FAQ

Need help quickly? Review the most common questions in our FAQ. We also provide tips on camping in winter and winter storage.

General questions

I don't have a user manual. Where can I find one?

All instructions are available to download or print under ”Manuals”. If you don’t know which boiler model you have, look at the pictures under “what boiler model do I have“.

As a private individual, can I service or buy products from Alde?

You can both service and purchase products from Alde and Truma at the new Alde Service Center in Färlöv.
However, we have no online or phone sales. If you are not going to be in the vicinity of Alde Service Center, we refer you to our talented dealers who are trained and know about our products. You will find all service locations in Europe here under ”Support”.

Winter storage

What should I bear in mind when laying up my vehicle for the winter?

First of all, drain off all the freshwater from the water heater using the drain valve on the boiler. If you are unsure about how to proceed, read the instruction manual for the boiler.

Check to make sure that all the freshwater has been drained off. Don’t forget to also open the freshwater taps. Also check that you have enough antifreeze in the glycol in the heating system so that it can withstand the temperature at which the vehicle will be stored during the winter.

Can I run my heating system at maintenance level even though the freshwater in my water heater has been drained off?

Yes, you can use your heating system as normal even if the water heater is empty.

Camping in winter

Why does it not get hot in the vehicle during the winter when I run the boiler on electricity only?

During the winter or when it is really cold outside, it is usually not enough to just heat the vehicle with electricity. You will need to support with gas heating as a complement to the heat from the immersion heaters.

There are no general temperatures on what the boiler should be able to heat on electricity alone. It depends on the vehicle insulation, size, system dimensioning, which differs from vehicle to vehicle.

To get the temperature up as quickly as possible in a cooled vehicle, we recommend running the boiler on combined gas and electricity if possible. The energy power from the immersion heaters is up to 3 kW while the LPG power is as much as 5.5 kW, which together gives an output corresponding to 8.5 kW.

Why does it not get hot in the vehicle during the winter when I run the boiler on electricity only?

During the winter or when it is really cold outside, it is usually not enough to just heat the vehicle with electricity. You will need to support with gas heating as a complement to the heat from the immersion heaters. There are no general temperatures on what the boiler should be able to heat on electricity alone. It depends on the vehicle insulation, size, system dimensioning, which differs from vehicle to vehicle.

To get the temperature up as quickly as possible in a cooled vehicle, we recommend running the boiler on combined gas and electricity if possible. The energy power from the immersion heaters is up to 3 kW while the LPG power is as much as 5.5 kW, which together gives an output corresponding to 8.5 kW.

Can I use my heating system even though the freshwater in my water heater has been drained off?

Yes, you can use your heating system as normal even if the water heater is empty.

Does it matter what kind of LPG bottle I use when camping in winter?

LPG bottles made of steel or aluminum are ideal. But you should avoid LPG bottles made of composite materials as LPG has trouble vaporising below 0 °C.

Propane or butane - what kind of LPG should I use?

Propane can be used at temperatures down to -42 °C, while butane is more suited to temperatures of +5 °C and up.

Questions about the glycol in the heating system

Is Alde heating system a closed or open heating system?

Alde heating system is an open system with aeration in the filling / expansion vessel. By using an open system, wall thickness in pipes, connecting rubber and other system details can be reduced, which has a positive effect on the system’s total weight.

How much glycol should there be in the expansion tank?

When the liquid is cold, the level in a system of normal size should be about 1 cm above MIN. The bigger the heating system, the more the liquid expands and so the level should be lower when the system is cold.

What type of glycol should I use in my heating system?

Alde recommends a glycol of quality G12 EVO. Our range includes a ready-mixed Premium Long Life Glycol adapted for Alde heating system.

If you cannot get hold of the above, it should be a 50:50 mixture consisting of ethylene glycol and water.

Ethylene glycol (AKA monoethylene glycol, MEG and ethanediol) is an anti-freeze that’s also used in car engines and is available from petrol stations, garages and car accessory stores in concentrated form or ready-mixed.

Do not mix anti-freeze containing silicates with anti-freeze containing non-silicate-treated OAT. Only use distilled water to mix concentrated glycol.

