- Status
- Not open for further replies.
P
Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
"Fresh Water Maintenance" article in
the reference library of the Head Mistress forum gives complete instructions for recommissioning the fresh water system.
the reference library of the Head Mistress forum gives complete instructions for recommissioning the fresh water system.
P
Paul
thanks, Peggy
I'll follow your instructions religously. By the way, why do they put anti-freeze in a new boat's tank? why not leave it empty?
I'll follow your instructions religously. By the way, why do they put anti-freeze in a new boat's tank? why not leave it empty?
P
Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
P
Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Why antifreeze in brand new boat water tanks
Eddie Breeden at Hunter e-mailed me the answer: "Hunter has done this for many years. The primary use for the freeze ban in the winter and water in the summer is to help with our leak testing process. At one time we used water year round. Problems came into play when we did not always ship a dry system boat between October and March to the north. So we made the switch to freeze ban in the winter and water in the summer. We notify the dealers twice each year with the hull numbers of the boats with and without the freeze ban. "Because it is not uncommon to have an unsold boat relocated from say California to New York during late winter to meet a delivery date. Hunter will spend over $10,000.00 each year to insure this can be done without the dealer having to touch the boats systems, just load and go."
Eddie Breeden at Hunter e-mailed me the answer: "Hunter has done this for many years. The primary use for the freeze ban in the winter and water in the summer is to help with our leak testing process. At one time we used water year round. Problems came into play when we did not always ship a dry system boat between October and March to the north. So we made the switch to freeze ban in the winter and water in the summer. We notify the dealers twice each year with the hull numbers of the boats with and without the freeze ban. "Because it is not uncommon to have an unsold boat relocated from say California to New York during late winter to meet a delivery date. Hunter will spend over $10,000.00 each year to insure this can be done without the dealer having to touch the boats systems, just load and go."
P
Paul
Just one more question
Thanks for the answer as to why anti-freeze is used in the first place. Now here are my next four questions: Doesn't drinking anti-freeze kill dogs? Isn't there something less dangerous they could use in a freshwater system which people will be using for washing (if not drinking) water? How can I be sure it is totally eliminated from the tank and lines without spending hours and hours manually pumping on those little faucet handles in the head and galley to flush out 20 (or more)gallons of rinse water and bleach? Is there a drain plug somewhere? My owner's manual is vague in this department...Thanks in advance for your help!
Thanks for the answer as to why anti-freeze is used in the first place. Now here are my next four questions: Doesn't drinking anti-freeze kill dogs? Isn't there something less dangerous they could use in a freshwater system which people will be using for washing (if not drinking) water? How can I be sure it is totally eliminated from the tank and lines without spending hours and hours manually pumping on those little faucet handles in the head and galley to flush out 20 (or more)gallons of rinse water and bleach? Is there a drain plug somewhere? My owner's manual is vague in this department...Thanks in advance for your help!
N
Nancy Berg
Anti freeze
The "pink stuff" is environmentally friendly. (safe) But if you don't rinse the tank and lines well it tastes BAD! We didn't want to have to unhook lines etc. so we just kept filling and pumping till clear.
The "pink stuff" is environmentally friendly. (safe) But if you don't rinse the tank and lines well it tastes BAD! We didn't want to have to unhook lines etc. so we just kept filling and pumping till clear.
P
Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Different type of antifreeze, Paul...non-toxic
Automotive antifreeze is ethylene glycol and should NEVER be used in any system except an engine. The marine/rv antifreeze (aka "the pink stuff") used in potable water systems and sanitation systems is propylene glycol, which is non-toxic. So it won't hurt you, it just tastes awful.
Automotive antifreeze is ethylene glycol and should NEVER be used in any system except an engine. The marine/rv antifreeze (aka "the pink stuff") used in potable water systems and sanitation systems is propylene glycol, which is non-toxic. So it won't hurt you, it just tastes awful.
