Blowing out water lines in Class A

Out of my Cummins owner manual:

EXERCIZING THE GENSET

Exercise the genset at least 2 hours each month if use is infrequent. Run the genset at approximately 1/2 rated power. See LOADING THE GENSET (Page 10). A single two hour exercise period is better than several shorter periods.
Exercising a genset drives off moisture, re-lubri- cates the engine, replaces stale fuel and removes oxides from electrical contacts. The result is better starting, more reliable operation and longer engine life.


Of course it's your generator and you can determine what you wish.

JaxDad wrote:

Solo wrote:

JaxDad wrote:


So now I know why I’m confused, the manual for mine makes no such admonition (page 8 in the attached link) against using compressed air to winterize.

I guess we’ve been lucky that in 10 years and winterizing multiple times each year we’ve never had any issues, nor our friends who also use air on theirs.

AquaHot Manual clicky

Depends upon the model of Aqua Hot on whether they place that warning in the Owner's Manual or not it appears.

From my Aqua Hot Manual, "WARNING! YOU CANNOT BLOW DOMESTIC WATER
COIL OUT WITH AIR TO WINTERIZE AQUA-HOT."

Doesn't make sense if using compressed air "correctly" ........

I suspect it’s another instance like the need to ‘exercise’ a generator, even though nothing but the ownership of Onan changed, suddenly there was a need to run them on a monthly basis or all sorts of terrible things would happen.

I'm not really understanding you. One of your first posts in response to mine you stated you blow your's out because the manufacture said so. Then you post the actual manual that tells you to specifically use anti- freeze "because of the Aqua hot ( which I copied and pasted).

But you explained your puzzlement and that just because it wasn't printed that you couldn't just blow it out, actually meant you could? I don't get that reasoning. Just because nothing has happened doesn't mean it won't.

They don't print things just because. I'd suspect the manufactures know what they're doing and the reason it's printed. Kind of like people not checking their tire pressures before each trip. It was fine all along ... Until they have a blow out and then blame the tire manufacture.

Again .... Know your systems and read the manuals. As you can see with this thread, everyone has an opinion. Manuals aren't opinions.

Solo wrote:

JaxDad wrote:


So now I know why I’m confused, the manual for mine makes no such admonition (page 8 in the attached link) against using compressed air to winterize.

I guess we’ve been lucky that in 10 years and winterizing multiple times each year we’ve never had any issues, nor our friends who also use air on theirs.

AquaHot Manual clicky

Depends upon the model of Aqua Hot on whether they place that warning in the Owner's Manual or not it appears.

From my Aqua Hot Manual, "WARNING! YOU CANNOT BLOW DOMESTIC WATER
COIL OUT WITH AIR TO WINTERIZE AQUA-HOT."

Doesn't make sense if using compressed air "correctly" ........

I suspect it’s another instance like the need to ‘exercise’ a generator, even though nothing but the ownership of Onan changed, suddenly there was a need to run them on a monthly basis or all sorts of terrible things would happen.

JaxDad wrote:


So now I know why I’m confused, the manual for mine makes no such admonition (page 8 in the attached link) against using compressed air to winterize.

I guess we’ve been lucky that in 10 years and winterizing multiple times each year we’ve never had any issues, nor our friends who also use air on theirs.

AquaHot Manual clicky

Depends upon the model of Aqua Hot on whether they place that warning in the Owner's Manual or not it appears.

From my Aqua Hot Manual, "WARNING! YOU CANNOT BLOW DOMESTIC WATER
COIL OUT WITH AIR TO WINTERIZE AQUA-HOT."

Doesn't make sense if using compressed air "correctly" but, I blow mine out, then follow with approved anti-freeze as per manufacture's recommendation. I've heard horror stories about owner's failing to winterize their Aqua Hot sufficiently and the result being obscenely expensive. I've always blown everything out over my RVing history of many decades but, I'm not rolling the dice with our current Aqua Hot system. Simple and inexpensive to follow the recommendation.

Back to the OP question, I suggest following your manufacture's recommendations. If they suggest using compressed air, as others have already mentioned, your tire inflator likely will not produce enough volume.

Section 5 page 8 of your manual: ( I copied and pasted , the format is weird ).

But it did say to use an adequate amount of FDA approved RV anti freeze, and the procedure to winterize the Aqua hot.

Hey it's your rig. But I'm the kind of guy that follows the manufactures recommendations and I don't read anything else into it. Your Aqua hot, your money. Damage it and it'll get expensive.

$25 in anti-freeze stops me from holding my breath. And I do blow out the whole rig too for what it's worth.

Again telling someone just to blow it out and forget about it .... Glad it wasn't me who would take that advice.


