FAQ

Set the desired room temperature to 4 °C below ambient on the control panel.

The central heating will cut out— the heating fluid will not be circulated so the living area will not be heated.

Hot water will still function as normal, and the central heating will cut in if the ambient temperature drops below that set.

If your heating fluid is magenta in colour you can use an Alde-approved antifreeze product to top up with.

If it is not magenta in colour it is safest to top-up with a cupful or two of deionised water. You will have slightly less protection from frost, corrosion and bacteria, but damage caused by mixing incompatible antifreeze is the bigger risk. Then change the heating fluid as soon as practicable and use an Alde-approved antifreeze.

In the UK, they are:

1. Alde Protective Premium G12++, G13 and G12evo
2. Fuchs Maintain Fricofin DP and Fricofin V
3. Comma Xstream G40 and GG40
4. VW Group G12++ and G13

These are all available ready to use, pre-mixed with deionised water. Some are available as concentrate. Always read the label.

These products all have a 5 year life, conforming to Alde Approval 4070 2024. Corrosion damage caused by substandard heating fluid is not covered by warranty.

Heating fluid using an Alde-approved antifreeze should be replaced after 5 years.

All Alde-approved antifreeze is magenta in colour. If your heating fluid is not magenta in colour, replace it as soon as practicable using an Alde-approved antifreeze product.

Corrosion damage caused by substandard heating fluid is not covered by warranty.

Yes, operate the Alde system normally. No harm will result as there are no electric heating elements in the hot water cylinder.

Most people should set their modes to All, to do the same thing every day, since you can’t set different programmes for each day.

As for the time, it’s best if you imagine a 24 hour clockface.

If you want the room temperature to be warm during the day but cooler when you go to bed at night

In this example we set desired temperature on the Main Menu to 22 °C. This is our “normal mode”. We set Night Mode to 17 °C, starting at 22:00 and ending at 06:00 when we get out of bed. At 06:00 the desired temperature will revert to the 22 °C we set on the Main Menu. We do not set Day Mode.

If you go out in the morning and come back later in the day

Night Mode is set as before but we also use Day Mode. We set Day Mode to 10 °C to keep off the chill, starting at 09:00 when we leave, ending 15:00 when we get back. In the times between Day and Night Mode, the desired temperature reverts to 22 °C.

If your programmes don’t work together

If you set Night Mode and Day Mode to start/end at exactly the same time, they will conflict. There’s also no reason to set Night Mode and Day Mode back to back. Your programme should have an hour or so in “normal mode” between Night and Day Mode, otherwise you don’t need all three modes.

Finally, don’t forget to set the clock.

Air may have separated from the heating fluid and accumulated in the pipes. Follow the instructions in the manual to bleed air.

If your Alde system is new or has just been serviced, the technicians may have left your 12 V inline circulation pump on Speed 4–5 for bleeding. This can be noisy. Lower the speed on the pump mounted on the side of the Alde boiler. Speed 2–3 is ideal for most installations.

All operating and installation instructions are available to download or print in Manuals. If you don’t know which boiler model you have, try our “What boiler model do I have?” section.

The heating fluid is a consumable and will need replacing when its protection expires. Since 2019, UK installers must use an Alde-approved product with 5-year protection from new. If in doubt, replace the heating fluid within the first year.

Seasonally inspect the boiler’s flue hoses. They should be secured, undamaged, and clear of obstructions.

When in constant use, drain off and top-up the fresh water every two weeks to replenish the natural air cushion in the boiler. This can mitigate any hammering from the water pump.

Empty the fresh water over winter.

Safety inspections should be completed on schedule as required by law.

Yes, operate the Alde system normally. No harm will result as there are no electric heating elements in the hot water cylinder.

Yes. There isn’t a specific “frost protect” setting but if you’re hooked up to 230 V electric power you could leave the system running on 2 kW electric heating at 5 °C on the control panel. Check regularly for signs of condensation and remember to drain down the fresh water.

But be kind to the planet; ask yourself whether you really need to heat an empty caravan or motorhome all winter?

Most people should set their modes to All, to do the same thing every day, since you can’t set different programmes for each day.

As for the time, it’s best if you imagine a 24 hour clockface.

