Permanent Pump Converter Winterizing Kit- Allows You to Use Boat/RV Water Pump to Fill Pipes With An

M

mrsrobinson

Well-Known Member
Mar 9, 2006
7,704
Virginia
Boat Info
2001 380DA
Engines
Caterpillar 3126
That should go in between the tank and the pump to be able to switch between the tank and anti-freeze. This allows anti-freeze only through the waterlines and not put in to the tank. It is much easier to just blow out with air.
 
Yeah, I used my air compressor to blow out the lines in my last two boats, worked well and no pink stuff odor to deal with in the spring.
 
Yup, that will definitely do what you're thinking, Greg. I always prefer avoiding putting the pink stuff in the fresh water tank. On my last Sundancer, I had really good access to the fresh water tank so I just removed the output line from the top of the tank and stuck it in a bucket of pink. With a 3-way valve (BEFORE the pump, as noted) it does the same thing - just easier. Use a clean 5-gallon pail and dump the AF in there so you don't have to keep changing gallon jugs of AF so often - although it won't take a whole bunch. But with 5g, you can just casually walk around the boat and do your thing at each faucet.

I do a similar thing with our 3-season cottages in Maine. I added a freshwater pump along with some valving so I can choose to supply the house by drawing from the well pump (as normal) or the 5-gallon pail of AF.

Tip... that clear hose won't (easily) stay at the bottom of the 5g pail. Slice/drill a small hole at the end of the hose - enough to put a zip tie through - and zip tie a heavy bolt (or something "weighty") to the end of the hose.
 
Oh... wanted to add... I wish I could get onboard with blowing out the lines! I really do. I just can't get past the thought of a pocket of water being left... or water that re-collects in a low spot. I know lots of people do it - and that's fine - this is my own personal hangup! I'd be thinking about it all Winter!
 
mrsrobinson said:
Yeah, I used my air compressor to blow out the lines in my last two boats, worked well and no pink stuff odor to deal with in the spring.
Click to expand...

Last year was the 1st time for me to blow out the lines and I was happily surprised there was no odor or anything foul smelling at anytime this year. I didn't even have to do a bleach treatment.

I swear the pink stuff grows algae after a while.
 
So what are you guys doing with the city water inlet? I usually winterize at home but with the 340 it will be at the marina so I wasn’t planning on bringing a portable air compressor. Do you drain the blue hose at the water manifold?
 
Lazy Daze said:
Oh... wanted to add... I wish I could get onboard with blowing out the lines! I really do. I just can't get past the thought of a pocket of water being left... or water that re-collects in a low spot. I know lots of people do it - and that's fine - this is my own personal hangup! I'd be thinking about it all Winter!
Click to expand...

LOL, yeah I use to worry about it when I was on Long Island. But still used air up there as well. I also use air on the AC as well.

The only caveat on using air is you MUST disconnect BOTH sides of the pump and bow out the pump as well. I did have happen what you describe once early on when I first started winterizing boats (was a teenager then).
 
boatrboy said:
So what are you guys doing with the city water inlet? I usually winterize at home but with the 340 it will be at the marina so I wasn’t planning on bringing a portable air compressor. Do you drain the blue hose at the water manifold?
Click to expand...

I have an air line adapter that screws right in to the dock water inlet. Set the compressor to 40 or 60 PSI depending on what your water pump psi is. Then start at the furthest water outlet and go from there. Do it twice to be sure. I use a portable compressor set at 60psi for my boat.

https://www.amazon.com/Winterizing-Sprinkler-Blowout-Adapter-valve/dp/B07ZSF8Z57/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=XO5PP8OYE23K&keywords=Air+Compressor+Water+Blow+Out+Adapter&qid=1664567856&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMS4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjEuMDAifQ==&s=hi&sprefix=air+compressor+water+blow+out+adapter,tools,111&sr=1-2-spons&psc=1
 
SKybolt said:
I have an air line adapter that screws right in to the dock water inlet. Set the compressor to 40 or 60 PSI depending on what your water pump psi is. Then start at the furthest water outlet and go from there. Do it twice to be sure. I use a portable compressor set at 60psi for my boat.

https://www.amazon.com/Winterizing-Sprinkler-Blowout-Adapter-valve/dp/B07ZSF8Z57/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=XO5PP8OYE23K&keywords=Air+Compressor+Water+Blow+Out+Adapter&qid=1664567856&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMS4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjEuMDAifQ==&s=hi&sprefix=air+compressor+water+blow+out+adapter,tools,111&sr=1-2-spons&psc=1
Click to expand...
I like that, I used to do it at the freshwater pump, going to pick one of these up.
 
