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Old 04-30-2020, 12:37 PM   #1
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Dewinterizing & Draining Water Filter Cartridge

All I am trying to do is draw down the water in my clear water filter cartridge (next to my water pump) after dewinterizing. I want to unscrew it and not get water all over my storage bin in the process of replacing the paper filter element. I have turned my pump on with a cold water faucet on...no luck. I have opened my fresh water valve and turned the pump on...no luck. I have my low point water valve open and pump on...no luck.

What in the world am I missing here?!
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Old 04-30-2020, 12:52 PM   #2
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Is there not room for a small bucket underneath it?
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Old 04-30-2020, 12:55 PM   #3
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Try closing all the valves,turn the pump off and open the low point drain,Then slightly start unscrewing the filter bowl,It created a syphon. At least that's what I did on mine,Plan B big zip lock bag over the bowl to catch any spillage.
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Old 04-30-2020, 01:03 PM   #4
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Unless you push air through the system, nothing is going to partially drain the filter bowl unless you get lucky and get a little siphoning action from a low point drain and an open faucet like Chris mentioned. Even then, that is going to be hit or miss depending on the filter location relative to the low point drain.

You can't use the pump as it will pump more water into the bowl. The filter canister isn't on the suction side of the pump so it won't suck anything out.

The city supply is also going to push more water in.

Air into the city water port would partially blow some water out of the filter canister though.

I agree though... wouldn't a bucket, plastic bag or large towel, just make more sense?
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Old 04-30-2020, 01:53 PM   #5
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Water filter

The only way to get water out of the filter cartridge is to take it off and dump it. I have a 2016 Forester, and there is a small drain with a little rubber screen in it so water that comes out will go down that. I can get it out with out losing too much water but there really is no way to remove it without spilling some.
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Old 04-30-2020, 01:53 PM   #6
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Also check your valve settings. You could still be set to pull from antifreeze jug.
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Old 04-30-2020, 01:54 PM   #7
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Water Filter Drain

Did you leave the cartridge in over the winter? That means less water to spill. Otherwise, you need something underneath that will catch the spillage and will fit under the filter. A large bath towel will catch any stray drips. If the location makes it difficult to manoeuver the full container, a small bucket nearby will help.

Mine is in a very difficult location under the sink with only 2 inches between the bottom of the container and the floor.

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Old 04-30-2020, 01:59 PM   #8
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You should close all valves, turn off pump and city water. Open low point drain then cold water faucet close to low point drain. This works for my Georgetown as bathroom sink is almost on top of low point drain. Will siphon about half of water in filter housing. Hope this works for you. Otherwise break out bucket.
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Old 04-30-2020, 02:02 PM   #9
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Since a filter is unnecessary when winterizing, someone should make a SMALLER cartridge to replace the big one so that we're not wasting antifreeze when winterizing!
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Old 04-30-2020, 02:13 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 45RPM View Post
Since a filter is unnecessary when winterizing, someone should make a SMALLER cartridge to replace the big one so that we're not wasting antifreeze when winterizing!
Many folks use an empty, capped water bottle.
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Old 04-30-2020, 02:38 PM   #11
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Water cartrige removal

My Method:

Make sure the water pump is off, city water is unhooked, put a towel under the cartridge and loosen the cylinder with the wrench enough so you can hand turn it. Now slide a gallon ziplock bag under and up over the cylinder to catch any spillage as you remove it by hand. Between the bag and the towel you catch 90%. the other 10% goes down your arm and wets your shirt.

That's the way I do it. Minimizes the mess.
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Old 04-30-2020, 02:41 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 5picker View Post
Many folks use an empty, capped water bottle.
Our cartridge neck is about the size of a mason jar!
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Old 04-30-2020, 03:08 PM   #13
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Our cartridge neck is about the size of a mason jar!
You put the bottle in the cartridge holder to take up volume so that it fills up with less antifreeze. I use a plastic jar about the size of a quart mason jar. Got it at dollar tree.
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Old 04-30-2020, 03:08 PM   #14
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This issue is exactly why I changed out the water filter assembly on my 2105 Sunseeker 2500TS with one that has a bypass valve. That way you only have to get the mess once a year when you remove the cartridge canister to winterize. Move the valve to bypass, remove the canister with a plastic bag around it and store it in the house after dumping the water. Now winterize without the canister in place, easy. I did it for two years with the original filter that would then fill with antifreeze after removing the cartridge (I guess you could leave the cartridge in as mentioned previously, then just dispose of it when de-winterizing). Removal in the spring was a pain, as spilled anti freeze is much worse to clean up than water. In my 2500TS there is barely enough room to screw off the canister, and it must be tilted to get it out, hence the mess.
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Old 04-30-2020, 03:42 PM   #15
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I just pitched the cartridge, screwed the cover back on and bought in-line exterior filters. Inexpensive, easy to use and replace. Never noticed a difference. Been using five years and still kicking so any impurities aren’t bothering me. I am too old to go into that storage area trying to mess with changing filters, which don’t come cheap
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Old 04-30-2020, 03:42 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by firemedicmark View Post
You put the bottle in the cartridge holder to take up volume so that it fills up with less antifreeze. I use a plastic jar about the size of a quart mason jar. Got it at dollar tree.
I should have read your post closer to see that you said a CAPPED bottle!
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Old 04-30-2020, 07:54 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 45RPM View Post
Since a filter is unnecessary when winterizing, someone should make a SMALLER cartridge to replace the big one so that we're not wasting antifreeze when winterizing!
What a thought and less spillage too!
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Old 04-30-2020, 08:16 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim-Nancy-C View Post
My Method:

Make sure the water pump is off, city water is unhooked, put a towel under the cartridge and loosen the cylinder with the wrench enough so you can hand turn it. Now slide a gallon ziplock bag under and up over the cylinder to catch any spillage as you remove it by hand. Between the bag and the towel you catch 90%. the other 10% goes down your arm and wets your shirt.

That's the way I do it. Minimizes the mess.
As the OP, thanks for all of the great input. Believe it or not, last year I must have maintained some prime in my water lines as I was able to turn on my pump and drain the clear canister down...must have been holding my mouth just right. So I never thought about pulling up an oversized storage bag around the canister...that really helped though my filter is in a PITA position like many of yours.

So here's a pic of the "baggie method" and a bonus shot of my unit's built in baggie dryer that worked exceptionally well in the sun today.

Be safe everyone! (Sorry photos aren't showing correctly but were ok in my original jpeg on my desktop.)
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Old 04-30-2020, 08:35 PM   #19
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Quote:
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Since a filter is unnecessary when winterizing, someone should make a SMALLER cartridge to replace the big one so that we're not wasting antifreeze when winterizing!


I empty the canister of antifreeze into the toilet and p traps. No waste.
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Old 04-30-2020, 08:57 PM   #20
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Use the baggy method or if you prefer slide a collapsible bowl or wash pan under it.

Something like this
https://www.amazon.com/Ecoart-Silico...8297944&sr=8-5
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