Water pump? Damon Challenger

[jramlester]

After draining all water from lines and tanks I aired out the water lines using 50psi and poured 4 gallons of RV antifreeze into freshwater tank. Is this enough, I cannot get any flow to the spigots with the pump on. Pump is running but does not sound as loud as it has in the past. I checked the screen and there is no obstruction. When turning a spigot on some air and residual water does come out.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

[John H...]

Your 4 gallons of antifreeze may not have been enough in the fresh water tank to reach the outlet. If you can see the tank, maybe you can park the MH on a slope where you can see the red antifreeze leaning towards the outlet side. Mine has a hose bypass at the water tank that the pump will suck it right out of the gallon jug. Only took me 2 gallons to do mine. John H...

[jramlester]

Quote:

Originally Posted by John H... Your 4 gallons of antifreeze may not have been enough in the fresh water tank to reach the outlet. If you can see the tank, maybe you can park the MH on a slope where you can see the red antifreeze leaning towards the outlet side. Mine has a hose bypass at the water tank that the pump will suck it right out of the gallon jug. Only took me 2 gallons to do mine. John H...

Under my tank I have two white hoses with 1/4 turn valves and a red "hot water" tank hose. Would one of these white hoses be the bypass hose.

[John H...]

One of the white hoses might be the one. One should come from the tank outlet and go to the pump. The other one may also go to the pump and bypass the tank. If there are tee handles,one should shut off supply from the tank and the other one you would open and have a short piece of hose on it to place in the antifreeze gallon jug. Trace the lines and see where they go.

[jramlester]

I figured it out! Motor Home listing on Drivers side and all antifreeze sitting on that side of coach. Drained the antifreeze out, removed the water line from holding tank to the pump inserted line into jug of antifreeze turned pump on and now I have fluid to spigots! This spring I will add a bypass at this point with a valve and a section of new hose to ease in the winterization for next year. Too wet (snowing) and cold to do it today.

[Hitchhiker]

Put in one of these winterizer kits, it'll make the job easier.

[John H...]

jramlester, Be sure that the antifreeze you drained back out isn't diluted with water that may have been left in your fresh water tank. I know when I park on a slope to drain my fresh tank that not all of it is able to come out. After using almost a gallon and a half to winterize, the half gallon or so that is left I pour into the fresh water tank. John H... PS: Haveing a winterization kit makes things a lot eaisier.

[angelman]

I just use air to blow out the lines, then add some pink stuff to the fresh water tank.
I hated the chauky aftertaste in the spring. 6 years, no problems.

[jramlester]

Did not look as if antifreeze was diluted. Poured 4 gallons in, drained 3 3/4 gallons out. I did blow lines out but still was nervous about leaving them like that. Thanks all for the insight!

Richard

[John H...]

Richard, Sounds like your good to go. I have in the past blown out the lines and put in antifreeze, but don't bother blowing them out anymore. Have never had any problems. I was surprized last year when some of the AF I had in the toilet bowl actually froze into a slush when it got really cold. Heard in the forum that is normal. Supposedly when it does freeze, unlike water it doesn't expand, so doesn't hurt the lines. John H...

[Shellback1]

I'm not sure what model you have but on my Damon all I do is open the drain for the water tank to drain (bottom valve). Then I close the upper valve that would allow water from the tank to the pump. Now take the loose drain hose and stick this in the AF bottle and turn on the pump. There is no need to put AF in your fresh water tank. Hope this picture shows up ok.
Ron

[KC1BUD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jramlester After draining all water from lines and tanks I aired out the water lines using 50psi and poured 4 gallons of RV antifreeze into freshwater tank. Is this enough, I cannot get any flow to the spigots with the pump on. Pump is running but does not sound as loud as it has in the past. I checked the screen and there is no obstruction. When turning a spigot on some air and residual water does come out. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

I am not bragging, but I use a lot less than 4 gallons of RV anti-freeze every year.

When I blow the lines out, I hook up the air hose and set the compressor to 45 pounds and keep the water lines under pressure.

First, I drain the tank, and turn on the pump. I run the pump until it can no longer pump to the faucets.

Once the tank is empty and the pump runs quietly I shut off the pump and I hook up the air hose and disconnect the shower hose (runs from faucet to shower head).

I pump any remaining water through the lines and out the faucets. Then I go from faucet to faucet and open and close them one at a time.

Slowly at first, while water pours out. Then faster with each consecutive round. when I get to the point that there is no cloud of water vapor when I turn on a faucet or other water valve then I know I am done. This method works for the toilet flush valve as well. I then add 1 cup of anti-freeze to each drain and to the toilet bowl. And that is it! All totaled, I use 5 cups of anti-freeze each year.

It has worked well for me here in Michigan.