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Topic: Winterizing accumulator water tank and replacement (Read 639 times) previous topic - next topic

Winterizing accumulator water tank and replacement

Ok. Bladder was shot in the original tank. I pulled it today and it has one connection into it. It was full of my fall antifreeze, so question is, If you just blow out with air in the fall and don't pull antifreeze back thru, wouldn't it be full of water and freeze? How would the tank get emptied? I see no way it could drain even with air pressure and blowing all the lines out. 
Maybe I'm missing something?
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Winterizing accumulator water tank and replacement

Reply #1 –
Quote from: dans96u295ft –
Ok. Bladder was shot in the original tank. I pulled it today and it has one connection into it. It was full of my fall antifreeze, so question is, If you just blow out with air in the fall and don't pull antifreeze back thru, wouldn't it be full of water and freeze? How would the tank get emptied? I see no way it could drain even with air pressure and blowing all the lines out. 
Maybe I'm missing something?

Blowing out, and running antifreeze through the system is correct. I'm going to guess the bladder inside the tank had a hole in it.

Personally I don't blow coaches out. I simply run RV antifreeze through via coach pump, it pushes all water out. I do maybe 20 coaches every fall, 1,000's over the previous years. Never had an issue.

I never rely on blow out only. Many small valves, and air has moisture in it. I realize some do it with good luck, but I won't warranty my work unless I pump antifreeze through.

Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Winterizing accumulator water tank and replacement

Reply #2 –
Good info gracerace. I'll keep using anti freeze. How do you sanitize the system in the spring?
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Winterizing accumulator water tank and replacement

Reply #3 –
Add 20 gallons or so of water to the fresh tank with 3-4 tbs of bleach.  Pump it through all the lines, faucets, drain valve, toilet, service faucets, hot and cold until there is no pink stuff left.  Then pump more through everything again.

Then drain all of the water lines, hot and cold, drain the fresh tank.

Now fill the fresh tank with 1 tbs of bleach and pump to fill all lines.  When it is all filled then replace the under sink filter and you should be good to go.  The RV antifreeze tastes terrible.  If you didn't get it all keep pumping water through the lines until it is gone.

Should take an hour or so after a couple times.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Winterizing accumulator water tank and replacement

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
Add 20 gallons or so of water to the fresh tank with 3-4 tbs of bleach.  Pump it through all the lines, faucets, drain valve, toilet, service faucets, hot and cold until there is no pink stuff left.  Then pump more through everything again.

Then drain all of the water lines, hot and cold, drain the fresh tank.

Now fill the fresh tank with 1 tbs of bleach and pump to fill all lines.  When it is all filled then replace the under sink filter and you should be good to go.  The RV antifreeze tastes terrible.  If you didn't get it all keep pumping water through the lines until it is gone.

Should take an hour or so after a couple times.


Stupid newbie question.  The tank fill in our coach is the same as the freshwater hose.  Where do I hookup to pump bleach and/or anti-freeze?  Is there another hookup/hose for that on or near the water pump? 

Joe
Joe Phebus and Jaime Trujillo
2002 U270 3410  Build: 5953 Motorcader # 18595
2100 W Solar, 600 AH Battleborn Batteries,  Victron Multi-Plus II 3000 Inverter, Cerbo GX, & MPPT Chargers
1992 Geo Tracker

Re: Winterizing accumulator water tank and replacement

Reply #5 –
I have a short hose I hook directly to the pump intake.  It is a push-on snap fitting.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: Winterizing accumulator water tank and replacement

Reply #6 –
Quote from: dans96u295ft –
How would the tank get emptied? I see no way it could drain even with air pressure and blowing all the lines out. 
If the bladder is in good condition it will push out all water because of the precharge.
Scott

Re: Winterizing accumulator water tank and replacement

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Joe Phebus –
The tank fill in our coach is the same as the freshwater hose.  Where do I hookup to pump bleach and/or anti-freeze?  Is there another hookup/hose for that on or near the water pump? 
1. Disconnect your hose and let the water (or most of it) drain out
2. Hook up the spigot end the to water source
3. Hold the other end up high and use a funnel to add bleach.
4. Connect hose to coach and start filling your tank.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: Winterizing accumulator water tank and replacement

Reply #8 –
Trying to pour bleach into the end of the hose is tough.

Get a particulate filter for less than $20, unscrew the filter section, put the bleach in the bowl, screw back on and fill. 

Water Pressure regulator
Water Pressure regulator

And the rest of the time it will keep crud out of your water.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Winterizing accumulator water tank and replacement

Reply #9 –
Quote from: dans96u295ft –
Good info gracerace. I'll keep using anti freeze. How do you sanitize the system in the spring?

Just flush everything out with fresh water. Then put the Water heater (if it has conventional water heater), back into service mode and fill it.

We just returned from Yuma Arizona where the water is terrible, so I blow out and drain the whole coach. Then add fresh water with a tad of bleach (a little goes a long ways) into the hose while filling the tank. Then run water through all the faucets with the pump, and fill the water heater. I don't put more then 10 gallons water in tank, till we go again.

If you have a sink filter, just remove it, and dump it out, install the bypass plug for it. After all this is done, replace the filter.

If your winterizing, do the same thing with the filter, store in warm place.

Cheers
Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Winterizing accumulator water tank and replacement

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
Trying to pour bleach into the end of the hose is tough.
AGREE.  I have big white bleached spots on several "work" shirts and pants to prove that fact.  Take Roger's advice!  8)

I use one I got at HD - accomplishes similar purpose (allows you to add bleach to water tank fill hose without ruining yer pants):

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Powercare-Garden-Hose-Inlet-Filter-AP31076/202560210
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Winterizing accumulator water tank and replacement

Reply #11 –
Just returned from Lowes. Bought the A-O model, 963318 accumulator. An exact replacement and $50 bucks!!! I put bleach in my outdoor filter housing and pull it thru that.
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Winterizing accumulator water tank and replacement

Reply #12 –
If mine has an accumulator tank I have not found it.  I have a 2006 Nimbus.  Where should I look for one?
2006 Nimbus 336
Built 2005 may be one of the first coaches labeled Nimbus.
DEMCO Air-force One braking system.
Towing 2002 Jeep Wrangler Sport.
Road Master Falcon 5250 tow bar.

Re: Winterizing accumulator water tank and replacement

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
AGREE.  I have big white bleached spots on several "work" shirts and pants to prove that fact.  Take Roger's advice!  8)

I use one I got at HD - accomplishes similar purpose (allows you to add bleach to water tank fill hose without ruining yer pants):

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Powercare-Garden-Hose-Inlet-Filter-AP31076/202560210

This will work fine for adding disinfectant.  But for filtering out fine particulates it is a 450 micron filter based on HD QandA.  Fine sand will get through it.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Winterizing accumulator water tank and replacement

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
This will work fine for adding disinfectant.
Agree totally.  I only use to add bleach.  Of course, it would also filter out any cockroaches or spiders that are hiding inside the water faucet.  :thumbsup:
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Winterizing accumulator water tank and replacement

Reply #15 –
To get read of cockroaches and any other unwanted life in my RV I use Maxforce Roach Killer Gel.
I've heard this is one of the best roach killers. Made in Germany.