Windshield washer fluid on fresh water

[remi987]

Hello,

I buy Minnie Winnie 31k - 2014 and is my first winter with it.
I made a special use and I want to use it this winter.

So I tought to use windshield water (-40 celsuis) to put in my fresh water tank (50% windshield washer and 50% fresh water).
I only wash dishes and flush the toilet with this water.

But I don't know how to put special liquid on the fresh water fill...
Usually when I only put fresh water, I plug watering on the holl, open water and it fill automatically.
But now, I when to put special liquid on gallon on this. How I can do that !?!

Thanks !

[Wrong_Lane]

You have a 2014 Minnie?

Go to the dealer for some instructions on what you can put in the water system. Most dealers that just sold you a brand new rig will be more than glad to assist. Heck I bet they would be willing to devote a day to your questions and making sure you know the uses and limitations of your NEW rig!

My advise --winterize your rig and carry bottled water for washing, drinking etc. RV antifreeze may be non-toxic but having 30 gallons in a tank is expensive (30 X $3.00) and will likely leave a taste and smell in your water.

[remi987]

Thanks for the link.
I will use it in Montréal .

[wny_pat1]

Remi,
Are you planning on using it down south, or up in Montreal? Or maybe when going south?

[mark5w]

remi987 wrote:
I want to fill a lot of antifreeze in the water tank because I will use my RV in winter. I will dishwashe, flush toilettes and wash hand. So I have tout fill with lot of antifreeze RV. After your suggestion, I will pût antifreeze (a lot) and probably dilued with some water

What did you think of that ?

Thanks !!

Rather then waste money on a lot of rv antifreeze i'd spend the money on a fresh watertank heater. Here is a link for a 12 volt dc/ 120 volt ac heater. About $150.00 from ppl rv parts. ppl
or here, ultra heat ultra heat is a good website to explain the benefits of the heater and the downfalls of using rv antifreeze.

[remi987]

I want to fill a lot of antifreeze in the water tank because I will use my RV in winter. I will dishwashe, flush toilettes and wash hand. So I have tout fill with lot of antifreeze RV. After your suggestion, I will pût antifreeze (a lot) and probably dilued with some water

What did you think of that ?

Thanks !!

[Bill_Satellite]

remi987 wrote:
Oh ok !
I didn't know RV antifreeze.
I will use it. It will be better !!
I will buy the pump, but fill 150 liter with RV antifreeze may take many hours with the little pump...
Or you put it 25% RV antifreeze and rest of fresh water ?

Thanks for your advice !!

You will not want to fill anything so you won't be using much more than a few gallons of the RV antifreeze. Use the existing low point drains to get all of the water out of the lines and be sure to drain the water heater as well. Hopefully, you have a by-pass valve on the water heater as well and this should be used after draining.
I still personally prefer that all lines be blown clear of water with compressed air and just some anti-freeze poured into the drains, but you can also pump the anti-freeze through all lines and expel the water. When Spring arrives you fill your water tank as usual and flush all the lines of the "pink stuff".

[2gypsies1]

I don't think the OP wants to winterize his RV and store it. He wants to use it this winter. On that point, he shouldn't put anything in the fresh water tank other than water. If you're just going out for short trips - like a weekend - carry your fresh water in jugs and forget about filling the tank. Use a public restroom instead of your black tank filling and having to dump it in freezing temps. Winter RVing takes a lot of preparation and thought. Good luck!

[Ray_IN]

I should have included this link to How to properly winterize your RV - http://www.rvlifestyle.net/rv_resources.htm

[Argosy24]

Drain the fresh water tank and only put the rv antifreeze in the water lines. I disconnect the inlet line to the pump and use one of the flexible faucet hook up hoses to draw from the bottle of antifreeze.

There should be low point drains to empty water from the lines, drain the water heater. There should be a bypass valve setup so you don't have to fill the water heater to fill the hot water lines. Dump enough antifreeze down each drain so it fills the traps and displaces the water.

