Alde fluid change no 2

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It’s around five years ago that I changed the Alde central heating fluid in our caravan and it’s ready for its next change. I learnt a lot last time round and decided to adopt a slightly different approach.

Key points for the planning were:

  • Buy a cheap 12v pump from Amazon or eBay. Note I think the one I bought will also substitute as a spare for our Thetford toilet
  • Don’t faff around trying to drain the system – which on our van isn’t even possible. Just use the pump to flush and fill.
  • We know the system holds 12 to 15 litres of fluid so the flush and fill was in multiple stages.
  • Flush with 30 litres of tap water
  • Then flush through 5 litres of de-ionised water
  • Then mix 7 litres of Comma Xstream with 5 litres of de-ionised water
  • Pump this into the system
  • Continue pumping de-ionised water until the output is pink
  • Top up the header tank with neat fluid

Let’s kick off the fluid change. Remove the covers from around the header tank. This is what you will see.

Header tank removal

I wanted to double check the flow of liquid around the system as I believe there is a one-way valve somewhere. To do this I just operated the heating for a few minutes and noted the warmest pipe into the header tank. I’d already figured this out as I know which radiators get the warmest first but this just confirmed it.

You then need to remove excess liquid from the header tank and a good old suction technique sorted this for me. Fill a 1m length of thin clear plastic tube with water. Place your finger tightly over one end and insert the other end into the header tank and down into the pipe below the tank. Take you finger off the tube and let the liquid drain into a bucket. Repeat for the second pipe.

There are three or four screws circled blue in the picture which will release the tank from the side panel.

Two spring clips, circled orange can then be loosened to allow the extraction of the header tank from the rubber pipe couplers.

I cobbled together 4 pieces of pipework which interconnected using Hozelock fittings. You can use whatever works for you with regards to this.

The two short lengths connect to the rubber boots of the caravan pipework. I happened to have some Alde metal tube, circled blue, of the correct diameter with which to do this.

Heating coupler tubes

The two longer sections are cheap 14mm irrigation pipe. Terminated with the appropriate Hozelock connectors at one end and the pump at one of the others.

It was then just a case of dropping the pump into the bucket of liquid (see order of liquids above) and activating it by hooking up to an old 12v battery.

Pump and Drain hose with Hozelock connectors.

Once the fluid was replaced, the procedure to reconnect the header tank was the reverse of the above.

Here’s an image of other equipment used for the swap-out.

“Stuff” for Alde fluid change

Finally, the heating was operated for 10 minutes with the pump at full power.

Links to the previous fluid change are below.

Alde fluid change and inline pump – part 1

Alde fluid change and inline pump – part 2

July tour 2022 – Off grid at Newton Grove

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We visited Newton Grove some years ago for an overnight stop and were struck on the peace and quiet of this CL site. We returned today for 7 nights off-grid – there is freshwater and toilet disposal facilities but no electric hook-up.

It had been our intention to visit the final Cornbury music event next weekend but the organisers have deemed they can charge grotesque prices for this final festival. Maybe if there are tickets left over there might be some last minute special offers. Fingers crossed!

Our pitch at Newton Grove CL

John, the owner of the CL dropped by for a chat and explained he has a solar battery unit if we run out of power. It has a small inverter attached so looks like I’ll be able to charge up the laptop every once in a while.

At the moment, all is working off the leisure battery and we are keeping an eye-out on the voltages. The leisure battery is some 7 years old so is already beyond its life expectancy. If it doesn’t survive, I’m eyeing a Lithium leisure battery replacement…

Views across Newton Grove CL
Firepit close to our pitch!

Henley-on-Thames

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We arrived on Sunday for a few days at Henley-on-Thames. The weather has remained remarkably settled, dry and warm for all of this trip and this theme continued throughout our stay at Henley.

It was warm enough for the “boys” to meet up at the Alehouse in Reading and enjoy a long lunch, outside, at the London Street Brasserie.

Moe and I visited the National Trust property at Greys court for lunch in the gardens. It’s a few years since our last visit but we remembered pristinely kept typical English gardens and finely mown lawns. Covid has certainly taken its toll here and the gardens were far from special. Rather disappointing. As we visited on a Monday, the house itself was closed so do check opening times before your visit.

Greys Court near Henley-on-Thames
Greys Court church (ruins), near Henley-on-Thames
Orchard at Greys Court near Henley-on-Thames

On our way through Twyford, en-route to Reading, we stopped outside the old station house. This is one of the places where Moe grew up.

Station House at Twyford

On another day we walked through Henley along the Thames to Marsh lock. One can while away hours watching the boats heading through the lock.

Marsh Lock, near Shiplake

This is a very popular and pleasant walk along the banks of the river Thames. We passed a pretty Old House.

Old House along the River Thames
Weir and Bridge at Marsh Lock
Views towards the Bridge at Henley-on-Thames

2021 UK Post Lockdown England Tour II Trip Summary

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I am trying to catch up with some of the Trip Summaries. This one was from earlier this year, including my 60th Birthday – the relentless march of time…!!! It wasn’t supposed to be spent on a Campsite!!!!

Click on the map picture to enlarge.

2021 Post Lockdown England Tour II

DateLocationGrid Reference
16th June 2021Woodbury, East Devon
16th June 2021High Onn CMC, Church Eaton, Staffordshire52.81733 -2.25021
17th June 2021Buxton CMC, Grin Low Road, Buxton, Derbyshire53.24560 -1.92857
28th June 2021Anita's, Mollington, Oxfordshire52.12599 -1.35513
7th July 2021Bladon Chains CMC, Woodstock, Oxfordshire51.83825 -1.34094
11th July 2021Sunnydale Farm, Hamble, Hampshire50.88573 -1.34141
16th July 2021Woodbury, East Devon

Mileage chart…

StartEndMileageTime (approx.)
WoodburyHigh Onn CMC1844.5 hours
High Onn CMCBuxton CMC572 hours
Buxton CMCAnita's1191.5 hours
Anita'sBladon Chains CMC221 hour
Bladon Chains CMCSunnydale Farm, Hamble792 hours
Sunnydale Farm, HambleWoodbury 1153 hours