If you want the room temperature to be warm during the day but cooler when you go to bed at night

In this example we set desired temperature on the Main Menu to 22 °C. This is our “normal mode”. We set Night Mode to 17 °C, starting at 22:00 and ending at 06:00 when we get out of bed. At 06:00 the desired temperature will revert to the 22 °C we set on the Main Menu. We do not set Day Mode.

If you go out in the morning and come back later in the day

Night Mode is set as before but we also use Day Mode. We set Day Mode to 10 °C to keep off the chill, starting at 09:00 when we leave, ending 15:00 when we get back. In the times between Day and Night Mode, the desired temperature reverts to 22 °C.

If your programmes don’t work together

If you set Night Mode and Day Mode to start/end at exactly the same time, they will conflict. There’s also no reason to set Night Mode and Day Mode back to back. Your programme should have an hour or so in “normal mode” between Night and Day Mode, otherwise you don’t need all three modes.

Finally, don’t forget to set the clock.

Try these quick guides:

• Compact 3020
• Compact 3010 with touchscreen control panel
• Compact 3010 with digital control panel

You can also play around with our online emulators.

That depends on the design and insulation in the vehicle, how much power you’re using for the central heating and of course, how cold it is outside.

In vehicles built in the UK with BS EN1645/6-1 Grade III insulation, from cold, most will reach comfy room temperature within the hour if given sufficient power.

1. Use maximum electric heating and gas heating. This prevents wasted energy and improves heat-up time.
2. From cold, don’t be tempted to “whack up” the desired room temperature above 22 °C. You will waste energy and won’t improve heat-up time.
3. Set the desired room temperature to a couple of degrees lower than your comfy t-shirt temperature and wear a gillet or cardie instead. This will save energy.
4. Compact 3020 owners, if you don’t use the hot water at night, set the system to ignore hot water demand. Another energy saving.
5. Remember to bleed air from the heating system and ensure the vents in the furniture are unobstructed top and bottom. This improves efficiency.

From 12 V

The system is very dynamic with circulation pump starting and stopping, gas igniting, combustion fan changing speed, etc.. The electronics have a more stable draw. For off-grid planning assume the system will draw around 1 A from 12 VDC power supply whilst active.

Parasitic drain—when the system is shutdown—is about 80 mA.

From 230 V

Although nominally 230 VAC, the UK electrical grid has a higher median voltage so depending on how much power the Alde heating is using that’s roughly:

1 kW = 4.8 A
2 kW = 9.5 A
3 kW = 14.3 A

Set the desired room temperature to 4 °C below ambient on the control panel.

The central heating will cut out— the heating fluid will not be circulated so the living area will not be heated.

Hot water will still function as normal, and the central heating will cut in if the ambient temperature drops below that set.

Yes.

Unless your vehicle has a FrostControl and fresh water tank heating. Even if the central heating is left at 22 °C there might be a power cut, for example.

The Alde boiler has a stainless steel hot water cylinder, so you should use a steriliser product that is compatible with stainless steel.

We recommend Puriclean by Clean Tabs. Always read the label.

Yes, operate the Alde system normally. No harm will result as there are no electric heating elements in the hot water cylinder.

Find your safety/drain valve. Lift the yellow toggle and water will drain out through the underside of the vehicle. Open all taps, showers, and water outlets.

If you’re draining down for winter, don’t forget to empty your grey water and black waste too.

Only use palatable drinking water.

Sites in Iberia and the Maghreb may use softened, shock-treated well water or desalinated seawater with high levels of bleach and/or salt that will corrode stainless steel.

It may be labelled as drinking water but if you can’t stomach it, don’t use it in the system either, unless your vehicle is equipped with at least a 4-stage RO water filter or marine watermaker.

The Alde boiler has a stainless steel hot water cylinder

When mixing down to a usable temperature, 12–15 litres of heated water every 30 minutes is normal, equating to a continuous shower of 4–5 minutes with a 3 litre per minute flow rate. The system can be equipped with an Alde TMV3 to reduce wastage when mixing the water.

Cold water below 10 °C will take longer to heat.

