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Old 10-31-2014, 07:05 AM   #1
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First time Winterize - ST 270BH

Hi Everyone,

Just took our last trip for a while and I'm getting ready to winterize. This will be my first time.
I've looked at various guides online.
This link here has three methods and seems to be very clear in it's description of steps.

http://thecampingsource.com/item/rv_.../category.aspx

A few questions for those who have done this many times.

1. Blowing out the lines: It says to limit pressure to 20lb. I have to look and see if/how my compressor can do that. But in either case, it blowing out the lines necessary or it is more of a risk to potentially hurt the lines?

2. One method says to just pour Antifreeze (RV) into the sink, toilet, etc.. but not have the water pump suck it up for all lines. Is this method acceptable or is it better to put Antifreeze in all lines? I live in central NC. The temp can get into the 20's at night sometimes, but daytime temps usually rise above freezing.


3. I haven't looked at my manual yet. Going to be doing that this afternoon. Does anyone happen to know offhand if the ST270BH has a bypass switch for the Hot water heater? I'm sure the manual will tell me but if you happen to know I thought I'd ask.

4. Last question. Is it difficult to remove the waterpump hose to put it in the jug of AF? Not sure where that hose is, but I'm hoping the manual will lead the way.

As always, thanks!
Mike
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Old 10-31-2014, 07:21 AM   #2
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question 1: keep pressure below 50psi and you will be fine
question 2: just pooring antifreez into the traps is good only if your lines do not have water in them (IE. you blew them clear with air first)
question 3: yes your trailer has a water heater bypass valve
question 4: your trailer comes with a syphon hose pre attached, nothing to remove just turn the valve to syphon.

please have someone help you with the winterization process. there are alot of things you need to do, that you did not ask about. (IE. the outdoor shower, the san-t-flush, how to bypass the water heater, the low point drains, ETC.)
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Old 10-31-2014, 07:31 AM   #3
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You should get a lot of replies on this topic. I live in RI and use both air and the RV anti-freeze. Temps in the 20's you shoul winterize your lines as well as all traps. Don't forget the outside shower. The water pump should have a bypass and a length of hose to siphon the "pink" stuff. You water heater will have a bypass possibly 2 valves, setups vary. Be sure to leave some in the toilet bowl to keep the seal wet Don't forget to drain fresh water holding tank but of course no pink stuff there. I also do the santi flush some folks don't
Have fun!~
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Old 10-31-2014, 07:36 AM   #4
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Jason - don't have anyone around to help me. I figured with enough reading/questions I could do it myself. If I really feel over my head, I will get the dealer to do it. But that's a 4 hour round trip for me. Also, we get warm spells here in Feb usually so I will probably want to take the rig out for a trip or two and then have to do all of this again when we come back. It honestly doesn't sound that hard as long as I have a good procedure to follow.
I won't forget the outside shower. also I have an outside kitchen.


Speaking of that -- how do you de-winterize it? Just hook up the water and flush the Antifreeze down into the tanks?
Thanks,
Mike
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Old 10-31-2014, 07:41 AM   #5
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first drain antifreeze from low point drains. Then hook up water and run everything till it is clear, then (Un)bypass water heater and flush it, then put in water heater drain plug and fill.
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Old 10-31-2014, 07:50 AM   #6
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Your rv manual will be pretty much useless, watch alot of U-tube videos on winterizing.

Here is a picture of the hot water tank bypass valves
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File Type: jpg Water heater bypass.jpg (45.7 KB, 27 views)
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Old 10-31-2014, 07:57 AM   #7
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Thanks jason. I followed you until you said this " put in water heater drain plug and fill."
use a drain plug to fill it? Confused.
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Old 10-31-2014, 08:00 AM   #8
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If you are winterizing, don't put water in anything!
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Old 10-31-2014, 08:01 AM   #9
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no. when you winterize you will pull the drain plug and drain the water heater. when you dewinterize you will reinstall the drain plug and reposition your bypass and cold water inlet valves to the normal operating position. this will allow cold water to enter the water heater from the back side and fill the water heater. don't forget to burp the hot water heater by opening the hot water at a faucet to let the air out.

