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winterizing and air compressor questions

Yahoo Message Number: 6930
Another boring question about winterizing and I hope the group wil endulge me.
I receive all my messages from the group by email so they're not numbered, so if these "basic questions' have already been answered, I do apologize, but I can't reaccess them for review.

Here goes.....

This is the first year I'm winterized myself. I just got a nice little air compressor Sears and plan to run about 40 to 50 PSI into the system.

Here's what I don't understand about blowing out the system.
I have a 36' Intrigue - 2002. I've drained water from the fresh water holding tank and other areas by opening the three "low point" valves located next to my service bay. I followed CC advice and ran the pump for about 5 sec when water finally stopped draining from the tiny 1/2 inch drain tubing from the fresh water holding tank. Then, I released the pressure valve on the hot water tank and removed the white drain plug. Next, I turned off water from the ice maker and disconnected the tubing to allow the while supply line to drain. I then turned on the washer/dryer to "fill" and ran it abit until no water came out.

I forgot to remove the water filter so that's coming next.
Now I understand it's time to blow out the system with compressed air.
My question is about blowing out the lines with my air compresor. Before blowing air into the system, do I close ALL open valves, faucets, low point drains, etc. to make the system a closed system, then apply air pressure at 40-50 PSI and open faucets one at a time, or do I open everything up at the same time and let air fill the entire system? If faucets, etc. are opened one at a time, isn't it possible for water to run from one area to the next as sequential areas are opened? And what about the water pump. Do I turn the water pump on while blowing compressed air into the fresh water line? Do I leave the water pump off?
Any answers today would be appreciated. I'm working on it now and cold weather is in the forecast.

Thanks everyone
Tom

Re: winterizing and air compressor questions

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 6931
Quote
My question is about blowing out the lines with my air compresor. Before blowing
air into the system, do I close ALL open valves, faucets, low point drains, etc. to make the system a closed system, then apply air pressure at 40-50 PSI and open faucets one at a time, or do I open everything up at the same time and let air fill the entire system? If faucets, etc. are opened one at a time, isn't it possible for water to run from one area to the next as sequential areas are opened? And what about the water pump. Do I turn the water pump on while blowing compressed air into the fresh water line? Do I leave the water pump off?



Close all faucets, close the (4) low point drains and reinstall the water heater plug, etc., pressurize the system and then open each faucet ( both hot and cold sides) until you get only air (and maybe a little moisture). Then close faucet and go to the next one. Also cycle valves on toilet, Ice maker and washer if installed. When I pressure the system I also take out the water heater plug to blow out the line to the water heater.

In my 36 foot 2000 Allure I have 3 low point drains behind the panel in the sanitary bay and one low point drain behind a panel on the rear wall of the small wet bay just in front of the passenger side rear tires.

Dick

2000 Allure 30592

Re: winterizing and air compressor questions

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 6932
One other recommendation.

Some one else suggested making up screw on fitting for the air compressor connection to the city water inlet value
At Lowes I purchased a male garden hose 3/4 inch to a 1/2 reducing fitting and a 1/2 to 1/4 inch fitting, to which i screwed on a male 1/4 air hose quick connect fitting.
I set my air compressor regulator at 40 lbs pressure and leave it connected and It makes it a lot easier to maintain pressure in the system.

Re: winterizing and air compressor questions

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 6933
Dick.

Thank you very very much!!!

Do you have a washer/dryer? If so, do you take care of it the same as I do?
In previous motor homes the toilet had a separate water on/off valve. If there is one on my Intrigue I can't find it and there's nothing in the manual about its location.

Suggestions?

Thanks again.
Tom

Re: winterizing and air compressor questions

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7018
Tom,

Air pressure should be less than 40 lbs if possible, even 30 lbs would do the trick. I close all facutes and drains and them pressurize the system. Then I open them one at a time, hot and cold until no water comes out. Water will be forced to that opening and out. I am not sure about the Refrigarator's ice maker. You will need to connect it to AC to get the Ice maker to cycle.

Hope that helps.
Paul

Quote from: Thomas Sims
Another boring question about winterizing and I hope the group wil

endulge me.

Quote
>

I receive all my messages from the group by email so they're not
numbered, so if these "basic questions' have already been answered, I do apologize, but I can't reaccess them for review.

Quote
>

Here goes.....

This is the first year I'm winterized myself. I just got a nice
little air compressor Sears and plan to run about 40 to 50 PSI into the system.

Quote
>

Here's what I don't understand about blowing out the system.

I have a 36' Intrigue - 2002. I've drained water from the fresh
water holding tank and other areas by opening the three "low point" valves located next to my service bay. I followed CC advice and ran the pump for about 5 sec when water finally stopped draining from the tiny 1/2 inch drain tubing from the fresh water holding tank.
Then, I released the pressure valve on the hot water tank and removed the white drain plug. Next, I turned off water from the ice maker and disconnected the tubing to allow the while supply line to drain. I then turned on the washer/dryer to "fill" and ran it abit until no water came out.

Quote
>

I forgot to remove the water filter so that's coming next.

Now I understand it's time to blow out the system with compressed

air.

Quote
>

My question is about blowing out the lines with my air compresor.
Before blowing air into the system, do I close ALL open valves, faucets, low point drains, etc. to make the system a closed system, then apply air pressure at 40-50 PSI and open faucets one at a time, or do I open everything up at the same time and let air fill the entire system? If faucets, etc. are opened one at a time, isn't it possible for water to run from one area to the next as sequential areas are opened? And what about the water pump. Do I turn the water pump on while blowing compressed air into the fresh water line? Do I leave the water pump off?

Quote
>

Any answers today would be appreciated. I'm working on it now and
cold weather is in the forecast.