Alde water and heating
I have just worked through the details of ordering a new van (Swift 580) which will have the Alde 3020 heating. Having reviewed it, I understand that there is an Alde water flow add on that can be fitted to increase hot water flow to virtually continuous. Given that one reason for changing the van was to have a proper shower etc, is it advisable to specify this as an addition? It will need to cope with a shower each for two people at a time and I wondered how people find this in practice? also does anyone have a rough idea of the price of it as I can't find it listed anywhere?
Many thanks.
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Found this, continuous hot water, on the Alde site. However, as far as price is concerned they just refer you to a dealer, they don't seem to publish a price list.
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from the link above....
"The Alde Flow is our latest ingenious invention, expanding the heat exchange surface to pre-heat the water entering the Alde 3020 Compact HE boiler. This provides continuous hot water.
The Alde Flow is more compact and lighter weight than conventional marine calorifiers, and integrates seamlessly with the Alde 3020 Compact HE system, so no manual switches or valves are required. The Alde Flow has an integral pump, so when the boiler's circulation pump is inactive, continuous hot water is still available. Indeed once fitted, your hot water is limited only your fresh water and gas supply!"
i wondered if the last line meant the Alde Flow device is gas-only, in order to keep pace with demand?
if thatbwere the case, kt would put off many a caranner used to making a 6kg Calor last three years....
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Not the question you asked but I would consider having a thermostatic valve fitted to the shower water supply. The Alde water supply can be 70+ degrees.
I mention this because I notice you caravan with grandchildren and some mixer taps can be problematic.
The valve will allow you to set the maximum water temp. to just how you like it and avoid accidents.
Ken
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You would need to be on a serviced pitch to make best use of continuous hot water.
If you select the water boost say 10 minutes before showering, you will get plenty of very hot water to mix with the cold and give a decent shower. Especially if you let it use both gas and electricity.
Keep the boost on (it will go off after 30 minutes) and allow 15 minutes for reheating ( maximum, probably will take less than that, you will hear when it is hot as the boiler will turn off) before the second shower.
Enough time for you to empty waste and replenish water if necessary!!
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That;s the only thing in the van we don't use, we always use CC sites with a toilet block, having said that if their comes time we need to use it l think we would wait the 15 min it takes to reheat up so l would go second as her in doors spends at least 1/2 hour in the toilet room in a morning getting ready plenty of time for it to reheat
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It will need to cope with a shower each for two people at a time
How big is your shower compartment?
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Thanks for this and others. I caravan with tenage kids...the CC options only let you select children and grandchildren.....hopefully won't have them for a while.
We have had a van with bunks for the kids and now is the time to change and also pacify the wife who wants some "her space" as our previous van didn't have a practical shower. To keep us caravaning I decided to change it so she has a fixed bed and a shower where she can avoid visiting the shower block to shower, important for our main holiday where we frequently have either full or partial service pitch. Hence why wondering if enough of a water supply with e Alde....it seems like we will manage
By the way, re using the gas. I am really chilled about it since getting a safefil cylinder. Marvellous decision which stopped me exchanging half full cylinders before going abroad and is cheap as chips to refil.
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We have showers every morning and have yet to run out of hot water.
The trick is to switch the water off after wetting yourself, wash/soap hair and body and then run the water again to rinse off.
If you shower under running water then you are likely to run out.
We always use serviced pitches so don't have to worry about the incoming water supply or the waste water.
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We have a standard Alde 3020 system and find it easily capable of supplying ample hot water for both of us to have a shower, even if we don't use the boost facility. With the boost facility you get faster water heating and therefore an even greater amount of warm water.
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The cost is £650 and not £690. They do a survey first to see if it is feasible to fit the unit in the caravan. If it is then you toddle off for the day and collect the caravan in the afternoon. If you wish to upgrade to the 5 year fluid while there the additional cost is £100
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