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Topic ClosedMy first winterization

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TEDDY View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: My first winterization
    Posted: 13 Nov 2017 at 9:16pm
Thanks, SH
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Nov 2017 at 8:34pm
If you use a biological tank additive such as TankTechs Rx, Septa-Flush, Bio-Clean, Happy Camper, RV Digest-It, or something similar then leaving stuff in the black tank should be no problem. These assist in liquefying the solids so that they don't mat on the bottom.
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TEDDY View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Nov 2017 at 4:26pm
From what I've read on the Forum - leaving stuff in the black tank for a short while should not be a problem.  On the other hand, sitting still a long time allows heavier stuff (including paper) to mat in the bottom of the tank - so I would not leave it sit more than a couple of weeks.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Nov 2017 at 4:00pm
I actually did all of that. So hopefully i should be good. The only thing i have a concern about was, the line from the fresh tank, to the pump. I did add a little AF to the fresh tank, just because, but i didnt cycle it thru the line. I hope thats ok. I had pink stuff coming out of every tap faucet, and both shower heads, so i feel all those lines are set. 
Teddy if you use your black and grey thanksgiving, will you leave what little amount of stuff you add to it in the tank all winter?? Just curious if a small amount of sewage can stay in the tank. I suppose you could just dump into a small bucket at home if needed. We have a porta potty we used in our pop up that i will use if i go out between now or christmas. we use the pod as our hotel room on one day trips, to the casino, or visiting. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Nov 2017 at 5:33am
Thanks Teddy, for the reminder of draining the hot water tank first by removing the anode and draining the low point drains.  After doing this for so long, I totally forgot to include those most important steps.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Nov 2017 at 6:11pm
I watched the KY Moose Youtube video - blowing out the lines and NOT using the RV antifreeze siphon.

Drained fresh and hot water tanks (including anode removal), then drained the low point drains. 
Ran the water pump until the kitchen hot AND cold taps showed only sputtering.

 Attached blowout plug the city water connection at and used an oil less compressor at 30 psi.  Opening one tap at a time with the system pressurized - until each tap was dry - no mist coming out.

Popped the low point drains again - some moisture was released.

Then did the open tap routine again.

Dumped some pink RV antifreeze in each trap.

We're going to use the 178 in Cleveland area over Thanksgiving, so it might freeze there - so I dumped a gallon of RV antifreeze in each of the black and gray tanks (which we'll use).  

We'll see - my neighbor (has had camping trailers for a long time) was concerned about the input side of the water pump - but I'm pretty sure there's no water in there.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Nov 2017 at 11:20am
lol, we were 18 degrees this morning. I'd say i got this done in a nick of time. Thanks for the replies. I hope i did it all correctly. Your 7 years of problem free makes me feel better. Have a great day
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Nov 2017 at 5:40pm
Sorry about that, my 177 is an older style (2011 model) and am not sure if all but at least some of the newer models only have 2 valves to bypass the hot water tank.  I have never used my city water connection (we either dry camp or bring our own well water with us) so have always used the pigtail from the 3 way valve located under the sink, I believe that is standard on all pods, as far as its location. 

As far as your black and gray water tanks, I have never blown out either, just drain them out in fall before going into hibernation mode.  Also I have never added antifreeze to any of my 3 tanks, if they are drained and maybe have a few gallons in them, that leaves plenty of space for expansion in a 30 gallon tank as it freezes.  This will be the 7th winter our pod has gone through, no issues ever with freezing lines, pipes, or tank ruptures.  This morning 15 degrees, ahhhh, winter is just beginning.
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Nov 2017 at 6:07am
You blow out lines via the feeder tube? I bought a part, called a blow out plug adaptor, or something similar to that name. It screws into the city water connection point. I tought that is where you blow lines from?Or does it not matter, and blowing the lines from any source will work. I also was going to blow out the black tank flush line, and i'm not sure how the heck to get anti-freeze in it. I'm thinking of pouring some into the bl fl connection point, then try to blow it in. Thanks in advance.
P.S. I have a 172, no 3 way bypass valve at the HW tank, only two, one on the white (cold) one on the red (hot) if that matters
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2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Nov 2017 at 7:44pm
Close your 3 valves (each goes 1/4 turn) to put it into bypass mode.  You are correct, NO antifreeze in the hot water heater.  Find your 'pigtail' under your sink where you will see a 3-way valve.  After putting your 3 valves above your hot water tank into bypass, come back under your sink and locate the 3-way valve and turn it 1/4 turn.  Find the pigtail (about 12-14 inches long) and put the end of that into your 1 gallon pink antifreeze.  Turn on your water pump and open each hot and cold tap until you have pink coming out of the faucet.  Do this 1 at a time, not all at once.  Finish by turning on your water closet (toilet) until pink comes out of that as well.  Walla, you are done.  No need to put antifreeze in the fresh water tank.  I am sure you notice there is probably a few gallons in the bottom that you can't get out BUT there is plenty of room for expansion so no worries.  Yes, put some of the pink down your shower and kitchen drains.  No need to put down the toilet but DO put some on top of the valve cover to keep the seal lubricated during the hibernation mode.

For the past 6 years I have simply blown out the lines using compressed air, takes about 1 minute once I am hooked up to the pigtail you use to suck in the antifreeze.  Once that is done I use 1 pint of antifreeze for the 2 sink and 1 shower trap and also use a few ounces to put on top of the toilet seal.
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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