How do I top up the fluid level?

For manual filling, remove the nut from the tank. Slowly pour the glycol mixture into the tank. Bleed the heating system and top up with more liquid if the level has fallen after bleeding. Bleed a newly filled heating system regularly during the first days the heating system is in operation.

 

How often do I need to replace the glycol in my heating system?

It depends on the quality of glycol already in your heating system. Glycol is a consumable item and has to be replaced before it stops providing protection (lubrication and rustproofing). A good quality glycol (type Alde G12 EVO) will only have to be replaced every five years, while glycol of a poorer quality should be replaced every two years. So in the long run, it’s worth using a good quality glycol.

Questions about Compact 3000, 3010 and 3020 HE

How do I get hot water in summer without heat circulating in the system?

Set the room temperature required to well below the ambient temperature on the control panel. As Alde Compact 3000/3010 is a combination boiler it heats both the heating fluid and hot water at the same time. If you set the required temperature to about 5 °C below the ambient temperature on the control panel, the heating fluid won’t circulate out to the convectors as the circulation pump will be stationary. THERM (green) should be activated beneath the pump operation symbol on the control panel.

How much hot water is available?

The Alde Compact 3010/3020 has a water heater with a volume of approx. 8.5 litres of hot water at >50 °C. When the hot water is mixed with cold water (approx. 10 °C) to normal usage temperature (approx. 38 °C), this gives you around 12 litres of hot water every 30 minutes.

The colder the water, the longer it takes to heat up. If the 230 V electric elements are used instead of gas for heating the water heater, the capacity is slightly reduced. The function ”extra hot water” on the digital control panel for Compact 3010/3020 raises the water temperature to > 65 °C in under 30 minutes. This means ≈ 15 litres of heated water, mixed and ready to use.

Why am I not getting hot water, or why isn't the water very hot?

The control panel is set for constant circulation pump operation, which means that all the power is being used to run the heating system.

Do the digital control panels work with the Alde Compact 3000 as well?

No. Unlike the Alde Compact 3010 and 3020, the Alde Compact 3000 has no processor-controlled electronics.

Can I replace the control panel LCD on my Alde Compact 3010 with a touchscreen control panel?

Absolutely. All cables and equipment fit. A ready-made kit with control panel and cover frame is available (art. no. 3010 213).

How does the control panel work?

The instructions for your control panel and boiler should be left in your vehicle. You will find them under  > Manuals .

Try our different control panels

Quick guide for Alde Touchpanel 3010

Quick guide for Alde Touchpanel 3020 HE

How quickly should the vehicle heat up?

This varies enormously depending on the internal and external temperature, how many people are present, the design of the heating system and the vehicle’s insulation. And also depending on whether you’re just using the 230 V immersion heater (1, 2 or 3 kW) or just gas, or the immersion heater and gas together. This gives an output of anything from 1 kW to 8.7 kW. Room temperature inside the vehicle normally reaches a pleasant level within one hour if you’re using both gas and the immersion heater.

How do I get the best performance out of my heating system?

Make sure you’ve bled the heating system (it should be filled using an Alde filler pump 1900 811). Make sure that the ventilation ducts in the furniture aren’t blocked. Use maximum immersion heater and gas output while heating. Avoid taking hot water for showers, etc. until the vehicle is warm. Don’t allow the temperature in the vehicle to fall below 10 °C by day/in the evening.

Does my boiler have a 2 kW immersion heater, or a 3 kW one?

It’s impossible to tell from the control panel. You have to look at the rating plate on the boiler to find out. You’ll often find this between the exhaust gas connection and the plastic cover on the long side of the boiler. However, this only states the maximum output. Of course, the Alde Compact 3010 can be set to both 1 kW and 2 kW at the touch of a button if the vehicle is connected to a 230 V mains supply.

How much electrical power does the heating system use?

There are two functions in the Alde Compact 3010 that draw >0.1 A of current from the vehicle’s 12-volt battery. The combustion fan which supplies the burner with air (≈ 0.4 A), and the circulation pump that circulates the hot glycol in the heating system (≈ 0.2 A).

