A water pump that can survive freezing?

geoffff · 12-22-2008, 09:10 PM

It's been record-breakingly cold here in Seattle lately, and I think the freezing has destroyed yet another water pump. I heated everything up with a space heater, but now the water pump squeals when it runs. I think its days are numbered.

(My last water pump died overnight camping at 12 degrees F without a furnace -- it still ran but leaked water.)

In the future, I'll be more careful to run some kind of heater when it's supposed to get cold, but ...

Are there RV water pumps out there that are designed to handle freezing?

I'm not expecting it to push an ice slushy out my faucet, just not get destroyed by the ice.

jage · 12-22-2008, 09:50 PM

I have a 100w bulb hanging in my van, via a trouble light. That's plenty to keep stuff from freezing inside (open the access panel, YMMV with pipes that are run- my hot water goes somewhere under the floor and freezes first).

Sorry, no advice on the pumps.

adventureduo · 12-22-2008, 09:59 PM

Dang, im heading to the grand canyon where it is supposed to be high of 29.... and low of 3-5 degrees, maybe up to 8.. or 12... but damn, ... i guess i'll have to leave the furnace on 24/7 or what?

EMrider · 12-23-2008, 07:49 AM

I think that my water pump has met the same fate for the same reason. Forgot to drain the lines completely and then went up to Mammoth for the weekend.

Not very bright of me.

Had an exterior water line break and now have some droplets on the bottom of the water pump after it operates.

R

Blackeye · 12-23-2008, 11:10 AM

I'll have to check mine. I just returned from Bishop (flyfishing) and Mammoth (skiing). I camped in Bishop and it was down to 10 F.

I did drain the fresh and grey water tanks, bled the pump, the flat plate WH and left all the petcocks open.

We'll see (???)

adventureduo · 12-23-2008, 11:35 AM

I just dumped 2 gallons of Antifreeze in my poly tank, ran the sink till i saw pink. Should be good for our trip on Friday. Put some antifreeze in the washer fluid tank too in case i need to use it. Propane for the furnace filled also. Gonna be chilly.

Blackeye · 12-23-2008, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adventureduo

I just dumped 2 gallons of Antifreeze in my poly tank, ran the sink till i saw pink.

What do you mix that pink stuff with? I thought you were a beer guy? Remember that Antifreeze will give you a permanent hangover.

Have a great Christmas and New Year and keep warm.

Jeffrey · 12-23-2008, 12:29 PM

You put antifreeze in the fresh water tank?

adventureduo · 12-23-2008, 02:26 PM

It's RV antifreeze. Not engine antifreeze.

http://www.peakantifreeze.com/rvmarine.htm

We don't drink our fresh water. But yes you_can drink this stuff.

jage · 12-23-2008, 02:28 PM

You can drink engine antifreeze too, it will just kill you.

Well I went from having the hot water line frozen to all lines frozen, this is in my garage with a 100w bulb hanging in the center of the van. I put a space heater in the garage itself to see if that helps.

Planning a trip, so I don't want to drain or antifreeze the system.