If your Compact 3020 system is equipped with an Alde Flow module and connected to mains water, the hot water will be continuous. Take as long as you like to wash your luxuriant locks!

Regulations require stored hot water to be heated to scalding temperature to prevent the growth of legionella, a deadly bacteria.

Some installations are covered by regulations that also require thermostatic mixer valves to be fitted, to mix the hot water down to non-scalding temperature before the outlet. In the UK, touring caravans and motorhomes built for sale to end customers who are private individuals, are not required to fit thermostatic mixer valves.

The Alde TMV3 meets the highest UK standard for care homes, hospitals and nurseries and can be retrofitted by any Alde Service Partner.

As a rough guide, most caravans and motorhomes hold 10–15 litres, A-class motorhomes and boats 20–25 litres.

If your heating fluid is magenta in colour you can use an Alde-approved antifreeze product to top up with.

If it is not magenta in colour it is safest to top-up with a cupful or two of deionised water. You will have slightly less protection from frost, corrosion and bacteria, but damage caused by mixing incompatible antifreeze is the bigger risk. Then change the heating fluid as soon as practicable and use an Alde-approved antifreeze.

About 1 cm above the Min mark when cool.

As the fluid heats up it will expand towards the Max mark.

In the UK, they are:

1. Alde Protective Premium G12++, G13 and G12evo
2. Fuchs Maintain Fricofin DP and Fricofin V
3. Comma Xstream G40 and GG40
4. VW Group G12++ and G13

These are all available ready to use, pre-mixed with deionised water. Some are available as concentrate. Always read the label.

These products all have a 5 year life, conforming to Alde Approval 4070 2024. Corrosion damage caused by substandard heating fluid is not covered by warranty.

It’s best to use the British Technique, pushing the old fluid out using either the new fluid or clean water if flushing the system first.

Alde Service Partners can quote you for this work, using their Alde service pump kit and Alde-approved antifreeze. Or why not book in at Alde’s Moosewerks facility in Northants.

Heating fluid using an Alde-approved antifreeze should be replaced after 5 years.

All Alde-approved antifreeze is magenta in colour. If your heating fluid is not magenta in colour, replace it as soon as practicable using an Alde-approved antifreeze product.

Corrosion damage caused by substandard heating fluid is not covered by warranty.

Air may have separated from the heating fluid and accumulated in the pipes. Follow the instructions in the manual to bleed air.

If your Alde system is new or has just been serviced, the technicians may have left your 12 V inline circulation pump on Speed 4–5 for bleeding. This can be noisy. Lower the speed on the pump mounted on the side of the Alde boiler. Speed 2–3 is ideal for most installations.

No.

Even if you have a crash sensor in your gas regulator, you must remember to shutdown the heating system fully before pulling into a fuel station.

If you forget, you will effectively be standing on the forecourt with a lit gas burner.

Metal LPG bottles are most versatile. Performance of composite bottles deteriorates more quickly than metal in extreme conditions. Fixed refillable fuel systems are fine but read the filling instructions carefully to avoid flooding your gas lines with liquid gas.

In the UK, use propane (red bottle) from a reputable supplier or Autogas.

Butane (blue bottle) isn’t suitable for use in temperatures below 13 °C (BS 5482 Part 1).

As a rough guideline, when running on gas in the UK climate, a 6 kg bottle of propane should last all weekend at most times of the year.

The dual-stage gas burner is computer controlled and electric heating can be prioritised (and is by default).

The convectors put out ≈400 W per metre. Doubled up, they put out ≈600 W per metre.

No.

If they shed copper particles they may cause galvanic corrosion in the Alde boiler’s aluminum glycol cylinder. Such damage won’t be covered by warranty.

The boiler’s hot water cylinder is stainless steel.

As a rough guide, most caravans and motorhomes hold 10–15 litres, A-class motorhomes and boats 20–25 litres.

An Alde system provides both central heating and hot water rather than having two separate systems. But compared to a combined forced air and hot water system, an Alde system in a caravan will weigh about 10 kg more when full.

Alde systems are fitted into a wide range of models, as shown in our European installed base.

Yes. 12 VDC power is used for the heating controls but you need stable 230 VAC power supply for electric heating.

