"Winterizing Inlet" in water bay -'How to Use'?

[Encore_325SS]

I have a "winterizing Inlet" that I do not know how to use in my new class A Coachmen Encore 325 SS. Hopefully the photo is attached. I tried to use this when purifying the tank recently. I connected a short hose to this "Water Inlet" with the other end in a mix of bleach solution, turned on the pump and no bleach solution was sucked up. I'll need to figure out how to do this when I winterize. There are three valves behind the panel near the 'inlet". I think I must need to use them. I'll try to get another photo soon showing what is behind it. Thanks

[TB673]

There should be a valve marked WINTERIZE that will have to be turned to enable the pump to draw from the winterize inlet.
Also, when winterizing, there should be a valve marked Water Heater Bypass that will have to be turned so you won't fill the Water Heater with Anti-freeze.


Tim

[bigchick]

the winterize valve was mentioned above. what it does it to direct the water pump suction input to either the fresh water tank (normal position) or the winterizing input (where you would suck up the antifreeze). it is not possible to use the winterizing input to route liquid into your fresh water tank.

[Winemaker2]

An easier way to introduce bleach into the tank is to remove the filter, put the desired amount of bleach for your tank size into the empty filter housing, reinstall and use the tank fill valve to fill your tank with the bleach/:water mixture.
Then use the onboard water pump to pump the solution to allnfaucets, shower outlets and let sit fir the desired time before draining. & flushing.
EZ- PZ

[Encore_325SS]

Here are the photos I promised.

This is my best guess: I think the valves on the two vertical pipes are hot water and cold water drain lines and the valve on the horizontal white pipe might drain the fresh water tank. Further, I think none of these valves would facilitate use of the 'winterize inlet'.

None of the valves are labeled. ( I bypassed the hot-water heater separately with valves attached to the hot water heater from inside the coach.)

I verified that all three pipes drain below the water bay floor.

[TB673]

Looks to me that those valves are the Low Point drains.


Tim

[Encore_325SS]

Originally Posted by TB673

Looks to me that those valves are the Low Point drains.


Tim

I concur. Thanks. I have not been able to locate a "winterize valve". Where else might I search for one?

[Encore_325SS]

Originally Posted by bigchick

the winterize valve was mentioned above. what it does it to direct the water pump suction input to either the fresh water tank (normal position) or the winterizing input (where you would suck up the antifreeze). it is not possible to use the winterizing input to route liquid into your fresh water tank.

Where is the "winterize valve" . I have only been able to locate low water drain valves and vales inside for the hot water heater.

[Mike8253]

Originally Posted by Encore_325SS

Where is the "winterize valve" . I have only been able to locate low water drain valves and vales inside for the hot water heater.

If I'm telling you something you already know, then I apologize. But you need to understand that "Winterizing" and "Sanitizing" are entirely different processes employing different mechanisms. Winterizing utilizes the water pump to draw antifreeze into your fresh water system without putting the antifreeze in you fresh water tank. You don't want antifreeze in that tank. That you just want to completely drain for the winter.

On the other hand, when sanitizing your fresh water system, you do want the sanitizing solution (whatever you use) in your tank as part of that process. If you have a gravity fill for your fresh water tank anywhere on your RV (typically on an outer wall near the tank), use that to pour the mixture into your tank. If you don't have one, then another way is to pour bleach, in the amount you need for your size fresh water tank, into your empty fresh water hose. With that done, you can quickly attach your hose to your fresh water fill and fill your tank with fresh water. The fresh water will clean the bleach out your hose, and the proper amount of bleach in combination with the fresh water will fill your tank in the proper proportion of bleach to water for sanitizing your system. At that point, you can use your water pump to send the water/bleach mixture thru all you fixtures to sanitize your system. If you don't want to put bleach in your fresh water hose, there are various "appliances" on the market to pour the bleach into to do the same thing of mixing the proper amounts of bleach and water for your fresh water system to do the job. Hope this is helpful.

[TB673]

2 things, first looking at the snapshots closer, the horizontal valve MAY be your Fresh Water Tank drain. I've seen small sized drains before.

Second,the Winterizing valve and the Water Heater Bypass valve may be located by the Hot water tank.


Tim

[RajTaj]

Sorry if I'm late to the party and you've already figured this out, but if not, try this YouTube and see if it helps:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEPy7zxTWmM