Winterizing with Air

[rames14]

I searched and looks like most of the threads on using air are older (before Convenience Center). I have always winterized with pink, but I want to use air this year because we’ll be dewinterizing in January to head to Q. So, do you blow through the Winterizing port or normal fill port? Do I flip the Winterizing lever? Thanks in advance. I already have my compressor fitting and plan on setting the compressor at about 40 lbs of pressure. I will dump pink in all the traps and the toilet.

[DQDick]

I use the regular water inlet and also do the black tank flush. If you have a washer be sure and put the pink stuff in there and run the spin cycle or the water will freeze that's held in the pump basin. You can guess how I know.

[rames14]

We always drain the washer bibs, but no washer to worry about. How do you get water out of pump and accumulator?

[Daryles]

Just did my winterizing yesterday. I drain everything first. Open all drain valves.. remove the water heater annode rod. Run a pipe thread cleaner through the threads finger tight. Inspect and clean the annode rod (3 years old and still has another year or so). Use a Camco water tank flush rod to flush out the tank. Then I put a string in the tank to wick out any remaining water.
Next I use compressed air on the fill port about 45psi. And cycle all the valves and faucets to blow out the air. Then blow out the black tank flush.
Last add RV antifreeze to the traps. About a gallon for each tank and leave some in the toilet to cover the seal.

[jimcol]

Originally Posted by rames14

We always drain the washer bibs, but no washer to worry about. How do you get water out of pump and accumulator?

Ron, I run the pump for about 5 minutes as I'm blowing out with air. I skipped that step one year and the little water left in the pump housing where the impeller sits froze and broke two of the fins. Pump still worked but flow wasn't steady.

[rames14]

That’s what I worry about, plus I have a small accumulator.

[JDDilly]

I do the same, and also run pump. Never wicked out water in the heater. That little bit freezing will not hurt anything. No issues in over 20 years of this process.

[bshgto]

Originally Posted by JDDilly

I do the same, and also run pump. Never wicked out water in the heater. That little bit freezing will not hurt anything. No issues in over 20 years of this process.

I gave up on the pink stuff several years ago. Blow everything out and no issues as yet. I think some people get in trouble when they don`t use an air compressor that produces enough volume of air for long enough. I wait a few minutes then do it again to get what drained down to the low points in the pipes.....not sure that`s necessary. Replaced the p-traps with Hepvo waterless traps so no issue there and leave the tank drains open so don`t even put antifreeze there either. I`ve talked to a couple of people that don`t realize if you raise the front of your camper to the max height when dumping you will get several gallons of "stuff" left in the tanks out. Then raise the right side of the camper with the levelers to max to get what`s left in the gally tank to.

[mlh]

I use air to winterize. I hook an air hose to the fresh water inlet with about 40 pounds on it pump up the water heater and let it sit for a week or so. Then every day I blow the lines out until no more water comes out of any line.
Lynwood

I thought I would add this. I have a little compressor. I takes forever for it to pump up. I needed a compressor to clean my mini split system and it took forever. I bought a Fortress air compressor this morning from Harbor Freight. It takes 55 seconds to go from an empty tank to 135 pounds and is quieter than normal conversion. Highly recommended.

[scottz]

Same as what other have said, I use the city water connection. Don't forget to flip the lever and blow air through the fresh water fill line; it probably has a big dip in it on the way to the tank. I'm not sure how to make sure there is no water in the pump or accumulator; that is why I use pink stuff after blowing the lines out with air and make sure pink stuff is in the traps.

Since I don't have a washer, I put valves in the basement on those lines; I don't have to worry about water getting in them anymore. I used to run pink stuff through the washer lines, but we were getting a bad smell and could not figure out where it was coming from. Turns out it was the pick stuff standing in the washer lines.

As for Quartzsite, we leave home winterized and travel to Kingman where temps are more reasonable. We spend the night at the Wagon Wheel park, de-winterize and head to Quartzsite the next day. We winterize again on the last day before returning home.

[TWP723]

Since we're on the subject.

Winterized my 5'er this weekend with air. Have used this method for years. When I blew air through the system, nothing came out. Blew 60psi through the lines and got two drips from the kitchen sink and that's it. Toilet..nothing, sinks..nothing. Took the anode out and not even a drop. Now, I did leave the low points open during the trip. In your opinion, did the water left in the lines make it's way out on the hour and half trip home through the low points?

[scottz]

Originally Posted by TWP723

Since we're on the subject.

Winterized my 5'er this weekend with air. Have used this method for years. When I blew air through the system, nothing came out. Blew 60psi through the lines and got two drips from the kitchen sink and that's it. Toilet..nothing, sinks..nothing. Took the anode out and not even a drop. Now, I did leave the low points open during the trip. In your opinion, did the water left in the lines make it's way out on the hour and half trip home through the low points?

Nothing came out? Not even air? If you got air and no water, maybe your conclusion is correct; I never tried that.

[TWP723]

Originally Posted by scottz

Nothing came out? Not even air? If you got air and no water, maybe your conclusion is correct; I never tried that.

Nothing. A couple spits and dribbles. I was baffled and refused to believe it but air was pushing through. I did unscrew the ice maker line under the slide and got some water there, but other than that..nothing significant.

[TWP723]

I'm thinking the sloshing back and forth on country roads did it.

[JDDilly]

I have opened my low point valves and all the faucets, and after a day there is very little water left in the system. To much to leave for the winter, but very little comes through.

[Delaine and Lindy]

Originally Posted by scottz

Nothing came out? Not even air? If you got air and no water, maybe your conclusion is correct; I never tried that.

I have use the Air winterizing 3 times never and issue. I did add RV antifreeze to each sink, that had P-traps. We normally spend our winter's in a warm climate, such as South Texas, (RGV), or Florida.

Happy trails.

[Mark7]

I do both. I like to leave the valves full of pink in the winter to keep seals, etc from drying out. Also leave about an inch of it in the toilet.

Don’t forget the outside shower and black water flush line with the air.

Has anyone ever had the check valve stick on the water heater bypass setup? I did this year and it cast me a gallon of anti freeze right out the drain plug before I caught it. I think I’ll switch to the 3 valve system next year.

[sola123]

I always use air also…..be sure to check the pre screen for your water pump….if it is turned down to where gravity will not empty it then it will freeze….I know from experience….only problem ever had….but no more…

[rames14]

Just curious, has anyone with an accumulator used air?

[mlh]

Originally Posted by sola123

I always use air also…..be sure to check the pre screen for your water pump….if it is turned down to where gravity will not empty it then it will freeze….I know from experience….only problem ever had….but no more…

This is the one problem I have ever had. I took it off and threw it away. Problem solved.
Lynwood