Your manual

SECTION 5: WINTERIZATION
Storage, continued
C. Attachanadequatepieceofhoseontothesuctionsideofthedomestic water demand pump.
D. PlacetheoppositeendofthehoseintoanadequatesupplyofFDA approved RV-Antifreeze.
E. Open / close all interior and exterior water faucets, one at a time, until only pure RV-Antifreeze is present. Perform this procedure for both the hot and cold faucets.
F. Remove the hose and reconnect the domestic water demand pump's suction line to the fresh water storage tank.
G. DisconnectallelectricalpowersuppliestotheAqua-Hotduringstorage.

et2 wrote:

JaxDad wrote:

et2 wrote:
Yes there are, anyone with a aqua hot and I assume other similar systems require antifreeze added to the water lines. They can't just be blown out with air. Any water left in the system could burst the copper coils. States right in the manual.

I’m at a complete loss to understand why the coils in the AquaHot system would be any different than the rest of the water system

Can you explain why you think they are?

It's not up to me to decide. I know my systems and have read the manual. Like you said you know what your manufactures procedure is, so do I.

Here's the exact print from my owners manual

Winterize the Aqua-Hot
The Aqua-Hot can remain on during the winter months. If the motorhome is to be winterized and stored over the winter with the Aqua-Hot turned off, the Aqua- Hot domestic water loop must be winterized with FDA approved RV antifreeze to prevent freeze

FDA approved RV antifreeze must be pumped through the Aqua- Hot until the solution appears at the hot water side of a faucet. The on-board water pump can be used (see illustration) to purge water from the Aqua-Hot domestic water loop.
Refer to the Aqua-Hot owner’s manual for complete winterizing instructions. If the system is operating from AC electric and a power outage occurs, extensive damage to the Aqua-Hot may occur.


From aqua hot manual

Not winterizing the Aqua-Hot when freezing temperatures are present will result in serious damage to the Aqua-Hot’s Domestic Water Heating System. Also, be sure to use an FDA approved, “GRAS” rated antifreeze for An FDA approved “GRAS” rated winterization antifreeze must be used.

YOU CANNOT BLOW DOMESTIC WATER COIL OUT WITH AIR TO WINTERIZE AQUA-HOT.


I hope that helps you. I have ny thoughts why, but I'm not the expert. As I simply stated before, know your own rig and what's required.

So now I know why I’m confused, the manual for mine makes no such admonition (page 8 in the attached link) against using compressed air to winterize.

I guess we’ve been lucky that in 10 years and winterizing multiple times each year we’ve never had any issues, nor our friends who also use air on theirs.

AquaHot Manual clicky

JaxDad wrote:

et2 wrote:
Yes there are, anyone with a aqua hot and I assume other similar systems require antifreeze added to the water lines. They can't just be blown out with air. Any water left in the system could burst the copper coils. States right in the manual.

I’m at a complete loss to understand why the coils in the AquaHot system would be any different than the rest of the water system

Can you explain why you think they are?

It's not up to me to decide. I know my systems and have read the manual. Like you said you know what your manufactures procedure is, so do I.

Here's the exact print from my owners manual

Winterize the Aqua-Hot
The Aqua-Hot can remain on during the winter months. If the motorhome is to be winterized and stored over the winter with the Aqua-Hot turned off, the Aqua- Hot domestic water loop must be winterized with FDA approved RV antifreeze to prevent freeze

FDA approved RV antifreeze must be pumped through the Aqua- Hot until the solution appears at the hot water side of a faucet. The on-board water pump can be used (see illustration) to purge water from the Aqua-Hot domestic water loop.
Refer to the Aqua-Hot owner’s manual for complete winterizing instructions. If the system is operating from AC electric and a power outage occurs, extensive damage to the Aqua-Hot may occur.


From aqua hot manual

Not winterizing the Aqua-Hot when freezing temperatures are present will result in serious damage to the Aqua-Hot’s Domestic Water Heating System. Also, be sure to use an FDA approved, “GRAS” rated antifreeze for An FDA approved “GRAS” rated winterization antifreeze must be used.

YOU CANNOT BLOW DOMESTIC WATER COIL OUT WITH AIR TO WINTERIZE AQUA-HOT.


I hope that helps you. I have ny thoughts why, but I'm not the expert. As I simply stated before, know your own rig and what's required.

et2 wrote:
Yes there are, anyone with a aqua hot and I assume other similar systems require antifreeze added to the water lines. They can't just be blown out with air. Any water left in the system could burst the copper coils. States right in the manual.

I’m at a complete loss to understand why the coils in the AquaHot system would be any different than the rest of the water system

Can you explain why you think they are?

JaxDad wrote:

et2 wrote:
Anyone here telling you to just use air and not to worry about it could very easily get you into a whole BUNCH of trouble. It could cost you many thousands of dollars to fix.

In my case the ‘anyone’ telling me to use air is Winnebago (Itasca) the nice folks that built, and warrrantied, my (and many, many thousands of others) motorhomes.

Maybe they just don’t know as much as some others do..........

Like I said "know" your system. I guess you do. But to assume everyone else does you would be mistaken. Not all are the same, and the comments made in this thread many people here do think it's the same for everyone. It's not.

It's called owners manuals. Many people fail to read them and Come on forums getting answers that will get them in trouble.

Yes there are, anyone with a aqua hot and I assume other similar systems require antifreeze added to the water lines. They can't just be blown out with air. Any water left in the system could burst the copper coils. States right in the manual.