S. The install took just over two hours, following the excellent instructions on this forum.

My home is at 5000 ft above sea level (Colorado). My immediate response after testing with the new kit was WOW I didn't realize it was supposed to be that quiet - no more low rumble, it's nearly silent.

Tabbieannecamper

I have been reading about the hi altitude kit from the factory. Great Info. We have a 2015 320 and it is equipped with the 3010 Alde. I will be contacting Elsie about the availability of the kit. Has anyone with the 3010 unit installed the digital readout monitor kit? I bought it from Alde two years ago and would like to replace the original slide controller. Thanks ahead of time.

2015 T@B 320 S; TV 2016 Toyota 4Runner

Verna

@Tabbieannecamper, I replaced my analog Alde therms system with the digital display about 6 years ago. You can do it yourself if you are patient. It doesn’t need a specific skill set except Patience, so you should be able to do it yourself. Let me see if I can find my original post. 

Verna

@Tabbieannecamper, I have searched and I cannot find a reference to me changing my Alde display from analog to digital. 

Tools needed: tape, string, screwdriver (probably square drive Robertson), tie wraps (or zip ties), a drywall saw or a Dremel to enlarge the hole in the wall, Patience. 

As I recall, I had to enlarge the hole behind the Alde analog thermostat. Then I dropped a string with a screw from that hole to the bottom of the wall, fished it out of the wall and taped it to the new cable (make sure this end of the cable fits on the rear of your new digital Alde display). Slowly pull the string up until you have the taped new cable at the enlarged hole. Pull some slack out and make sure the new cable does not fall back into the wall. I did not remove the old cable from the wall, nor from the wire runs back to the Alde.

The new cable, as I recall, is longer than the original cable. Use the tie wraps to keep the new cable neat and out of the way of of the water and Alde pipes. Extend the new cable to the location shown on your instructions, making sure to remove the old wire connected to the Alde, taping it and tie wrapping it so it will not touch metal. Plug the cable into the Alde display (temporarily, before mounting the new display panel on the wall). Now plug the new cable end into the Alde. Make sure the new Alde display lights up and seems to work. Unplug the new cable from the Alde, and Mount the new Alde display screen to the wall. Plug the new cable back into the Alde, tidy up your wiring with the tie wraps, and close the under seat plywood and put the seat cushion back on. 

Now follow the directions on how to turn on and set up your new digital display.  You’re done. 

4ncar

Reviving this:  Does anyone know if I can order the secondary regulator fix direct from NuCamp, or do I need to explain all of this to my dealer...?🙄

Sharon_is_SAM

If it is a purchase, contact the dealer.  Email nuCamp to find out the parts number to tell your dealer what to order.

4ncar

Thank you, @Sharon_is_SAM

db_cooper

@4ncar, we did the restrictor fix a couple years ago, and it's been working great so far.  Just camped at 4600 ft for several days and quiet as a mouse. still works fine at sea level too.  

ReenieG

4ncar said:

Reviving this:  Does anyone know if I can order the secondary regulator fix direct from NuCamp, or do I need to explain all of this to my dealer...?🙄

@4ncar did you get the kit? I just read about this & want to order the kit before traveling this spring to some high altitudes. Do you have the part number?

Tabaz

Reenie - the Alde noise issue does not affect all T@Bs.  I know several 320 owners that never experienced it, even at 10,000 foot elevations.  You may want to see if yours has the problem before going through the time and expense of retrofitting the new regulator.

DavidQ

Greetings from Argentina, where my Alde is grumbling at >4000m (>14,000 ft).

So do we all agree that the Alde High Altitude Switch (4115101) is a ball valve with 8mm compression fittings and drilled with a 2mm orifice in the closed position?

The Alde valve is quite expensive (about £100 in the UK). Looking carefully at the photos of it on UK website

https://www.leisureshopdirect.com/gas/caravan-gas-water-heater/alde-water-heaters/alde-high-altitude-switch-for-3010

we can see it is manufactured by GOK in Germany

https://www.gok.de/en/ball-valve-type-0270-28587?c=391)

but specially modified for Alde with a drilled orifice.

The same valve (unmodified with orifice) can be bought in the UK

https://www.intergasuk.co.uk/shop/8mm-compression-8mm-compression-ball-valve.html

for £29.

If the 2mm orifice size is confirmed, it should be a straight forward job to get a machine shop to drill the ball.

