Sanitize the Excel water system

[maddog45]

What's the best way to sanitize the water system? Clorox solution?
And what's the best way to get the solution into the system? We have a 2011 33GKS.

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by maddog45 What's the best way to sanitize the water system? Clorox solution? And what's the best way to get the solution into the system? We have a 2011 33GKS.

Mic,

Start by checking out this thread by John Dean (janieD). I know John came up a full fledged fix with pix.......but I can' find it. You may want to PM him or maybe he or someone else will chime in here. But, IIRC, it was to use the on-board water pump and a 5-7 gal bucket with water (you could use your Clorox solution) and to use the antifreeze line to suck up the water, by switching the water valves (close to the WP) you should be able to pump the solution into the fresh water tank. The Clorox solution formula is in the Excel owners manual. Run all faucets to distribute solution and then let set several hours. Then simply drain and flush with fresh water from the city water connection. Clear as mud, huh? Also, by now PI may even have a better recommendation, might want to give them a call. Whatever happens please follow up and let us know. rockin'

[Bruce and Jenna]

What Rockin' said. I've listed my procedure below. Tho I realize it does not contain a way to add a bleach solution to the hot water tank. That's a harder one - anybody?
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Before you start this procedure, some people remove filters and clean the water pump catch screen.

1. Multiply 64 gallons of tank capacity by 0.13 (liters of tank capacity by 1.0); the result is the ounces (milliliters) of bleach needed to sanitize the tank. 8.32 ounces
2. Mix into solution the proper amount of bleach within a container of water.
3. Disconnect from city water and pour the solution into the fresh water tank (using a funnel with a flexible hose attached or pump as above) and fill the tank with potable water. Note: wear old clothes as bleach has a tendency to ruin new clothing.
4. Open all faucets (hot and cold - including the exterior shower) allowing the water to run until the distinct odor of chlorine is detected. Close the faucets and allow the solution to remain in the pipes.
5. Four (4) hours of contact time to disinfect completely. Double the solution concentration for one (1) hour.
6. When the contact time is completed, drain the tank. Refill with potable water and purge the plumbing of all sanitizing solution by opening all faucets until you do not detect the smell of chlorine.

[maddog45]

A big THANKS to both of you. Good info. Armed with your info, I'm sure sanitizing will be easier next time. Can't wait to get on the road and back to some of our favorite spots this summer and fall. Happy travels!

[janieD]

This is a good review. Pouring the bleach into the fresh water tank with a funnel won't work with your 2011, but you can use the funnel to pour the bleach (diluted so you don't have to handle straight bleach) into the hose before you fill the fresh water tank. In the thread Rockin was referencing, I was trying to get potable water into the fresh water tank when a water service was not available. You could use the same method to get bleach and water into the tank, but it's more work than you need to do.
John

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by janieD This is a good review. Pouring the bleach into the fresh water tank with a funnel won't work with your 2011, but you can use the funnel to pour the bleach (diluted so you don't have to handle straight bleach) into the hose before you fill the fresh water tank. In the thread Rockin was referencing, I was trying to get potable water into the fresh water tank when a water service was not available. You could use the same method to get bleach and water into the tank, but it's more work than you need to do. John

John,

The diluted bleach solution in the white water hose sounds like a good idea if you have city water available and if you're sanitizing you more than likely would. Thanks for chiming in. rockin'

[maddog45]

Talked to Jack at PI this morning. He said in the last few months they have gone to putting a valve on a bypass hose coming out of the water pump. If you open that valve, you can suck the solution right into the tank. Thanks again for your good input. We are constantly reading and learning on this blog.

[rockintom]

Thanks Mic for the feedback! Your input helps us all learn!