SEARAY
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![[*]](./images/xpsilver/default_icon.gif) posted on 11-9-2009 at 05:17 PM |
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Question on RV Antifreeze
Well it’s getting to be that time of year to start to think of winterizing. It takes me 18 gals to winterize not that big of a deal but I am always
looking for an easier way (short of paying someone to do it). So here is the question has anyone heard of an RV antifreeze concentrate? I was thinking
1 to 5 or 1 to 10 or 1 to 15 would be a lot easier to carry. Take one or two gallons down add water and bam... I have it all by the boat. Or this may
just be a dream!
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ProVle
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| posted on 11-9-2009 at 05:33 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally posted by SEARAY
Well it’s getting to be that time of year to start to think of winterizing. It takes me 18 gals to winterize not that big of a deal but I am always
looking for an easier way (short of paying someone to do it). So here is the question has anyone heard of an RV antifreeze concentrate? I was thinking
1 to 5 or 1 to 10 or 1 to 15 would be a lot easier to carry. Take one or two gallons down add water and bam... I have it all by the boat. Or this may
just be a dream! |
What are you winterizing that takes 18 gals of antifreeze?
NEVER DRINK WATER-FISH HAVE SEX IN IT-W.C. FIELDS
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CapNSmiles
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| posted on 11-9-2009 at 06:06 PM |
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I winterize 2 engines, 1 genset and 2 Galley Maid Heads..this is the first year I am going to winterize the whole boat..I am bringing down 18
gallons..would be nice with a concentrate
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Lock5
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| posted on 11-9-2009 at 06:09 PM |
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I winterize mine with about 2 gallons of RV antifreeeze.
I start it on earmuffs let it run until the thermostat opens, unhook the earmuffs from the garden hose, hook short hose with funnel at top to
earmuffs, start motor pour anti freeze into funnel until exhaust spits out pink, and ala winterized boat. Cost me about $6.00 to winterize a 5.7 
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem."
PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN, 1985
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CapNSmiles
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| posted on 11-9-2009 at 06:14 PM |
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I wondered how much antifreeze it would take to run through the entire engine...I have 2-5.0L on the houseboat and a 12.5 Kw westerbeke..I can tell on
the genset when the antifreeze is coming out, but not on the engines..so I plan on 4 gallons per engine/genset
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Captain Bob
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| posted on 11-9-2009 at 06:47 PM |
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From what I have read, the Antifreeze Concentrate (Castrol & Shell) are for permanent-type applications and are not lake-friendly.
In case you haven't noticed, the price for engine antifreeze most commonly used in Marine Engines (the blue/green stuff) has risen sharply this year.
Since it is generally rated at -100*F, it is not uncommon for boaters around here (especially houseboaters) to mix the stuff 50/50 with water
(resulting in -50*F or so) when winterizing their engines. Remember, the lake water rarely goes below +40*F in the winter.
Some folks also use this mix in the heads but the old stand-by (the RV "pink stuff") is still cheaper for this purpose. This stuff is made
especially for drinking water systems and does not have rust-inhibitors in it.
BTW, it's worth mentioning yet again: DO NOT PUT ANTIFREEZE IN YOUR WATER HEATERS! RV stores sell special kits to allow you to by-pass the heater.
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Spoonbill
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| posted on 11-9-2009 at 07:16 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Captain Bob
BTW, it's worth mentioning yet again: DO NOT PUT ANTIFREEZE IN YOUR WATER HEATERS! RV stores sell special kits to allow you to by-pass the heater.
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I am a believe in using propylene glycol.
You can buy food grade and dilute. I think an industrial supply company should be able to get it. I believe RV antifreeze is 35% water. Sounds like a
lot of trouble doesn't it.
DO NOT PUT ANTIFREEZE IN YOUR WATER HEATERS!
Why?
I know of several people who do.
"Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment."
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Randy
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| posted on 11-9-2009 at 07:45 PM |
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Drain the engines of water. 2 gals of antifreeze is PLENTY for the gen.... its a closed system so you are just concerned with the heat exchanger.
Close the strainer valve and remove the hose, stick it in a bucket of antifreeze and start gen. When almost empty, fog it and shut down. The Galley
Maids dont need that much either.... couple gallons at most. Blow out the water system with a compressor. Set the heat on the lowest setting and go
home. Been doing it this way for 20 years without issues.
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SEARAY
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| posted on 11-9-2009 at 08:13 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally posted by ProVle
| Quote: | Originally posted by SEARAY
Well it’s getting to be that time of year to start to think of winterizing. It takes me 18 gals to winterize not that big of a deal but I am always
looking for an easier way (short of paying someone to do it). So here is the question has anyone heard of an RV antifreeze concentrate? I was thinking
1 to 5 or 1 to 10 or 1 to 15 would be a lot easier to carry. Take one or two gallons down add water and bam... I have it all by the boat. Or this may
just be a dream! |
What are you winterizing that takes 18 gals of antifreeze? |
2- 454's
1- 4.5 weterbeke
cockpit heat
engine heat side of the hot water heater
mid ship sump
a/c heat system
water system
bilge pumps
the waste tank
and then all the scupers ?(sp?)
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Jaybird
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| posted on 11-9-2009 at 08:16 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally posted by CapNSmiles
I winterize 2 engines, 1 genset and 2 Galley Maid Heads..this is the first year I am going to winterize the whole boat..I am bringing down 18
gallons..would be nice with a concentrate |
The Galley Maid Heads could be a pain. Some have a cut off valve on the water intakes, could also have a connector for a compressor. You might want
to talk to Galley Maid to see what is correct. Of course they are in Florida so they may not know what winterizing is. They could be set up so it would be a piece of cake, cut off water, blow out,
flush a gallon or 2. I never did winterize mine, just left the heat on and open the interior hatches. Been lucky I guess. With the new boat and MSD
system, I wouldn't have a clue how to winterize it.
