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Old 11-30-2009, 02:42 PM   #1
rames14
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Winterizing Question

Well, it's dark and cold. Must be time to winterize. On my new 2010, I am trying to use the winterizing inlet in the panel and it won't draw liquid. I am using a 4' water hose. Pump is cavitating, so I must be drawing air or have too large of column of liquid. I have the winteizing valve switched and the water heater bypass switched. I had a similar issue two weeks ago when I had the wrong fitting and it wasn't sealing properly. So, this time I thought I'd use a short water hose. Might go back to the other fitting/hose combo. I'm letting it set while I have some hot chocolate. Any suggestions would be welcome.
 
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Old 11-30-2009, 02:48 PM   #2
Bill-N-Donna
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It sounds to me like it may need to be primed somehow or like it may be getting air.

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Old 11-30-2009, 03:04 PM   #3
bncinwv
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I am assuming that you are not expecting the pump to draw liquid until there is a faucet open. It is a demand pump and will only draw when there is a "demand" for liquid. Hope this helps.
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Old 11-30-2009, 03:06 PM   #4
kdeiss
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Do you have a faucet open? Try that
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Old 11-30-2009, 03:24 PM   #5
hookman
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I would pour some antifreeze down the hose to prime the pump then put the hose back in the bottle then have some one turn on the pump and open a tap. This should start the antifreeze flowing.
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Old 11-30-2009, 03:37 PM   #6
ehmcfarl
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Ron, the problem might be that your using too long of a pickup hose. The water pump doesn't have a very strong suction; but, it builds pretty good pressure. I would say your right, the pump is cavitating because it can't get enough suction to lift the antifreeze up four feet. I would shorten the hose to where it would just reach the bottom of the antifreeze jug when it is sitting on the floor of the compartment. This would make the hose around two feet or less. Mine works just fine at this length.
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Old 11-30-2009, 04:01 PM   #7
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With pump running, try opening your low point drain(s) first to get the flow started. Worked for me last year.
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Old 11-30-2009, 04:05 PM   #8
Emmel
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Ron, make sure there is a rubber washer in the fitting. There was only one rubber washer in my convience center and I had to supply one for the other inlet. They are hose fittings and not pipe fittings. Without a washer, the line will suck air.
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Old 11-30-2009, 05:03 PM   #9
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My suggestion would be a Hot Toddie, not a hot chocolate. 1 tbsp honey, 3/4 glass tea, 2 shots brandy, 1 slice lemon. Brew tea and fill a tall glass 3/4 full. Mix in honey. Mix in brandy shots. Add lemon slice and enjoy.

I hope this works for you.
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Old 11-30-2009, 09:12 PM   #10
steves
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Ron...I had the same problem this year, it would not draw the anti-freeze. I played with the weatherization lever (open and closed it several times out of frustration and it started to take the anti-freeze. I was confused because it was the same set up I use the previous year and I couldn't figure out why it was not drawing the anti-freeze. I think the lever was not seating and it was not giving me a vacuum ?
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Old 12-01-2009, 01:26 AM   #11
H. John Kohl
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Ron,
As stated above, it is a demand system. Since it is a demand system with all the faucets closed the pump is trying to pull liquid up and compress the air giving you the cavitation.

Open a faucet or the low point to relieve the blockage on the output side of the pump and it will pick up prime. I have the same problem when pulling water out of the holding tank. Since you are pumping in antifreeze I would just open a faucet. That way it goes in the pipes and or the drain trap.

The 4' hose should work just fine. I use the blue coiled hose.

Let us know what you find.
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Old 12-01-2009, 11:37 AM   #12
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Ron as the old saying goes-- Head your TV with the 5r behind it in a southerly direction and you won't have to winterize! Unfortunately, I'm in the same boat you are and we are stuck here in Nebraska with a winterized Monte. It's pretty well our own choice however this year since we have a 14 month old grandson and just found out we have another granddaughter on the way and due in late March! Dang, wanted to head South and maybe hit the Spring Rally in Texas-- Well maybe it will come early-- fat chance!!! Well maybe next year!
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Old 12-01-2009, 03:45 PM   #13
rames14
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Well, I opened the faucet and that seemed to solve the problem. Rondo, we were in Louisville and had 60's over the holiday weekend. That would have made sense to winterize then. It's always better to wait until it's really cold. Just like putting up Christmas lights. Never do it during a warm day - wait for a cold night. Thanks.
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Old 12-02-2009, 03:27 AM   #14
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Ron,
Like John I use the coiled blue hose. I take a short piece of 1/2 EMT(electrical metallic tubing) aka thinwall conduit, slide the last foot or so, of the blue hose, down inside the conduit, tape the hose to the conduit where it enters the conduit. Stick this contraption down into the gallon of anti-freeze. My 3400 takes about 2 gallons (I blow out the lines first with my air compressor set to 30psi) so keep the second gal ready to go so you don't lose prime when the first runs out. I don't worry about opening a second valve before closing the first - a little short term cavitating won't hurt a thing. Local RV rep captures the pink flow from the faucets to re-use down traps, toilets, etc. Hope this helps. Currently at historic Fort Monroe
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Old 12-02-2009, 01:39 PM   #15
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No comment Ron! Oh, how I remember the putting up the Christmas lights in 20 degree temp with a 20-30 mph wind out of the north! Nothing like freezing your whole body just so someone driving by can see you like to spend extra money on your electricity bill, not counting what the stupid stings of lights cost and the agrivation of having only one part of the sting go out because of ONE LITTLE BULB!! Luckily, we had some great weather here in Nebraska the last two weeks and I got ours up and out before these cold temps hit today! It's 30 degrees as I type and will get down in the low 20's by tomarrow morning with a high tomarrow of 30 degrees! BOY DO I LOVE THIS NEBRASKA WEATHER!!!
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Old 12-08-2009, 01:14 PM   #16
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What a difference a week makes. We are getting one of those old fashioned winter storms. Blizzard warnings up in the western portions of Wisconsin. Got the Monty into the service dept. just in time. Hopefully the snow will be gone when it's time to tow it back to our storage lot.
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Old 12-08-2009, 01:27 PM   #17
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Join the crowd Ron! I'm sitting here at the computer with a temp of 25* and a windchill of 11* outside. We're in a Winter Storm Warning until 9 PM then it switches to a Blizzard Warning from that time till noon tomarrow. We've had about 6-8"of snow so far and expecting another 5-6" overnight with winds of 30MPH and gusts up to 50. Not liking this one bit. My Monte is sitting out in the open down on the Platte River bottom land and just waiting for me to come and rescue it and take it South! Guess that won't happen this year since we're hoping the New Zealand/ Australia trip comes through and we enjoy next month in the warmth of "Downunder". We should find out by tomarrow if it is on or not and if not we just may head to Hawaii or somewhere else just to escape this January cold weather. Just think "WARM"!
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Old 12-08-2009, 01:34 PM   #18
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Ron always remember the old saying (YOU CAINT HIDE MONEY) lol. You and mary stay warm.
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