Winterizing refrig

[OldHiker]

I cannot locate the valve that everyone warns about if it freezes.

1. Where is it located on mine?
2. Do I need to run pink stuff thru the icemaker and water?
3. Will it be removed easily in the spring?

[OldHiker]

I cannot locate the valve that everyone warns about if it freezes.

1. Where is it located on mine?
2. Do I need to run pink stuff thru the icemaker and water?
3. Will it be removed easily in the spring?

["007"]

This is a picture of the back of refer looking down from top by your fans to bottom of pic which in the middle of it you will see the green colored valve with two wires on it.
When you look in thru your vent cover it will be right in front of you. The 1/4" hose from you sink filter or pipe conection will be attached to the right hand side of valve with a hose type fitting on it. The 1/4" tube to your ice maker will come off the bottom of valve disconnect the two fittings from valve and let the water in tubes drain out of them.
Shut the 1/4" water valve under your sink after the water drains out so antifreeze does not run out. The bar on your ice maker will be down when you drain water out of the 1/4" tube of ice maker. Wipe tray of ice maker with paper towels or spunge to clear out the water. Push bar up and leave and disconnect the electric cord for the ice maker outside in vent opening.
You can use your air tire pump to blow what water is remaining in green water valve out.
This is how I have done it for years and never had a problem with cracked valves or tubing feeding the ice maker and no need of getting out the anti in ice maker in the spring.
More info if needed.

[leavitt]

Whoops! We have never disconnected from the green valve, only under the sink, so I guess we just got lucky. Being as its -22C here today, I suppose it's too late for this winter? If not should I try & warm up Valve & hoses with hair drier & then still try to disconnect? Colleen

[Spikester]

You may be alright.

By disconnecting under the sink you de-pressurized the line and one side of the valve, therefore providing a space for expansion in that section of hose if any residual water has froze. I would at least disconnect the line on either side of the valve, this would insure that you have room for expansion in either line for future cold snaps. Might want to put something under the removed fitting to catch any water that may appear when it thaws if it would drain to an area that is susceptible to moisture damage. When ice forms it expands to the path of least resistance. I always de-pressurize my water system and open a couple of fixtures at night when we are using our motorhome in weather below freezing, pipes have ice up but never burst, room for expansion. If it is -22C outside whats done is done, can only prevent the next occurrence.

Hope no damage has occurred.

Spike

[leavitt]

Thanks Spike. Live & learn! (thanks to this forum!!!) Next winter we'll get it right Colleen.

["007"]

Colleen you have to check Quick tips above, 2nd item in Winterizing, I have made some links for different items. If you get the tubes disconnected you maybe ok when it isn't so cold use a hair dryer and heat up valve so you won't get anymore damage when ice expands.

[leavitt]

Will do 007! Thanks.I'll have to spend more time checking all the different info on irv2! Colleen.

["007"]

As long as the site irv2 doesn't crash the information in Quick Tips & Mods will be there next winter.

[JerryKelly]

Why not just pump antifreeze through the ice maker silenoid until the pink stuff appears in the ice tray? You can power the silenoid using a modified lamp cord pluged into the refer outlet. This seems to be a little easier than disconnecting and blowing the line out.

["007"]

Takes some to get fresh ice cubes from pink anti, you can do that, but I like fresh ice cubes as soon as possible.

[RVDude]

If you have a water dispenser in your refer there are two pipes to disconnect at the solenoid. The water dispenser will hold about a pint of water so make sure it all gets drained. Leave the pipes disconnected and put inside of a plastic baggie to keep them clean.

The Norcold manual describes only the pipe disconnect & blow/drain method and not the pink stuff method. I'd be tough getting the pink out of the ice/water dispenser system IMO.

[nickkct]

Another way to due it is winterrize the rest of the coach with the pink stuff then pop off the plastic cover on end of ice maker and use a small screw driver in slot on end of shaft and turn in direction of arrow Ice maker will completely cycle in about 30 secounds Repeat two or three times and the pink stuff will fill the tray. In spring just flush system with water and leave the Ice maker till last then repeat the cycle two or three times and your good to go

[JerryKelly]

My dealer's tech showed me how to connect the lamp cord to the solenoid. It works great when winterizing and de-winterizing. I can flush the ice maker by powering the solenoid. I don't have to wait for the ice maker to cycle. This is also a great way to sanitize the ice maker.