Winter using rv

[Brian217]

First, I'm not looking for anyone's opinion on whether or not to do it this way. I've used the fresh water tank for a couple of years with my Sunseeker and haven't had any problems doing it this way, till today.
I usually put 2 gallons of antifreeze in the fresh water tank. Empty the hot water heater, then bypass it. Turn on the pump and run it through all faucets and toilet. Today I do it the same way and it doesn't run through. I can hear a slight hum of the pump, but its like there's no antifreeze to pump in. I'm level and in the same spot I winterized it the other years. The really strange part is I turned the knob for the fresh water tank to see if it would come out and it didn't. I found another thread where someone put 9 gallons in and be had the same problem. I know the knob is in the correct position, before anyone asks that.
I was going to go out and get a couple more gallons tonight, but after reading about the guy with 9 gallons and still nothing I thought I would check here first for ideas. By the way, in the thread I found there were no answers, but other people with the same experience. Kind of leaves me scratching my head especially since I've done it this way for several years.

[TURBS]

I know this isn't your answer but I'd put a winterizing kit on it so you don't have to put it in the fw tank.

$20.00 at most camping centers.

BTW I bet 2 gallons isn't enough.

Turbs

[Brian217]

I probably will install a kit at some point, but just can't figure out why it's worked for years and now it doesn't.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Brian217

I probably will install a kit at some point, but just can't figure out why it's worked for years and now it doesn't.

If the pump was working recently I'd suspect not enough antifreeze to be picked up in the tank.
Albeit possible the pump is bad?
Tank could have sagged some?


Turbs

[Brian217]

I did use the fresh water tank over Labor Day, but I guess it could have gone bad. It has a quiet, constant hum even when faucets are closed. When I open a faucet I don't hear the loud noise I usually hear, but, there is a difference when I have the pump on and off. I get a gurgling from the faucet when its on.

[Oakman]

Since you’ve done it this way before without issue then my guess would be that either the fresh water tank has shifted or the pickup line within the tank has shifted.

Also check to make sure the pickup line on the pump from the fresh water tank is tight. A slightly loose connection allows the pump to suck air instead of fluids.

I’m not familiar with how the fresh water tanks are installed in Sunseekers but I’m amazed you were able to winterize with just two gallons in the fresh water tank.

[MrJoe]

Do you see pink in the filter housing? Mine did that when I left the tank drain open....

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Oakman

I’m not familiar with how the fresh water tanks are installed in Sunseekers but I’m amazed you were able to winterize with just two gallons in the fresh water tank.

Me to!

My sabre takes 4 minimum!



Turbs

[Brian217]

I'm going to pick up a couple more gallons tonight. Maybe something did shift. I hate when something that normally takes 10 minutes takes up a lot of the afternoon!

[Still Kickin]

Originally Posted by Brian217

First, I'm not looking for anyone's opinion on whether or not to do it this way. I've used the fresh water tank for a couple of years with my Sunseeker and haven't had any problems doing it this way, till today.
I usually put 2 gallons of antifreeze in the fresh water tank. Empty the hot water heater, then bypass it. Turn on the pump and run it through all faucets and toilet. Today I do it the same way and it doesn't run through. I can hear a slight hum of the pump, but its like there's no antifreeze to pump in. I'm level and in the same spot I winterized it the other years. The really strange part is I turned the knob for the fresh water tank to see if it would come out and it didn't. I found another thread where someone put 9 gallons in and be had the same problem. I know the knob is in the correct position, before anyone asks that.
I was going to go out and get a couple more gallons tonight, but after reading about the guy with 9 gallons and still nothing I thought I would check here first for ideas. By the way, in the thread I found there were no answers, but other people with the same experience. Kind of leaves me scratching my head especially since I've done it this way for several years.

Cut your losses(2gals antifreeze) top the fresh water tank with water and see what happens. If it pumps, I suspect either the feed line was not covered for some reason, or your pump didn't have enough antifreeze volume to start the draw cycle.

Switch to a bypass kit and go that route the remainder of your time with the unit.

[bop11]

I agree with "still kickin". If you install a by-pass kit you will be able to winterize with 2 gallons.
I have a 5th wheel with the by pass system and I over do it and only use 3 gallons.


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[rockfordroo]

Here's a thought: Maybe in the past you had a couple of gallons of water in the FW tank before you added the AF, so you may have actually had 3-4 gals of liquid. But this time it was really empty, and 2 gal isn't enough to get to the pump.

[rdeiss]

Not a expert in this by any means, but to me it sounds like one of 2 things:
1. It's sucking air somewhere. If you have the small bulb type housing with a small filter in it on the intake side of the pump I would look at that first. If you took the filter out and didn't turn the bulb all the way to the lock position it would be sucking air there. There is also a o-ring gasket in that assembly that could be bad or misaligned.
2. The pump has seized up.

All this is assuming that you are 100% sure you only used 2 gallons previously. I would disconnect the line at the suction side and put a hose in a gallon and if it primes and pumps you either are sucking air somewhere before that point or you were mistaken and need more antifreeze to operate. If it's not working I would guess you are going to be the proud owner of a new pump.


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[Brian217]

Rockfordroo, I was actually thinking about that a little earlier. The last trip I used the fs tank I opened the valve when we were done at the campground and let it drain. I've never driven with it open before, so I was thinking maybe with the water sloshing around all of it probably did empty out, while other times I shut the valve before leaving and probably still had a little in it. I think I will install the bypass. We never really used the fs tank when we had travel trailers, but do find we use it a few times a year on longer trips.

[trdutch]

Originally Posted by Brian217

Rockfordroo, I was actually thinking about that a little earlier. The last trip I used the fs tank I opened the valve when we were done at the campground and let it drain. I've never driven with it open before, so I was thinking maybe with the water sloshing around all of it probably did empty out, while other times I shut the valve before leaving and probably still had a little in it. I think I will install the bypass. We never really used the fs tank when we had travel trailers, but do find we use it a few times a year on longer trips.

If you left the low point drain open and drove
You are empty!
This was talked about on my thread "What came out of my hot water tank"
Bernoulli's principle sucked the tank dry

[biznsa]

I would think if any drains are open, including low point, you would notice when adding antifreeze.

[Brian217]

I added 2 more gallons of antifreeze. That did the trick, so I probably never had the fresh water tank completely empty in the past. I will be installing the bypass for next year so I don't have to clean out the tank in the spring.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Brian217

I added 2 more gallons of antifreeze. That did the trick, so I probably never had the fresh water tank completely empty in the past. I will be installing the bypass for next year so I don't have to clean out the tank in the spring.

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Turbs