Winterize - Dolphin How to

[waiter]

Winterization is that annual project that needs to be done before the temperature starts dropping below freezing. Failure to do a proper winterization results in cracked and broken pipes. Also, when the water freezes inside the fittings, it expands a little, which causes the metal crimp bands to expand a little. Then next year you have those pesky small leaks at the fittings because the metal bands have loosened a little.

Ohio winters start around November 1st with occasional night temperatures below freezing, By Mid January, expect temperatures to drop to -10 to -15 below zero.

Winterizing involves getting as much water out of all the tanks and lines and putting antifreeze in the lines. This takes about 30 minutes, it doesn't require any special tools or equipment (although an air-compressor would help).

You'll need 2 to 4 gallons of RV antifreeze, depending if you have the hot water tank bypassed.

1) Drain fresh water tank - From the outside - Open the drain on the fresh water tank (just forward of the generator compartment), remove the city water cap. Leave open for now.

2) Drain water heater - NOTE - If the water heater has been bypassed and properly winterized, this step isn't necessary.

From the outside - Open the drain on the Hot water tank (can be seen behind the gas valve, Open the expansion valve on the hot water tank. Leave open for now.

3) Inside - Open all the facets, hot and cold, Kitchen, bath, Shower, and Toilet . Disconnect the shower head and hose, make sure its drained of water. Leave open for now.

4) Inside - Open the two low point drains under the stove (pull the "T" handles up). Leave open for now.

5) When water is drained from everywhere, Turn the water pump on for about 10 seconds to clear water out of that line.

6) Close all the faucets, drains, toilet, shower, water heater, reinstall city water cap, etc.

If you have access to compressed air, do the following. Otherwise skip to step 11

CAUTION - DO NOT EXCEED 30 psi on Air pressure.

7) Connect an air fitting to the city water connection, Connect air hose to fitting, make sure pressure does NOT EXCEED 30psi. (should be able to adjust the air regulator on the compressor)

8) Open the farthest hot water valve (Bath sink). Let it spew water/air for a few minutes, Repeat this with the cold water facet.

9) Goto each water facet and repeat (including the toilet and the "T" drain handles). Let it spew water air for a few seconds)

10) Remove the air hose and fitting, and reinstall the cap on the city water connection.

11) Dump 1 - 3 gallons antifreeze in the fresh water tank. Winterization drain valves should be closed and all faucets should be OFF. ( If the water heater is bypassed, you'll need about a gallon, otherwise you'll need three gallons)

12) Open the exterior fresh water tank drain for a couple seconds until antifreeze can be seen draining. Close the drain. (This gets antifreeze in the drain line)

13) Turn on water pump, Do the cold water first; Goto each cold water facet (and the toilet) and turn it on, one at a time until the antifreeze comes out, It will probably come out as a foam rather then nice pink water. Then go back and do the hot water facets.

14) Loosen the City water cap and wait for antifreeze to squirt out. (This gets antifreeze in the short section of the city water connection) NOTE - The City water may have a backflow valve in it that will prevent this. If nothing comes out after a couple seconds, then figure you have a functioning back-flow valve (keeps water from flowing out the City water connection)

15) Turn off the water pump.

16) Dump about 1 pint of antifreeze down each drain, Kitchen, shower, bath. This makes sure there is antifreeze in the "P" traps.

17) Drain the Black and Grey water tanks. Close the valves.

18) Dump a pint of antifreeze into the kitchen drain, this will drain into the gray water tank. This makes sure theres a little antifreeze in the gray tank.

19) Dump a pint into the toilet and flush. This gets a little antifreeze in the black tanks. Dump a couple ounces into the toilet, but don't flush. This keeps the seal wet with antifreeze and ensures no water is on the seal.

20) THATS IT - your now ready for the winter.

Winterization Notes;

Bypassed Water Heater

We don't use our water heater, so I made a bypass hose for it. This makes winterization a lot easier and faster. Water Heater Bypass

Driving in the winter

If we do a road trip during winter, we use bottled water for cooking / cleaning (i.e. 1 gallon milk jugs full of water / bottled water). If its border line freezing, we use the fresh water tank, but then re-winterize it before getting into deep freeze temperatures. The Fresh water tank is inside the MH and if heat is left on, the tank won't freeze.

HOWEVER, the Black and Gray tanks are outside and will freeze, SO, if we use the toilet or sinks, we flush with RV Antifreeze or Windshield washer fluid. Then drain and re-winterize the black and gray tanks before getting back into the deep freeze.

HINT - During the year, I'm always checking the price of RV Antifreeze. During late winter and early spring, I see it for $1.59 a gallon, In October and November, I see it for $4.00 a gallon. When I see it on sale for under $2, I usually buy 4 or 5 gallons.

Same for Windshield washer fluid - In the spring you can find it for 0.99 a gallon (make sure its the antifreeze type)

STAY WARM :-)

John Mc

88 Dolphin 4 Auto