So normally the heating system draws ≈ 0-0.6 A when running on LPG and ≈ 0-0.2 A with a 230 V immersion heater.
The boiler draws a maximum of 1 A in about three seconds when starting at 12 V DC. At 230 V immersion heater operation it draws ≈ 4.5 A at 1 (1 kW), ≈ 9 A at 2 (2.1 kW) and ≈ 14 A at 3 (3.2 kW).

How much LPG does the boiler use?

The burner in the boiler operates in two stages. Minor heat requirement – lowest output stage (245 g/h propane) and major heat requirement – highest output stage (405 g/h propane).

The boiler is so ingeniously designed that in the first instance it selects the immersion heaters as primary heat source if 230 V is connected to the vehicle and if the immersion heaters are activated on the control panel. If this is not enough, the LPG burner starts automatically (if this is activated in the control panel).
Electricity is often cheapest, so this heating option is the cheapest one.

Error messages Compact 3020 HE

What is "Yellow connection fail"?

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.

What is "Red connection fail"?

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.

What is "Panel failure"?

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.

What is "No match Heater/Panel"?

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.

What is "Heater not found"?

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.

What is "3rd Party Panel C.fail"?

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.

What is "Fan failure"?

The combustion fan is defective.

Contact your Alde Service Partner.

What is "Gas failure"?

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.

What is "Overheat PCB"?

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.

What is "Overheat red fail"?

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.

What is "Overheat blue fail"?

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.

Questions about the Alde Comfort 292x

Why does the ignition spark keep striking even though the pilot light is on?

The ignition box isn’t sensing the flame, so it has to be replaced.

Why does the pilot light go out when I release the thermostat knob on the gas control?

This may be down to one of three things.

  1. The thermocouple is broken and needs to be replaced. Contact an Alde service location.
  2. The overheat protector, which comprises a fuse, has tripped. Contact an Alde service location.
  3. The pilot burner is blocked with dirt so that the flame can’t reach the thermocouple. The pilot burner has to be cleaned or replaced. Contact an Alde service location.

Is the boiler boiling?

The gas control needs to be adjusted, or the thermostat knob needs to be set or replaced. Contact an Alde service location.

What boiler model do I have?

2900 Långe Jan (1973-1980)

Product name: 2900 Långe Jan
Year of manufacture: 1973 – 1980
Miscellaneous: The first ”all in one” boiler with automatic system, expansion tank and circulation pump built into a single unit. Common in Adria and SMV.

Technical data.
Height: 1680 mm
Width: 120 mm
Depth: 185 mm
Output: 5.9 kW (propane)
Gas consumption: 457 g/h (propane)

Article number: 2900

2910 Junior (1977-1983)

Product name: 2910 Junior
Year of manufacture: 1977 – 1983
Miscellaneous: Just like its predecessor, 2900, the 2910 is also an ”all in one” boiler with an automatic system, expansion tank and circulation pump built into a single unit. What distinguishes it is that the 2910 has a tubular structure. The boiler had a somewhat lower output and was therefore ideal for smaller caravans

Technical data.
Height: 1650 mm
Width: 100 mm
Depth: 200 mm
Output: 3.3 kW (propane)
Gas consumption: 255 g/h (propane)

Article number: 2910

Comfort 2920 (1979-1984)

Product name: Comfort 2920
Year of manufacture: 1979 – 1984
Miscellaneous: The gas control (Babysit) has a grey thermostat knob and ignition button. The front plates are either lacquered brown or foliated with wood structure.

Technical data.
Height: 1710 mm
Width: 132 mm
Depth: 220 mm
Output: 5.2 kW (propane)
Gas consumption: 407 g/h (propane)

Article number: 2920

Manuals for Comfort 2920

Comfort 2920 (1985-1989)

Product name: Comfort 2920
Year of manufacture: 1985 – 1989
Miscellaneous: The gas control (Eurosit) has a black thermostat knob and ignition button situated in a yellow plastic box. Brown lacquered front plates .

