I am trying to develop methods of reducing this flavor after
dewinterization. I try to drain as much antifreeze from the lines before
watering the unit and I flush until clear. I have replumbed an accumulator
tank to hold back less fluid. We went through almost the whole tank this
weekend and still the coffee had that flavor. I probably will never be able
to eliminate the need for jugged water, but I would like to be able to pack
fewer than three for a weekend.
Does the city water line hold antifreeze?
John Andrews - 03 Mar 2008 00:00 GMT
> I am trying to develop methods of reducing this flavor after
> dewinterization. I try to drain as much antifreeze from the lines before
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Does the city water line hold antifreeze?
As I understand it, you should flush the water system including
the fresh water tank with baking soda solution, then drain and
flush with clean water.
I don't do that because Mrs. A will only drink or cook with
bottled water, so we have jugs.
Your owners manual should give instructions for your rig.
John Andrews, Knoxville, Tennessee
Steve Calvin - 03 Mar 2008 00:20 GMT
>> I am trying to develop methods of reducing this flavor after
>> dewinterization. I try to drain as much antifreeze from the lines
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> John Andrews, Knoxville, Tennessee
Well, let's see how many "shots" this gets... ;-)
Depending on how your unit was winterized it will need to be
de-winterized. If you used non-toxic RV antifreeze (and I
hope you did!) you need to run fresh water through the
entire system until all traces of antifreeze are gone. To
remove it from the 12-volt water pump add water to the fresh
water-holding tank, turn the pump on and open all water
faucets. When the antifreeze is out of the system turn the
pump off and take the water heater out of the by-pass mode
(if applicable). Re-install any water filter cartridges you
removed for storage.
Then I like to sanitize the water system. Make sure all of
the drains are closed and drain plugs are installed. Take a
quarter cup of regular household bleach for every fifteen
gallons of water your fresh water tank holds. Mix the bleach
with water into a one-gallon container and pour it into the
fresh water holding tank. Fill the fresh water holding tank
completely full of water. Turn the water pump on and open
all faucets, run water until you smell the bleach. Close the
faucets and let it sit for at least twelve hours. Drain all
of the water and re-fill the tank with fresh water. Turn the
pump on and open all faucets until you no longer smell
bleach. It may be necessary to repeat this process to
eliminate all signs of the bleach.
While you're waiting for it to disinfect, the system will be
under preasure. Inspect everything for leaks, inside and
out. Don't forget to run and check the toilet too.
Dan Listermann - 03 Mar 2008 01:28 GMT
> Depending on how your unit was winterized it will need to be
> de-winterized. If you used non-toxic RV antifreeze (and I hope you did!)
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> water heater out of the by-pass mode (if applicable). Re-install any water
> filter cartridges you removed for storage.
That is what I always do. The only way I have found so far that works is to
get a full hook up and give the system a real flushing.
Anybody know if the shuttle valve will let anti-freeze through?
Will Sill - 03 Mar 2008 13:36 GMT
Someone wrote:
>> I am trying to develop methods of reducing this flavor after
>> dewinterization.
If the system is winterized correctly and then "unwinterized"
properly, there will be no detectable taste/odor/flavor. See below
The most common causes of taste complaints arise from incomplete or
wrong-sequence flushing, though a few fail to bypass the water heater.
Using air to winterize avoids the problem but has serious risks and
simply won't work if residues of water are trapped.
To winterize *most* rigs the right way:
DRAIN water tank & water heater
BYBASS water heater
CONNECT pump inlet via hose to jug of pink stuff (use tee/valve)
PUMP AF into pipes 'til it comes outa faucets (and shower, toilet)
DUMP holding tanks
For more detailed, illustrated winterizing information see
Les Doll's Painless Winterizing, at The RVer's Corner,
<http://www.rverscorner.com/articles/painless.html>.
In very mild climates you can get away without winterizing at all.
Some get by using compressed air, a few by just draining. But
if you want to be fairly sure of NEVER having to fix split plumbing
parts, the above system is as easy and foolproof as we know about.
NOTE: Crucial to this question---- When "un-winterizing", flush the
pipes with water BEFORE placing WH bypass valves back to normal.
Will Sill
The self-appointed Curmudgeon of Sill Hill
Hustlin' Hank - 03 Mar 2008 19:47 GMT
> Someone wrote:
> >> I am trying to develop methods of reducing this flavor after
[quoted text clipped - 35 lines]
> Will Sill
> The self-appointed Curmudgeon of Sill Hill
I always make sure a little AF gets into both holding tanks after I
dump them. I have even ran out of RV AF and used windshield washer
fluid with AFin the holding tanks.
Isn't it a little late to worry about if the winterization process was
done correctly?
Hank <~~~~doesn't procrastinate
CruzMastr - 03 Mar 2008 02:25 GMT
I'm not usre you can ever get all the taste out of the plastic lines. Next
time try "dry winteriation" instead. It's cheaper and eliminates using RV
antifreeze in everything but the drain traps. When we bought our first TT
the dealer did it that way. I asked why he didn't pump the water lines full
of antifreeze "like everyone else" and he pointed out that air will never
freeze unless we're all dead already. I've followed that method for 16 years
thru TT and now our MHA. So far have never had a problem.
CruzMastr
>I am trying to develop methods of reducing this flavor after
>dewinterization. I try to drain as much antifreeze from the lines before
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Does the city water line hold antifreeze?
Hustlin' Hank - 03 Mar 2008 10:31 GMT
> I am trying to develop methods of reducing this flavor after
> dewinterization. �I try to drain as much antifreeze from the lines before
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Does the city water line hold antifreeze?
IF you flushed your system as per the advice of the other posters,
then do this:
Many coffee pots get a Plasticy taste to them occasionally. It may not
be the water. Run "White Vinegar" thru the coffee pot, then flush
again with known good water and see if that helps.
Hank <~~~coffee-holic
RBrumfield - 03 Mar 2008 18:15 GMT
> I am trying to develop methods of reducing this flavor after
> dewinterization. I try to drain as much antifreeze from the lines before
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Does the city water line hold antifreeze?
I have discovered that many people neglect to let the anti-freeze out
of the low-point drains. Also remember the outside shower if you have
one as well as the city water back-flow valve.
Dan Listermann - 03 Mar 2008 20:22 GMT
>> I am trying to develop methods of reducing this flavor after
>> dewinterization. I try to drain as much antifreeze from the lines before
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> of the low-point drains. Also remember the outside shower if you have
> one as well as the city water back-flow valve.
I always drain the low points. I do this during the winterizing process to
recover the anti freeze. I figure that it has done it job of removing the
water from the lines and is no longer needed. When dewinterizing, I open
them up again just to be sure some more has not sloshed its way down there.
I am wondering about the city water line though. I would have expected the
shuttle valve to prevent back flow into that line, but maybe not. It would
not be much to hook the hose up to that and give it a blast while watering.
Captain Conservative Ph.d - 03 Mar 2008 20:04 GMT
> I am trying to develop methods of reducing this flavor after
> dewinterization. I try to drain as much antifreeze from the lines before
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Does the city water line hold antifreeze?
Facetiously, if it didn't cost so much, it would be nice to use Scotch
for RV anti-freeze.
Steve Calvin - 03 Mar 2008 20:27 GMT
> Facetiously, if it didn't cost so much, it would be nice to use Scotch
> for RV anti-freeze.
Man, you've got my vote! If you ever need help opening it up
in the spring, give a yell! :D
--
Steve