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Tars Tarkas
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Topic: First Time Winterizing Help Posted: 25 Dec 2018 at 7:19pm |
The object of winterizing is to get all water out of the plumbing. That's what the low point drains are for. To let the water out. Once the water is out, you close the drains. Otherwise, you can suck up 50 gallons of antifreeze and it will all immediately end up on the ground. (Not what you want.)
Antifreeze is insurance. If you blow all the water out of the plumbing, theoretically, you're done. Antifreeze replaces or, worst case, dilutes any water left in the system lowering the freezing point so that the solution in the pipes won't freeze.
Some people never open their low point drains. That leaves a little water in the system, but that water is mixed with antifreeze when done, plus Pods are plumbed with PEX, which is almost impossible to break by freezing. As long as antifreeze is the pump, valves, and traps, those metal or hard plastic things won't burst.
I use the low point drains as intended, but you absolutely want to close them before you start sucking antifreeze. If the drains are open they are the path of least resistance and antifreeze will never make it to the toilet or anywhere else, it will all pour out on the ground.
TT
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Shane
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Posted: 26 Dec 2018 at 8:00am |
Another thing is if you are using your water pump to pump the antifreeze from the freshwater tank through your lines you need a minimum of about 4 gallons of AF in the fresh water tank in order for your pump to start pumping it through the system. I do it this way every year.
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ENGINE 55,TRUCK 44,BATALLION 12
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Tars Tarkas
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Posted: 26 Dec 2018 at 8:04am |
Not sure why you would ever want to put antifreeze in your fresh water tank!
TT
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mcarter
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Posted: 26 Dec 2018 at 8:05am |
Shane,
Huh? The AF should be added thru the syphon hose directly to the water pump, not from the fresh water tank.
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Mike Carter
2015 178
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Shane
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Posted: 26 Dec 2018 at 8:09am |
You can do it either way. I have been doing this for years with no problem, it just takes a bit more AF.
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ENGINE 55,TRUCK 44,BATALLION 12
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ColoradoPK
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Posted: 26 Dec 2018 at 8:25am |
I didn't use the fresh water tank. Just followed the directions using the siphon hose that was near the pump. I also wonder if the RV dealer didn't blow all all the lines properly, and that might be why I had pressure building up in the city water inlet? I think I'll start from scratch today and do the whole thing, including blowing the lines.
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PK Colorado
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ColoradoPK
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Posted: 26 Dec 2018 at 8:39am |
I noticed a contradiction in the directions-at least I think it's a contradiction-that might be causing my problem. Step 8 says: 8) Wrap the threads of the anode rod with Teflon tape, re-insert the plug and close both low-point drains. But step 12 says: 12) Turn on the switch for the water pump for a few seconds, then turn it off. Your low-point drains should still be open, go outside and verify they are dripping pink. You may need to cycle the pump a few more seconds to be sure. Then close both low-point drains.
So, should I close the drains in step 8 and then pump AF, or leave them open? Also, honest question-I open all the valves in step 7 to help with draining. Before I pump AF, do I close all those valves and keep them closed until low point drains are officially closed at end of step 12?
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PK Colorado
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mcarter
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Posted: 26 Dec 2018 at 3:17pm |
All your drains should be closed when you add the AF. You want to winterize a closed system, also do not put the AF in the fresh water tank, use the syphon valve, that is what it there for. No reason to use 4 gallons of AF to winterize a closed loop small RV system. Unless you just like to buy AF.
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Mike Carter
2015 178
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Tars Tarkas
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Posted: 26 Dec 2018 at 3:49pm |
Originally posted by Shane
You can do it either way. I have been doing this for years with no problem, it just takes a bit more AF. | Shane, yeah, of course you can do it either way and antifreeze isn't all that expensive. The thing is, I think, that you don't want to have to flush all that antifreeze out of the water tank. I suppose if you're one of those people who doesn't drink the water from the fresh water tank it doesn't matter too much -- although it may not be all that healthy to shower with remnants of antifreeze in the tank.
It's real easy to use the siphon hose as intended. It's cheaper and at least arguably a little safer. It's not a BIG deal, and to each is own....
TT
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David and Danette
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Posted: 26 Dec 2018 at 4:09pm |
We have only lived in Tennessee for three Winters and have so far just used my compressor to blow out the lines and so far no problem. And I pour a little antifreeze into sink and shower drains. Having lived in south Florida before Tennessee the freezing weather has been a learning experience.
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2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
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