Caravan Motorhome Antifreeze Alde Heating
Caravan anitfreeze probably isn’t something you give much thought to. However, our caravan has Alde heating. This is basically central we heating heating for your caravan as opposed to blown air, which is dry. As it contains fluid, it will be prone to freezing in cold weather, hence the need for antifreeze. ( This is all also true for Motorhomes )
After we had our first service, the engineer said, “Just to warn you next year’s service will need the antifreeze changing in the heating”. “Ok” I replied. He continued, “just letting you know as it is just about double the cost of your current service. “
I just nodded and carried on with my life, not really giving antifreeze a second thought. Now I’ve just booked this year’s service I remember the antifreeze conversation. So I headed to twitter, it’s a place of refuge and somewhere I can get things off my chest, so to speak. Twitter is like Facebook without the lunatics..
What followed was an interesting conversation with a few fellow caravanners. Several questions cropped up that I 1, didn’t know the answer too and 2. I’d never even though to ask.
Antifreeze Questions
- Why is is so expensive?
- Is it the same as car antifreeze?
- What types of antifreeze are there?
- How much do you need?
- Why do new caravan have antifreeze that only lasts 2 years?
- How do you check how strong the antifreeze is in the system?
- What are the different colours?
- Why are there different coloured antifreezes?
- How often do you actually need to change it?
…and so on. I thought I’d do some research. So I hopped onto YouTube when I really should have been getting some sleep.
I’ve read more than is healthy about antifreeze and you get A LOT of conflicting information, even from manufacturers of the stuff. It also seems to me that certain things are said to confuse, so eventually you think, oh I’ll just get it done. A bit like the MTPLM upgrade kit that I spoke about some time ago. You can’t quite figure out why you need it, so you get it, just incase.
Different Coloured Antifreeze
All antifreeze is clear and manufacturers add dye. There isn’t a standard, according to Alde, great!. Although I’d read that caravans and motorhomes are initially filled with blue antifreeze that lasts two years.
When topping up coolant, you should use the same colour that’s currently in there. But, this doesn’t mean that it’s the same “type”. I can see this turning into my rant about gas connectors tightening and loosening the wrong way and some smart arse explains why, whilst calling me a dangerous idiot. Still it’s the price you pay for trying to help.
So, the advice is to top up with the same colour but NEVER mix types and just because they are the same colour doesn’t mean they are the same type. Come on, help us out here! Naturally you’ll read mixing types will bring the wrath of, whoever the God of coolant is, meaning your pump and every other moving part for a 6 miles radius “may” be damaged! But I also assume may not?!
Alde recommend that you refill with 5 year lasting pink antifreeze. Wait a minute, you just said the colour had no effect? So already I’m thinking, “This is confusing, I’ll just pay some guy (local dealer) to do it…”
Alde themselves help with the colour myth by suggesting blue is 2 year and pink is 5, which in a way is the case, but not because blue is always 2 year stuff.
Antifreeze Standards, What Standards?
G13, G12++ what the heck does that mean?
G13 contains silicate additives which make it more suited for long term use as it’s kinder to metals, well, aluminium, cast iron and magnesium alloys.
G12 is better for older systems such as copper brass etc, so not suitable for caravan heating systems, unless you’ve used copper pipes? 🙂
G13 has the same “exceptional performance” as G12++ (so I’ve read) but….
G13 is better for the environment, or so I’ve read as it made using glycerin instead of glycol, but could probably still strip the skin from a racoon in less time than it takes to peel an orange.(Proved by science 🙂 ) This is not environmentally friendly stuff, you’d imagine, still as long as we’re warm and toastie on those long winter nights. It would be worse we could be taking a trans Atlantic flight to talk about climate change!
What If I Don’t Get Antifreeze Changed?
Naturally those with newer motorhomes and caravans are “forced” to get it changed as their warranty is at risk if you don’t. I guess in the same way that servicing your caravan yourself isn’t good enough for warranty purposes, I assume changing the antifreeze would be the same. However, if your caravan / motorhome is our of warranty, you can do it yourself and save a bit in the process. There are a few YouTube videos available, I’ll add these to the bottom of this article for you convenience.
What IS Antifreeze AKA Coolant?
Obviously it stops things freezing, I believe it was big in the wine industry in the 1970s, although I might have made that up.
It’s pretty awful stuff, please don’t drink it. It needs to be added to your heating systems with at least a 50/50 mix. That’s 50% antifeeze 50% water. But wait, not just any water, oh no, that would be far to simple, and of course cheaper! Read on…
Diluted Antifreeze?
It’s suggested a 50/50 mixture. Now if you read about car antifreeze, just pour in the old tap water, it’s fine, you could even go to your local stream, yep glug away my son. With a Caravan or Motorhome? Nope it needs to water from the pee of a Unicorn. If you can’t get that, deionised water will work, or as they would put it “clean water”, or guess what? Yep everything will corrode and your family will be cursed with 7 years bad luck.
Why Do New Caravans Have 2 Year Antifreeze In?
So, the problem is, after some research, Caravan / Motorhome manufacturers have been mixing antifreeze with tap water. I assume the water in Bristol isn’t that “clean”! I’m not even sure you can buy 2 year lifespan antifreeze, what is this stuff. I’ll tell you what it is, it’s CHEAP!
Alde recommends premixed G13 which has a 5 year lifespan. As of this year (2020) caravan’s will be filled with G13, hence lasting 5 years, as opposed to 2 years previously.
