Frequently asked questions

FAQ

Check out the most frequently asked questions and answers. Whether you are curious about our products, wondering about maintenance or have technical questions, we have the answers. If you have any further questions or need more detailed information, our service team is always ready to help you.

Can Alde provide diesel heating?

Not dedicated diesel heating, but an Alde-equipped motorised vehicle can be fitted with the engine heat exchanger to utilise waste heat from the engine.

Can I use underfloor heating only to heat my vehicle?

No.

Even vehicles achieving the highest BS EN1645 grade are not as well insulated as buildings. For only underfloor heating to sufficiently heat a vehicle the floor would be too hot to walk on.

Where can I buy Alde products?

We supply many of the UK leisure industry’s online retailers and wholesalers.

But if you’re a vehicle manufacturer producing at least 12 units a year, please contact us to discuss a strategic partnership.

Is the central heating pressurised like a car radiator?

No, the central heating is open vented. This reduces weight, and draw from the leisure battery.

Can I use electric heating from the leisure battery only?

No.

The Alde heating system requires 12 VDC power for its controls but 230 VAC power for electric heating. If you’re off-grid you’ll need gas heating.

If you tried powering the electric heating from a leisure battery it would generate about 9 W of heat. That’s about a tenth of the heating your own body provides.

Can I use gas and electric heating at the same time?

Yes please do.

The system can also be set to prioritise either gas or electric if one is cheaper than the other, for example.

How much does Alde heating weigh compared to forced/blown air heating?

About 10 kg heavier filled, when compared to a combi heater. These days separate space heaters and water heaters tend to be less powerful so aren’t really comparable.

Which caravan and motorhome manufacturers currently fit Alde heating?

Our customers as of current model year.

Can I use copper parts in the central heating with the Alde system?

No.

Alde Compact boilers contain aluminium surfaces in the glycol cylinder. Any particles from copper parts that circulated into the boiler would cause galvanic corrosion. Use high quality steel or stainless steel parts instead.

How much electrical current does the Alde heating draw?

From 12 VDC

The system is very dynamic, so the draw from the leisure battery fluctuates a lot. For off-grid planning, assume the heating will draw around 1 A from the leisure battery whilst active.

When the system is shutdown, parasitic drain is around 80 mA.

From 230 VAC

Although mains electricity in the UK is nominally 230 V, in reality its median is more like 240 V. That’s roughly: