Alde freight train FIX! $15 and 10 min install

ChanW

@db_cooper, I did get it installed this afternoon, but realize I won't be able to test it until we take another trip to someplace that's high! We're only at 1500' here, so no way to know!

Might have to schedule a drive up Mount Washington... (They probably don't allow trailers!)

The Alde runs ok here at this altitude, however. Wish I could see the flame to see how healthy it is.

I realized that the "2mm" dimension that I went with for the hole, was only based on hearsay. I don't think we have an actual measurement of the opening, that someone referred to in the European adapter kit. I think it was just their guess.

Here's the way I restricted the fitting. Just a teeny tiny washer laying around from electronics stuff, and glued it onto a larger washer that fit properly into the fitting, and glued the two of them into the fitting, all using silicone adhesive.

ChanW

Now that I think about it though, I wonder if this reduced volume, lean mixture is ok to use on the Alde at lower altitudes.

Has anyone had any direct dealing with Alde technicians? I wonder if I could get an answer from them.

mreric

I actually ordered the actual kit from that is meant for this.     i asked the same question-   any ill effect at sea level? and they said no.     i also came across   a post at the airstream forum-  they have the same alde system,    there was an email from an Alde rep recommending  the Nucamp solution 

DigitalSorceress

My 2019 T@B 320S Boondock Edge appears to have that mode .. I stumbled on it when I was testing the water heater to make sure all was working (Had never needed/tried the hot water yet and wanted to just ensure I had it working right for an upcoming event later this summer where I absolutely will need it.

Sharon_is_SAM

We had nuCamp install their fix.  No problem at high or low elevations.  

Michigan_Mike

The 3020 high-altitude feature works well. We are at 9600 feet today and spent the night in Breckenridge. The high altitude setting is about 2 screens in after pressing “the gear” icon.  Without it the Alde 3020 does rumble. 

ChanW

Glad the factory way works, but...

I'm curious if this 'alternative' way, by permanently 'leaning out' the air/ fuel mix with a smaller orifice, will cause any problems at sea level...

Any combustion gurus here? 😁

What does a boiler flame that's a bit lean do to a boiler?

Just inefficient?

Sharon_is_SAM

@ChanW, I thought the factory retrofit on the 3010s is permanent.  There is no choice of going back and forth for sea level or high elevation.  Am I missing something here?

mreric

Sharon_is_SAM said:

@ChanW, I thought the factory retrofit on the 3010s is permanent.  There is no choice of going back and forth for sea level or high elevation.  Am I missing something here?

it is permanent,    what we worry about is any ill effect to the Alde system when you are reducing the supply of fuel to it. 

at higher altitude there is less oxygen to burn.  therefore you reduce the amount of fuel to compensate the reduced amount of oxygen.   therefore this fix works well at high altitude. 

but what happened when continue to use this lean mix at lower altitude.   now you have less fuel to burn.   

our vehicle does this with sensor as well,  constantly adjusting the fuel mix to the cylinder.    

Alde in Europe has done a different approach,  they sell a level that you can open and close.  at high altitude you reduce the fuel amount and at low you open it back up.    

ChanW

@Sharon_is_SAM, I'm only concerned that the factory approach is a reduction in pressure, whereas this orifice method is a reduction in volume.

I don't know how much difference that makes (if any), and whether or not the factory method actually reduces the gas mixture to the same level as this method.

The only thing I have to compare to is the European 'switch' method, but in that case, Alde has the user switch it back to the larger orifice when at lower elevations.

I guess a query directly to Alde, about operation of their 'switch' might be the best way to find out. 

Do we all have a contact for Alde technicians available?

Verna

Spencer at Alde is 903-915-5694.

Could just one of you decide to call him as it is his cell phone? I’m on the road heading for Alaska and I really don’t have time to make the call.  Thanks

ChanW

Thanks @Verna. Have a great trip!

Tabster

I'm camping at sea level as we speak. Been here for 2 days. Not a bit of trouble with the alde fix

db_cooper

@ChanW,

Haven't done our mod yet,  but it's time...

So we were at 5400 ft. last weekend and had the rumble occasionally, not bad, but I'd like to see it gone.

So I'm about to install it,  I glued the nut and washer like Tabster.  Will test here at sea level first, before taking to the mountains.

db_cooper

Update on the Alde restriction fix.  So far it appears to be working great.  It runs much more quietly, while still heating the water tank super fast.  Have run it only at 2200 ft. and sea level, but it works fine at these altitudes, so I expect it will perform great at higher elevation.  It was so quiet at 2200 ft,  that I had to check the outside port (on propane) to make sure it was running.  Last time we camped in the same spot, I know I could hear it.

db_cooper

Saw another post on today on the Alde Freight train, and thought I'd update my review of this fix I did last year.  We used the Alde quite a bit last winter at ski areas, and it was perfectly quiet, usually camped around 4-5000 ft.  

So far I've had to replace the thermal fuse on the circuit board,  fix this rumble, and have done the partial glycol drain technique twice.  While I wish I hadn't had these problems,  I still think this is the best heating system for campers.  It's so quiet, doesn't use much battery, and by heating the stuff, not just the air,  it stays warm when you are running in and out the door.  

ChanW

Cool @db_cooper, thanks for the reassuring update.

We were at higher elevations - over 5000 ft - last March, and I'd completely forgotten that I'd done the conversion, so neglected to look for any differences...

I suppose that 'not noticing' counts for the Alde being nice and quiet, anyway!

I'd still like to know what the combustion chamber looks like after it runs 'lean' at lower elevations... but no, I won't be opening the Alde up for my curiosity.