The Alde system can output 1, 2 or 3 kW on electric heating, selectable from the control panel. In the UK with its higher median voltage, that’s a load of roughly 4.8, 9.5 or 14.3 amps.

Bear in mind that most caravans and motorhomes have their insulation tested with gas and electric heating, so electric heating alone won’t be sufficient in all weather. (Gas heating adds another 6 kW of power.)

Alde heating system is an open-vented system. This allows pipework and fittings to be physically thinner and lighter and the circulation pump to be quieter.

(Alde Compact boilers are room-sealed with fan-assisted balanced flues.)

Yes. You’ll need 12 VDC power from the leisure battery for the heating controls and propane for your 6 kW gas heating.

Alde distance sells to trade customers only. Contact us to setup a trade account.

All other customers can purchase from our resellers.

Customers booked in for work at our Moosewerks facility in Northants can purchase spare parts and accessories and have them fitted while they wait.

There have been three Alde Compact boiler models: Compact 3000 (1993–2005), Compact 3010 (2005–2014), Compact 3020 (2014 to date).

None of their control panels are cross-compatible with each other.

Compact 3010 systems can all be upgraded to a touchscreen control panel with the Colour Touch Upgrade. If upgrading from the slider switch/control knob panel then the Digital Adaptor Lead is also required.

No.

A building has much better insulation all-round than a caravan or motorhome, and doesn’t have gas drop-holes either.

Underfloor heating should feel about the same temperature as the soles of your feet are naturally. Somewhere around 30 °C. Any warmer will be uncomfortable.

So you will still need a smart designed heating circuit, with convectors and radiators to warm up the living area.

High communication load on the yellow connector on the control panel.

1. Check the cable, connectors and your vehicle’s master panel.

If the error persists, contact Alde Service Partner.

Error with the red cable between the boiler and the control panel.

1. Check red cable between boiler and panel as well as its red contacts.
2. Check cables connected to the boiler’s black connector, e.g. cable between AC and boiler or panel.

If the error persists, contact Alde Service Partner.

Can occur if the panel has been exposed to high humidity for an extended period of time.

1. Ensure that the panel dries up and then restart.

If the error persists, contact Alde Service Partner.

The circuit board in the boiler is not intended for the Alde Compact 3020 HE and will not work with the 3020 HE panel.

Contact Alde Service Partner.

There is a connection error between the boiler and control panel.

Probably a problem with the boiler’s PCB. The error may also occur due to incompatible software in the boiler and control panel.

If the error persists, contact Alde Service Partner.

There is a Remote Control error: The remote control connected to contact JP3 on the back of the control panel is disconnected or defective. For example, remote control can be Alde Smart Control.F

1. Check cable and connectors.
2. If it has been disconnected press the “uninstall” button on the control panel.
3. Press reinstall to connect the device again.

If the error persists, contact Alde Service Partner.

The combustion fan is defective.

Contact your Alde Service Partner.

Ensure that gas is available to the boiler. To reset the error;

1. break and reconnect 12 V to the boiler,
2. after 12 V has been reconnected gas operation has to been reactivated in the Control Panel.

The error may also be due to a faulty spark generator and/or burner.

Contact Alde Service Partner if the error is not reset.

Overheating in the boiler or boiler space. To reset the error ;

1. Wait till the temperature in the boiler or boiler space has dropped.
2. Break and reconnect 12 V to the boiler.

If the error persists, contact Alde Service Partner.

Overheat protection (red cable) tripped.

This fault can arise if the boiler is run at high power at the same time as there are air pockets in the heating system, the heating system should then be bled properly, see user manual.

Also check that the fluid level in the expansion tank is at least 1 cm above the min line when cool.

If the fault remains, contact your Alde Service Partner.

This error can occur if the boiler is running at high effect while there are air pockets in the system.

1. Bleed the system thoroughly, see user´s  manual.
2. Check that the fluid level in the expansion tank is at least 1 cm over the min-line when the fluid is cold.

This can also occur if the circulation pump is broken or disconnected from the boiler.

To reset the error,

1. The glycol temperature must drop below 41°F  (50 °C)
2. Break and reconnect 12 V to the boiler.

If the error persists, contact Alde Service Partner.