SKybolt said:
I have an air line adapter that screws right in to the dock water inlet. Set the compressor to 40 or 60 PSI depending on what your water pump psi is. Then start at the furthest water outlet and go from there. Do it twice to be sure. I use a portable compressor set at 60psi for my boat.

https://www.amazon.com/Winterizing-Sprinkler-Blowout-Adapter-valve/dp/B07ZSF8Z57/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=XO5PP8OYE23K&keywords=Air+Compressor+Water+Blow+Out+Adapter&qid=1664567856&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMS4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjEuMDAifQ==&s=hi&sprefix=air+compressor+water+blow+out+adapter,tools,111&sr=1-2-spons&psc=1
Click to expand...
Yea - I have something a little more elaborate I’ve been using, but as I said if not using a compressor, how are you getting the water out of the city water line ( Greg and lazy)
844CE50D-B8FA-4303-AF8A-A924CCC0DAE6.jpeg
 
boatrboy said:
Yea - I have something a little more elaborate I’ve been using, but as I said if not using a compressor, how are you getting the water out of the city water line ( Greg and lazy)
View attachment 134746
Click to expand...

Sorry missed the "if not using" part. Just to be clear, "City water line" in your boat is all of the your boat. The main water inlet "City water" is just tee'd into your fresh water system and why I connect the air line there. And the reason I mentioned matching the air pressure to your pump is, the pump is designed to withstand the pressure of the water that it created. So you don't want to go to much above that. But obviously if you don't have a compressor then blowing the lines out with air is not possible.
 
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I've actually never thought about the dock water connection at the stern of the boat when winterizing. I never use that connection or water anyway so maybe I just gotten lucky.
 
mrsrobinson said:
I've actually never thought about the dock water connection at the stern of the boat when winterizing. I never use that connection or water anyway so maybe I just gotten lucky.
Click to expand...
Early on I never did anything there and wondered if I run antifreeze through all the outlets, how the heck does it get to that inlet in the transom locker? I too must have been lucky. I then went to the compressor method when I winterized my 270 at my house and the regulator in my set up kept me from over-pressurizing the water system. Like lazy I always worried about water pockets and ended up using antifreeze from the pump out even after purging all the lines with air. Overkill probably, but I slept well.
I don’t feel like dragging a small compressor to the marina on the 340 so I wonder what the pros do for the line which carry’s water from the transom hook up. I wasn't trying to hijack, but figured they are related.
I’m thinking of just pulling that line off the manifold and draining it to be sure after running antifreeze through the outlets (sinks, head, transom shower).
 
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Not having any need for a full compressor, I've always used a tire inflator to blow out my water lines.
61uhmWpyOzL._AC_SL1500_.jpg

I've had two of these and I think they were less than $50. This one doesn't look like it's available now but I see plenty of sub-$50 options on Amazon for similar models.
 
mrsrobinson said:
I like that, I used to do it at the freshwater pump, going to pick one of these up.
Click to expand...
boatrboy said:
Yea - I have something a little more elaborate I’ve been using, but as I said if not using a compressor, how are you getting the water out of the city water line ( Greg and lazy)
View attachment 134746
Click to expand...
SKybolt said:
Sorry missed the "if not using" part. Just to be clear, "City water line" in your boat is all of the your boat. The main water inlet "City water" is just tee'd into your fresh water system and why I connect the air line there. And the reason I mentioned matching the air pressure to your pump is, the pump is designed to withstand the pressure of the water that it created. So you don't want to go to much above that. But obviously if you don't have a compressor then blowing the lines out with air is not possible.
Click to expand...
alnav said:
Not having any need for a full compressor, I've always used a tire inflator to blow out my water lines.
61uhmWpyOzL._AC_SL1500_.jpg

I've had two of these and I think they were less than $50. This one doesn't look like it's available now but I see plenty of sub-$50 options on Amazon for similar models.
Click to expand...

I believe CFM's are more important than psi in this application.
 
techmitch said:
I believe CFM's are more important than psi in this application.
Click to expand...

Totally agree and why I use a pancake compressor capable of ~5cfm continuous @45psi. More then enough for the water line @60psi.
 
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