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DMT · 10-16-2011, 05:28 PM

Is it just me or do you need to be hanging upside down with three arms with two elbows each and a headlamp to get at the connections for the water pump? I'm about ready to cut the bottom out of the wardrobe so I can at least see what I'm doing. Seriously though AS must complete all the pump connections and then build the cabinets on top of the whole affair. No way it could be done otherwise!

Just finished winterizing and I'm still smiling. I read all the posts on blowing out the lines and then using the pump to suck anti-freeze from the bottle. Couldn't find a three way valve kit so I made up an adaptor to screw on to the suction of the pump and ran some Pex to dip in the jug. Not very flexible that Pex by the way. Anyway, with my co-pilot standing by with one hand hovering over the pump switch and the other at the kitchen faucet I inserted the Pex in the jug and yelled "Contact"! Worked great! The pump came on and I could see the strainer bowl fill with pink stuff. Pump kept going and it was working great. Pump still going. Jug now about 1/2 full and falling. Pump still sucking away. Something didn't feel right about this. Nobody mentioned this in the forum. Jug about 1/4. No sign of pump stopping. I can't move because I've got this Pex jammed in the anti-freeze jug. Wife gives me a blank look (she honestly believes I know what I am doing, bless her soul). "Turn off the pump! Turn off the pump!" I implore. OK, the pump is off, and I have about 1/8 of a gallon of anti-freeze left. Wrestle the Pex out of the jug and state the obvious "something must be turned on?". Sink? No. Bathroom? No. Shower? No. Water Heater by-pass wrong position? No. Walk outside and around the back to the other side. Pink stuff still running down the side and on the driveway from the outside shower. Gheese. The first time I had used the thing was only 20 minutes ago to blow out the lines. Stupid shower. Only good for washing the dog or rinsing your boots anyway, unless you like to shower outside, kneeling down next to the sewer outlet. Oh well, it gave us a chuckle anyway. Next year I'll find and buy the kit with the three way valve, and check all the faucets before I start!

masseyfarm · 10-16-2011, 05:52 PM

You did a good job.

Now you know the outside shower won't freeze. Many owners miss that flush.
You still need to get that "pink" through the other lines though, if you have any doubts that the air did not get all the water out. Don't forget the ptraps.
Have a good winter.
Dave

DMT · 10-16-2011, 06:09 PM

Pretty sure I got it all. After closing the outside shower I proceeded to open each faucet in turn and let the pink stuff run. Feeling pretty good I disconnected my jury-rigged contraption and restored the pump suction. Tally was one gallon wasted and one used. As I was putting the tools away this unbridled thought hit me - how did the pink stuff get in the hot water lines? I mean, I had the hot water tank bypassed, right? How was it supposed to fill the hot water lines, when the only faucets I turned on were the cold ones?

Back out to the trailer, on my back again wrestling with hooking up my jury-rigger contraption to the pump suction. Success, ran the pink stuff through the hot water lines and poured a bit in all the traps. Even stuck the air line in the outlet of the hot water tank drain to blow out the residual bits of standing water. Felt kinda smug knowing about that one (thanks forum!). Tally was one gallon of anti-freeze on the driveway and two gallons in the trailer tubing and p-traps. A bit wasteful I know but not bad for a first timer. Hey- I bought this thing to have fun with! Now all I need to do is hibernate until next April!

masseyfarm · 10-16-2011, 06:25 PM

Good to know that the job has been well done.

It should not get that cold there by the water?
Middle Cove , Newfoundland - Google Maps

We missed getting over to your Island in Oct. 2009, as the season was changing fast and we needed to get back to this Island on the west coast.

We do plan on getting there some time.

I have to go and see a guy I sold a Shell tire to for his little museum/coffee shop, Shell memorabilia, I believe is on the #1. I would have to go back and look it up.

Dave

noreen · 10-17-2011, 05:27 AM

The only thing harder to get to than the water pump is the bypass valves for the HW heater. Thank God for my "flexible" son. Sal.

jdalrymple · 10-17-2011, 06:16 AM

My 2009 27 FB has cabinet doors in front of the water pump and water heater both. The pump is below the wardrobe the water heater is under the vanity. The doors covering either don't have pulls of any kind. They almost tricked me, but they do open on hinges for complete access both appliances.

Regards,

Westfalia · 10-17-2011, 02:49 PM

Also noteworthy, the hinges will quick disconnect, allowing the doors to be removed for this service. The release is on the back side of the hinge and can be operated with just a finger.

This story has also reminded me to install an inline switch AT the pump for this kind of service.

Rust · 10-17-2011, 07:52 PM

I still can't believe I had to buy a kit to winterize with. This is my first airstream and would have sent them the $20.00 to have had it put on during the build.

George

masseyfarm · 10-17-2011, 10:06 PM

It's called "PROFIT MARGIN"

Dave

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rust

I still can't believe I had to buy a kit to winterize with. This is my first airstream and would have sent them the $20.00 to have had it put on during the build.

George

Bluto · 10-18-2011, 04:06 AM

DMT,
The little trap door in the wardrobe floor for access is in my opinion just for turning off and on the valve for the outside shower and is good for little else.
To gain better access to the pump and all that is under the wardrobe I took the bottom out and made a large trap door in the floor in addition to the small one AS installed and put the floor back in place.
Checking the pump, or doing any work under there now is a breeze.

ROBERT CROSS · 10-18-2011, 05:21 AM

I just got tired of emptying the closet to get to the FWP,(chastised for not re-packing correctly), three gallons AF in an empty FW tank and pump AF from there. DW is happy, I'm not happy 'til she is happy!!

Bob

COUNTRYSONG · 10-18-2011, 06:43 AM

I agree with the three arm monkey thing--- I do one additional thing -- Maybe not neccessary, but it makes me feel better - I dump at least 2 gallons of antifreeze in each -- the grey and black tank -- plus what ever I have pumped in there while filling the lines --- antifreeze is cheap -- labor and parts in JC is not..
Countrysong

Airtandem · 10-18-2011, 08:09 AM

DON'T FORGET TO FLUSH THE TOILET!! Water will hang up in there and the valve is expensive. Don't ask.

mike

DMT · 10-18-2011, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluto

DMT,
The little trap door in the wardrobe floor for access is in my opinion just for turning off and on the valve for the outside shower and is good for little else.
To gain better access to the pump and all that is under the wardrobe I took the bottom out and made a large trap door in the floor in addition to the small one AS installed and put the floor back in place.
Checking the pump, or doing any work under there now is a breeze.

There's a valve to shut off the shower?