Winterizing

[saabman]

Wow don't forget to rinse out your tanks otherwise you might have surprise when you draw the water next spring

[BroncoHauler]

Originally Posted by Mahukaawe

What is the best ratio used with vodka and water?
We dont have a water heater so it is a bit simpler.

I found this on About.com

Water freezes at 0°C (32°F) and the freezing point of ethanol alcohol is -114°C (-173.2°F). Alcoholic beverages are a mixture of both alcohol and water (with sugars and other additives in some distilled spirits) so the freezing point of all of you alcoholic beverages is somewhere in between. The exact freezing point of vodka, gin, tequila, rum, whiskey and the myriad of liqueurs is dependent on its proof, or alcohol per volume. The lower the proof, the warmer the freezing point: the higher the proof, the colder the freezing point.

For example:

24 proof liquor freezes at -6.7°C (20°F)
64 proof liquor freezes at -23.33°C (-10°F)
84 proof liquor freezes at -34.44°C (-30°F)

So, I guess the answer depends on what temps you want to protect against, and how strong the vodka is to begin with (or is it all more or less the same?).


Herb

[daveb]

One of these might help but I've been told they don't get everything out and you have to use clean compressed air.
http://www.boatersworld.com/product/MP8 ... rce=google





From what I have read, it says to add RV anti freeze (maybe a gallon or so) to an empty as possible tank and pump it through the system until it comes out of the tap or whatever. That RV anti freeze can add a taste to any filters, so you should remove them if you have em. As posted don't run it through the water heater. Leave the drain valves to it open and loosen the drain plug slightly keeping it place. This is only from what I've read.

Just don't forget your holding tanks. Cover the bottom of the tanks with antifreeze. The article also claims to lube up the O rings with grease like dow 111 grease after flusing them and cleaning them out so thing don't get stuck next spring but you gotta get to the O rings. They do make tank warmers but they require power to operate.



Thankfully I don't have to contend with that cold of weather.

Dave

[Greggd]

Very inexpensive Winterizing kits can be had with all necessary instructions from Camping World . Ideally you should open all drains and outlets and blow out all remaining water prior to running your Antifreeze/Vodka back into your system . I have used the Camco bypass system on several different rigs and they work great and allow you to permanently install the set up so they can be used anytime you like without a great deal of bother . These kits are $20.00 or less . www.campingworld.com Just type in Winterizing Kits on their search feature .
Greggde
P.S. be sure to order the 5/8 water fill attachment for blowing out your lines with air , about $5.00 . They used to come with the kits but are now sold separately ?

[patrick51]

I used antifreeze the first year, but after knowing the system, and drain points have,1. pulled the anode rod plug,1& 1/16 in, socket.
do this when the van is tilted to the left side so all h20 drains. Open all petcock valves in the lines, back under the storage cabinet near the floor and the one outside near the propane shut-off valve.
Next I pull the clear plastic top off the screen filter to the left of the pump, after placing a rag under it to catch water. Then loosen (break) the compression fitting (plastic) to the right of the pump, again catching residual water in a rag.
Then place the van in various steep angle positions right to left, front to back to allow the static water to free flow to the openings. drive around and let the motion remove more low point water. Any residual water may freeze but has no pressure against it to cause breakage.
This method worked lat winter to -10 f.
In the spring close all valves, reinstall the anode plug, clear filter cap, and (broken) open joint to the right of the water pump.
this is easy to do although sounds like a lot of steps.

[Ford_6L_E350]

Winterizing - is that what Snowbirds do when they move to the desert every year?

Mike