How much antifreeze is enough?

OhioMark · 10-14-2015, 03:07 PM

So,

Another summer camping season under the belt, and another Saturday winterizing the trailer. And, as I do every year, leave at least one faucet on when i turn on the pump to get the antifreeze in the lines.

So, I lost about a couple quarts, but have at least 1.5 gallons in the lines. My question is, the pump kept running after I sucked up the second gallon and didn't reach full pressure to trip off the pump.

Do I need to fully pressurize the lines with antifreeze or am I good with the 1.5 gallons. I opened both the hot and cold faucets until they ran pink.

Signed,

Slow learner

**Lloyd** · 10-14-2015, 03:18 PM

Mark, I just did that job yesterday.
I blew the lines out getting most of the water, then ran anti freeze thru. Like you, I opened each of the faucets individually (hot and cold) until it tuned pink. Also the toilet and I blasted a little out the low point drains as well.
Used about 1 1/2 gals.
Been doing it that way for years and haven't had any problems.

OhioMark · 10-14-2015, 03:21 PM

Well, you get just as much cold up there as we get here, if not more..so not going to worry. Just didnt seem to make sense to buy another whole gallon if it was close to being fully pressurized....1.5 gallons is alot.

Also, I usually forget the outside shower..but not this year.

Stan · 10-14-2015, 03:22 PM

As long as you get pink out ALL the faucets/toilets/shower/outside shower/low point drains you should be good. No need to fully pressurize.

harley · 10-14-2015, 04:33 PM

You sound good...did mine today. with 1 1/2 gals and when finished , I opened the low point drains and re cooped about 1/2 gal that went into the traps. do not forget to push the plunger behind the screen of the city water hook up until pink comes out . if you forget that ,just pressure the pump a bit and push the plunger thing.

jakesz28 · 10-14-2015, 06:37 PM

I will be doing this this weekend or early next week. I think last year I used 3 gallons just to be safe. Started out opening blowing out the lines first. I am worried about it getting diluted with any of the remaining water. So i got all the traps when I was running each faucet.

morphrider · 10-14-2015, 07:14 PM

Mine was pressurized in the first gallon. Forgot to cap low points and used a bit more. Being it was my first time winterizing I probably went through more than needed, then dumped a few gallons in all the drains making sure all p traps were good. Then another gallon down the black tank. All in all maybe 5 gallons but as cheap as it is compared to chasing a leak in the spring I had no issues with it. Under $20, no big deal.

Burgy · 10-14-2015, 08:42 PM

I also pour some pink stuff in the toilet bowl, enough to cover the flapper.

markandkim · 10-15-2015, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakesz28

I will be doing this this weekend or early next week. I think last year I used 3 gallons just to be safe. Started out opening blowing out the lines first. I am worried about it getting diluted with any of the remaining water. So i got all the traps when I was running each faucet.

X2. I used 2-1/2 gallons yesterday.

johnboytoo · 10-15-2015, 07:03 AM

Dang Yankee wimps

we are going camping to Asheville, NC for 10 days and then again over Thanksgiving and Christmas - New Years here in the DFW area

I love me some winter camping !!!

(but, given it's SO hot here during the summer, we barely go out in summer and we do have heated hoses and basement heaters

so we are not THAT tough!)

ewbldavis · 10-15-2015, 11:24 AM

I just run until pink comes out faucets. Only used 2 gallons...

Should be fine I would think!

Also, John, I SOOO wish I could use mine 12 months like you...

johnboytoo · 10-15-2015, 11:46 AM

Wow, we regularly stay in Canton !!!

Texas, not Ohio, and actually have reservations there 10-28 thru 10-31 for First Monday trade days @ Mill Creek Ranch Resort....

**mark5w** · 10-15-2015, 01:31 PM

Blow the lines and use 2 gallons of pink. Forgot the outside shower one year in our older camper. What a mess....and expense.

harley · 10-15-2015, 04:35 PM

Why does every body waste time blowing lines out?? Just put the hose into a 'pink bottle' and when you turn on each faucet individually , put a small pail or container under the faucet and catch the water in it until when pink comes thru...then let it fill the trap...easy, and when all is done , drain low point drains and add that pink to toilet...

jakesz28 · 10-15-2015, 06:07 PM

What happens if that pink stuff gets diluted with water? Thats why i blow the lines out, plus what does it take another 10 minutes to blow the lines out first?

harley · 10-15-2015, 07:54 PM

it won't get diluted...run the water untill it turns red.. easy

ewbldavis · 10-16-2015, 10:25 AM

I blow 'em out because I can. Doesn't take long or effort, so why not. Also, the air comp pressure helps get more water out of the WH.

harley · 10-16-2015, 01:09 PM

Fort he water heater, I take out drain plug and leave out . Put a small hose into it and siphon out the water. Not needed to but like to empty it.

jakesz28 · 10-25-2015, 04:13 PM

Well I just ran the pink stuff in mine. Started by blowing it out first, bypassing the water heater. It only take about 5 minutes to blow all the lines. Than ran 3 gallons thru the lines. Ran every faucet, on all 3 sinks, both showers, inside and out, plus the toliet. Hopefully the traps have enough antifreeze that they don't break.

OhioMark · 10-26-2015, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewbldavis

I blow 'em out because I can. Doesn't take long or effort, so why not. Also, the air comp pressure helps get more water out of the WH.

I usually blow it out, but not this year, was too lazy to go find the fitting and I do antifreeze also.

When I bought the trailer in 2013, the dealer told me Crossroads will void warranty repairs if you use compressed air on the plumbing, said they had too many customers coming back after over-pressurizing the lines.

I "blew off" the warning and just set my regulator for around 8-10 PSI and it works great.

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