Can Alde 3020 compact run dry?

Comments

• pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,473

  February 27 edited February 27

  Yes, you can use the Alde with no water in the trailer plumbing.  It can make heat just fine.

  To prove to yourself the Alde is empty, all you have to do is open the "Famous Yellow Flapper Valve" in the Alde compartment.  If the trailer was winterized properly, with the Nautilus valves in the proper position...nothing should come out.

  Which "Nautilus" version do you have?  The "2.5" version with the two "handles?"  

  Or the 3.0 version with the 4 handles? 

  Depending on who you are buying the trailer from, they may have zero zip nada idea of what the Alde is and how it works.  That little test with the "Famous Yellow Flapper Valve", which is the Alde hot water tank drain, will tell you quite a lot.  The Yellow Valve looks like the ones in the photo below.  In your 320, you will only have one of these Yellow Valves.  With the valves pointing up like these, the valve is open, which would indicate the Alde tank would have been drained.  When the valve is "horizonal", it is closed.  

  
  

  Take pictures and ask questions if you need to!  And, welcome to the Forums!

  

  
  

  From the Alde Manual.

  
  

  
  

  2017 Outback

  Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
  

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• scott14 Member Posts: 173

  February 27 edited February 27

  Congratulations on your new Tab 320.
  
  Yes, you should be able to use the Alde System for cabin heat. If you are boondocking (no hook ups) you will need to use propane by selecting propane on the Alde panel (the other option is electric). If that is selected you will not have heat without 30 Amp service. It will take some time for the cabin to warm as it is more of a passive heat; but once warmed it will be cozy.
  
  Consider leaving the roof vent and one window cracked open. This will help to minimize condensation forming overnight inside the cabin.
  
  Let us know how your maiden trip goes.

  Scott / 2019 T@B 400 "C@lypso" / 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ / Northern Illinois
  

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• pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,473

  February 27

  The Alde can run just fine on the 1KW setting with only a "15 amp" setup.   Takes longer to heat, but it will work on a 15 amp circuit on the 1kw setting.

  
  

  2017 Outback

  Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
  

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• mx4789 Member Posts: 45

  February 27

  Yes. It is my understanding that the Alde will work with either water in the hot water tank or with the hot water tank empty. Just don’t use it with antifreeze in the tank.

  2025 Tab 320 S BD

  2024 Nissan Frontier

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• AnOldUR Member Posts: 1,682

  February 27 edited February 27

  The propane combustion camber is at the center of the furnace and heats the glycol surrounding it. The electric heating elements are immersed in the glycol (not water). Water is isolated in an outer location and only gets heat from contact with the walls of glycol chamber. No water in that outer area is not a problem, but low or no glycol will be.
  
  Too much information? 
  
  

  Stockton, New Jersey
  2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
  60,865 camping miles through the end of 2025

  
  

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• sambarone4202 Member Posts: 2

  February 27

  Thank you all for this great bit of education

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