Winterizing water system

[William Kirch]

I have a h-34, 1983 model. I went to winterize the water system and ran into a problem.1. I drained the system by running the pressure system.2. Added 5 gallons of anti-freeze to the water system.3. Cold water worked well-ran till I got the anti-freeze to flow out of faucet.4. The hot water faucets first drained a lot of clear water and then stopped.5. I added 2 more gallons to the water system but still nothing.The pressure pumps but no anti-freeze or water comes out of the hot or cold.Question-should I add more anti-freeze to the tank say 3-5 gallons or is their some other procedure.Any help would be appreciated.Bill Kirch

 

[Clyde Lichtenwalner]

Bypass Water Heater

Don't fill your water heater with antifreeze. Drain it and by pass it by using a plastic hose to connect the water heater inlet to the outlet. The water heater may be left empty for the winter. Antifreeze from the cold water system will fill the hot water system and you will be fine. Don't forget, there are two water tanks. Both have to have a few gallons of antifreeze in them. It will take six gallons (or more)of antifreeze to fill the hot water heater and a long time to work it through in the spring. It will be a lot easier if it is left empty for the winter.

 

[Bruce]

Clyde's right

Not only does it take 6 gallons of anti freeze to fill the hot water tank, but it takes forever to de-winterize it. I disconnect the two hoses to the tank and connect a short section of hose (long enough to make the 180 degree bend and with male connectors) to them which bypasses the tank. Siphon out the water left in the tank (I use the same vacuum tank I use to change the oil but with a clean hose) and you will have the fresh water system winterized. After draining your two water tanks it should not take too much antifreeze to protect your hoses and the bottom of the tanks where there is always some residual water.

 

[John K Kudera]

Street Connection?

I don't know if your boat also has a connection to connect a hose from dockside to provide water without running the water pump, but if it does, you also need to romove the cap and activate the pump to winterize that hose with anti freeze.Johnsv 50/50, Forked River NJ