Vacuflush winterizing.

[MonacoMike]

I just read in a Vacuflush manual online not to use the alcohol type of antifreze for it. Dennis always reminds us not to use it for engines and drives but I had not heard this before. Maybe everyone already knew this but I thought I'd pass it on or remind all. MM

http://www.dometic.com/e29d735d-be24-4223-9326-a1b4a2745e33.fodoc
page 4

http://www.dometic.com/0e7b237d-d33b-4f6d-a640-a5eba809b3a2.fodoc
page 5

http://www.sealandsanitation.com/HTS%20OM%201-01.pdf
page 5

 

[Westie]

Oh crap. I used the alcohol type for my water sytem including the head. I guess maybe the alcohol may damage the duckbills?
Think I might just flush some propylene based antifreeze in it now and hope for the best.

 

[rcknecht]

I have used the pink stuff for years and never had a problem... Next thing you know they will say that urea will damage the duck bills..

 

[tbirdvet]

Always use RV type (pink or green) polyprop. type for winterizing

 

[Jersey Mike]

There are different types of "Pink" one is ethyl alcohol base, the other is polypropolene base which is the old (now more expensive) standby. Camco is marketing both

 

[tbirdvet]

There are different types of "Pink" one is ethyl alcohol base, the other is polypropolene base which is the old (now more expensive) standby. Camco is marketing both

Ethyl based is generally used for engine cooling and prop. for winterizing pipes, etc. You are correct in that you can get both in pink color so need to watch the labels.

 

[MonacoMike]

There are different types of "Pink" one is ethyl alcohol base, the other is polypropolene base which is the old (now more expensive) standby. Camco is marketing both

Ethyl based is generally used for engine cooling and prop. for winterizing pipes, etc. You are correct in that you can get both in pink color so need to watch the labels.

This is the one we should use in our boats.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=7813

We could use this ONLY in the potable water system, but why buy two products and then I still don't know what the water heater manufacturer says is acceptable for their product.

http://automotive.hardwarestore.com/89-548-anti-freeze/artic-ban-rv-antifreeze-631524.aspx

I'll post the description of the latter. "Safe and tasteless for fresh water and plumbing systems of boats, RVs, homes, and trailers. Protects from bursting to -60 degrees Fahrenheit. Blend of propylene glycol and denatured alcohol. Not recommended in marine engines, marine toilets or as heat transfer fluid."

I'm not so cheap as to not buy the proper antifreeze. It does not show up in one winter, but in less life of the parts it harms, and more duckbill replacements. :grin: MM

 

[Woody]

That jamestown stuff is expensive. I got mine at Menards for 3.20 something.

 

[MonacoMike]

That jamestown stuff is expensive. I got mine at Menards for 3.20 something.

I chose the links based on write up not price, I'm sure you can find it cheaper. ...and now we all know. Save that money for repairs. Good luck, MM

 

[Lazy Daze]

Good thinking to post about that, Mike. I agree with your line of thinking... keep things simple and just use one type of AF. We've got enough things in life that are complicated.

 

[sdarc]

Curious if Camco makes the West Marine stuff: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=10104&subdeptNum=10352&classNum=10996

 

[MonacoMike]

Curious if Camco makes the West Marine stuff: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=10104&subdeptNum=10352&classNum=10996

There can't be too many AF manufacturers, so probably. MM

 

[psubill78]

Do you leave the pressure in the vacuflush system over winter?

Doing indoor heated this winter, and I'm thinking that it probably makes sense to flush with the head system off before storing?

 

[Lazy Daze]

I honestly don't know what is recommended (if anything) by Dometic. But I agree - I always kill the power on the last flush of AF. Remember to manually fill the bowl about 1/4 of the way with AF after you're done.

 

[psubill78]

Seems to make sense. I checked as many docs as I could find.

As for the antifreeze, I'm good this year-- none needed. Indoor heated

 

[Lazy Daze]

As for the antifreeze, I'm good this year-- none needed. Indoor heated

Running some through the system helps to "wet" the seals and duckbills to keep them lubricated for their long winter's nap. Pouring some into the bowl (and leaving it there) does the same thing for the seal around the flushing valve.

 

[psubill78]

Running some through the system helps to "wet" the seals and duckbills to keep them lubricated for their long winter's nap. Pouring some into the bowl (and leaving it there) does the same thing for the seal around the flushing valve.

Wouldn't water so the same thing? (not trying to be argumentative, new at all this, and just looking to understand whats best)

 

[Lazy Daze]

Wouldn't water so the same thing? (not trying to be argumentative, new at all this, and just looking to understand whats best)

No problem, at all. Water would be "OK" for in the toilet - although, it will evaporate faster than the pink (although it's unlikely that a couple cups worth of water will evaporate in a few months time). However, the pink stuff still does a better job at let's call it "conditioning" the seals. Both the one there in the toilet and the others in the downstream section. Nothing < Water < Pink.

For the cost of 1 gallon of pink... I'll be happy to throw that money away if it means I don't have to tear into the head system to replace things quite so soon.:smt001

Don't forget to clean around the bottom side of the toilet seal (with the flush valve open) every once in a while. Don't use any harsh chemicals, either - Sealand/Dometic makes a good cleaner/conditioner that is meant specifically for our systems.

PSU '95, by the way!

 

[MonacoMike]

However, the pink stuff still does a better job at let's call it "conditioning" the seals.

Most likely if you buy a reputable non-alcohol antifreeze like Camco or WM. MM

 

[MonacoMike]

I have used the pink stuff for years and never had a problem... Next thing you know they will say that urea will damage the duck bills..

It depends on how much alcohol it contains. :smt043

I just saw this full comment and that came to me. MM