Technical data.
Height: 1710 mm
Width: 132 mm
Depth: 220 mm
Output: 5.4 kW (propane)
Gas consumption: 420 g/h (propane)

Article number: 2920

Manuals for Comfort 2920

Comfort 2920 (1990-2001)

Product name: Comfort 2920
Year of manufacture: 1990 – 2001
Miscellaneous: The gas control (Eurosit) has a black thermostat knob and ignition button situated in a light grey plastic box. Grey front plates.

Technical data.
Height: 1710 mm
Width: 132 mm
Depth: 220 mm
Output: 5.4 kW (propane)
Gas consumption: 420 g/h (propane)

Article number: 2920

Manuals for Comfort 2920

Comfort 2921 Automatic (1982-1984)

Product name: Comfort 2921 Automatic
Year of manufacture: 1982 – 1984
Miscellaneous: The gas control (Babysit) has a grey thermostat knob and is situated in a yellow sheet-metal box. Electronic ignition when the thermostat knob is pressed down. Panel with four switches. Brown front plates.

Technical data.
Height: 1710 mm
Width: 132 mm
Depth: 220 mm
Output: 5.4 kW (propane)
Gas consumption: 420 g/h (propane)

Article number: 2921

Manuals for Comfort 2921

Comfort 2921 Automatic (1985-1989)

Product name: Comfort 2921 Automatic
Year of manufacture: 1990 – 2001
Miscellaneous: The gas control (Eurosit) has a black thermostat knob and is situated in a light grey plastic box. Electronic ignition when the thermostat knob is pressed down. Panel with three or four switches. Grey front plates.

Technical data.
Height: 1710 mm
Width: 132 mm
Depth: 220 mm
Output: 5.4 kW (propane)
Gas consumption: 420 g/h (propane)

Article number: 2921

Manuals for Comfort 2921

Comfort 2921 Automatic (1990-2001)

Product name: Comfort 2921 Automatic
Year of manufacture: 1990 – 2001
Miscellaneous: The gas control (Eurosit) has a black thermostat knob and is situated in a light grey plastic box. Electronic ignition when the thermostat knob is pressed down. Panel with three or four switches. Grey front plates.

Technical data.
Height: 1710 mm
Width: 132 mm
Depth: 220 mm
Output: 5.4 kW (propane)
Gas consumption: 420 g/h (propane)

Article number: 2921

Manuals for Comfort 2921

Comfort 2925 Balance (1982-1984)

Product name: Comfort 2925 Balance
Year of manufacture: 1982 – 1984
Miscellaneous: The gas control (Babysit) has a grey thermostat knob and is situated in a yellow sheet-metal box. Electronic ignition when the thermostat knob is pressed down. Panel with four switches. Takes combustion air from the roof flue via a hose. Brown front plates.

Technical data.
Height: 1710 mm
Width: 132 mm
Depth: 220 mm
Output: 5.4 kW (propane)
Gas consumption: 420 g/h (propane)

Article number: 2925

Manuals for Comfort 2925

Comfort 2925 Balance (1985-1989)

Product name: Comfort 2925 Balance
Year of manufacture: 1985 – 1989
Miscellaneous: The gas control (Eurosit) has a black thermostat knob and is situated in a yellow plastic box. Electronic ignition when the thermostat knob is pressed down. Panel with three or four switches. Takes combustion air from the roof flue via a hose. Brown front plates.

Technical data.
Height: 1710 mm
Width: 132 mm
Depth: 220 mm
Output: 5.4 kW (propane)
Gas consumption: 420 g/h (propane)

Article number: 2925

Manuals for Comfort 2925

Comfort 2925 Balance (1990-2001)

Product name: Comfort 2925 Balance
Year of manufacture: 1990 – 2001
Miscellaneous: The gas control (Eurosit) has a black thermostat knob and is situated in a light grey plastic box. Electronic ignition when the thermostat knob is pressed down. Panel with three or four switches. Takes combustion air from the roof flue via a hose. Grey front plates.

Technical data.
Height: 1710 mm
Width: 132 mm
Depth: 220 mm
Output: 5.4 kW (propane)
Gas consumption: 420 g/h (propane)

Article number: 2925

Manuals for Comfort 2925

Comfort 2923 Automatic (1992-2003)

Product name: Comfort 2923 Automatic
Year of manufacture: 1992 – 2003
Miscellaneous: The gas control (Eurosit) has a black thermostat knob and is situated in a light grey plastic box about 1 m from the floor. Electronic ignition when the thermostat knob is pressed down. Panel with five switches. Grey front plates.

