How to flush your fresh water system without using the Pink stuff

[mrsrobinson]

From this thread: http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php...fill-pipes-with-an.111119/page-3#post-1361231

1. Buy this: https://www.amazon.com/Winterizing-Sprinkler-Blowout-Adapter-valve/dp/B07ZSF8Z57/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=XO5PP8OYE23K&keywords=Air+Compressor+Water+Blow+Out+Adapter&qid=1664567856&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMS4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjEuMDAifQ==&s=hi&sprefix=air+compressor+water+blow+out+adapter,tools,111&sr=1-2-spons&psc=1&tag=affinity1-20&ascsubtag=srctok-bc4f9bd96e1af94a&btn_ref=srctok-bc4f9bd96e1af94a
2. Turn Fresh Water Pump On
3. Empty fresh water tank by opening all fresh water lines/faucets. Open the furthest valve away from the pump to drain out the tank. Then work your way back to the closest. As mentioned in the other thread, let sit for a while and then re-blow out the lines again, while you empty the pump
4. Turn Fresh Water Pump Off
5. Attach #1 to the boats dock water inlet
6. Attach it to compressor
7. Set compressor to 40-60 psi
8. Start with the faucet further from the stern, opening it, anchor washdown for me
9. Don't forget windshield washer fluid, head (pour some pink down the head), anchor wash down, and engine room fresh water faucet, Ice makers (Disconnect at the regulator and and blow out as well) stern shower/spray down and water heater if you have these
10. Blow them all out
11. Wait an hour or so, repeat 7 - 10
12. Take the fresh water incoming line off the water pump and run it into the bilge
13. Drink beer, a job well done

 

[spikedaddy99]

Nice. I am inside heated storage, but may start doing this anyway (been lucky for 4 years with no power loss, but there is always a 1st)
For the hot water heater, are you just opening the pressure relief valve?

Also explain the ice makers. How do you get hoses off? Pull them out of their respective cabinets?

 

[Jaybeaux]

Start with the faucet further from the stern, opening it, anchor washdown for me

I was looking at my water manifold the other day. Mine is arranged vertically, with the hot portion on top. I am wondering if it makes for sense to do them (in my case) from the top down? It may mitigate water from draining back into a previously blown-out line.

Thoughts?

Jaybeaux

 

[Shaps]

I was looking at my water manifold the other day. Mine is arranged vertically, with the hot portion on top. I am wondering if it makes for sense to do them (in my case) from the top down? It may mitigate water from draining back into a previously blown-out line.

Thoughts?

Jaybeaux

Do both ways?

I go from furthest point forward to stern, 3x.

 

[Jaybeaux]

Looking at the manifold on the 48, I'm beginning to think I should start with the cold side, work my way to the bottom, then jump to the hot side.

Overkill?

 

[mrsrobinson]

Nice. I am inside heated storage, but may start doing this anyway (been lucky for 4 years with no power loss, but there is always a 1st)
For the hot water heater, are you just opening the pressure relief valve?

Also explain the ice makers. How do you get hoses off? Pull them out of their respective cabinets?

I have not owned an icemaker on a boat in a while. I recall detaching the fresh water line and letting it drain. Using the above steps I would think you can find where it connects into the fresh water system and disconnect it before blowing out the lines from the dock water inlet.

 

[mrsrobinson]

Jay, you are welcome to borrow my air compressor and blowout adapter for the air compressor. Or we can knock it out together on the same day.

Your fresh water sources are 12, 10 and 3 if I read that correctly? And 11 feeds into the water heater?

 

[Jaybeaux]

Jay, you are welcome to borrow my air compressor and blowout adapter for the air compressor. Or we can knock it out together on the same day.

Your fresh water sources are 12, 10 and 3 if I read that correctly? And 11 feeds into the water heater?

Greg, very generous. I have one. I usually use the compressor first, multiple passes, then sacrafice several gallons of pink to the FW tank and then push it around. I've never had a problem with funky water.

It's been raining for four days straight and I"m bored out of my mind. So why not over-think winterization? Ha!

Jaybeaux

 

[mrsrobinson]

Ha, that is what I have done sometimes as well. I get tired of flushing/cleaning/sanitizing out the pink stuff/smell in the spring though so I may not do it this year. Plus at $4 a bottle I can save for 6 +gallons of diesel fuel in the spring

GF has plans on Saturday so I plan to go to the boat to start compounding off the bird shit stains and finish cleaning the carpets. Figured I would look the fresh water systems over then as well to prepare for winterization.