I hope that makes more sense
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Old 10-31-2014, 08:01 AM   #10
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loyd, he also wanted to know how to De-winterize
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Old 10-31-2014, 08:02 AM   #11
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He wants you to flush the water heater to remove any sediment from the bottom of it. Then put in the drain plug after flushing and refill the water heater as part of the de- winterization process.
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Old 10-31-2014, 08:04 AM   #12
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Jason -- ok, think I got that now. I'm going to post a photo in this thread a little later once I have a chance to take a photo of what I "think" my drain plug is.
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Old 10-31-2014, 08:06 AM   #13
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Old 10-31-2014, 11:08 AM   #14
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Ok! I took some photos.
For the photo with Valve 1, Valve 2 etc..

Valve 1: [Blue line] Goes to a hose that is loose. I'll bet that is what I put in the jug of AF! And I would guess I turn this value "on"

Valve 2: [Blue line] : Do I turn this when winterizing?

Valve 3 [Blue line] : Down at the bottom of tank. Do I turn this when winterizing? I would guess yes

Valve 4 [Red line]: I guess that is hot water feed. Do I turn this when winterizing? I would guess yes

Bottom left of photo, that is the water pump, correct?

------------

Photo with Thing 1 and Thing 2

Thing1: This is what I usually toggle when emptying out Hot water tank after a trip. When I toggle it, the water usually pours out of drain on bottom of RV (not pictured)

Thing 2: Is this the drain plug?

What is difference between thing 1 and thing 2?

Hope the photos are clear. I tried to get the best angle I could to show all valves in one photo.

Thanks so much!
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File Type: jpg rv_winterize1.jpg (208.7 KB, 24 views)
File Type: jpg rv_winterize2.jpg (216.8 KB, 12 views)
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Old 10-31-2014, 11:12 AM   #15
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and last but not least. Under the RV I have three (I will call them hoses). H1, H2 and H3. I think H3 is the one I usually take the cap off to empty hot water tank.
Which of these will I work with when winterizing?
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File Type: jpg rv_winterize3.jpg (217.6 KB, 6 views)
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Old 10-31-2014, 11:32 AM   #16
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valve 1 syphone hose. turn to syphon from jug
valve 2 fresh water tank suction. yes close to winterize
valve 3 hot water heater inlet. yes close to winterize
valve 4 hot water bypass. open to winterize

thing 1 hot water tank over pressurization valve. can be used to burp hot water tank and to aid in draining
thing 2 hot water tank drain. remove to winterize

H1 fresh water tank drain
H2 cold water lines low point drain
H3 Hot water lines low point drain
drain all 3
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Old 10-31-2014, 11:44 AM   #17
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Thanks Jason.
FYI -- valve three, down on the bottom has blue tubing on it. You said it was hot water inlet. I guess Blue/Red tubing don't necessarily signify cold/hot water?

Last, my manual mentions buying an adapter to put on my fresh water inlet to connect my air compressor to. Is that correct, do I need to buy that kit and attach it there?
Mike
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Old 10-31-2014, 12:02 PM   #18
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yes. that is the cold water going into the hot water heater. then the red is the hot water coming out.

the kit helps if you are going to blow your lines out.

there are 3 ways to winterize

1: blow out lines with air and drain low point drains and water heater. add antifreeze to traps

2: drain low point drains and water heater. bypass heater and fill system with antifreeze and add antifreeze to traps

or

3: a combination of both. blow out system and add antifreeze to system
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Old 10-31-2014, 01:20 PM   #19
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Looks like this.



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Old 10-31-2014, 01:59 PM   #20
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Thanks Mark. And I screw that thing into "Thing 1" or "Thing 2"? Please look at my photo to see which I have labeled as which.
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