Posted 2013-02-05 9:48 AM (#149723 - in reply to #149722) Subject: RE: RV Anti Freeze vs compressed air for winterizing
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
If you have an air supply, blowing the lines out and antifreezing the drains is a quick and inexpensive winterization. You also don't have to flush the antifreeze from the lines in the Spring. You don't have to purchase a winterization kit, and mess with the adapters for the flushing. Almost any portable compressor has the volume to effect the maintenance, and the adapter only costs ~$5, the current cost of a gallon of RV anti freeze.
I recently winterized a friend's trailer, and she didn't have the antifreeze pump adapter or an air source. It took almost 5 gallons of anitfreeze and about twently minutes to flush her trailer. With air, it takes about 1/2 a gallon and about five minutes.
Many dealerships of LQs, RVs, marinas, and aircraft servicing, have been using the air purging for some time now. It works quite well.
Posted 2013-02-05 8:35 PM (#149735 - in reply to #149722) Subject: RE: RV Anti Freeze vs compressed air for winterizing
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Missouri
I've always used antifreeze. I pump the system then use the drain down valves to collect most of the antifreeze to use next year. The concern I've had with using air alone is water beads in the plumbing collecting somewhere and freezing causing damage. By using the antifreeze I'm assured nothing will freeze and burst.
Posted 2013-02-06 11:50 AM (#149747 - in reply to #149722) Subject: RE: RV Anti Freeze vs compressed air for winterizing
Veteran
Posts: 236 Location: Little town in Pa
Gard, But how am I suppose to get that warm fuzzy feeling when I see that nice pink liquid coming out all the orifaces of my trailer? How do you know when the water has all been blown out? Do you open one oriface at a time and wait till it stops spitting ? How can you make sure you get all the water out of the holding tanks? I would not mind saving the money on antifreeze but I need to make sure I do it right.
Posted 2013-02-06 2:17 PM (#149750 - in reply to #149722) Subject: RE: RV Anti Freeze vs compressed air for winterizing
we use rv anitfreeze too, we drain tank and water heater and then by pass both, pump thru the system and then take the pump inside for the winter. we also do the drains, we only use 1 gallon and have never had a problem.
Posted 2013-02-06 10:31 PM (#149753 - in reply to #149722) Subject: RE: RV Anti Freeze vs compressed air for winterizing
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Gard, But how am I suppose to get that warm fuzzy feeling when I see that nice pink liquid coming out all the orifaces of my trailer? How do you know when the water has all been blown out? Do you open one oriface at a time and wait till it stops spitting ? How can you make sure you get all the water out of the holding tanks? I would not mind saving the money on antifreeze but I need to make sure I do it right.
People can get warm fuzzy feeling from a multitude of reasons. If you do like pink colours, an air purge will be less than enjoyable.
The main difference is what you use to displace the water. The tanks and water heater are drained as usual and the heater by pass is opened. Air pressure is fed to the water inlet, and one by one, the faucets and toilet are opened, until only air escapes and no water flows from the fixtures. The drain to the potable water tank is opened, and any remaining water is removed. Then you add antifreeze to the sink and shower drains, and add extra to the toilet to treat any remaining water in the black holding tank, after their black and gray drains have been openend.
The damage done by freezing water is caused by the expansion of the liquid when it freezes. If the water is contained, the expansion will damage its surroundings. If there is only moisture left, its expansion is nominal and will not damage its containments. This is why a partially filled plastic bottle will not be damaged when it is frozen.
My warm fuzzy moment is when the job is quickly accomplished, with a minimal amount of time and costs.
RV Anti Freeze vs compressed air for winterizing
thanks for playing