Is there an easy way to drain the fresh water system? There are hand pumps in the head and galley. I tried to insert a small hose into the water fill deck fitting & could not reach the tank.
Winterize water system
- Thread starter Kevin13821
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NO!
Oh you have a 260! Then you don't have a hot water heater. That the hardest part. Just pump all the water out and then run anti-freeze through the lines!
Oh you have a 260! Then you don't have a hot water heater. That the hardest part. Just pump all the water out and then run anti-freeze through the lines!
Drain it through all the faucets...then...
Add non-toxic potable marine/rv antifreeze to the tank in the amount needed according to directions on the jug and run that through the faucets until you see the antifreeze mixture coming out. Leave faucets open till spring. The sanitation system also requires winterizing...Do you have a portapotty or a marine toilet and separate holding tank?
Add non-toxic potable marine/rv antifreeze to the tank in the amount needed according to directions on the jug and run that through the faucets until you see the antifreeze mixture coming out. Leave faucets open till spring. The sanitation system also requires winterizing...Do you have a portapotty or a marine toilet and separate holding tank?
Kevin,
Last year to drain ours, I disconnected the hose from the bottom of the galley faucet and connected it to a drill powered pump to empty the tank. Easier and quicker than pumping the faucets by hand. I have done that also. Once empty, followed Peggie's advice for winterizing
Last year to drain ours, I disconnected the hose from the bottom of the galley faucet and connected it to a drill powered pump to empty the tank. Easier and quicker than pumping the faucets by hand. I have done that also. Once empty, followed Peggie's advice for winterizing
you can drain it from the hose to the galley
fawcet into a 5 gallon bucket on the cabin sole. take the hose off and put it into a bucket.Jack up the front of the trailer to speed things up. then reconnect, pump out the rest and add antifreeze per peggy.
fawcet into a 5 gallon bucket on the cabin sole. take the hose off and put it into a bucket.Jack up the front of the trailer to speed things up. then reconnect, pump out the rest and add antifreeze per peggy.
Draining Fresh Water Tanks
Here's an idea that really works: If you have a boat with a large fresh water tank and don't want to hand pump out or run your pressure water pump (if you have one), you can drain it simply by using a hose as a syphon. Once you boat is out of the water and on jackstands or trailer, insert a garden hose into the water tank. Connect the other end to a water supply. Fill up the HOSE and then shut off the water supply. Disconnect the hose from the water supply keeping the other end in your water tank. Bingo. All the water will drain out of the tank.
Here's an idea that really works: If you have a boat with a large fresh water tank and don't want to hand pump out or run your pressure water pump (if you have one), you can drain it simply by using a hose as a syphon. Once you boat is out of the water and on jackstands or trailer, insert a garden hose into the water tank. Connect the other end to a water supply. Fill up the HOSE and then shut off the water supply. Disconnect the hose from the water supply keeping the other end in your water tank. Bingo. All the water will drain out of the tank.
An "inspection port" to access the water?
I also tried inserting a hose through the filler, pumping through the galley sink tubing, but couldn't get all the water out of the tank. I'm concerned about getting all the antifreeze out in the spring. Has anyone thought of installing an "inspection port" in the top of the water tank. This would allow you to pump ALL the water, or more importantly, anti-freeze out of the tank from the top.
I also tried inserting a hose through the filler, pumping through the galley sink tubing, but couldn't get all the water out of the tank. I'm concerned about getting all the antifreeze out in the spring. Has anyone thought of installing an "inspection port" in the top of the water tank. This would allow you to pump ALL the water, or more importantly, anti-freeze out of the tank from the top.
Inspection port is a good idea
And easy to do if you have access to the top of the tank...retrofit kits are available from Beckson. However, only putting antifreeze in the tank won't protect your plumbing...you have to pump it through all the lines till the water is running pink...then leave all faucets open. So while an inspection port will help you empty the tank, it won't make spring recommissioning any easier. Recommissioning the system will remove all traces of it though.
And easy to do if you have access to the top of the tank...retrofit kits are available from Beckson. However, only putting antifreeze in the tank won't protect your plumbing...you have to pump it through all the lines till the water is running pink...then leave all faucets open. So while an inspection port will help you empty the tank, it won't make spring recommissioning any easier. Recommissioning the system will remove all traces of it though.
Beckson IPlate and 12 Volt Pump
I installed a small Beckson deck plate on the top of my fresh tank. In the fall I drop a small, 12 volt Rule 300 GPH pump into the tank and pump the water out the forward hatch. By the way, this is the same deck plate and pump that I installed, and use, when pumping out the water ballast tank. In both instances, they work great!
I installed a small Beckson deck plate on the top of my fresh tank. In the fall I drop a small, 12 volt Rule 300 GPH pump into the tank and pump the water out the forward hatch. By the way, this is the same deck plate and pump that I installed, and use, when pumping out the water ballast tank. In both instances, they work great!
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