Corrosion of Alde Convectors

grassgd · April 28

Finished repair and installation of the convectors which I repaired by cutting off the corroded ends and coating with 2 part epoxy.

I mechanically cleaned the inside of the convectors and EPDM hoses to remove the white coating shown below:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/mo/viup3b8dzn6a.jpg

This picture shows the white power that came out:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/ky/te7geys0a1dw.jpg

This shows a before and after cleaning of a convector:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/9a/ztnckwrbss1i.jpg

I don't really know what the white coating removed was. Don't think it was any type of corrosion because it was also in all the EPDM hoses. My guess is was either a deposit of scale or a deposit resulting from the corrosion inhibitor in the original glycol.

I also trimmed some of the EPDM hoses where I was concerned with the integrity where there was excessive budging form the corrosion. I used some marine stainless steel railing to make connectors in lieu obtaining replacements form Alde since I had to accommodate for the shorter convectors and trimmed EPDM hoses.

Here is a picture of an example where I used a longer SS connector due to a shorter convector and trimmed EPDM hose:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/c7/dysy4ewzhjgw.jpg

Another picture showing the SS connectors being used:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/wb/zxrkn9bl34ll.jpg

I actually salvaged the original Alde check valve from the corroded aluminum pipe and installed it in a piece of stainless steel pipe.

manyman297 · April 30

I may have asked this before but have we heard of any corrosion happening on Rhomar-filled systems? I did a fluid exchange (Rhomar to Rhomar) last summer after two years and it looked practically new and no signs of crystallized chunks during the exchange.

pthomas745 · April 30

We have all been anxiously waiting for the answers to this question, but it might take several more years for to find out. Since the Alde Change thread and the corrosion threads were started, we learned so much about the glycol and how the Alde convectors and hoses were put together, etc. Was the glycol the cause of the corrosion? Or, was it the construction of the hoses and convectors with the insufficient clamping and sealing of the convector stubs?

Looking at the Alde construction of the newer trailers, it seems there are much better clamps, better hose connections (precisely measured hoses, etc).

On the other side: we have plenty of members with the older "Century" trailers who cleaned their corrosion, sealed the stubs in various ways, used better clamping methods/ideas, and stayed with the Century glycol. In a couple of years, we will have better answers about how those installation changes held up.

ReenieG · May 16

Looking through this updated thread again as I work on my Alde corrosion, I have a couple of questions for some of you. (I will create a new thread or add my total completed experience here when I get done)

@grassgd where did you get that brush? Is it a fish tank cleaner brush or ? if you have a name or a link that would be helpful. TIA

Has anyone replaced all of their hoses? I'm trying to find a good resource to do so, since IMO, while I'm doing a massive repair to the system anyway and want to avoid any leakage from something I may have not visually seen, it seems to me the whole system contains about 25ft or less of epdm hoses which may just be more prudent to start with new hoses and cut to length. Anyone? If so, please provide a link where you got your hoses from. That would be helpful. Also, there are a couple of elbows, one with the little metal thingy, not sure what it is called, so maybe that is salvageable or can be ordered as a part.

Also, it appears this metal T-pipe and brass screw on drain cock is another part that could be replaced for the glycol floor drain which is rubber with a plastic red drain plug. Is that a correct part for that and has anyone replaced theirs? Or do some of you already have that in place? I'm leery of using some of these older parts when in fact I have everything out of the trailer now and this would be the time to upgrade it. TIA

This hose available at Tractor Supply looks like it might work but I'm not sure about the specs on this. Anyone?

DanWeitzel · May 16

ReenieG said:

Looking through this updated thread again as I work on my Alde corrosion, I have a couple of questions for some of you. (I will create a new thread or add my total completed experience here when I get done)
@grassgd where did you get that brush? Is it a fish tank cleaner brush or ? if you have a name or a link that would be helpful. TIA
Has anyone replaced all of their hoses? I'm trying to find a good resource to do so, since IMO, while I'm doing a massive repair to the system anyway and want to avoid any leakage from something I may have not visually seen, it seems to me the whole system contains about 25ft or less of epdm hoses which may just be more prudent to start with new hoses and cut to length. Anyone? If so, please provide a link where you got your hoses from. That would be helpful. Also, there are a couple of elbows, one with the little metal thingy, not sure what it is called, so maybe that is salvageable or can be ordered as a part.
Also, it appears this metal T-pipe and brass screw on drain cock is another part that could be replaced for the glycol floor drain which is rubber with a plastic red drain plug. Is that a correct part for that and has anyone replaced theirs? Or do some of you already have that in place? I'm leery of using some of these older parts when in fact I have everything out of the trailer now and this would be the time to upgrade it. TIA
This hose available at Tractor Supply looks like it might work but I'm not sure about the specs on this. Anyone?

I'd be careful with the Tractor Supply hose, looks like its only rated for max 150 degrees. I believe the Alde runs hotter then that. All Alde parts are listed on this website: https://www.alde.us/

ReenieG · May 16

@DanWeitzel I saw that and that's why I questioned the specs on that hose, but... there are NO hoses on the Alde site. So I'm still in search mode.

DanWeitzel · May 16

ReenieG said:

@DanWeitzel I saw that and that's why I questioned the specs on that hose, but... there are NO hoses on the Alde site. So I'm still in search mode.

Here you go. https://www.alde.us/our-products/rubber-hose-1/?from-filters=22-mm,assembly-parts-rubber,heating-systems

grassgd · May 16

ReenieG said:

Looking through this updated thread again as I work on my Alde corrosion, I have a couple of questions for some of you. (I will create a new thread or add my total completed experience here when I get done)
@grassgd where did you get that brush? Is it a fish tank cleaner brush or ? if you have a name or a link that would be helpful. TIA
Has anyone replaced all of their hoses? I'm trying to find a good resource to do so, since IMO, while I'm doing a massive repair to the system anyway and want to avoid any leakage from something I may have not visually seen, it seems to me the whole system contains about 25ft or less of epdm hoses which may just be more prudent to start with new hoses and cut to length. Anyone? If so, please provide a link where you got your hoses from. That would be helpful. Also, there are a couple of elbows, one with the little metal thingy, not sure what it is called, so maybe that is salvageable or can be ordered as a part.
Also, it appears this metal T-pipe and brass screw on drain cock is another part that could be replaced for the glycol floor drain which is rubber with a plastic red drain plug. Is that a correct part for that and has anyone replaced theirs? Or do some of you already have that in place? I'm leery of using some of these older parts when in fact I have everything out of the trailer now and this would be the time to upgrade it. TIA
This hose available at Tractor Supply looks like it might work but I'm not sure about the specs on this. Anyone?

The brush used on the rubber hose cleaning was from Harbor Freight which was pulled through with a piece of rope. The brush used on the convectors is a 12 ga shotgun brush and associated rods for cleaning a shotgun barrel.

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Corrosion of Alde Convectors

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