 

[Njlarry]

Do not see that amazon unit adds any function or help. A simple air hose to garden hose connector from the local hardware store does the job. Disconnect the air hose to stop air flow. KISS

 

[Irie308]

How would the air compressor method work out with the washer dryer combo?

 

[Skybolt]

From this thread: http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php...fill-pipes-with-an.111119/page-3#post-1361231

1. Buy this: https://www.amazon.com/Winterizing-Sprinkler-Blowout-Adapter-valve/dp/B07ZSF8Z57/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=XO5PP8OYE23K&keywords=Air+Compressor+Water+Blow+Out+Adapter&qid=1664567856&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMS4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjEuMDAifQ==&s=hi&sprefix=air+compressor+water+blow+out+adapter,tools,111&sr=1-2-spons&psc=1&tag=affinity1-20&ascsubtag=srctok-bc4f9bd96e1af94a&btn_ref=srctok-bc4f9bd96e1af94a
2. Turn Fresh Water Pump On
3. Empty fresh water tank by opening all fresh water lines/faucets
4. Turn Fresh Water Pump Off
5. Attach #1 to the boats dock water inlet
6. Attach it to compressor
7. Set compressor to 40-60 psi
8. Start with the faucet further from the stern, opening it, anchor washdown for me
9. Don't forget windshield washer fluid, head (pour some pink down the head), anchor wash down, and engine room fresh water faucet, ice maker, stern shower/spray down and water heater if you have these
10. Blow them all out
11. Wait an hour or so, repeat 7 - 10
12. Take the fresh water incoming line off the water pump and run it into the bilge
13. Drink beer, a job well done

You left out my add of the Ice makers. Disconnect at the regulator and and blow out as well. I have a filter system I added to mine and put in a valve to be able to shut off the water to aid in winterizing.

Also #3, should be open the furthest valve away from the pump to drain out the tank. Then work your way back to the closest. As mentioned in the other thread, let sit for a while and then re-blow out the lines again, while you empty the pump.

 

[Skybolt]

How would the air compressor method work out with the washer dryer combo?

Much like an ice maker, you need to disconnect at the inlet. Possibly add a valve so that water doesn't get back to the inlet regulator of the washer. Easier then getting the pink in there I would think.

 

[Skybolt]

Do not see that amazon unit adds any function or help. A simple air hose to garden hose connector from the local hardware store does the job. Disconnect the air hose to stop air flow. KISS

I think it makes it easier because of the knife valve and flexible connection, just easier IMO. But to each his own, as your method will work as well.

 

[b_arrington]

Do not see that amazon unit adds any function or help. A simple air hose to garden hose connector from the local hardware store does the job. Disconnect the air hose to stop air flow. KISS

I have a similar one and it’s quite helpful. One end chucks into the air hose and holds it securely. The other end connects to the water inlet securely.

Since many blow out adapters require you to hold the hose against the fitting, they method means you have to keep going back and forth between the fitting and the outlet. The adapter allows a set and forget so you can go around the boat and do the work. I can say when you’re in the bilge, not having to climb out is a huge help.

Also the value lets you shut off the air.

 

[spikedaddy99]

Much like an ice maker, you need to disconnect at the inlet. Possibly add a valve so that water doesn't get back to the inlet regulator of the washer. Easier then getting the pink in there I would think.

So now this begs the question...When you do your winterization with the pink, do you start your washer to get pink into it too?

 

[quality time]

How would the air compressor method work out with the washer dryer combo?

Here's how I've been doing it for years. With air hooked to city water inlet, cycle the washer/dryer through hot cold and you'll hear the lines blow out. Then dump a gallon of pink in the tub and put it in spin/drain cycle to get it through the pump and out the thru hull.

 

[Irie308]

So now this begs the question...When you do your winterization with the pink, do you start your washer to get pink into it too?

Yes, the washer is the only reason I haven't try the air compressor method. I run a hot and cold cycle then allow it to drain. Its a royal pain but its the only way to assure its fully winterized. This is why I'm considering the pump bypass method.

 

[quality time]

I don't have a standalone icemaker but to winterize my freezer icemaker I do the following. With air hooked up to the city water inlet, jump terminals H and T together and the icemaker will run through the cycle in about a minute. I do this 2-3 times until the valve only blows out air during the fill cycle.

 

[Jeremygavin]

Here's how I've been doing it for years. With air hooked to city water inlet, cycle the washer/dryer through hot cold and you'll hear the lines blow out. Then dump a gallon of pink in the tub and put it in spin/drain cycle to get it through the pump and out the thru hull.

This is what I have done for the past 4 winters since I have owned the boat with washer/dryer and no issues in the spring either.