Freezing Water Tanks

[Yorkcov]

Hi All

I'm going to pick up my first motorhome (2008 Murvi Morello) the weekend after next in Portsmouth and was planning to spend a week or so camping down there so that if any problems crop up I can return to the dealer easily. Then I see the temperature is likely to plummet and we could have freezing conditions by then. How low a temperature can I safely continue to use the fresh water tank (the back corner not near a heater) and the waste tank (underneath) without them freezing and causing damage?

Any advice to a newbie would be appreciated.

Alan

 

[Yorkcov]

If the fresh water tank is internal should be fine ! Waste tank just leave the drain open and you should have no problems !

Isn't leaving the drain open a bit anti-social if wilding on car parks etc>?

 

[Nolly]

Isn't leaving the drain open a bit anti-social if wilding on car parks etc>?

Try putting a bucket under it.

Regards nolly.

 

[Tbear]

Always difficult to say. If its going down to one or two degrees for an hour or so then you should be OK but if we constantly low then best to store water inside and let waste empty into bucket as said before.

Hope you enjoy new van. Make sure you have plenty of propane (Red) gas.

Richard

 

[maingate]

Onboard fresh water tanks are often under seats or in cupboards and sometimes do not get direct heat. If it is below zero, try to leave a small gap to the living area to allow some warmth around it. I used my van for work and often had cold winter nights. I never had a problem with fresh water and as has been said, stick a bucket under the waste water outlet.

Before you start your trip home, drain off your tanks and make sure that you open all taps (mixer one to the mid point position). Ensure all drain cocks are open as a new boiler is expensive. The journey home should shake out every last drop of water. If you intend stopping for a break, carry a small amount of water in a container.

 

[Deleted member 8180]

After draining down I pull the water pump fuse. The last little bit of water in the pump can freeze and stop it working. If you then accidently turn on a tap the pump will burn out...

 

[Channa]

A bit of car antifreeze in the waste tank ?

No idea if it socially acceptable, but certainly a precribed feature of ours and other companies shut down procedure.

Channa

 

[Deleted member 8180]

I used to do that, then I fitted a separate switch. Good point though if no switch.

My water system has it's own switch, however you can't accidently put the fuse back in...

 

[Viktor]

IWE 8700 is a high quality, food and beverage grade mono propylene glycol based antifreeze coolant with additional corrosion and scale inhibitors added. IWE 8700 is designed for use in the food and beverage industries and for systems where low oral toxicity is essential. IWE 8700 contains non-toxic multi-metal inhibitors to protect chillers and their associated cooling systems against corrosion and scale inorder to maximise heat transfer properties of the system. IWE 8700 offers excellent frost protection characteristics. A food grade tracer dye can be added to IWE 8700 allowing it to act as a leak detector. A bitter taste additive also can also be added to IWE 8700 to prevent human consumption where required. Pack size 25kg

I Googled it but have no idea of the price as you have to contact them for it. Somehow I expect you won't be able to buy it in
domestic use sizes.

 

[Deleted member 12539]

Last winter the 'van water froze in our taps, causing a frozen icicle !!!!!
Thank fully, no damage, but I shall be ensuring that does not happen this year!!

 

[Deleted member 3011]

two types of winterizing common in the us and it seems as if drinking water source is a major reason for choosing one or the other. Those who use their on-board supply for drinking water would prefer not to use the antifreeze and instead drain the system thoroughly and use air to blow all the water out of the pipes. Those who buy bottled water, would likely lean towards using antifreeze - but their rigs are piped up so make it easier. Pump inlet changeover so as to be able to suck antifreeze out of the bottle and water heater bypass taps so you don't have to fill the water heater which is drained by removing a plug. Water filters also have bypasses on them and washing machines and ice-makers require special attention.
At the end of the winter the whole system is flushed out several times with clean water to get rid of all traces of antifreeze.

Personally, I can't see the need for antifreeze as I can completely drain the water system in about the same time (there are fresh water tank and hot and cold low-point drains fitted to make it easier) and then there is no need to worry about taste or other problems from using the antifreeze. I do add antifreeze to the "u"-traps though plus some extra to protect the waste tank drain valves.