Alde Freight Train (Alde 3010 model)

LSkrabut

I have a 2018 (Nov 2017) 400 still with the 3010. It is my understanding that sometime in 2019 the 400's got the 3020. While I did not have loud sound in winter months @ 9700', I did during the summer months @ 5700' and very much so @ 8000'. I am working this out with Warranty now, since I have other issues going on. Once everything is taken care of with NuCamp, I will post what was done to resolve my freight train issue. 


Note: When summer camping @ 8000', it was too warm for the heat to be used much, but boy was the hot water was kicking off the loud sounds and did see soot on the exhaust after that camp trip. Next camp I will turn off the hot water via the bypass at night!


Myself if I had to resolve this issue myself, I rather use the proper Alde High Altitude valve/switch mention above to restrict the flow and still be able to switch back to full flow in lower elevations (0-3650) instead of lower the pressure regulator route. I did get this valve/switch from UK, just haven't gotten around to getting the fittings and hose/pipe and installing it. 

Note: The Alde valve is listed for both the 3010 and 3020, but as I understand, what NuCamp 3020 does is increase the airflow via a fan when the controller is set for a higher elevation. Looking at a UK user manual or online inactive control panel on the USA site for 3020,  I could not determine how the 3020 is able to detect or stage for higher elevations? Maybe the "Booster" fan is how, just not sure.

Boulderjay

So there would be 2 touch screens on the wall?  I only have one

DurangoTaB

My understanding is NuCamp started shipping T@Bs with the 3020 late December 2017 early 2018 (I assume @LSkrabut meant November 2017).

LSkrabut

oops correct Nov 2017, I will correct my post.

MuttonChops

DurangoTaB said:

You should be able to tell if you have a 3020 buy looking at the label on top of the Alde.  The 3020 also has it’s own digital thermostat...

@Boulderjay Was told by NuCamp via salesman when I ordered my unit that the 3020 was standard starting with December 2017 builds,

When you turn the Adle on the screen will flash " 3020 HE " if you have a model 3020.

You will need to read the Alde User Manual for correct operation sequence . . . recall there is a power off / power on step . . . that is you just do not press the High Altitude button.

LSkrabut

Just got confirmation my 400 will be swapped out for a 2019 with a 3020. The panel arrangement is the same on both my 2018 and soon to be mine 2019 (I got photos from Marvin). I am sure the 3010 control panel and 3020 are different since the features are different but externally looks the same.

https://www.alde.us/

On the bottom of the link, there are demo mode for both control panel in use for the 3010 and 3020.

Boulderjay

DurangoTaB said:

You should be able to tell if you have a 3020 buy looking at the label on top of the Aldge.  The 3020 also has it’s own digital thermostat...

Just got home and turned on Alde...it says 3010 on the start up screen...no high altitude setting...I will call Spencer tomorrow... thanks all!

DurangoTaB

‭+1 (503) 915-5694‬

jkjenn

FYI, no Alde freight train for me at 6500' and 7800' after the Alde fix, it was silent. Although it was never too bad at those altitudes for me, before, there was rumbling on start up but no more.

Boulderjay

Good morning JkJenn, that's great to know.  Our noise was loud.  Much too loud to sleep through and much too loud to share with all the folks in the State Campground.  Hopefully I can get the fix installed this weekend.  Heading back up to 9000' the following Friday and hot water and a bit of heat would be nice!

sqrpeg

Our 2018 320S Boondock was built in October 2017, and so pre-dated the changeover to the Alde 3020 by one or two months. After thinking hard about the euro-valve fix, and later the DIY ball-valve fix, I caved and ended up installing the high altitude kit (i.e., 2nd regulator) from nuCamp instead.

Prior to the fix we had a loud rumble as low as 6500 ft, and possibly a hint even in our driveway at 5400 ft. Post-fix we've been up to ~10600 ft (so far) with no problems.

Boulderjay

Perfect.  Elsie is shipping me one tomorrow.

jkjenn

For me, it was always loudest above 9,000'. I do not think I will be camping at that elevation, in September (sadly), so it will likely be next year before I can test.

