blowing out the pipes

Lil'Darlin1972 · 02-09-2007, 05:07 PM

<span class="ev_code_PURPLE">We are going to fill the water tanks next week when we go to Missouri. Once we get back we are going to need to winterize again. I was wondering what you all use to blow the air out of the pipes. Would an air compressor be too powerful ?? Is there something special I need to get for that job ??</span>

Lil'Darlin1972 · 02-09-2007, 05:07 PM

<span class="ev_code_PURPLE">We are going to fill the water tanks next week when we go to Missouri. Once we get back we are going to need to winterize again. I was wondering what you all use to blow the air out of the pipes. Would an air compressor be too powerful ?? Is there something special I need to get for that job ??</span>

smlranger · 02-09-2007, 05:13 PM

I use a small compressor but you need to set the regulator to not exceed about 50 psi. You can get a gizmo to do this from most any place that sells camping/RV stuff....I think I've seen them at Walmart. It is a white plastic threaded fitting that has a fitting on it similar to a tire valve. You screw it into your water inlet, connect the air hose, and blow out the lines.

Don't forget your sink and shower traps. You can use a shop vac hose on the blower side to blow the water out of the traps or just pour some RV antifreeze into the traps.

Hope the MO trip is a great one!

jimandsue60 · 02-09-2007, 05:43 PM

Does your sightseer have a winterizing valve that will suck up rv antifreeze.

Jim

Y-Guy · 02-09-2007, 06:13 PM

The Sightseer manual walks you through this, I think the PSI recommendation was like 35 PSI.

Our dealer also said to use some RV Antifreeze to suck into the pump since water is left in the pump after being blown out. Enough water that if it were to freeze and expand it could do damage.

After our December trip I blew the lines and the used antifreeze as recommended plus added some to the P-trpas.

"007" · 02-09-2007, 11:52 PM

Have always opened low point drains, water heater, tanks, than pump RV anti thru all piping, showers inside and out and at toilets. Do piping for washer if you have one and pour it down all traps. Ice maker just drain tubing and dry out ice tray no anti.

GG1 · 02-10-2007, 02:39 AM

The the white blow out fitting should have been with the box of goodies from the factory.

gMw · 02-10-2007, 04:51 AM

If you use a compressor to blow-out the pipes, the compressor should be the type that doesn't have an oil reservoir, or it should have a filter that removes oil from the air...

I take a different approach, I open the freshwater tank drain, open the faucets, and open the low point drains, then take the Journey for a short drive, I feel it helps drain the freshwater tank. When I get home, I park Journey in the street, which in our case puts the front higher than the rear, rear being where the water drains are. With the drain valves and faucets still open, I let gravity do some of the work. Next, I connect a wet vac to the outside drains (draining the hot water tank separately). Once I can hear air moving freely through the pipes, I close the dump valves and use the fresh water pump to pump anti freeze through the system, paying attention to all the 'other' usual steps, which I haven't included here for witerizing the traps, icemaker, washer, and so forth..