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Topic Closedwinterizing an Rpod 178 - Event Date: 06 Apr 2021 - 12 Apr 2021

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Pod People View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Calendar Event: winterizing an Rpod 178
    Posted: 17 Apr 2021 at 4:38pm
Moving the switch closer makes the exhaust fans come on sooner and stay on longer. the switch is thermostatically controlled and is what activates the fan.  by coming on sooner and staying on longer, the fans  will evacuate more hot air quicker which will help the refrigerator cool better. Keeping the excess heat removed fro the rear compartment is vital for the fridge efficiency.
Vann

Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179
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jato View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Apr 2021 at 8:36pm
+1 to Vann.  I went 3 years struggling to get the fridge to work well in hotter climates.  Finally my brother came to the rescue and gave this great advice to move the switch closer to the exhaust stack - made all the difference!
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Apr 2021 at 5:57pm
Pod People (Vann)
I moved my switch closer to the cooling stack, so we will see if it makes a difference.  Since I have only used the trailer once since we got it, it might be hard to tell.  Is it warmer by the cooling stack than by the fins and that's why it kicks the fan on sooner?  Your brother is pretty smart to figure that out.  He should share that with Forest River.  Thanks for the tip.
Al
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Apr 2021 at 6:12pm
Jim
I thought I would let you know I blew out our RPod today and it went pretty well; I think Ouch.  When I got done, I looked at the pump filter/bowl and like you said, there was litterly one drop of water in it.  The reason I did blow it out was to learn how to do it, plus it is supposed to get down to 30 tonight and 28 tomorrow night (freezing or below for about 4 - 5 hours)  Figured this was a good time to learn.  Did you day you only add antifreeze to the sink drain in the kitchen and bathroom, add some to the shower drain and a little in the toilet to keep the seal from drying out?  You don't add any to your black or grey water tank, right?  I should be good.  I did drain the water heater, again just for practice.  With it heating, I don't think it would ever freeze in that compartment.  Stays pretty warm.  Thanks for all the tips in doing it this way.  Greatly appreciated.  Not much different than blowing out an irrigation system besides smaller Wink.  

I also texted you a picture of the new location for the bi-metal switch and seeing if I got it in a good location.  Thanks for that tip also.

We did go out camping Sun. night at a state park not too far from home.  The camper worked great.  Very comfy.  Still have a sensor on the black tank that says it is 1/3 full when it appears to be empty, so will have to see if I can get that freed up with a tank solution.  The duct work I put on my heater worked great.  Blows most of the hot air out into the camper, but still let a little stay under the bed.  I always like when an idea actually works.Tongue  Otherwise a good time.  Talk to you soon.

Do you still bike some?


Al M.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Apr 2021 at 7:19pm
Good job on using compressed air Al.  Good practice as you say.  With temps in upper 20's or 30 ish overnight you don't need to be overly concerned as long as the next day temps get above freezing and you are running heat in your 178 at night.

Don't be overly concerned about what the sensor shows as how full your tanks are; they are notoriously incorrect.  We go by starting with 1 full FW tank and about 4 gallons in the black tank when taking off.  Grey is empty.  When the FW tank is near or at empty it is time to drain the other two and start over.

Yes, I use a total of 16 oz. rv antifreeze for winterization.  2 sink traps, 1 shower trap, a skosh for the toilet.  I much prefer this to blowing out the irrigation at the golf course.  With 4 courses that is a lot of water to move even with a 375 cfm Sullair compresser!  And of course it is usually when temps are less than 40, rain and or snow, and lots of wind out of the north.  When all went well it was a 6 day test of endurance and patience.

Glad to hear about your heater duct working well, think I will have to copy that.  Still biking, yes, very enjoyable here in northern Michigan along Torch Lake, although now it is a bit nippy.  Currently using a Specialized Allez road bike, with the 2 water bottles full it weighs close to 20 lbs, that includes a few tools carried in a saddlebag under the seat in case of a flat - also carry a spare tube.  Sure is a lot lighter than the tandem we used for many years, a 1993 Trek 200, weighed in at 42 lbs and we both had Brook leather saddles.  With 4 full water bottles and tools it was closer to 48 lbs, but then again with two people it was a lot of fun.
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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