Blowing out water lines
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8881
Printed Date: 25 May 2024 at 8:30am
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Topic: Blowing out water lines
Posted By: IdahoBoy
Subject: Blowing out water lines
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2016 at 2:50pm
| Is it really necessary to blow out the water lines when winterizing when I will be pumping anti-freeze through the system anyway? I don't have easy access to an air compressor so I hope I can get away without it. |
Replies:
Posted By: Pete Brayton
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2016 at 2:57pm
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I used antifreeze last year without blowing out the lines first, so yes you can get away without it. Here is the online manual set up by techntrek that includes winterizing procedures: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723&title=creating-an-instruction-maintenance-manual
------------- 2021 Rpod 196 2013 Ford 150 V8 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2016 at 7:40pm
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As long as you drain first, the small amount of water remaining should not dilute the antifreeze to much.
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Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2016 at 9:45pm
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I agree. Blowing out the lines and antifreeze is kind of like a belt and suspenders. The key is keeping the antifreeze as undiluted as possible and getting that stuff into everywhere that can freeze and break. Make sure the pink stuff runs out of all of the outlets including the toilet, and in Idaho, put a good dose in all the traps. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: IdahoBoy
Date Posted: 08 Oct 2016 at 10:29am
| Thanks for all the great information. It seemed like overkill to blow out the lines. If I had easy access to a compressor I would do it anyway rather than take any chances, but since I don't I'll just make certain everything is well drained and the anti-freeze is at full strength. |
Posted By: IPPOD
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2016 at 10:35am
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Idaho Boy,
I use a yard pack sprayer w/ rv antifreeze in it after draining the system. Seems to work fine here where the rig sees -30f at times. ------------- IPPOD 177=2013 Grand Cherokee 2014 5.7 Island Park, Id |
Posted By: Kantuckid
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2016 at 1:39pm
| I have the air fitting to blow out lines from another trailer. Does this do the job without using antifreeze? the traps are a different story-will they get damaged in rpod from no antifreeze? |
Posted By: Don Halas
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2016 at 3:16pm
| This is my second winterizing. Dealer told me that they use compressed air only to blow out lines. I drained the hot water tank by removing the anode. Blew out all hot/cold water taps and the toilet and removed low points. I ran the water pump while running the compressed air through the lines. I put about a cup of antifreeze in the sinks, and the toilet bowl. |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2016 at 5:17pm
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Have used compressed air in our 2011 177 since the winter of 2012 with no problems. Have done the same as Mr. Halas in that you drain your HW tank by removing the anode, next is to turn your 3 valves to bypass the hot water tank, then blow out the water lines, this takes about 1 minute (to blow out the lines). Haven't bothered with the low drain points since the first time I did this, they only had about 1/4 teaspoon of water in each. Finish by using 1 pint total antifreeze in the 2 sink and 1 shower trap.
------------- 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." |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2016 at 4:39pm
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I would add that if you decide to blow out the water lines, you will not need a compressor. A hand operated bicycle pump will do the job just fine. Use the blow out cap available at RV stores , screw it onto the city water connection and use the bike pump to blow out the water lines. Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: IdahoBoy
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2016 at 7:27pm
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How crucial is it to remove the anode in the hot water heater? |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2016 at 8:48pm
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I don't think removing the anode rod is critical at all, per se. It's important to get as much water as possible out of the water heater and probably the easiest, best, way to do that is to remove the rod. You can then put it back in. If you're confident of getting as much water out of the water heater some other way, the results would be the same. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2016 at 9:08pm
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One advantage of removing the anode rod is that you get to check the condition of it. We have had our Pod 11 months. I have had the anode rod out after every major trip. We are still on the anode rod that came with the Pod. Suburban says to replace when 75% of the anode rod is gone. I took and weighed a new one. I then weighed the one that is being used. It is currently still over 50% of the weight of a new one, so I figure it is good for a while longer. While it is out, I flush the water heater out to get the sediment out. I use new Teflon tape and put it back in so it will be ready for the next trip. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2016 at 9:34pm
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Anode rod should last a long time, except when owner (me) forgot to open the 3 bypass valves and then turn the hot water tank on. That anode lasted maybe 15 seconds. Since then (April 2011) I have been on the same anode rod, only use well water, maybe that is why it is lasting as long as it has, no chemicals in it like what municipal water contains.
------------- 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." |
Posted By: IdahoBoy
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2016 at 9:40pm
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So there is a hot water low point drain on my 2016 172. Is that not adequate to drain the hot water tank? |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2016 at 9:47pm
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I don't believe that is tied to the hot water tank, only the hot water lines. Quite easy to put a socket on the hot water anode, drain, and re-install.
------------- 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." |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2016 at 11:02pm
I agree, also with the comment that this is a good opportunity to check the condition of the anode. The only thing to remember is to relieve the pressure from the hot water heater by either turning off the water and opening the hot water faucet at the sink or by opening the relief valve on the water heater. Removing the anode under pressure can result in a dangerous projectile or a face full of water. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2016 at 11:26pm
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Been there, done that, got the wet tee shirt (and face full of water). At least it was cold as I had turned the heater off a couple of days before I removed the anode rod.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2016 at 9:10pm
Anode rod is not the same as the heater element. The latter is what will blow right away if there is no water in the tank. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 04 Nov 2016 at 6:08am
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Doug, you are absolutely correct . . . . as usual. I meant to say heater element but didn't. Anyway, thank you for correcting my goof. I am still on my original anode rod AND since I replaced my heater element in April 2011, that is still good as well. ------------- 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." |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2016 at 6:44pm
I figured, just wanted to be sure.  ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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