As noted in other posts, we are "parking" our 2011 Cedar Creek Cottage next door to a 150+ year old cabin we are going to restore. The RV is going to be in a sort of semi-permanent position for a year or two. We are in the mountains of Western NC, so have already experienced
15F and
5 inches of snow this year. We are LIVING in the Cedar Creek.
So, on to the
weird plumbing questions...
1. We have frost protected water lines to the cabin next door.
2. We have an on-demand gas water heater in the cabin next door.
2. We want to connect this water supply (hot and cold) to the RV via underground trench and insulated pipes.
3. Can't use standard fresh/city water hose supply in winter due to freezing temps.
PLANNED SOLUTION: Provide insulated supply (hot and cold)
via the drain down lines at the rear of the RV.
A. We trenched over to the Cottage with hot and cold water lines.
B. We are going to connect the frost-protected supply to the drain-down locations. This requires us to:
a. By-pass the electric water heater - simple with in-line by-pass valves that were already in place.
b. Make sure back flow/check valves in city fresh water supply line worked (otherwise we would be blowing water out the side of the RV at the fresh water supply inlet.) Should we ADD another in-line shut off valve for the fresh water supply?
c. Build an insulated column from below grade up to the drain-down outlet locations to keep the supply from freezing.
d. Drain the fresh water holding tank prior to connecting the supply at the drain down locations.
So, this setup means not using the RV water pump, water filter or water heater. We are, instead, planning to use the cabin pressure pump (set at 30/50 psi) and an on-demand water heater in the cabin basement.
In checking with several plumbing folk we are confident (so far) that the Cottage water pump will not allow reverse flow and that we will not be filling the fresh water holding tank.
IS THIS TRUE?
We also assume that we should drain the hot water tank.
(TRUE?)
If so,
HOW DO WE TURN IT OFF? (since we are getting hot water from the on-demand gas system in the cabin)????
ANY help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Chris-and-Julie