[wny_pat1]

remi987 wrote:


I will buy the pump, but fill 150 liter with RV antifreeze may take many hours with the little pump...
Or you put it 25% RV antifreeze and rest of fresh water ?

Thanks for your advice !!

Remi,
You don't have to fill the whole system. You should drain all the fresh water, along with the other tanks. You can blow out the fresh water lines with a air compressor, working from kitchen valve on to bathroom valves, and drain the hot water tank too, and also the toilet water flush valve. Then you pump some RV anti-freeze into the system. You only need it in the pump basically, provided you got it all blown out properly. You leave all your indoor water valve open. And the outside shower head if you have one. Also pour some of the RV antifreeze into the sink drains and the toilet. Enough to fill the traps.

[Ray_IN]

Your reply bears repeating, so here it is again:

mark5w wrote:
BAD IDEA

Read this:

MSDS wrote:

2
3. Hazard Identification
Emergency Overview: This is a clear purple colored
liquid with as pungent odor. It is combustible
and toxic. Methanol cannot be rendered non-toxic. R
esponders must protect against possible
inhalation and contact exposure. Fire protection mu
st be available to prevent or rapidly
extinguish a fire.
Primary Routes of Entry: Inhalation, skin contact, eyes, i
ngestion
Target Organs: Central Nervous System, eyes, circulatory
and respiratory systems.
Symptoms of Over Exposure by Route of Exposure: Windsh
ield Washer Solvent may be harmful if
swallowed, inhaled or injected into skin. Windshield Was
her Solvent can cause skin and eye irritation or
damage. It can also be irritating to mucous membranes
and the respiratory tract.
Inhalation: Inhalation may lead to irritation of th
e nose and throat. Symptoms of overexposure may
include dizziness, coughing headache, dyspnea, llachrymati
on, nausea and vomiting. Exposure to high
concentrations of vapor may cause unconscious or death. Asp
iration into the lungs can cause chemical
pneumonitis.
Contact With Eyes: Windshield Washer Solvent is an ey
e irritant. Splashes in the eye may cause
irritation, redness, tearing and temporary corneal da
mage or blindness.
Skin Absorption: Windshield Washer Solvent is absorbed
through the skin and may result in effects
similar to inhalation exposure.
Ingestion: Ingestion of 1 to 4 ounces of Windshield
Washer Solvent can cause irreversible damage to
the nervous system, blindness or death. It cannot be made
non-poisonous.
Injection: Injection can cause redness and irritation of
the surrounding tissue.
Health Effects or Risks From Exposure (In Lay Terms
)
Acute: Severe irritation of the tissue that had contact
with the product (skin, eyes, mucous membranes).
Drowsiness, fatigue, confusion may be experienced after i
nhalation or ingestion of the material.
Chronic: Washer Fluid is eliminated slowly from the bo
dy. Repeated exposure may build up toxic levels
in body tissues. Animal studies show long term exposure t
o Methanol damages the CNS, kidneys or
liver, skin disorders and birth defects.

[pianotuna]

Hi remi,

The freshwater tank is usually in the heated part of the RV. There is no need for antifreeze to be used except for storing an RV in an unheated state.

remi987 wrote:
Oh ok !
I didn't know RV antifreeze.
I will use it. It will be better !!
I will buy the pump, but fill 150 liter with RV antifreeze may take many hours with the little pump...
Or you put it 25% RV antifreeze and rest of fresh water ?

Thanks for your advice !!

[pianotuna]

Hi,

DO NOT USE ANY ANTIFREEZE THAT IS NOT INTENDED FOR POTABLE WATER.

There are is a host of information about winter camping.

I've camped at -37 C (-34 f) and boondocked for 5 days at a high of -27 c (-16.6 f).

I suggest reading this thread winter camping carefully--and then start your own thread if you have further questions

remi987 wrote:
Hello,
So I tought to use windshield water (-40 celsuis) to put in my fresh water tank (50% windshield washer and 50% fresh water).
I only wash dishes and flush the toilet with this water.

[Jack_Diane_Free]

Do not use windshield washer antifreeze. It may contain Ethylene Glycol which is poisonous and will contaminate your entire system.