Read a report on the Alde heating system on the internet, in which it was said that people who've had a caravan with it would never go back to the standard blown heating.
So can I ask what folks' experiences of it have been?
I have a few queries - how much extra weight does it add to the van? what do you do when towing? - empty it or have water flowing around a towed van? does it contain antifreeze for the winter - if so to what level? why are the 'radiator' things below the seats and behind the cushion - surely that heats up the cushion before the van? how does it improve things by heating from behind solids rather than blowing warm air into an open space?
I have never been classed as a stick in the mud - wrong job and wrong part of the ladder - am I becoming one now? I use the van all year round - home and abroad - and the heating seems to be fine - even in the snow. Is it a case of 'must find a different way' rather than ' is there a better way'?
I think people have found it more efficient than the Trumatic heaters that very often never get it right, blowing cold air rather than hot or warm and constantly switching off, but how it stacks up against the new Propex or Whale I wouldn't like to say, except that the Propex has always been acknowledged as being better than Trumatic by many but lacked the electric heater.
Now a new Propex gas and electric heater has been introduced and has also been badged by Whale (along with the Propex Malaga water heater) which could prove interesting within the caravan industry during the next couple of years
------------- Caravanning is a way of getting a cheap holiday out of an expensive hobby
Quote: Originally posted by ldpdmp on 06/11/2010
I have a few queries - how much extra weight does it add to the van? what do you do when towing? - empty it or have water flowing around a towed van? does it contain antifreeze for the winter - if so to what level? why are the 'radiator' things below the seats and behind the cushion - surely that heats up the cushion before the van? how does it improve things by heating from behind solids rather than blowing warm air into an open space?
An Alde system is probably lighter than a blown air system as it does not require a Truma water boiler.
The circulating water is just like your cars coolant 40% Antifreeze 60% water. There is about 10 litres of that and depending on quality of product used stays in there for 2 or 5 years.
The radiators are logically place below cushions so the warm air circulates gently up the gaps purposely left between them and the wall.
It gives a more evenly distributed daft free heat just like home radiators compared to home blown air.
The Alde heating is very good, we are very pleased with it.
The system is originally Swedish, developed for use in the cold Scandinavian winters. It heats the whole fabric of the van which eliminates cold spots.
Other advantages....
Virtually silent in operation
Can be programmed for different temperatures for day/night
With the correct extras you can "phone" it to switch it on
Disadvantages...
No instant heat, or gas fire to provide heat at tea-breaks
The system remains filled all the time, but you can empty the hot water supply bit if you wish.The water is not "flowing around" while towing as there is no possibility for it to slosh around in the pipework.
As well as radiators behind seats there are usually ones along all walls with free space, e.g.in the bathroom.
As said....once you have had it you will never want to go back to blown air!
I remember the old Swetherm system that was used by Cabby the Swedish caravan manufacturer and it was very efficient at creating a warm van without cold spots. The only downside the original system had was it was susceptible to the wind blowing out the flame when from certain directions but I expect that this has been resolved now as it was over 30 years ago when I last was in a van with that system. Looking back Cabby were years ahead of most caravan manufacturers in construction and equipment. No manufacturer has really developed a construction method as good as their pressure injection panels and roofs. It must have been about 35 years ago when they had a Volvo on top of a caravan at the caravan show in Earls Court.
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I've fancied the alde heating system for a while . The blown air in my swift 620 wont keep the rear bathroom warm .The air from the vent in bathroom blows pretty cool . However as a weekend rallier usually not on mains ' hook up' there are 2 things that concern me with the alde system . 1) Battery drain- the heating on the alde system requires its pump to run ,which is a battery killer. Granted its not a problem on clubsites but we rarely use them . 2) Gas usage the alde system appears to use more gas,most ralliers seem to carry 13kg or even 18kg bottles.
My swift can just fit a 13kg bottle in the front locker but it is a faff getting it in & out of the locker . I wont carry bottled gas in the car, many alde users i know do & have an extended gas pigtail & leave the bottle alongside the A-frame when set up on site but i dont consider it a safe option.
That said if the new 2011 challenger had come with Alde heating i would have ordered one at the Lawn's show as it didnt i decided to keep my present van & put up with a cool bathroom !
Quote: Originally posted by rd57chad on 07/11/2010
That said if the new 2011 challenger had come with Alde heating i would have ordered one at the Lawn's show as it didnt i decided to keep my present van & put up with a cool bathroom !
We would have bought one too. Big mistake by Swift in my view. Keeping the one we have got until they do put it in.
I have Alde heating and I find the biggest advantage over any other system is the lack of draughts,the majority of the heat comes from behind you, no matter where you are sat.Downside is the lack of instant heat,but what we do when we stop for a cup of tea etc.and need some warmth, is turn on the gas oven .this soon warms the place.
Just been away for the weekend with friends we've got alde and they have a lovely new van with blown heating and I was more comfortable In ahe alde by a long way and we go away over the new year and I would never buy another van without it
weight factor if the system holds 10 litres of water that is equal to 10kg plus the piping and the radiator things and a pump and a heater suggests it is heavier than the old style more weight = heavier car = lower mpg not convinced
heating from behind still heats up the fabric of the van = good idea together with improved insulation as in scandinavian but still requires more thermal output to keep the cushions warm before heating the space - or so it seems still not convinced
if a van is about 6x2x2m = 24cu.m. and properly insulated it does not need a super heater system to keep it warm
weight factor if the system holds 10 litres of water that is equal to 10kg plus the piping and the radiator things and a pump and a heater suggests it is heavier than the old style more weight = heavier car = lower mpg not convinced
heating from behind still heats up the fabric of the van = good idea together with improved insulation as in scandinavian but still requires more thermal output to keep the cushions warm before heating the space - or so it seems still not convinced
if a van is about 6x2x2m = 24cu.m. and properly insulated it does not need a super heater system to keep it warm
You stay not convinced! I will keep looking for my perfect van with Alde heating in.
chacun a son gout negatives for some ; positives for others not a problem in my book opinion only good hunting - and enjoy your caravanning, johnks
No not upset. Just glad that Truma will retain a customer. They have been producing the blown air unit since the 1970's. Wasn't any good then and it hasn't altered that much. It is about the only thing that hasn't been updated in modern caravans.
Happy to have the extra weight as we don't take that much with us anyway.
weight factor if the system holds 10 litres of water that is equal to 10kg plus the piping and the radiator things and a pump and a heater suggests it is heavier than the old style more weight = heavier car = lower mpg not convinced
heating from behind still heats up the fabric of the van = good idea together with improved insulation as in scandinavian but still requires more thermal output to keep the cushions warm before heating the space - or so it seems still not convinced
if a van is about 6x2x2m = 24cu.m. and properly insulated it does not need a super heater system to keep it warm
You are not heating the cushions, there are vent boards that keep the cushions out of the way, the warm air comes up behind them. There are also boards between the radiators and the rest of the bed locker to direct the heat upwards rather than under the seat.
The pipework is aluminium with rubber connectors, and the "radiators" are just pipes with aluminium fins fitted, so all very lightweight. The pump probably weighs about 100grams.
The boiler is mainly aluminium, it weighs 15kg.
So in the grand scheme of things, the Alde system adds little to the weight of the van.
I very much doubt you would need a heavier tow car just because of the Alde, if that was the case then you would already be towing too close to your limit!
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Topic: Alde heating
