Portable Tool for Emergency Winterization

Gherzig

We will be heading to Maine in September and the possibility of below freezing temps at night exists.  Any thoughts or experience with this type of tool for a quick remote blowout of the lines:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZTGF5BG/ref=sw_img_1?smid=A3H8B8K05X191&psc=1

Advice on other/better options are also appreciated.  

This unit permits you to set the psi and can work on either a 20v rechargeable battery or from a 12v outlet.

I also question as to the effectiveness of running the Alde along with heaters which have been installed on the tanks as an option.

Thanks for any advice.

Denny16

Small portable inflators are low volume, high pressure style compressors, designed to fill a tire.  To flush out your water lines, you need a low pressure, high volume type compressor (which has an air storage tank attached to it), typically used to power brad nail guns.  

That said, if you are using the camper, and have the Alde heat on, the only plumbing bits that needs draining are the fresh water tank, gray and black tanks, if it is going to get below 30F.   Just draining the tanks, and leaving the valves open will prevent freezing damage.  The Alde will keep the water lines (pipes) in the trailer from freezing.  

You can run the Alde with or without water in the hot water tank, without causing any damage.  

Cheers 

Sharon_is_SAM

@Gherzig - you can use a small compressor.  To increase the airflow and reduce the time to clear the water, some owners use a length of water hose to accumulate air.  Another owner (@Pintoplumber) simply drains the Alde tank, closes the Alde drain, pressurizes the system and blows out the lines.  

Can anyone remind me how to use the garden hose to this effect?

The Alde absolutely keeps the inside plumbing from freezing.  If you have tank heaters that are intact they should be fine.  Remember, a full tank of water takes a long time to freeze.  This has been discussed here:  

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/156894#Comment_156894

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/149533#Comment_149533

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/106557#Comment_106557

Horigan

Sharon_is_SAM said:

Can anyone remind me how to use the garden hose to this effect?

You need a schrader valve to male garden hose adapter, per the link below.  Connect a hose to the city water connector, the adapter to the other end of the hose, pressurize the hose and Tab system to 40 psi, then open each faucet/shower valve, to clear the lines.  Need to pressurize the hose several times to get it all well blown out.

https://www.amazon.com/Vibrant-Yard-Co-LLC-Inflation/dp/B09HYLX3R2/ref=pd_lpo_2?pd_rd_i=B09HYLX3R2&psc=1

Sharon_is_SAM

Thanks @Horigan!  I want to try this.  How long of a hose?

Horigan

I suspect 50' would be enough.  The less expensive thin walled version would probably store more energy/air.  Whatever you have around will work, it just may require more pressure cycles to be confident the water is out with a shorter hose.

dragonsdofly

@Sharon_is_SAM we've used a 50 ft hose. While STRANDED in Evanston, Wyoming back in 2018, we had a tiny palm sized 12V air pump, not a compressor with a tank. We used the 2 25 ft sections of water hose we had in lieu of a compressor tank. We pressurized the hose (took a while) to 40 psi using our adjustable water pressure guage and opened our faucets and lines one at a time. We made sure to blow out the toilet valve several times, and finally, the low point drains. The hose supplies a volume of air just as a compressor tank would. In a pinch, you use what you have. I can attest to our success as we had a successful winterization when we weren't initially prepared for it. Temps dropped from in the 70's°F to ‐10°F in less than 48 hrs. Our t@b plumbing is still intact, and we hope to keep it that way. -Denise

pthomas745

@Gherzig In this thread there is a video that shows the "use a garden hose attached to a bike pump" method of blowing out the lines.  The garden hose, the video points out, acts as a "tank" to hold air.  In this thread there are several smaller compressors mentioned.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/14349/portable-air-compressor

Here is the video from the thread.  The whole thing is worthwhile, but the garden hose/bike pump description starts at about the six minute mark.

https://youtu.be/Rf-DJCDPMkk?t=373

Sharon_is_SAM

Thanks everybody!  In the past we have simply repressurized multiple times for the toilet, and 2 sinks.  Has anyone else found the Alde tank as air accumulator to work?

ChanW

Yes, @Sharon_is_SAM. That's how I've done it, the Alde tank thing (without realizing it!). Now that you-all have pointed it out to me, I'm sure it'll work even better!
@Gherzig, I've used a small portable compressor when on the road in changing temps. But if it were me, I'd avoid that no-name compressor, and get one that will last more than one season.
Per @jkjenn's advice, I bought a Viair. They make very nice (albeit expensive) portable compressors.

Horigan

The Alde tank method wouldn't clear the cold water lines.

Sharon_is_SAM

Good point @Horigan.  

Pintoplumber

Is there a check valve on the cold water line entering the water heater?

Gherzig

Thank you for all this really good info.  I am wondering if the easiest protection is to carry a gallon or two of RV antifreeze and a short hose and just have the pump suck it into the system after draining the lines.  I purchased my 2021 400 in December.  The previous owner did not blow out the lines but did use the nautilus to suck in antifreeze.  No issues despite 15 below zero days this past winter.

Sharon_is_SAM

@Pintoplumber - no check valve on the Alde fill line which also allows you to empty the Alde water tank.

Pintoplumber

A pressurized air filled hot water tank would blow back through the cold water lines.

Sharon_is_SAM

Yes, which is why before you blow out any lines to winterize, you must make sure the Alde is turned off, cooled and empty.

ChanW

I was thinking the same. The Alde tank would act as an accumulator for the cold lines in any case.

Pintoplumber said:

A pressurized air filled hot water tank would blow back through the cold water lines.

Sharon_is_SAM

Why would it not also blow out the hot lines?

ChanW

@Sharon_is_SAM , I'm guessing @Pintoplumber was saying it would act as an accumulator for the whole system once the water's out of it, not only for the hot side.

Horigan said:

The Alde tank method wouldn't clear the cold water lines.

Pintoplumber said:

Is there a check valve on the cold water line entering the water heater?

No check-valve, thus:

@Pintoplumber said:

A pressurized air filled hot water tank would blow back through the cold water lines.

Sharon_is_SAM

Got it.  So, once the tank and lines fill with air, it will provide greater airflow to both the hot and cold lines.

Pintoplumber

ChanW said:

@Sharon_is_SAM , I'm guessing @Pintoplumber was saying it would act as an accumulator for the whole system once the water's out of it, not only for the hot side.

Horigan said:

The Alde tank method wouldn't clear the cold water lines.

Pintoplumber said:

Is there a check valve on the cold water line entering the water heater?

No check-valve, thus:

@Pintoplumber said:

A pressurized air filled hot water tank would blow back through the cold water lines.

Yes, without being contentious, I wanted to point out that you could blow out the cold lines in addition to the hot lines.

Pintoplumber

Now, in the spirit of full disclosure, I must confess I’ve never winterized our camper. We keep it in a heated garage. 

I was merely thinking as a plumber for winterizing using the hot water tank as an air storage tank.

Sharon_is_SAM

Well, I checked out ScottGs plumbing diagram for his 2016 TaB and it certainly looks like the accumulated air can move forward through the Alde to the hot lines and backward from the Alde to the cold lines.