[A/S] Winterizing

["George Butler" <gbb132000@xxxxxxxxx>]

OK - how about a topic less depressing than leaky windows??

The Airstream manual suggests that you should bypass the fresh tank
when winterizing; they tell you to disconnect the pump inlet that
comes from the fresh tank to the pump, and attach a flex hose to the
pump so as to pull antifreeze directly from the jug into the pump. 
This avoids putting antifreeze into the fresh tank, which makes sense,
because it would take a lot of rinsing to get the fresh tank free of
chemicals.

A bit easier said than done; for one thing you have to find the right
kind of fittings to mate the flex hose to the pump; plus you spill
water when diconnecting the pipe, plus unscrewing and moving the pipes
and fittings puts other connections under strain.

(bear in mind that we live in Atlanta, so it is mild enough that we
will use the unit off and on all year, but it does freeze here, so we
have to winterize when it is parked.  so we might have to winterize
three or four times per year, if we are lucky enough to use the unit
that much)

What I was thinking was to re-plumb the feed line from the fresh tank
to the pump with a "T" fitting and a couple of valves so I could do
all this without disconnecting anything.

Comming from the tank, the first thing in line would be a valve that I
could close so as to isolate the tank from the pump.  Then the "T"
fitting.  One side of the "T" would lead to another valve, and then to
three or four feet of flex tube.  This valve could be opened so as to
pull in antifreeze from a jug, and then closed when done.  The other
end of the "T" fitting would lead on to the pump.

This way I could either pull fresh water from the tank in normal
operation, or pull antifreeze from the jug to winterize.  All I'd have
to do is open one valve and close the other.

Any thoughts?

George Butler