Alde External Temperature Sensor

Up to storage today to install an Alde external temperature sender,which is a very easy fit in which I was assisted by the previously mentioned Mr.Roscoe ( available for barmitzvahs,weddings and the repair of outboard motors if you have a broken one ).

Before commencing work it is advisable to plug the sensor into the plug at the top of the boiler to make sure it works after removing the black plastic boiler cover.

Nothing worse than getting it all installed and the thing is buggered.

The external sensor plug is the red one on the right with the grey lead,plugs in easily but make sure you have it the right way up,it is plugged in securely,and don't bend the pins,fiddly but not difficult.

The correct socket is shown on the diagram which can be seen beneath the plugs.

Once you have ascertained that it is working by checking the Alde control panel ( thermometer outside the house ) :-

unplug it and proceed outside.

The Alde instructions say to locate the sensor on the underside of the caravan floor out of the wind so I fixed it as close to the side skirt as possible,there is plenty of cable ( 2.5m ).

Fixing was by cleaning the floor with some brake cleaner,applying some No More Nails to the flat side and securing with two small screws through the provided holes,I don't think the No More Nails was strictly necessary but I thought it might keep any water out and wouldn't do any harm ( I took a photo of the fixing but it turned out to be crap so you will just have to believe me ).

Thread the plug and cable up through a small hole where the Alde drain pipe is:-

and secure the cable to the underside of the floor with some cable clips.

I tried to utilise the brown plastic drop out hole in the picture but the plug is too big to go through the holes so you can forget that one.

Connect the plug back into the boiler,check it is working by looking at the control panel,calibrate it with an external thermometer,replace the black plastic cover on the boiler and there you have it.

SWMBO will be over the moon by this upgrade I am sure.

Once again I got the sensor from Halesowen Caravan Centre, £22 with free postage.

Ian

Manchester Caravan Show

Attended the above show today and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Nothing to report on the Cadiz front.

Took a look at the new Bailey Pursuits and the Unicorn Pamplona and Cabrera, both the latter with the centre washroom which appears to be fashionable at the minute.

I think Bailey have missed a trick here as the rear double bed is only 5' 10" long in both the new Unicorns so would be no good for me and probably a lot of potential buyers.

I was very disappointed to observe that all four were continuing with the ridiculous prone to leaking roof join

I am afraid it doesn't bode well,in my opinion,for the Unicorn Four.

If I was considering upgrading to a U4 when it appears I certainly wouldn't do it whilst this join persists in its present form.

Ian

It's The Awning & Annex Again.

Before I put them on E Bay,one last try for the Isabella Magnum and Futur Annex.

I will reduce the Magnum to £500 for collection or buyer sorts out delivery,then they can do it the cheapest way they can find.

The Futur Annex down to £175 on the same terms.

Ian

Gas

Don't forget to check the gas appliances whilst the van is laid up over the winter.

I usually run the Alde and fridge on gas for about 15 mins. or so every once in a while to burn off any cobwebs or debris in the jets.

Don't forget the hob,oven and grill.

Any problems and you have time to sort them out before your first trip.

Glad to say ours was all OK.

Ian

Yes They Are Still For Sale.

In case anyone has forgotten,our 2011 Isabella Magnum and Futur Annex is still for sale ( see a few posts back for details ).

Doubtless you gentlemen will be looking to give your loved one,or perhaps even the wife,something for Valentines Day in a few weeks.

Forget the perfume she doesn't like,the underwear that never fits,the chocs that don't go with the diet.

What better than a new awning for the upcoming season,you know it makes sense.

Ian

Alde Fuses

I am publishing this post just in case anyone is/was a bit confused regarding the fuse at the top of the Alde boiler under the black plastic cover.

I thought I would order some off E-Bay as they were cheap enough, £2.75 for a pack of ten.

When they arrived I was concerned they they were labelled at 250V as opposed to 12V which is what I thought they should be.

I checked with Alde and it is OK at 250V.

The specifications are:

3.15A
Glass
Slow blow
20mm x 5mm

I got them from here:-

Alde Fuses

of course there are other outlets.

Ian

Midwinter Maintenance

For those of us who aren't using our vans over the winter months,don't forget to do a bit of winter maintenance/checking especially if,like us,your Cadiz is in storage.

It is all too easy to forget about it if it is not plonked on your drive.

Today I called over to storage and firstly let a bit of air into the van hopefully to keep any damp at bay and also gave the solar panel a wipe to remove any dirt.

Then I moved the van a couple of feet to even out the pressure on the tyres and hopefully avoid a flat spot,also checked the pressures.

Swapped the battery for a fresh fully charged one ( yes I know this isn't strictly necessary because of the solar panel,as someone pointed out last time I mentioned it but we have two batteries left over from our Orion days so I swap them over a couple of times a year ).

Don't forget to remove the solar panel fuse prior to doing it.

Put some Contralube on the mains hook-up pins and finally hooked it up to the car to check the electrics and ATC.

I would rather check it now rather than wait till we come to use it and have little time to sort out any problems,anyway all OK.

Roll on spring and some decent weather.

Ian