Yahoo Message Number: 13509 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/13509)
Our 04 Allure #31011 (manufactured 9/03) was delivered with the "pink" antifreeze in the Hydro Hot system. According to the manufacturer's specs, any antifreeze added to the system should be replenished with a GRAS (generally recognized as safe) propeylene glycol antifreeze. I assume the GRAS spec is applicable because the Hydro Hot water heating system interfaces with the coach fresh water system and there is some conceivable (but improbable) way in the event of a heating system component failure, contamination of the fresh water system could occur.
I found this antifreeze product readily available through local plumbing supply and HVAC distributors. Ours is labeled CAMCO boiler antifreeze, product #30027. It seems to be widely used in residential and commercial hyrdronic or hot water water heating systems.
As I recall, I paid about $5.00 a gallon for it. It is mixed 50/50 with fresh water. In over a year, I have needed to add less than a quart of the mixture to my Hyrdo Hot system.
We're in the mountains in Asheville NC at the moment... it 34 outside and toasty warm in the coach. The Hydro system does a great job... and it's certainly easier to find diesel fuel than LP gas.
Ralph Newman
Yahoo Message Number: 13535 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/13535)
"pink" antifreeze in the
antifreeze added to the
safe) propeylene
Hydro Hot water
there is some conceivable
failure, contamination
plumbing supply and HVAC
#30027. It seems to be
water heating systems.
with fresh water. In over a
Hyrdo Hot system.
outside and toasty warm in
easier to find diesel fuel
Hey Ralph --
Jim Mercer here in Albuquerque, with '04 Allure 31070. You're a bit smarter that I was. I ordered a gallon of the exact same anti-freeze (CAMCO #30027)that you did from Vehicle Systems, the folks that make Hydro Hot. It cost me a bit more because of shipping, not to mention the fact that about a day after I received it, I found out there's a Grainger outlet about 2 miles from my house.
When my Hydo-Hot quit working in Flagstaff due to low coolant level, Country Coach tech support told me I could buy the stuff at True Value or Grainger. However, it appears True Value never keeps it in stock, so it takes a week or so to special order.
Michael of Vehicle Systems said you should always keep the system completely full. To do that, fill it up when the system is cold, cap it, then start it up so the boiler heats up. Then, add enough anti-freeze to the overflow tank so that it comes up the the "full when hot" level. Michael says it sometimes takes quite awhile for the air to get worked out of all the nooks and crannies of the system once it is assembled and working.
NOTE: Michael says in a pinch, you can just add tap water if you must to get it working to save you from freezing to death! Chances are you won't dilute the concentration enough to impact the temperature at which the unit becomes unuseable. I think he said they plan on a 60/40 mix, but I forget which is water and which is anti-freeze.
Anyway, hope this helps.
Yahoo Message Number: 13548 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/13548)
.. My 2004 Allure 31028 has written on the over flow tank, use propylene Glycol antifreeze and it was filled with the "pink" stuff when I purchased it. Bought a gallon at Walmart for a couple of bucks (it is the type used to winterize the fresh water system) and mixed it 50/50 as indicated in the instructions. Have been using it to keep the system topped off for about a year with no proplems.
Works for me. Terry P.
the
50/50
certainly
bit
freeze
make
mention
a
level,
Value
stock,
cap
the
once
must
you
Yahoo Message Number: 13551 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/13551)
Terry,
You probably voided your warranty, the pink stuff at Walmart is NOT boiler anti-freeze. I wouldn't make that comment to Hydro-Hot if you ever have to talk to them.
Tom
04 Allure 30979
stuff
and
it
Yahoo Message Number: 13553 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/13553)
I agree. After talking to Vehicle Systems directly, they made it very clear to me that they did not want anything other than the approved solution put in their system. And they seemed to have a pretty good idea what negative affects would result if that happened. Keep your fingers crossed.
Jim Mercer