Dave

pthomas745

@DavidG Thanks for the info.  Please let us know how things work out.  I just visited your blog a few minutes ago and I'm happy to see Big Bertha is still on the road.  Your photos of your travels are very interesting.

https://catch-the-wind.com/

VernNelson

DavidQ said:

Greetings from Argentina, where my Alde is grumbling at >4000m (>14,000 ft).

So do we all agree that the Alde High Altitude Switch (4115101) is a ball valve with 8mm compression fittings and drilled with a 2mm orifice in the closed position?

The Alde valve is quite expensive (about £100 in the UK). Looking carefully at the photos of it on UK website

https://www.leisureshopdirect.com/gas/caravan-gas-water-heater/alde-water-heaters/alde-high-altitude-switch-for-3010

we can see it is manufactured by GOK in Germany

https://www.gok.de/en/ball-valve-type-0270-28587?c=391)

but specially modified for Alde with a drilled orifice.

The same valve (unmodified with orifice) can be bought in the UK

https://www.intergasuk.co.uk/shop/8mm-compression-8mm-compression-ball-valve.html

for £29.

If the 2mm orifice size is confirmed, it should be a straight forward job to get a machine shop to drill the ball.

Dave

Hey @Davidq, did the valve replacement work for you? 

Robermcm

Ten years later from this 2016 post, in a nucamp haven and an alde 3030, same loud exhaust noise. Trailer is new and this is the first outing. Had heard it run at the dealership on propane and it was quiet. Last night was 30 degrees. Electric ran silently. So the noise is from the exhaust fan, spinning at over 3000 rpm, per services menu data. 

I’ve yet to dig in, but wondered what the cause likely is? 

ChanW

The cause of the 'freight train' noise, referred to in the subject line, initially was due to oxygen/fuel mixture differences at high altitude. It made the Alde roar a bit, on some folks Tabs.
The factory's original solution was to provide a manually switchable valve that would change the air/fuel mixture. You'd have to remember to change it when you got to an elevation over 4,000 ft or so, and then change it back again when you got down to a lower elevation.
I'm pretty sure they fixed that though with the next iteration of the Alde, in ??? Don't remember when! 
That would probably be the Alde-specific propane regulator that they're referring to in the message thread.

ChanW

DavidQ said:

Greetings from Argentina, where my Alde is grumbling at >4000m (>14,000 ft).

So do we all agree that the Alde High Altitude Switch (4115101) is a ball valve with 8mm compression fittings and drilled with a 2mm orifice in the closed position?

The Alde valve is quite expensive (about £100 in the UK). Looking carefully at the photos of it on UK website

https://www.leisureshopdirect.com/gas/caravan-gas-water-heater/alde-water-heaters/alde-high-altitude-switch-for-3010

we can see it is manufactured by GOK in Germany

https://www.gok.de/en/ball-valve-type-0270-28587?c=391)

but specially modified for Alde with a drilled orifice.

The same valve (unmodified with orifice) can be bought in the UK

https://www.intergasuk.co.uk/shop/8mm-compression-8mm-compression-ball-valve.html

for £29.

If the 2mm orifice size is confirmed, it should be a straight forward job to get a machine shop to drill the ball.

Dave

As I've said before, I'd love to know that drill size! 🤔

MuttonChops

ChanW said:
The cause of the 'freight train' noise, referred to in the subject line, initially was due to oxygen/fuel mixture differences at high altitude.
. . . they fixed that though with the next iteration of the Alde, in ??? 

ANS:  Alde 3020 added a software change so the combustion fan speed could be increased to provide more O2.
          The 3030 also has the High Altitude Mode.

Robermcm said:
. . . haven and an alde 3030, same loud exhaust noise.
. . . first outing. Had heard it run at the dealership on propane and it was quiet. Last night was 30 degrees. 
. . . Electric ran silently. So the noise is from the [combustion] exhaust fan, spinning at over 3000 rpm, per services menu data. 

If your camp site was above ~3000 feet you might have needed the High Altitude Mode.  Note: 'freight train' issue was Adle unit specific, some folks had it while many did not.

Consider inspecting the Alde exhaust line . . .smooth/clear routing to outside vent?  outside vent open (no bugs, etc)

Also, ALDE System is a learning experience . . . perhaps you are hearing normal operation but it is at night at a quiet camp site and not during a noisier daytime activity fast demo session.