Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Winterization and drains below Aqua Hot  (Read 397 times) previous topic - next topic

Winterization and drains below Aqua Hot

There are drain lines coming out of the Aqua Hot if I recall correctly. They're inside the stainless case, near the burner and drain out to the ground.  I have read a number of posts where this question was asked but not directly answered: do I need to drain these lines when winterizing the coach? If not, what are they for and why not?

The answer I've seen a few times to this question is: if there is anti freeze coming out of any one hot water faucet, then the AH is winterized. That is currently the case but I would still like a better understanding of those drains none the less. Thank you
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Winterization and drains below Aqua Hot

Reply #1 –
My drains were drained of water, as was the rest of the system, and then closed when I put the antifreeze in. Every possible line in my coach has pink in it  I had the one same questions when I asked about winterizing in Canadian winters ( below -25 f and below). I visually check every line I can to ensure I see pink
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Winterization and drains below Aqua Hot

Reply #2 –
Treat those valves just like the faucets. Open them just long enough to get pink antifreeze to show up. I usually drain mine first then close and start doing the faucets and then do those valves that way you're sure to get all the water out.

Larry
Larry & Debbie Town
2000 U320 4210 
Previous 88 GV

Re: Winterization and drains below Aqua Hot

Reply #3 –
Elliott, I also have AH drains hiding under the 8D battery tray as well.  Relocated on your coach during your solar install?  W.
2001 4010 U320 build #5865 "Bluto-d-Bus" since 09/18
2006 Honda Element ESP Toad
Full timing since 2016 in Western MT
Copilot: Sitka
1975 GMC 260 Avion: sold

Re: Winterization and drains below Aqua Hot

Reply #4 –
Woody
Mine are the exact same as yours. Under the 8D batteries
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Winterization and drains below Aqua Hot

Reply #5 –
I moved mine to right beside the Aqua-hot.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Winterization and drains below Aqua Hot

Reply #6 –
Elliot,
I was told by a plumber friend, when wintering always leave your
faucets open. If by chance any liquid does freeze there is room for expansion in the faucet.
Alan Fink
Waupun, WI
2000 Blue Bird Wanderlodge  LX40
2018 F150 4x4
2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited  Rubicon JL
 

Re: Winterization and drains below Aqua Hot

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Woody & Sitka –
Elliott, I also have AH drains hiding under the 8D battery tray as well.  Relocated on your coach during your solar install?  W.
Woody you're correct, they're under the batteries. For some reason I thought they were directly under the AH unit and I was trying to confirm before I cleared out that bay and crawled under there. I drained them last night and it was almost instantly pink that came out of them.

I kind of dodged a bullet this week. I had to move my coach away from the hooks up to redo some electrical that the previous owner left me. I've always been afraid of not having redundancy for the AH when it's cold (diesel & elec) and sure enough, the diesel side quit working one night while it was unplugged. It probably would have meant frozen pipes had I not winterized it the week before. Between the cold temps and a week of overcast days, the house batteries couldn't recharge fast enough off solar and eventually powered the AH down. I am paranoid so now that she's back at the hooks up, I'll keep the electric side on throughout the winter just in case.

Pictures attached of the tremendous fun I've been having this week.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.