How much antifreeze?

bleckb · 11-19-2018, 06:06 PM

Greetings all,

I just finished an attempt at filling the water Hummingbird FD 17 lines with anti-freeze. It was an attempt because I went through three gallons and the only line I had running pink (did them one at a time) was the bathroom sink. Started running kitchen sink and was through the three gallons. I read somewhere that it could be done with two gallons.

Admittedly, I had the drain lines open at first, but didn't notice any big mess, though the trailer is parked on grass and it may has just soaked right in. Didn't notice any dripping either. Is three gallons not enough? Did it just go down the drain?

I didn't even bother trying the toilet.

Nice thing is that the switch for winterizing was already installed, so I just turned the nozzle switch and put the hose in the bottles.

Why, yes, I am a newbie. LOL.

TCNashville · 11-19-2018, 07:01 PM

Is your water heater on bypass? If not, you're filling the water heater first before it can get to any faucets.

RAurand · 11-19-2018, 07:02 PM

Takes me 3 gallons to do my trailer.

bleckb · 11-19-2018, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCNashville

Is your water heater on bypass? If not, you're filling the water heater first before it can get to any faucets.

Where will I find the bypass? Of course, I'm guessing it could be too late for that since I ran fluid through the bathroom sink.

01tundra · 11-20-2018, 07:05 AM

I can do our 17RK with 3 gallons.

I drain the water through the four low point drains first and then close the valves back.

Also be sure to bypass the water heater. You should have two valves at your water heater, ours is under the bed platform. Turn both valve handles 90 degrees.

If you did fill the WH with antifreeze, you will need to pull the drain plug on the WH and lift the pressure relief valve at the top of the heater to drain the antifreeze out. Make sure the WH is off and completely cooled before pulling the plug or you'll get a pink shower.

I'm assuming that you closed the fresh water tank valve on the suction side of your water pump and then put the free end of the clear hose in the gallon jug of antifreeze to pump it through, correct?

bleckb · 11-20-2018, 01:03 PM

Seems my mistake was not taking care of the water heater bypass.

Guess I'll pick up a few more gallons, do that, and see how it goes.

Grumpy · 11-20-2018, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bleckb

Seems my mistake was not taking care of the water heater bypass.

Guess I'll pick up a few more gallons, do that, and see how it goes.

Be sure and flush the WH thoroughly in the spring. It takes a long while to get the antifreeze odor out.

**norty1** · 11-20-2018, 01:30 PM

Bypass wh, drain it and flush the crud out. Then just leave the plug out till you un-winterize. BTW, you can purchase rv antifreeze in the off season at about half what you pay for it now so stock up next summer. It does not go bad.

Just for kicks, most people do the same thing you did the first time.

Camper_bob · 11-20-2018, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Be sure and flush the WH thoroughly in the spring. It takes a long while to get the antifreeze odor out.

I'm not sure I wouldn't flush it out right now and start over. Chalk it up to newbie mistake and write about it in the "bonehead" thread. If you didn't want to drain the lines and flush with the on-board water system, you could buy or make a WH flushing tool like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Rinser-...ter+flush+wand

At least then you could salvage what AF you already have in the lines.

I just don't like the idea of leaving the AF in the WH for the winter...

o2silverado · 11-20-2018, 03:14 PM

38 bhds = 2 gallons no more no less.
Gallon and a half in the lines and the rest in the traps. You need to drain the water out of the lines then you will not use so much antifreeze.

ranchosinvacas · 12-04-2018, 10:29 PM

With the water heater valves set for by-pass, our 145 rb swift baja edition took only three/fourths of a gallon. This included filling the shower and sink p-traps

skids · 12-05-2018, 01:07 PM

On my 195RB, it has a WH inlet hose, and outlet hose, and a cross hose between the two. Each has a valve. To bypass, turn the valves on the inlet and outlet to the off position. Then open the valve on the cross hose. In the spring, you can reverse all of that.

JovanKuziel · 01-25-2019, 05:59 AM

The installation of anti-freeze on your hydronic system would be effective?

bleckb · 01-25-2019, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JovanKuziel

The installation of anti-freeze on your hydronic system would be effective?

I won't know for sure until spring when I start running water, but I assume so.

RedHorse1 · 01-26-2019, 05:01 PM

I could do our X23B with a little less that a gallon. The 351RLTS needs a little over a gallon. Granted that location has a lot to do with it. Here in S TX a hard freeze is rare.

Tonyzsi · 02-10-2019, 03:43 PM

For $3-5/bottle I don't hesitate to put in a little extra, but it sounds like you filled your water heater as other's said. Once you have your bypass on and not feeding the water heater then make sure you run a couple cups worth of anti-freeze out of each faucet- kitchen, bath, shower and don't forget your outside shower!

Screwby · 02-10-2019, 04:35 PM

Don’t forget to flush your toilet until antifreeze comes out of the water jets. Also a good idea to dump enough toilet seal treatment in the bowl and let it sit till spring.

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