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Old 05-01-2016, 08:51 AM   #1
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Need dewinterizing clarification please

I'm just about ready to do my dewinterization, I was going to just hook up to city water and flush the lines, then once all the pink stuff is out I was going to fill the tank and sanitize the system.

I've read about dewinterizing and just about everything says to fill the tank THEN flush the lines. Do I really need to fill the tank just to flush the lines?

Also do I open the low point drain before or after I flush the lines?

Any help would be appreciated.
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Old 05-01-2016, 08:57 AM   #2
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Filling the FW tank will get all of it sanitized not just part of it.

Yes before and after, the low points and FW drain need to be opened to remove any anti freeze during the flush and bleachy water after sanitizing.
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Old 05-01-2016, 09:13 AM   #3
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Ok, but what I'm confused about is why do I fill the tank to get the antifreeze out of the lines if no antifreeze is in the tank?

I would fill the tank once I go to sanitize, of course.
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Old 05-01-2016, 09:17 AM   #4
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Ok, but what I'm confused about is why do I fill the tank to get the antifreeze out of the lines if no antifreeze is in the tank?

I would fill the tank once I go to sanitize, of course.
You are partially correct. However, the city water connection will not use the pump and there is undoubtedly some antifreeze in the pump. The only way to get rid of that is to either use the antifreeze feed line with a bucket of fresh water, or just put some water in the tank (you don't have to fill it!) and use that. You can drain it out later when you use bleach.
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Old 05-01-2016, 09:18 AM   #5
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Ok, but what I'm confused about is why do I fill the tank to get the antifreeze out of the lines if no antifreeze is in the tank?

I would fill the tank once I go to sanitize, of course.
All you need to do to remove the antifreeze is as your mention hook up to city water and flush. Then do the sanitize as you said. Later RJD
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Old 05-01-2016, 09:21 AM   #6
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You will need water in the tank to flush out the pump and supply line from the tank. It was most likely used to winterize the system.
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Old 05-01-2016, 09:30 AM   #7
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Ok, but what I'm confused about is why do I fill the tank to get the antifreeze out of the lines if no antifreeze is in the tank?

I would fill the tank once I go to sanitize, of course.
You don't, you fill the tank to sanitize the tank.

The A/F can be flushed with the city water connection.

You use the water in the tank to clean the water lines, you do not have to drain the tank that way but do run enough water to make sure all the A/F is out and lines are clean.
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Old 05-01-2016, 09:36 AM   #8
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Ok Thank you all. I didn't do the winterizing but I'm sure that my husband used the pump when he did it. I'll check with him before I do it to make sure what he did, but it's already started raining so I will have wait for another day now anyways.
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Old 05-01-2016, 09:44 AM   #9
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Getting wet while working with water is normal, besides rain water washes right off....

I carry a surplus poncho for things like rain and working with water...
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Old 05-01-2016, 10:00 AM   #10
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Getting wet while working with water is normal, besides rain water washes right off....

I carry a surplus poncho for things like rain and working with water...
True but our first trip isn't for another month, thanks to graduations and birthdays so I've got time. I am very antsy and want to get camping after a disappointing season last year. Thought maybe working on getting it ready would help.
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Old 05-01-2016, 10:42 AM   #11
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Don't forget to also flush and sanitize the pipe section that runs from your city water connection. Remove the screen from inside the city water connector and push in the check valve so pump water will come out. It will spray out on you so stand to the side so you don't get too wet.


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Old 05-01-2016, 01:18 PM   #12
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Not sure of the need to sanitize. The pink stuff in your system is almost pure alcohol and I don't know any microbe who would enjoy that environment. Just a thought.
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Old 05-01-2016, 01:38 PM   #13
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Not sure of the need to sanitize. The pink stuff in your system is almost pure alcohol and I don't know any microbe who would enjoy that environment. Just a thought.
I doubt OP or anyone has spent enough money on A.F to fill a FW tank.

For me that would be over 150 dollars us., generally it takes two gallons to winterize the lite.
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Old 05-01-2016, 01:53 PM   #14
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Put in 1/4 cup of bleach to each 15 gallons of fresh water tank capacity. After several hours of full tank, flush out antifreeze and sanitize lines at the same time. Then drain, refill, drain again and add as much water as you wish to travel with.
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Old 05-01-2016, 04:02 PM   #15
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put in 1/4 cup of bleach to each 15 gallons of fresh water tank capacity. After several hours of full tank, flush out antifreeze and sanitize lines at the same time. Then drain, refill, drain again and add as much water as you wish to travel with.
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Old 05-01-2016, 04:08 PM   #16
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Your fresh water tank will not fully drain because the drain line fitting is on the side of the tank approx a half inch of water can remain in the tank. This water will get really nasty after several months of just sitting in the tank. The tank should be dewinterize separately from the rest of your plumbing. Add 3/4 cup of bleach to the tank and fill with fresh water, let set while you dewinterize the rest of the system. When done drain the FW tank at the drain, partially refill tank and PUMP the water through your system and you should be refreshed. For those who have in line filters you can get a bypass from the filter mfr. on the Internet.
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Old 05-01-2016, 05:17 PM   #17
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Your fresh water tank will not fully drain because the drain line fitting is on the side of the tank approx a half inch of water can remain in the tank. This water will get really nasty after several months of just sitting in the tank. The tank should be dewinterize separately from the rest of your plumbing. Add 3/4 cup of bleach to the tank and fill with fresh water, let set while you dewinterize the rest of the system. When done drain the FW tank at the drain, partially refill tank and PUMP the water through your system and you should be refreshed. For those who have in line filters you can get a bypass from the filter mfr. on the Internet.
I asked this before but we have not used nor do we plan on using the FW tank, but I was advised to sanitize just in case. So is it really necessary to pre-sanitze the tank?
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Old 05-01-2016, 05:33 PM   #18
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I asked this before but we have not used nor do we plan on using the FW tank, but I was advised to sanitize just in case. So is it really necessary to pre-sanitze the tank?
If your not going to use why bother. Later RJD
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Old 05-01-2016, 05:36 PM   #19
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You will need water in the tank to flush out the pump and supply line from the tank. It was most likely used to winterize the system.
No big deal for a little antifreeze to come through system if you did used the pump to winterize. I never bother with this and so little to mess with. Later RJD
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Old 05-02-2016, 04:26 AM   #20
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I asked this before but we have not used nor do we plan on using the FW tank, but I was advised to sanitize just in case. So is it really necessary to pre-sanitze the tank?

I like to carry fresh water mostly to use the toilet, wash my hands and water the dogs while on the road.


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