Alde central heating and hot water systems are fitted into boats, caravans, motorhomes and welfare units across the world, and have been built by Alde International Systems AB in Sweden since 1966.
The 3010 Compact is a hydronic central heating and hot water system based on the same principles as that found in a modern home. It's powered by either gas (LPG) or mains electricity (230 V), with an optional engine heat exchanger for self-propelled vehicles.
The convectors and radiators in the heating circuit are located around the exterior walls, drawing cool air from floor height, heating it so that it rises to ceiling height. The air flows downwards as it cools, to be drawn in and heated again, creating air circulation. Vents in the floor and roof keep the air refreshed.
Reisemobil International is the most popular motorhome magazine in Germany and in their 2009 reader survey Alde central heating and hot water systems were found to give the most customer satisfaction.
Frequently asked questions about the Alde Compact boilers.
How do you operate the digital control panel?
User instructions for the digital control panel should be included with your vehicle, but Alde also provides a 4-page quick start guide.
>Digital control panel quick start guide
How much current does the heating system draw?
There are two actions in the Alde Compact 3010 boiler that draw current from the vehicle battery, the exhaust fan venting waste gases (≈0.4 A), and the heating fluid being pumped around the circuit (≈0.2 A). So normal draw from the vehicle battery is between ≈0–0.6 A with an LPG supply, or ≈0–0.2 A with a 230 V supply only. Max draw is 1 A for approximately three seconds at system start-up.
Max draw from 230 V mains is ≈9 A on 2 kW, ≈4.5 A on 1 kW.
Is the domestic hot water instantaneous and continuous?
No.
Although some users don't notice the difference, the Alde Compact boiler uses a store of 8.4 litres of fresh water at 65°C. When mixed at the fixture, this amounts to ≈15 litres of hot water.
For boats, this can be coupled with the Alde Twin-Coil Calorifier for an additional 40 litres of fresh water or ≈72 litres of hot water when mixed at the fixture.
As a point of reference, a typical small household continuous and instantaneous hot water system will have a max draw of ≈68 A on 230 V mains, or consume ≈200 MJ on LPG.
What level should I fill the fluid in the expansion tank to?
When the fluid is cold it should stand approximately 10 mm above the Min mark.
What type of fluid is the heating system filled with?
A 50/50 mix of ethylene glycol antifreeze and clean water.
Ethylene glycol antifreeze is also used for car radiator systems, and is commonly available from fuel stations and car accessory retailers.
Alde UK use Comma Super Coldmaster Concentrated Antifreeze with 2 year Longlife protection. Castrol Antifreeze NF (Grade Code 1729) with 2 year service life is also suitable.
What general maintenance should I carry out?
Your vendor should provide a maintenance schedule, though the following can be assumed:
The ethylene glycol fluid should be replaced according to vendor's instructions. Most vendors use antifreeze with a 2 year protection from new.
Make a visual inspection of the boiler's air inlet and exhaust outlet hose. Check that the hoses are still secured and undamaged, and that the external flue is clear and free of obstruction. Contact your dealer if the hose is damaged.
An annual gas tightness test should be carried out in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Can I operate my central heating while the domestic water is drained down?
Yes.
Propane or butane – what type of LPG (liquid petroleum gas) should I use?
Propane. Alde UK recommends the use of propane in all Alde (and SMEV) systems within the UK.
The operating temperature ranges of propane and butane are different, and will impact performance even at mild temperatures. The gas in a smaller bottle will cool quicker as it is tapped than in a larger bottle, and bottles chilled overnight may not warm to operating temperature again during the day. Thus the size of a bottle and the temperature at which it's stored will also impact performance.
BS 5482 Part 1 states, "For butane cylinders, satisfactory service might not be obtained at temperatures of less than 10 °C; the most suitable temperature range is from 13 to 30 °C. For temperatures less than 13 °C, the use of propane should be considered."
Propane will operate down to -42 °C and is more suitable for the British climate.
Be aware that Campingaz (formerly Camping Gaz) is butane, and therefore not recommended for use our systems.
How much gas should the heating system consume?
The multi-stage burner in the Alde Compact 3010 boiler will consume 19.8 MJ (propane) or 23 MJ (butane) on full power, equivalent to 405 g/h (propane) or 460 g/h (butane).
The multi-stage burner is intelligently controlled, however. The boiler will use 230 V mains in preference to LPG, for example, and will only fire on one stage to maintain fluid temperature if sufficient.
The exact amount of gas consumed will vary from one day to the next, from one vehicle to the next. The heating system design is only one of three major factors, the others being insulation and ambient temperate.
>Advice on system design
What is the power output of the Alde aluminium convectors?
The convectors put out ≈400 W per metre. Doubled up, they put out ≈600 W per metre.
Can copper parts be used in the system?
No.
There are aluminium contact surfaces in the boiler, and copper parts will cause corrosive galvanic action in any aluminium parts of the system.
How much fluid is in the central heating system?
Varies. As a rough guide, most caravans and motorhomes hold 10–13 litres, boats 15–25 litres, portable cabins 18–22 litres.
What caravan and/or motorhome manufacturers currently fit Alde central heating and hot water systems into their range?
Alde systems are usually fitted into higher end models.
>Our European installed base