- Alde Premium G13 Antifreeze Glycol 4070-120
- Alde Premium G13 Antifreeze Glycol 4070-120
- Alde Premium G13 Antifreeze Glycol 4070-120
Can I Mix 2 Year Lifespan with 5 Year or Vice-Versa
Here’s a quote from Alde:
“Bailey use a blue, silicate-containing ethylene glycol antifreeze as standard, with 2 year corrosion protection. You can safely top this up with VAG G12++ or G13 spec antifreeze (magenta in colour), although it will be cheaper and more convenient for most users to pick up a litre of the blue antifreeze above from their local fuel station.”
If you have 2 year old stuff in there, flush it out and replace with G13 magenta fluid.
CaravanVlogger’s Antifreeze Vlog
A Useful Video
Have a look at Bob Earnshaw’s video, this probably explains why it’s an expensive part of a service.
Does Mine Need Replacing?
If you’re out of warranty, would you really bother changing it every 2-5 years if you really don’t need to? Below are some bestselling coolant testers on amazon. Either look to get one of these, or if not sure, just change it.
- Features:Tests modern propylene glycol coolant antifreeze, hot or cold
- Protection level is indicated by the number of the five large coloured discs which float in the sample
- Easy-to-read temperature table on the virtually unbreakable plastic body
- Height: 389Width: 118Length: 55
- Features:Checks condition of coolant antifreeze, hot or cold
- Freeze protection level is indicated by the number of the six large coloured discs which float in the sample
- Easy-to-read temperature table on the virtually unbreakable plastic body
- Height: 58Width: 117Length: 389
- Coloured discs indicate protection level
- Tests coolant levels
- Easy-to-read temperature table
- Sturdy plastic body
- Suitable for use with ethylene glycol anti-freeze
- [°C and °F Dual Calibration ] : Calibrated in both °C and °F. Whether you’re used to metric or imperial units, this tool is designed for convenience and international versatility
- [ Accurate & Easy to Read ] : Our Antifreeze and Coolant Tester features clear scales and pointers for accurate readings, protecting your engine year-round
- [ Function ] : Antifreeze Coolant Tester measures both the freezing point for winter and boiling point for summer. It can avoid the freezing of water in cold weather and the overheating of the engine to cause mechanical failure and engine failure
- [ Optimal Engine Performance ] : Ensure optimal engine performance in any season with our tester. Get fast and accurate results with our antifreeze coolant tester, preventing costly mechanical failures and engine issues
- [ Easy to carry ] : With its lightweight and compact design, our coolant tester is easy to carry and use. Antifreeze Tester for Automobiles is the tool for on-the-spot testing, wherever you may be
- The models have only one unit system: °F. With the indication we may know the freezing point of either ethylene glycol or propylene glycol based cooling systems. You can use this measurement tool to measure and Check Washer Fluid.With ATC(automatic temperature compensation) .
- Ethylene Glycol: -60°F-32°F
- Propylene Glycol: -60°F-32°F
- Battery SG: 1.100-1.400sg
- Windshield Washer Fluid: Ethanol + water :32°F to -40°F, Sopropyl alcohol + water (SRF1): 32°F to -40°F
- Features:Convenient, pocket sized tester for ethylene glycol antifreeze mixtures
- Freeze protection level is indicated by the number of coloured balls which float in the sample
- Easy-to-read temperature table on the body
- Height: 178Width: 114Length: 23
- 【 Convenient Testing 】Anti-freeze tester is calibrated in ° C and ° F units, it measures freezing point (for winter protection) and boiling point (for summer protection). Scale and pointer are clear and easy to read. Prevents engine overheating which can lead to mechanical problems and engine failure. For antifreeze tester.
- 【Lightweight and Portable】The dial type fast test is easy to carry and use, lightweight and portable, no need to pay attention to the colour to know the freezing point and boiling point of the solution. One side of the tester is marked with the freezing point scale and the other side with the boiling point scale. You can know the cooling performance of your vehicle at any time.
- 【Quality Material】The anti-freeze densitometer is made of high quality ABS with good performance, it can test the freezing temperature and boiling temperature of coolant to water solution, you can easily measure the temperature by sucking the liquid into the small plastic container with the rubber ball and rubber tube.
- 【Scope of Application】Whether you are at home or on the road, you can do coolant testing anytime and anywhere. The coolant hydrometer can help you understand the state of the coolant, meet the installation needs of your vehicle, help you prevent car mechanical failure, and travel with peace of mind.
- 【Quality Assurance】Our products are rigorously tested before leaving the factory to ensure that the quality meets the standard, you can rest assured that you can purchase and use our products.
- 1.EFFORTLESSLY TEST YOUR ANTI FREEZE MIXTURE: Antifreeze, also known as coolant, is designed to prevent water from freezing up in cold climates and to prevent your engine from overheating which can cause mechanical breakdowns and engine failure; Avoid these issues by testing your coolant mixture with the ABN Deluxe Car Antifreeze Coolant Test Kit
- Colour: Black
- material: plastic
- 2.BUILT TO LAST: Constructed of premium plastic and rubber materials, this antifreeze tester is designed to easily test freezing and boiling temperatures of your coolant to water solutions; The rubber bulb and 5.5-inch (14 cm) rubber tube makes it easy to suck liquid into the small plastic reservoir; Easy to read stickers allow you to test the solution and provides instructions; Flush out with water after each use for accurate readings
- Antifreeze and coolant tester
- For Ethylene Glycol
- Can be used warm or cold
- Ideal for use in winter or summer helps to avoid freeze-ups or overheating
- Plastic body with rubber tube
- Accurate – Features six floating discs for precise density readings of ethylene glycol coolant, displayed in both Celsius and Fahrenheit
- Efficient – Measures coolant strength within a range of -7 to -37 °C (25 to -34°F), ensuring your engine is protected in extreme conditions
- Versatile – Suitable for testing both hot and cold coolant, allowing for convenient year-round use
*Last update on 2024-12-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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