As stated in our Frequently Asked Questions, Truck Camper Magazine reviews are wholly independent and posted without notice or review by the industry until publication.
However, the manufacturers are invited to submit a manufacturer’s response to be immediately published, without edit, the following publishing date.
Scott Hubble, CEO at nuCamp, and Stefan Lindström, Marketing Manager at Alde in Sweden, sent in the following manufacturer’s responses to the Alde Hydronic Heating System Test and Review.
Response From Alde International Systems AB
“Thank you for the Alde hydronic heating system review in Truck Camper Magazine. You explained the system very well and I enjoyed your personal reflections.
There are three points in the review that we would like to respond to.
First, the stated four-hour heat-up time. The time the Alde takes to fully heat a RV varies from unit to unit. It also depends on the outdoor temperature, desired indoor temperature, and the overall size of the RV.
When we say it takes a maximium of four-hours, we are assuming an outdoor temperature of 5-degrees Fahrenheit (-15 degrees Celsius) and a target indoor temperature of 68-degrees Fahrenheit (+20 degrees Celsius). That’s a delta of 63-degrees Fahrenheit. I hope it took less time when you tested the Alde system.
Second, we can understand your comments on long-term quality since Alde has not been in the US market for very long and maybe not had enough time to prove its reliability.
However, the Alde system has been on the market with a similar system for a long, long time in Europe. We feel very comfortable that the Alde is a well performing, highly reliability and long lasting system.
Third, the number of Alde systems installed per year is actually +30,000 across the globe. The article sourced an older figure at 23,000 per year.”
Stefan Lindström, Marketing Manager
Alde International Systems AB, Färlöv, Sweden
Response from nüCamp RV / Cirrus Campers
“First and foremost, we all enjoyed this article – perhaps more so than any other one you have written to date. Even though you probably get that response ALDE TIME, I still had to share it.
There were a couple of things that we wanted to touch on – a few about the article itself and one key fact about the Cirrus campers that were manufactured in the second half of last year.
TCM Review: The Alde 3010 boiler heats about a gallon of propylene glycol antifreeze which in turn heats 2.2 gallons of hot water and then runs through a series of metal-finned convectors (radiators).”
The Alde system actually takes 4-gallons of glycol on the Cirrus. We fill them at the factory with that amount prior to shipping.
TCM Review: When running, the Alde system consumes 0.9-pounds of propane per hour. Alde reports that the 3010 system can operate for two-weeks on a 20-pound propane tank. This mirrors our experience as well.
The Alde runs on cycles and normally won’t consume 0.9 pounds of propane an hour! Alde themselves have tested units and a 20-pound tank will last for weeks. That said, they published the highest rate possible to guard against overstating anything.
When running the Alde on electric, please keep in mind the system needs 3,300-watts at the 1kW setting, and 5,500-watts on the 2kW setting (full power).
TCM Review: Alde recommends checking the glycol level at least twice a year. The reservoir is in the rear coat closet and the level is relatively easy to read. If it’s low, add more.
From time to time it is necessary to replace the glycol entirely (like an oil change for your vehicle). Run-of-the-mill glycol should be changed out every two years. If you are using the highest quality glycol, you can go up to five years.
We employ Century Chemical Fluid that is GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) Certified by the FDA and is Food Grade. This should get changed out every two years. Please keep in mind the propylene glycol is the nontoxic. Ethylene glycol is the toxic blend.
TCM Review: Besides, the Alde system is designed to automatically dump its fresh water if the water temperature in the unit gets to 38-degrees.
The Alde hot water tank will automatically release if the water inside the unit is near freezing, or if there is pressure buildup. It is still very important to relieve this tank during winterization.
Wrapped Up and Toasty
The Alde system is fairly remarkable, but it also depends on how well the manufacturer insulates the product. Alde suggests that you can expect an ambient temperature difference in the trailer of about 50-55 degrees. We put all of our units in a cold chamber on a regular basis and have customers who experience even better heat retention.
The Alde 3020
In the second half of 2018, we switched over from the Alde 3010 to the latest model – the Alde 3020. The main feature of the Alde 3020 is a built-in high-altitude system.
If you have a camper with the Alde 3010 and camp in altitudes north of 5,000-feet above sea level, you may experience some clanging noise. An external regulator kit that we provide can take care of that.
In addition to the newer Alde 3020 model, we also now install the, Alde Flow into the Cirrus 920. The Flow was not installed in the Cirrus 820 because there simply isn’t enough room to do so.
The Flow is a secondary Alde component that provides continuous hot water. So, if you aren’t a fan of Navy showers – the Adle Flow is a must. Here is a link to learn more about the function and benefits of the Flow: https://www.alde.us/why-choose-alde/continuous-hot-water/
Thanks again for taking the time to review our unique central heating and hot water system!”
Scott Hubble, CEO
nüCamp RV
