Finished winterizing. Since 1994 with this "coach" I have winterized in the Southern States and Mexico which is of course a different process. Requirements there consist of tequila/rum/pacifico/ padre kino/ shorts and sandles and a good lounge chair.
I had to find a by-pass kit.....did at 39.99 plus HST 12%. What I did not know is that the 1/2 inch tubing water line is no longer made and that a new inflexible line has replaced it. When heated it bends, but as it cools returns to original position, stiff as a rock, nice stuff to work with when all the coach fittings depend on the ability of the pipe to conform. So of course after I had put the by-pass valves on; the original water line did not reach. Off to the RV store. Bought 4 feet of the "new" stuff at 2.50 per foot to cover mistakes and a 90 degree elbow $7.50 + HST, in hopes I could persuade the new line to meet the old junction. The sales lady said " good luck, and have fun". Right away, without hesitation I knew others had problems with this and ended up buying a newer "coach". But not me. With two hands out of site under the cupboard, a flashlight that would not stay in place and furnace vent hose attacking my every move, with the furnace on at full blast and a wind proof lighter, I did get all of those fittings over the barbs and manipulate the pipe into place before I had lost all patience and thought why 'am I doing this to save a few gallons of anti freeze? And I know why. All my peers either have by-pass valves to the hot water tank or in their hearts, and I just couldn't read another story about hot water by-pass valves without having one too.
Would my work leak spewing anti freeze all over the place? Don't know, I had already conformed to blowing out the lines with my compressor, to which I was impressed. I thought only more recent models were equipped to handle that.
So now how 'am I going to keep that mattress up in the air to get at the pump under the bed? Ok, found some long implements and supported it from the walls. Should not have brought the dog in with me,why did I think it would take an interest in all this....dogs back in the house, mattress propped up again and we find the access to the pump intake flat against the water tank. Simple fix...move the water pump, attach the siphon hose with the other end in the anti-freeze bottle, turn off all the taps and turn on the pump....to see if I had managed all the new connections.
Yes Houston, we have pressure. To my surprize, about 7 inches of water column went into the sink before the anti freeze showed up! And the dedicated ice maker made 5 trays of ice! Silly me thinking I would leave it on till I saw pink ice cubes! Good method to test the anti- freeze though.
So I learned that just blowing out the lines in my coach is not enough...water is lurking somewhere and collects in specific spots; unknown to me and obviously the manufacturer's too, cause the 6 drain valves don't do it either.
That's what I finished today, which started 2 days ago. During that time I have also been involved in emptying the "coach" after not being home for 2 1/2 years. My thought on this applies to tire pressure,and as a rule of thumb, I would add 2 lbs to each tire for every shopping trip your better half "needs" to do...and tow a vehicle with a small trunk, preferably a two seat'er.
You know, I miss being in there already. Tom
I had to find a by-pass kit.....did at 39.99 plus HST 12%. What I did not know is that the 1/2 inch tubing water line is no longer made and that a new inflexible line has replaced it. When heated it bends, but as it cools returns to original position, stiff as a rock, nice stuff to work with when all the coach fittings depend on the ability of the pipe to conform. So of course after I had put the by-pass valves on; the original water line did not reach. Off to the RV store. Bought 4 feet of the "new" stuff at 2.50 per foot to cover mistakes and a 90 degree elbow $7.50 + HST, in hopes I could persuade the new line to meet the old junction. The sales lady said " good luck, and have fun". Right away, without hesitation I knew others had problems with this and ended up buying a newer "coach". But not me. With two hands out of site under the cupboard, a flashlight that would not stay in place and furnace vent hose attacking my every move, with the furnace on at full blast and a wind proof lighter, I did get all of those fittings over the barbs and manipulate the pipe into place before I had lost all patience and thought why 'am I doing this to save a few gallons of anti freeze? And I know why. All my peers either have by-pass valves to the hot water tank or in their hearts, and I just couldn't read another story about hot water by-pass valves without having one too.
Would my work leak spewing anti freeze all over the place? Don't know, I had already conformed to blowing out the lines with my compressor, to which I was impressed. I thought only more recent models were equipped to handle that.
So now how 'am I going to keep that mattress up in the air to get at the pump under the bed? Ok, found some long implements and supported it from the walls. Should not have brought the dog in with me,why did I think it would take an interest in all this....dogs back in the house, mattress propped up again and we find the access to the pump intake flat against the water tank. Simple fix...move the water pump, attach the siphon hose with the other end in the anti-freeze bottle, turn off all the taps and turn on the pump....to see if I had managed all the new connections.
Yes Houston, we have pressure. To my surprize, about 7 inches of water column went into the sink before the anti freeze showed up! And the dedicated ice maker made 5 trays of ice! Silly me thinking I would leave it on till I saw pink ice cubes! Good method to test the anti- freeze though.
So I learned that just blowing out the lines in my coach is not enough...water is lurking somewhere and collects in specific spots; unknown to me and obviously the manufacturer's too, cause the 6 drain valves don't do it either.
That's what I finished today, which started 2 days ago. During that time I have also been involved in emptying the "coach" after not being home for 2 1/2 years. My thought on this applies to tire pressure,and as a rule of thumb, I would add 2 lbs to each tire for every shopping trip your better half "needs" to do...and tow a vehicle with a small trunk, preferably a two seat'er.
You know, I miss being in there already. Tom
