Alde Fluid Change - Another Way ?

RCB · April 12

I’ve expressed my disappointment with tthe difficulty and cost to maintain the system on several occassions. It seems however the Alde folks are content with their approach to maintenance.

Cost of the fluid aside, there must be a simpler method to change the stuff. What if, there was a built in tank at the low point into which the fluid could be drained - just open a valve. Then drain the tank of the old fluid and refill it with fresh juice. Activate a pump to refill the system then close the valve. Is this feasible ? Can we engineer such a system ? I know, high points, low points, air locks etc but …

db_cooper · April 12

I agree it should be easier to DIY this maintenance task, especially given the short change intervals with the US spec fluid. They could at least make the fluid easier to purchase without exorbitant shipping costs. The simple hand pump @ScottG makes the process pretty easy when changing like fluids, and unlike my previous 2015 320, our 620 truck camper does have a low point drain, but it's difficult to get all the fluid out with one way valve below a high point.

Horigan · April 12

If your 2019 400 has the closet, you can do a full drain with a shop vac. Do a normal drain from the bottom, then tape a shop vac hose to the reservoir hose that still has fluid in it and pull the remaining fluid in the system into the shop vac. For filling just turn the Alde on and off as you refill the reservoir multiple times. Then bleed from the shower loop and you're done. Way easier in my view than using a pump that's required on other years/models.

pthomas745 · April 12

In my 2017, the expansion tank is in a difficult spot. I find it impossible to work inside the area of the tank. If you get your head in to look, you can't get your hands in to work...etc.

There is another "entry" in the glycol loop just beyond the auto air bleed valve. By removing the clamps at the valve, you can "push" the glycol around the loop, back to the expansion tank, and out of the open glycol drain. I used this method when I drained my glycol last year. This might not completely clear the glycol still inside the Alde itself, but it will certainly clear 90 percent of it.

You can see this access point and a description of this method in the DIY Glycol File, in Appendix A.

In my 2017, there "seems" to be another loop access point under the passenger side bench convectors. This is the point where the "loop" sends the glycol back toward the expansion tank. There is a 180 degree hose elbow at that spot. Remove the elbow, you could probably "suck" the glycol out of the system from that point, or "push" the glycol out toward the expansion tank and have it travel around the loop and drain it back to your bucket. Just as if you were inserting fittings into the glycol tank.

I'm not sure if a 400 has the same sort of "180 degree" elbow.

scott14 · April 12

This guy has a 320, but added low point drains to the 320 system.

https://youtu.be/HYSygKVIkH4?si=SNlz9Yj05FaprV1v

This is the first of three parts.

ScottG · April 13

@RCB, what you suggest is certainly feasible and is among the many approaches that owners have effectively used to change their own glycol. While finding a single low point in these systems is tricky, extra drains (see comment above by @scott14) can be added to facilitate complete system draining.

In addition, owners have also refilled an empty system by simply filling through the expansion tank and letting the circulator pump move the fluid.

As with any method, these approaches still have their particular advantages and disadvantages. Adding low point drains entails a DIY modification to the trailer that may be beyond the comfort level of some owners. Filling through the expansion tank can be challenging because you have to make sure you don't let the tank run dry and end up introducing even more air into the system.

RCB · April 13

To expand a bit on Another Way - the object is to move the entire fluid change operation outside and at the Alde exterior access door. My ‘thinking’ so far…
1. I’ll need portable container to receive the old fluid and second container with the new.
2. Connect the tubes at the relief tank with 3-way valves. This would be a permanent mod to the piping.
4. Close the new valves to create a closed loop. Drain using the existing drain with an auxiliary pump.
5. Connect to the piping system and pump the new fluid in. But where ? Or even simpler pump in the new fluid in (at some location) and force the old out.
6. By opening the inlet valve to the expansion tank at the end of the process might allow the exp tank to fill.
This is pretty much the same process in general use. For me physical access and some disassembly of shelves and panels in the 400 closet makes the process difficult.
(????)

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Alde Fluid Change - Another Way ?

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