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Topic: Winterizing (Read 849 times) previous topic - next topic

Winterizing

I know it is too early to consider winterizing our coach. However, I do need to know if it is possible to pour the potable antifreeze from the gallon containers into the fresh water tank using the fresh water connection hose.  I am considering using the water pump to pump the antifreeze around the coach to winterize all the plumbing.

If I cannot pour the potable antifreeze into the fresh water tank using the fresh water connection, I will have to either disconnect the inlet to the pump and install a "T" with a short hose length to pump the antifreeze out of the gallon containers or figure out some other way to winterize the coach this fall. 

If I have to make any changes, I would prefer to make them this summer/fall while the weather is good and prior to needing to winterize the coach.

Thank you very much.

Morris
Morris and Janice
1997 U270 36'

Re: Winterizing

Reply #1 –
Morris,
Here is some pics. of what we use. It is a 15 gal. tank (food grade) that has a duplicate pump to what is on the coach. (can be used as a spare) We use it to pump on bleach to sanitise, vinegar to clean out the calcium, potable antifreeze (if we were that cold),and just H20 if we are dry camping where there is no pressurized water.
Pamela
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Winterizing

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Pamela & Mike –
Morris,
Here is some pics. of what we use. It is a 15 gal. tank (food grade) that has a duplicate pump to what is on the coach. (can be used as a spare) We use it to pump on bleach to sanitise, vinegar to clean out the calcium, potable antifreeze (if we were that cold),and just H20 if we are dry camping where there is no pressurized water.
Pamela 

Thank you very much. 

Do you connect the hose fitting to the fresh water inlet connection?  If not, where do you connect it into the water system?

Does the fresh water inlet have to be pressurized to allow the water or potable antifreeze to flow into the fresh water tank?  Or is gravity feed sufficient for the water or potable antifreeze to flow into the fresh water tank?

Thank you very much.

Morris

Morris and Janice
1997 U270 36'

Re: Winterizing

Reply #3 –
Morris,
We hook up the brass fitting that you see in the 1st pic. to the water inlet just like it was a water hose from an outside spigot. Then we hook up the pump to 12vdc and open the fill valve to allow the liquid  into the on board tank or leave the fill valve closed and open the inside spigots (kitchen, bathtub, & bath sink) to fill the lines.
Once you have potable antifreeze in the lines & tank, remember to turn on your on board pump with the fill valve open to make sure that you have filled the pump head also. If you pump potable antifreeze into your on board tank, then use the aboard water pump to fill the lines, you can skip the filling the pump head step as it is already contains antifreeze. 
It's takes about 2 gallons to  fill all of our lines. Don't forget your under sink water filter, and the ice maker line, if you have these.
Pamela
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Winterizing

Reply #4 –
If you plan to winterize every year, I would install a T on the inlet side of the water pump and put a valve on both sides of the T.  Attach one side of the T to the water tank and the other to a plastic hose long enough to stick into a gallon of anti-freeze.
Open the valve for the anti-freeze, close the valve for the water tank and then let the water pump pull the anti-freeze out of the gallon jug and push it into the M/H water system. 
In the event you ever have a water tank problem you can easily connect up an auxillary tank.
Regards,
JON TWORK KB8RSA
Full Time RVer (10+ Years) & Dedicated Boondocker
Retired, Unemployed, Homeless Transients
1996 Foretravel U270-36 w/24' Timberwolf Trailer
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