Boulderjay

I received the regulator kit from NuCamp and installed it in about 2 hours taking my time.  Set up camp at Green Mt Resevoir saturday at 8000 ft, turned on the Alde and held my breath...Praise Jah!  No Noise!!! Just a nice pur through the night.... we needed it too!  thanks again to the tireless members of this forum!

dundons

I did the mod today. It's no 2 hour job though. Factory kit was OK, seemed to be missing two nuts to secure the bracket hose clamp screws. Your 3/16" drill hole into the frame won't be big enough for the supplied 3/8" self tapping screws though. Also, everyone's concerned about mounting the unit outside the trailer, but mine came with this tag stating it was safe for indoors. I put it outside anyway.

Tundra57

I have a 2019 tab 400. I slept in it at home for the first night. I live in connecticut. Nowhere near 6000 feet. Mine made a similar noise i had selcted both shore power and propane, but i think it was running propane only. Seemed to come from the red tank or close to it. Shut down the aldi then turned it back on and it was quiet for the rest of the night. Temp inside set to 70 outside was 35.

Verna

@Tundra57, you have a setting on your Alde screen for High Altitude, over 3,000 ft of elevation. It does come standard on the 2019 models of the Alde 3020. Check your manuals for how to set it up.  (The icon looks like a mountain.)

And it it does run very quiet on the High Altitude mode, by the way. I’ve camped at over 8,000  ft a number of times this month in my 2019 T@B 400 Boondock Lite.,

mreric

new to the party,    seem that i will need this high altitude kit for my 2018 CSS,   i was camping at 3000 feet and it was bit noisy.   

the question is:    those who have installed it,  what adverse effect will the Alde have a low altitude or sea level.   any decrease in performance ?   longer heat up?   noise a low altitude ?

Sharon_is_SAM

We had the high altitude kit installed by nuCamp on our 2017 CSS.  There has been no effect at low altitude/sea level.  

Emma62

This is very helpful information.  Will make sure we have shore power when we go to Yellowstone.

jkjenn

I believe that if  you have the newer model Alde, there should be no need for a high altitude kit, as it is built into the Alde.

Sharon_is_SAM

@Emma62, do you have the Alde 3020 or 3010 model?

Emma62

@Sharon_is_SAM - I will check.  Just saw your posts about a high altitude setting on the 3020.  Hope I have that one.  

Bayliss

I have the high altitude capability on my 2019 T@B 320S (Alde 3020) and got a chance to try it out two weeks ago while camping at about 7600' elevation.  Worked great.  When it is activated, the icon (a couple mountains) flashes on and off on the control panel.  It operates on LP gas only.

dundons

Hi noise reduction people!
I camped in Tuolumne Meadows at 8,600 feet this month and my self-installed kit from NC worked great. You should do it if you have an Alde 3010 and don't like to be woken up at night when the heater kicks in.
ps, we're selling the trailer to downsize.

JeffroNC

I can conform that my 2019 Tab 400 has a 3020 and I just turned it on at 8,500 ft. Nice and quiet on propane. I found the solution by searching on the forum. (again) :-)

GrandmasKid

We own a 2017 Outback bought new by us just before the change over to Boondock. Is there a kit I can purchase from NuCamp that can be installed by a moderately handy person? Does the kit come with clear instructions? I just confirmed I have the Alde 3010 and it does rumble at altitude. I did go back through this long thread and feel a little lost in the weeds. Thanks for any help you can give.

MuttonChops

GrandmasKid said:

Is there a kit I can purchase from NuCamp that can be installed by a moderately handy person?

. . . clear instructions?

a]  Contact NüCamp, at one time they did sell a parts kit.

b]  There is a PDF file in the 'User manuals . . ' section of this forum.
It was written by a member that did the install.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/7722/alde-manuals-and-resources#latest 

Look for Post:

I can't comment on difficultly/skill level needed to complete install.

GrandmasKid

Thanks for the information. The regulator installation doesn't look too difficult. Will the Aide work well at lower elevations after the regulator is installed? 

Sharon_is_SAM

@GrandmasKid - we have the add on regulator installed by nuCamp and the Alde works fine down to sea level.