Alde heating using gas problem

Courageous Trish replied on 17/02/2023 15:41

Courageous Trish

Posted on 17/02/2023 15:41

Hi there,

This is my first time posting here. I've been a member for about 9 months though.

I wondered whether anyone could help,. I've been using all gas in my caravan for the past 9 months. I have two Safefill Cylinders, as they are lighter in weight. I recently put some gas in one of the empty cylinders, attached it to my caravan and then heard an explosive sound from the front of the caravan where the cylinder is located. Since then my Alde heating and water system only work from the mains and no longer from gas. I can still use the gas cooker and fridge on gas.

When I attempt to switch on the heater and water on gas, the Alde screen says "Fan Restart ..." for a while and then "Fan Failure". The fan works with the mains and I have heating and hot water. I've had a repairer here today, but he was unable to repair or understand the problem. Just to reiterate, this all started after the loud explosion sound from the cylinder. I queried whether the cylinder was overfilled, because I did pay a little more than usual and asked whether gas prices had increased, which he said it hadn't. I am aware there is an overfill protection device.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

8 replies

replied on 17/02/2023 16:18

Posted on 17/02/2023 16:18

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

Courageous Trish replied on 17/02/2023 18:08

Member

Courageous Trish

from Lancashire

Posted on 17/02/2023 16:18 by

Trish, the fact that your gas cooker and fridge are working from your gas system pretty much rules out a gas supply failure and points to a problem with the Alde boiler gas side.

I suggest you call Alde International (UK) Ltd and seek their advice. Google Moosewerks.co.uk. They are extremely helpful and may be able to talk you through a fix on the phone. Alternatively they service and repair at their Wellingborough works. Is

Before you call gather all the info they may require. Age, make and model of your van, which Alde boiler is fitted and details of the error your display is showing.

Posted on 17/02/2023 18:08

Hi [Deleted User User],

I shall call them and see if they are able to help. That's a great that I can contact them directly. I shall make sure I have all the information to hand before I call.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Trish

1 person likes this

jennyc replied on 19/02/2023 06:18

jennyc

Caravanner from Suffolk

Posted on 19/02/2023 06:18

Trish, I’m sorry to read about your problem. Safefill bottles have an internal cutoff valve to prevent overfilling and like all gas supplies, they feed your appliances through a regulator, so even if overfilled a gas bottle won’t harm your heater. I believe that your Alde heater uses a fan as part of its burnt gas exhaust system, which intuition suggests isn’t necessary for electric heating. I’d guess that the explosion was caused by an accumulation of un burnt gas in the boiler’s exhaust.

I’d be inclined to look here https://www.alde.co.uk asking for their specialist advice.

Courageous Trish replied on 20/02/2023 09:37

Member

Courageous Trish

from Lancashire

Posted on 20/02/2023 09:37

Hi [Deleted User User],

I received a reply from them.

"Thank you for your email, from what you have described you have experienced a BLEVE (boiling liquid expanding vapour explosion).

This is caused by overfilled (or overturned) gas bottles which puts liquid gas into the gas lines. When this liquid gas ignites it will create a large bang which can damage the combustion fan and/or fan housing, flue hose and sometimes flue cap on the side of the van. I would ask your service agent to inspect the combustion fan as it sound like this could be damaged and would need to be replaced,"

So the combustion fan may need to be replaced.

2 people like this

Courageous Trish replied on 20/02/2023 10:26

Member

Courageous Trish

from Lancashire

Posted on 19/02/2023 06:18 by jennyc

Trish, I’m sorry to read about your problem. Safefill bottles have an internal cutoff valve to prevent overfilling and like all gas supplies, they feed your appliances through a regulator, so even if overfilled a gas bottle won’t harm your heater. I believe that your Alde heater uses a fan as part of its burnt gas exhaust system, which intuition suggests isn’t necessary for electric heating. I’d guess that the explosion was caused by an accumulation of un burnt gas in the boiler’s exhaust.

I’d be inclined to look here https://www.alde.co.uk asking for their specialist advice.

Posted on 20/02/2023 10:26

Thanks jennyc. I'm going to get the fan checked out. Fingers crossed.

replied on 20/02/2023 12:13

Posted on 20/02/2023 09:37 by Courageous Trish

Hi Dorset Diver,

I received a reply from them.

"Thank you for your email, from what you have described you have experienced a BLEVE (boiling liquid expanding vapour explosion).

This is caused by overfilled (or overturned) gas bottles which puts liquid gas into the gas lines. When this liquid gas ignites it will create a large bang which can damage the combustion fan and/or fan housing, flue hose and sometimes flue cap on the side of the van. I would ask your service agent to inspect the combustion fan as it sound like this could be damaged and would need to be replaced,"

So the combustion fan may need to be replaced.

Posted on 20/02/2023 12:13

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

1 person likes this

Courageous Trish replied on 24/02/2023 16:44

Member

Courageous Trish

from Lancashire

Posted on 24/02/2023 16:44

Thanks everyone for your advice.

My heating is up and running again. The repair man took out the fan. The fan is attached to a round disc shaped car board, which had become distorted in shape. All he did was bend it back into shape, put the fan back and the heating is working perfectly fun again.

3 people like this