Winterizing The Water System - Four winns 318 VISTA Owner's Manual

NOTICE
Failure to keep the water tank vent fittings
clean will cause excessive pressure buildup
within the tank during filling. This can cause
water tank damage.
Periodically remove the filter screens from the faucet
discharge.spouts.and.shower.head..Remove.the.
accumulation.of.sediment.from.the.screens..If.neces-
sary, clean out the holes using a fine wire. A buildup
of debris in the faucet filter screens can create enough
restriction.to.cause.the.pump.to.cycle.on.and.off.
Check the in-line water filter/screen for sediment and
blockage..It.is.located.between.the.water.tank.and..
the.pressure.water.pump..If.obstructed,.remove.from.
the.water.line.and.either.clean.or.replace.the.part...
The filter unit will twist apart.
Inspect.and.clean.the.shower.sump.every.30.days..
Some.water.will.always.be.in.the.compartment..
Sediment.and.other.debris.will.buildup.and.affect.the.
automatic.bilge.switch.and.pump.operation..Remove.
the.pump's.cover.and.clean.the.screen..The.screen.
will.become.blocked.and.the.pump.will.not.operate.
properly..To.clean.the.compartment,.use.baking.soda.
and a fine wire brush to remove dirt and other debris.
This.will.also.serve.to.disinfect.the.area.
B. Winterizing the Water System
Winter.lay-up.service.procedures.should.include.a.
thorough.draining.of.the.water.system..Disconnect.all.
accessible fittings. Blow out all lines. Be sure the hot
water.heater,.fresh.and.grey.water.tanks,.transom.
shower,.pumps.and.lines.are.completely.dry..Leave..
all.faucets.open..Freezing.water.can.cause.severe.
damage.to.all.water.system.components.
NOTICE
Always winterize the fresh water system prior
to winterization of the hull drainage (bilge
pump) system.
Draining.the.system.as.mentioned.can.be.very.tedious.
and.an.incomplete.job.can.result.in.expensive.repairs...
The.use.of.nontoxic.antifreeze.(such.as.R.V..anti-
freeze).designed.for.fresh.water.systems.considerably.
reduces.the.work.necessary.and.is.a.more.positive.
means.of.winterizing.the.system..Follow.the.directions.
included.with.the.antifreeze.solution.
Water and Waste Systems - Section J
To.winterize:
1.. Turn.on.the.water.pump.and.drain.the.water.tank.
by.opening.a.faucet.(the.pump.will.run.faster.when.
it.is.empty)...
NOTICE
Be sure the circuit breaker for the water heater
in 0 Volt AC panel is in the OFF position.
The water heater will be damaged immediately
by supplying electrical power to an empty
water heater.
DO NOT run the water pump without water
in the system. Pump damage will result. Be
watchful and turn the pump off as soon as
the tank becomes empty.
2.. Add.15.gallons.of.R.V..antifreeze.to.the.water.
tank.
NOTICE
Generally the hot water heater will require
approximately five gallons of antifreeze before
the hot water lines will have antifreeze running
through them. The cold water faucet should be
turned OFF at some point to test for antifreeze
in the hot water line.
3.. Turn.ON.all.faucets.(both.hot.and.cold).until.
undiluted.antifreeze.is.seen..Make.sure.the.
transom.shower,.head.faucet.and.galley.faucet.
have.antifreeze.coming.out.
4.. Activate.the.shower.sump.pump.and.pour.approxi-
mately.1.quart.of.nontoxic.antifreeze.down.the.
shower.drain..The.shower.sump.will.discharge.
some.of.the.antifreeze.overboard..
Use only nontoxic antifreeze solutions such as
R.V. antifreeze. DO NOT use ethylene glycol
solutions; the type that is used in engine
coolant systems. These are toxic.
NOTICE
Be sure to wipe up any antifreeze that has
been spilled on the fiberglass shower surfaces.
Owner's Manual Page 9