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10-05-2009, 12:25 PM
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#1
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,749
M.O.C. #7560
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OK-- here's another one!
I was reading somewhere about winterizing the H2O heater. I don't remember where I read it but it said to put some RV antifreeze into the water heater via the bypass valve when winterizing the rig. It stated that there is always about an inch of water left in the water heater and that needs to have some anti-freeze added to it. I have never heard of this and from what I've done from experience and picked up from the forum that is not needed. I frankly don't agree with this but what's your take on this? Inquiring minds need to know!!!
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10-05-2009, 12:47 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Land O Lakes
Posts: 2,751
M.O.C. #7753
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Rondo, I agree with you, there is only a tiny bit of water in the bottom and that leaves plenty of room for expansion and I have had several RVs and done the same to winterize them. None had a "bypass" for the water heater. I just shut off the power to the water heater, drained it and blown out the lines. When I finally started to use RV antifreeze I filled the lines with it and disconnected the feed to the water heater. Never blew a tank doing it that way. and I doubt that the hot water heater bypass would allow any antifreeze into the tank...Dave
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10-05-2009, 12:49 PM
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#3
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Glenrock
Posts: 155
M.O.C. #8761
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It got 30 below a few times last year where I live. I had no problems with the water heater, and I did not use any anti-freeze.
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10-05-2009, 12:56 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Troy
Posts: 1,980
M.O.C. #808
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Ron, I believe as long as you drain the w/h, you don't need to add the anti-freeze stuff. At least, I haven't for the last 14 years! Maybe I've been lucky?
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10-05-2009, 12:56 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Benson
Posts: 3,121
M.O.C. #1658
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I have always read and been told do not put antifreeze in hot water tank
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10-05-2009, 03:50 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Paola
Posts: 5,739
M.O.C. #4961
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Ron, if the line going to the water heater and the fresh water tank does not drain complete you could freeze and burst a line. i run the pink stuff until it runs out the hot water tank and the fresh water tank. I also hook up a drill pump and connect it to the black water flush and run some so there is no water caught in the check valve up behind the shower. I did a post a few years back titled "Are you really winterized" It shows many lines that do not get any pink stuff when you do the normal procedure.
__________________
Dennis & Linda Ward
Paola, Kansas
Montana 3735MK Legacy Edition
1200 watts of Solar
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10-06-2009, 01:06 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: South Shore
Posts: 6,009
M.O.C. #7110
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There is a bit of water left in the water heater or at least in the one I have. I don’t normally place anti-freeze in it but I hook up the shop-vac and with a small tube try and suck all of the remaining water out of it that I can. I haven’t had any problems.
__________________
2011 GMC 4X4 dually CC, 6.6 Duramax with Allison Transmission. Formally 2001 Montana,2007 3400RL Montana, presently 2018 3401RS Alpine.
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10-06-2009, 01:07 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: South Shore
Posts: 6,009
M.O.C. #7110
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by 8.1al
I have always read and been told do not put antifreeze in hot water tank
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Where have you guys been I haven’t seen that signature in a long time?
__________________
2011 GMC 4X4 dually CC, 6.6 Duramax with Allison Transmission. Formally 2001 Montana,2007 3400RL Montana, presently 2018 3401RS Alpine.
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10-06-2009, 02:56 AM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Westford
Posts: 403
M.O.C. #1250
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Twenty two years ago when we purchased our first rv, I attended a winterizing class. The way they explained it was the design of the hot water tank is cylindrical. As such, the drain can't be on the very bottom and some water remains. Normally this isn't a problem, the residual water freezes, expands, and moves up the sides of the tank.
They said an older tank could have some pitting and could restrict the upward movement of that ice causing the tank to rupture.
For this reason, after I drain the tank,and blow out my lines, I add about 1/2 gal of antifreeze to the tank. I then switch the bypas lever and fill all water lines with antifreeze. (Don't forget to blow out the black water flush as it's not connected to the fresh water system)
I realize others will consider this not necessary, but to me, the cost involved is not worth replacing the hot water tank.
Rich
04 GMC 2500HD D/A, 04 2955RL, 16K Pullrite Superglide, and Sasha the spoiled mini schnauzer
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10-07-2009, 01:59 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 20,028
M.O.C. #20
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I haven't winterized in a few years but back when I did, I just drained the water heater and that's it. I always read that the remainder is not enough to cause a problem. Problems occur when water expands as it freezes. That little in the water heater has plenty of room into which to expand. Everyone should do what makes them comfortable but I see no reason to do anything with the water heater other than to remove the plug, drain it. I always left it open for the winter, storing the plug/anode rod in a locker.
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10-07-2009, 02:25 PM
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#11
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: cottam
Posts: 318
M.O.C. #6133
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i donot put the antifreeze in because if you drink the water you can still taste the antifreeze even after rinseing with vinegars two or three times
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10-07-2009, 03:58 PM
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#12
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: St. Charles
Posts: 216
M.O.C. #6098
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I drain mine and its done. Last winter we had a week below freezing no problems. We have been below zero. No problems in all my 5 years of owning a rv
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