winterizing question

threegr8katz · 09-24-2010, 07:24 AM

Yesterday I was talking about this a little, and some say they just use compressed air, I am assuming with faucet open on the city in line with a fitting? What kind of a pump or air supply are you using?

How whould I access P trap to put the pink stuff in if i decide to do that?

Do you have to or need to winterize holding tanks or just make sure they are empty?

Don't thank I want a large brown pop sicle...lol

EastlakeRoo · 09-24-2010, 07:57 AM

as far as winterzing the holding tanks I'm assuming you just make sure they are empty. perhaps some antifreeze will trickle down in the tanks as you run it through all the water lines and drains. I have a black tank flusher and wondered the same thing on how to winterize it. My black tank flusher came installed from the manufacturer and was told it was like a dishwasher sprayer in the tank. With that said, Can I just leave it alone and things will be OK? I don't recall reading any posts on black tank rinser winterizing.

**Herk7769** · 09-24-2010, 08:46 AM

Eastlake,
There is a GREAT post on this here somewhere.
I use the mod to winterize my turboflush.

Go to your home store and buy the brass adapter WATTS A-633 also buy a BRASS one way hose bib check valve.

Amazon.com: Arrowhead Brass Prod. 59ABPLF Self-Draining Vacuum Breaker: Patio, Lawn & Garden

Connect the two together so there is no chance water/RV antifreeze from the washer can back up into your potable system. When you winterize your exterior shower you will winterize your turbo flush at the same time.

Hokiehall · 09-24-2010, 09:02 AM

I have never winterized my holding tanks. I make sure they are clean and empty.

Winterizing is needed for the water lines since when water freezes it will expand and burst the hoses. For tanks, there is plenty of room for the water to expand and nothing will break. You do need to put some antifreeze in the traps just to be on the safe side.

tmmar · 09-24-2010, 09:21 AM

You should just pour a few cups of the pink antifreeze into each of the sink drains and shower drains. This will prevent the water in the P traps from freezing.

Mowat · 09-24-2010, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmmar

You should just pour a few cups of the pink antifreeze into each of the sink drains and shower drains. This will prevent the water in the P traps from freezing.

I think this is the main reason I always just antifreeze all the lines instead of blowing them out. If you pump the antifreeze through out the unit you will end up with it in the sinks/traps and tanks. Or at least enough of it to keep them clear.

NWJeeper · 09-24-2010, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mowat

I think this is the main reason I always just antifreeze all the lines instead of blowing them out. If you pump the antifreeze through out the unit you will end up with it in the sinks/traps and tanks. Or at least enough of it to keep them clear.

Wouldn't just pouring the antifreeze down the sink drains be easier than pumping it all through the lines just to get it into the sinks and do the same thing?

As I have stated time and again, I NEVER use antifreeze. Using an air compressor to blow the lines is quick, cheap and easy and it works. Best of all when you decide to fill your water tank and use your rig again you don't have to purge all that nasty pink crap from your water lines.

**Herk7769** · 09-24-2010, 10:17 AM

Hmmm.. I may try that this year. It would make life easier for sure when we head south in January.

threegr8katz · 09-24-2010, 10:59 AM

NWJeeper you Rock... Thanks again for the excellent advise!!

acadianbob · 09-24-2010, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NWJeeper

As I have stated time and again, I NEVER use antifreeze. Using an air compressor to blow the lines is quick, cheap and easy and it works. Best of all when you decide to fill your water tank and use your rig again you don't have to purge all that nasty pink crap from your water lines.

Jeeper, how much air pressure do you use when blowing lines? I would guess that one needs to be careful about that to keep from damaging things?

NWJeeper · 09-24-2010, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acadianbob

Jeeper, how much air pressure do you use when blowing lines? I would guess that one needs to be careful about that to keep from damaging things?

I turn the requlated pressure at my compressor down to about 40 to 50psi when I blow the lines. There is no need to use a regulator at the inlet, just turn down the pressure from the tank. A water separator/filter on your air line is a good idea too. They run about $20 at the hardware/home improvement store.

In all my years I have never had a problem. There are some that are absolutely anal that you have to get every last drip of water out of the system and even still use antifreeze after blowing the lines, to which I just have to scratch my head and wonder why, kinda makes blowing the lines with air pointless if all you're going to do is add antifreeze anyway.

I've used antifreeze in the past, ONCE, and that was enough. Messy, expensive, time consuming and a royal pain to purge from your lines in spring when you want to use your rig again. Never again for me. Compressed air works great.

Hokiehall · 09-24-2010, 09:04 PM

Ed, what size compressor do you have?

NWJeeper · 09-24-2010, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hokiehall

Ed, what size compressor do you have?

6HP on a 30 gallon tank. 220volt. I have 1" PVC tube run throughout my rafters in the garage with air drops in 3 places. One drop has the water filter/separator installed just ahead of a 50' spool of rubber hose that can be pulled out for using the air tools and working on the cars/RV.

I used to sell compressors systems in my younger days ranging from 6hp up to multi hundred HP industrial rotary screw machines. Sure wished I could have gotten a good deal back then on a Sullair 6hp rotary machine, sweet!

es335 · 09-24-2010, 10:09 PM

I follow the NW Jeeper method as well-compressed air. Since my Rig is parked where there are no utilities, I just bought one of those portable air tanks (around $35.00), I put about 200PSI in it just so it is full. As long as you are careful and keep the faucet cracked, and , don't hold the air on full blst for an extended period-well, I have had no problems. I did not use a regulator. You can buy an adapter to fit on the city water line hose connection. The adapter has a tire valve built in . Just fill the air tank, hook on an airline (cheap one works fine), buy an end that is used to fill car tires, and purge the lines. It works faster with two people. We just do one line at a time. You do need to be careful with the commode line!!!! It was well below Zero for months this past year-no problems with frozen lines

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