P
Paul
P
Patrick Ewing
You could rinse it with ethanol
It could be fun but actually that (ethanol) is "toxic" too. Where do you think the word "intoxicated" comes from. Make sure it is not denatured - that makes it dangerously toxic. Ethylene glycol (the main but not the only component in engine antifreeze) is slightly "toxic" in high concentrations. There are other ingredients in engine antifreeze such as corrosion inhibiters and leak sealants etc. It is usually dyed green. Animals like to drink it so do not leave puddles of it undiluted. Propylene glycol is the supposedly "non-toxic" antifreeze used in water systems. It is usually dyed pink. It is used as a sweetener in some soft drinks. Both kinds of glycols are sweet to the taste and completely soluble in water and can be rinsed out rather easily with water and pumped overboard or down the drain. The quantities of either type found on a small boat will not do any more damage to the environment than the effects of your bottom paint. Just use common sense and everything will be ok. If you still have some bad taste after several one or two gallon water rinses, you may have some other problem such as leaching plasticizer or sealant in the tank or the plumbing. You could install an activated carbon (charcoal) filter in the supply line to get rid of the taste. Sorry to mention it but on a new boat, I would worry more about some dead creature having gotten inside the tank during manufacture or transport. That obviously would need removal. I am planning to install an access plate to allow me to clean my tanks inside.
It could be fun but actually that (ethanol) is "toxic" too. Where do you think the word "intoxicated" comes from. Make sure it is not denatured - that makes it dangerously toxic. Ethylene glycol (the main but not the only component in engine antifreeze) is slightly "toxic" in high concentrations. There are other ingredients in engine antifreeze such as corrosion inhibiters and leak sealants etc. It is usually dyed green. Animals like to drink it so do not leave puddles of it undiluted. Propylene glycol is the supposedly "non-toxic" antifreeze used in water systems. It is usually dyed pink. It is used as a sweetener in some soft drinks. Both kinds of glycols are sweet to the taste and completely soluble in water and can be rinsed out rather easily with water and pumped overboard or down the drain. The quantities of either type found on a small boat will not do any more damage to the environment than the effects of your bottom paint. Just use common sense and everything will be ok. If you still have some bad taste after several one or two gallon water rinses, you may have some other problem such as leaching plasticizer or sealant in the tank or the plumbing. You could install an activated carbon (charcoal) filter in the supply line to get rid of the taste. Sorry to mention it but on a new boat, I would worry more about some dead creature having gotten inside the tank during manufacture or transport. That obviously would need removal. I am planning to install an access plate to allow me to clean my tanks inside.
B
Bob Metz
remove the whole tank
I too have to put up with freezing weather. I decided to disconnect the fittings at the shut off valve in the bow and drain the water into a shallow pan from the valve. Pumping is impossible! Even with this there remains about 3 inches of water. I cut off the two retaining straps, removed the inlet and air tubes, and took the entire holding tank out. Its about a 1 hour job, but my 260 is free of water. Put it back together, seal up the threaded joints, buy 2 straps, and it is ready for next summer. Its not as difficult as it may sound. PS: I plan to use bottled water next year, as most of my time is spent day sailing.
I too have to put up with freezing weather. I decided to disconnect the fittings at the shut off valve in the bow and drain the water into a shallow pan from the valve. Pumping is impossible! Even with this there remains about 3 inches of water. I cut off the two retaining straps, removed the inlet and air tubes, and took the entire holding tank out. Its about a 1 hour job, but my 260 is free of water. Put it back together, seal up the threaded joints, buy 2 straps, and it is ready for next summer. Its not as difficult as it may sound. PS: I plan to use bottled water next year, as most of my time is spent day sailing.
P
Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Bob...wouldn't it be easier...
Just to wet vac the last of the water out of the tank? Two ways to do it--cost is about the same: install an inspection port (retrofit kits are available from WM etc for about $10) so you can open it an stick the wet vac hose in the tank...or buy an attachment hose for the wet vac that will fit through the inlet port.
Just to wet vac the last of the water out of the tank? Two ways to do it--cost is about the same: install an inspection port (retrofit kits are available from WM etc for about $10) so you can open it an stick the wet vac hose in the tank...or buy an attachment hose for the wet vac that will fit through the inlet port.
B
Bob Metz
peggy - probably the same effort
Yes Peggy, I considered that but we were expecting a deep freeze the same evening and I didn't have time to gather everything. Appreciate the reply!
Yes Peggy, I considered that but we were expecting a deep freeze the same evening and I didn't have time to gather everything. Appreciate the reply!
- Status
- Not open for further replies.