Technical data.
Height: 1710 mm
Width: 132 mm
Depth: 220 mm
Output: 5.4 kW (propane)
Gas consumption: 420 g/h (propane)

Article number: 2923910

Manuals for Comfort 2923

Comfort 2923 (2002-2019)

Product name: Comfort 2923
Year of manufacture: 2002 – 2019
Miscellaneous: The gas control (Eurosit) has a black thermostat knob and is situated in a light grey plastic box. Electronic ignition via switch. Panel with four switches. Grey front plates.

Technical data.
Height: 1710 mm
Width: 132 mm
Depth: 220 mm
Output: 5.4 kW (propane)
Gas consumption: 420 g/h (propane)

Article number: 2923980

Manuals for Comfort 2923

Comfort 2928 Balance (1992-2003)

Product name: Comfort 2928 Automatic
Year of manufacture: 1992 – 2003
Miscellaneous: The gas control (Eurosit) has a black thermostat knob and is situated in a light grey plastic box about 1 m from the floor. Electronic ignition when the thermostat knob is pressed down. Panel with five switches. Takes combustion air from the roof flue via a hose. Grey front plates.

Technical data.
Height: 1710 mm
Width: 132 mm
Depth: 220 mm
Output: 5.4 kW (propane)
Gas consumption: 420 g/h (propane)

Article number: 2928902

Manuals for Comfort 2928

Comfort 2928 Balance (2002-2019)

Product name: Comfort 2928 Balance
Year of manufacture: 2002 – 2019
Miscellaneous: The gas control (Eurosit) has a black thermostat knob and is situated in a light grey plastic box. Electronic ignition via switch. Panel with four switches. Takes combustion air from the roof flue via a hose. Grey front plates.

Technical data.
Height: 1710 mm
Width: 132 mm
Depth: 220 mm
Output: 5.4 kW (propane)
Gas consumption: 420 g/h (propane)

Article number: 2928980

Manuals for Comfort 2928

Alde Compact 3000 (1993-2006)

Product name: Alde Compact 3000
Year of manufacture: 1992 – 2006
Miscellaneous: The first combi-boiler with both heating and hot water in the same unit. Powered by LPG or 230 V heating element or both at the same time.
In the first year, the boiler was only sold to the motorhome manufacturer Niesmann + Bischoff and had model no. 3000901.

Technical data.
Height: 300 mm
Width: 340 mm
Depth: 490 mm
Output: 4.5 kW (propane)
Gas consumption: 330 g/h (propane)

Article number: 30009301

Manuals for Alde Compact 3000

Alde Compact 3010 (2006-2014)

Product name: Alde Compact 3010
Year of manufacture: 2006 – 2014
Miscellaneous: A further development of our top selling Compact 3000. All connections for liquid and electricity moved to the boiler’s long side. Also a combi-boiler with both heating and hot water in the same unit. Powered by LPG or 230 V heating element or both at the same time. The output of the heating element has been increased to max. 3150 W. Two output stages on the LPG burner.

Technical data.
Height: 310 mm
Width: 340 mm
Depth: 490 mm
Output: 3.3 / 5.5 kW (propane)
Gas consumption: 245 / 405 g/h (propane)

Article number: 30109011

Manuals for Alde Compact 3010

Alde Compact 3020 HE (2014-)

Product name: Alde Compact 3020 HE
Year of manufacture: 2014 –
Miscellaneous: A further development of our top selling Alde Compact 3010 but with more sophisticated electronics. Most products in the heating system can be controlled directly from the boiler’s control panel. Option of fully automated climate control together with an AC.

Technical data.
Height: 310 mm
Width: 510 mm
Depth: 340 mm
Output: 3.3 / 5.5 kW (propane)
Gas consumption: 245 / 405 g/h (propane)

Article number: Alde Compact 3020 HE

Manuals for Alde Compact 3020 HE