I have hundreds of hours in both a TKS equipped Cirrus and an RDD equipped ES-P.

TKS works well so long as it is turned on at least 5 minutes prior to an icing encounter.  The cirrus uses a spinner ring to put TKS fluid on the prop, which also helps keep the windscreen clear of ice.  The TKS fluid bleeds back, providing icing protection far back from the leading edges.  The downside is you have a messy plane when you land, you have to carry the weight of the fluid, and anticipation is required, as it takes quite a few minutes for the panels to fully charge themselves and bleed out over their entire length.

The initial Kelly/RDD electric de-ice system would never work for more than 15 minutes before failing (just like Ronald’s experience).  This persisted for a couple of years until I replaced the electronics with the next generation from Kelly.  So far the new components have worked flawlessly for two years going.  The electric system will shed ice even if turned on after icing starts, a benefit over TKS.  The only disadvantage is that it does not protect the surfaces behind the heated leading edge, and you need to add a glycol spray for the windshield ($500) and a heated prop. 

I started picking up icing on a flight to Southern Cal last winter.  I decided to stay in the icing layer for a few minutes to see how the RDD system would perform because I knew I had warm conditions a few thousand feet below me and the cloud layer was pretty thin.  The RDD system kept the leading edges perfectly ice free, but there was a buildup of a ridge of bumpy frozen drops just aft of the heating panels after about 15 minutes.  I did not notice any measurable loss in speed due to the accumulation, and it quickly shed once temps warmed up.   While the electric system requires a heavy second alternator, I configured that alternator to be my backup alternator, so there is no weight penalty.

My bottom line.  I would choose the RDD electrical de-ice system (with the new electrical components).   No fluid to worry about, unlimited duration, a clean airplane when landing, and no need to anticipate icing conditions (which don’t occur most of the time, so I just ended up wasting TKS fluid and ended up with a dirty plane turning it on every time I was about to enter menacing looking clouds).