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Topic: Not sure if I'm using air correctly to winterize (Read 637 times) previous topic - next topic

Not sure if I'm using air correctly to winterize

I drained the hot water heater and the fresh water tank. My freshwater intake is about a 5' hose. I hooked the blow out valve up and put the compressor up to 50 lbs. When I opened the faucets one at a time I expected to have air coming out along with any residual water. Very little water and no air came out.Reading this forum and looking at YouTube I'm guessing unless I bypass the hot water heater I'm not going to get much pressure in the lines. Also do I need to avoid using a compressor with tanks.One site said they can introduce oil and other pollutants into the water lines. As always thanks for the good advice!
Build 5477
99 3602 WTFE U270C

Re: Not sure if I'm using air correctly to winterize

Reply #1 –
Should be fine....just let-er blow....I had the same thing happen and eventually all was good.

 :D

Hans
Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)

Re: Not sure if I'm using air correctly to winterize

Reply #2 –
I put a T inline off my suction side of the pump.  I would just fill the lines with antifreeze and let the pump push it thru.  You can by pass the WH if you wish before doing that or not bypass it and then when it is full and pushes the pink stuff just drain it again. cost you a few gallons but it is not hard to do and no bypass to install.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Not sure if I'm using air correctly to winterize

Reply #3 –
The air has to come out somewhere, can you hear it?  The tank fill valve should be closed or you will just blow air into the tank and out the tank drain if it is still open or out the overflow.  I would suggest a little lower pressure, maybe 30 psi.  That is plenty.  I am not sure exactly what to do with an LP water heater since I don't have one.  I hope someone else jumps in here with the relevant experience.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Not sure if I'm using air correctly to winterize

Reply #4 –
Not sure of the physics of filling the 10 gallon hot water tank with air. I'll put the plug back in and try. Someone posted a picture where they bypassed the hot water at the manifold and added antifreeze at the pump. I can't see not having a bypass so it makes sense to rig something up. I had hoped to avoid the antifreeze as others have done and only use air.
Build 5477
99 3602 WTFE U270C

Re: Not sure if I'm using air correctly to winterize

Reply #5 –
My coach is a slightly later model, (2001) but I did the blow out, and anti-freeze fill thing yesterday.
With the air connected and at 30psi, as Roger says, fill valve closed, the air will come out of all faucets and drains once they are opened one at a time.
Once they are clear of water, close them off. I went round four times, overkill!!
I then fitted a pipe, the hardest part, to the suction side of the pump, as per Rogers instructions earlier, the the Pink stuff comes out everywhere as you open each valve/faucet in turn. Do each several times to eliminate air.
I have an Aqua Hot and I believe you may have the older hot tank, but the method should be similar??
Brian.
2001 U320 Build #5865
Daihatsu Rocky Toad
VW Touareg
'82 F100 Stepside
Beech' Debonair

Re: Not sure if I'm using air correctly to winterize

Reply #6 –
I put the plug back in the hot water heater and everything worked well. Water came out and then air. I'll look into disconnecting the pump and adding a bypass for antifreeze.  Have to get the filter cartrige out as well. Hate to concede that traveling season is over till Spring.
Build 5477
99 3602 WTFE U270C

Re: Not sure if I'm using air correctly to winterize

Reply #7 –
I don't believe you have an ice maker.  If you do, it and a Splendide take additional care to winterize.  Also make sure the toilet valve operated by foot and the spray wand are also free of water...the P traps too will need winterizing fluid.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Not sure if I'm using air correctly to winterize

Reply #8 –
If you install a bypass on the hot water tank you can use air only to blow out your system.  The drain on the hot water tank should open to allow all the water to drain.  The bypass is 3 shut off valves and some elbows.  Because my water pump is on the passenger side, I installed a connection before and after the water pump.  I also installed shut off to the fresh tank as well.  I prefer to use air as the pink stuff takes for ever to get out the system.  Air works really well.  I bought a inline air filter for a paint sprayer and a pressure regulator.  I use the coach air connection to winterize and works like a charm.  Clean air at 40 psi.  We continue all year round in Canada so we can easily flip back and forth.  I leave the aquahot on all winter with electric so no fear of a burst pipe.  Winter in the Rockies is the best time to go.
Matthew 2001 U320 40'

Re: Not sure if I'm using air correctly to winterize

Reply #9 –
We are going to Hilton Head tomorrow..NO winterizing  :dance:
Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)

Re: Not sure if I'm using air correctly to winterize

Reply #10 –
If you are in your coach at Hilton Head with the heat on you should be fine. Just parked there, well...

From the SC climate reports:
"Most days at Hilton Head Island have a temperature of over 50 °F (10 °C). The Island averages 32 days a year when the thermometer reaches into the 90s °F (over 32 °C). It doesn't get as hot as 100 °F (38 °C) here every year.
The thermometer dips below freezing on an average of 17 nights a year. Hilton Head Island gets as cold as 10 °F (-12 °C) about once a decade."

Have fun in SC.  We always do.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Not sure if I'm using air correctly to winterize

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Peter & Beth –
I don't believe you have an ice maker.  If you do, it and a Splendide take additional care to winterize.
Peter,
 
Would you please describe this additional care?
 
Thanks,
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385
 

Re: Not sure if I'm using air correctly to winterize

Reply #12 –
We do have an ice maker but the previous owner wasn't using it.also hookups for the washer are there but the washer was removed. I too am interested in what needs to be done to winterize the ice maker. The washer lines seem to be concealed behind a Panel in the closet.
Build 5477
99 3602 WTFE U270C