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Captain Bob
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| posted on 11-9-2009 at 09:02 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Spoonbill
| Quote: | Originally posted by Captain Bob
BTW, it's worth mentioning yet again: DO NOT PUT ANTIFREEZE IN YOUR WATER HEATERS! RV stores sell special kits to allow you to by-pass the heater.
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DO NOT PUT ANTIFREEZE IN YOUR WATER HEATERS!
Why?
I know of several people who do. |
Good point, Spoonbill. Perhaps I should not have been so definitive. You CAN put (non-toxic) antifreeze into a boat's hot-water heater. However,
many (if not most) boaters do not because:
1) Filling a hot water heater can consume a lot of antifreeze.
NOTE: By-pass kits are popular, inexpensive and easy to install and use.
2) Most newer houseboats generally use domestic (non-marine) electric water heaters. The chemicals in the antifreeze can react with the heating
elements. This can cause the elements to be less effective due to coating or -in worst case (over a few years)- cause the element to fail. I have
experienced both cases on our boats. Replacing an element or a whole heater isn't that big of a deal but why take the chance?
NOTE: Genuine Marine-type water heaters are more rugged and resistant -as are propane fired water heaters.
3) Unless flushed out completely every Spring, the electric water heaters will retain a "taste" (and sometimes a "smell") from the antifreeze. If
you you have ever "opened-up" a boat that has been winterized and left for 12 months or longer you know what I mean.
Bottom line, (on houseboats, anyway) it is just so much simpler to drain 'em & by-pass 'em.
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Randy
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| posted on 11-9-2009 at 09:11 PM |
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I wouldn't want to put antifreeze in my water lines either, but thats just me.
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Spoonbill
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| posted on 11-9-2009 at 09:20 PM |
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CB
I have a couple of hot water heater by passes and do use them. I have seen installation where it is not possible to easily install.
"Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment."
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Spoonbill
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| posted on 11-9-2009 at 09:28 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Randy
I wouldn't want to put antifreeze in my water lines either, but thats just me. |
The only reason to is, if you can not drain the lines or blow out all the water. Keeping all systems heated is not practical for all. The anti freeze
is safe and flushes out very quickly. They usually burst is the hardest to get place. But each their own.
"Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment."
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Randy
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| posted on 11-10-2009 at 09:34 AM |
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If you put the compressor on the hose fitting coming into the boat and open faucets one at a time, it does a good job of blowing them out. The
plumbing lines they used in my boat are the type that come on a roll. They say that they can expand quite a bit and never split. Never had a problem
even with the old 94 Stardust that I left the heat off all winter.
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exsweet
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| posted on 11-10-2009 at 01:08 PM |
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I would not trust the RV "Pink stuff in the engines. Yes its cheaper but when you are dealing with a $5,000 to $ 10,000 engine , why not spend the
few extra bucks.
Prestone has an antifreeze formulated with propylene glycol and rust inhibitors. It is lake safe. You can cut it 50/50 and it will give you a -50 F.
When you de-winterize in the spring, you just start your engines and genset and blow it into the lake and you are done.
By the way the prestone with propylene glycol is only about $ 1.00 per gallon more than the regular antifreeze.
I run about 3 gallons of diluted thru my 4 cyl on the HB, about 4 gallons thru my gen and 4 gallons thru my 502 . Never had a problem
Good luck
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squakmeister
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| posted on 11-10-2009 at 01:35 PM |
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What a lot of folks might not know is:
Polyethylene Glycol is an ingredient in a product called: "Go-Lytely".
It is prescribed for use by patients who are scheduled for a colonoscopy.
Source: http://www.nulytely.com/pdf/Golytely_Pres_Info.pdf
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slowboat
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| posted on 11-10-2009 at 04:13 PM |
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Compressed Air
I save a few gallons of antifreeze by using a compressor and blowing the hot/cold water system and the A/C systms including the ac water pump all the
way back to the intake.
The freshwater pump sits so low in the bildge I dont worry about freezing. Same with the bilge and gray water sump pumps.
Everything else gets adequate antifreeze.
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AnieSw3et28
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| posted on 11-14-2009 at 04:10 AM |
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| Quote: | Originally posted by squakmeister
What a lot of folks might not know is:
Polyethylene Glycol is an ingredient in a product called: "Go-Lytely".
It is prescribed for use by patients who are scheduled for a colonoscopy.
Source: http://www.nulytely.com/pdf/Golytely_Pres_Info.pdf
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In addition to your gathered information, Polyethylene glycol (PEG), also known as polyethylene oxide (PEO), polyoxyethylene (POE) and under the
tradename Carbowax is the most commercially important type of polyether. It has been investigated as a mutagen; PEG 1000 has been investigated as a
tumorigen.
_________________
Restaurant Supply
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squakmeister
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| posted on 11-14-2009 at 09:23 AM |
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"Go-Lytely" contains 236 grams of polyethylene glycol 3350 and is prescribed as a gastrointestinal lavage.
If anyone wishes to obtain more information concerning this product, please refer to:
MSDS Number: P5029 dated 11/21/08 at the following website:
http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/p5029.htm
As for this product being a mutagen or tumorigen, please refer to Item 11. Toxicological Information
It states: the product has been investigated as an NTP Carcinogen and there is NO Known or Anticipated effects resulting from the use of this
product.
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jeffb
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| posted on 11-15-2009 at 12:32 AM |
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rv antifreeze is mixed down (peak) Sierra antifreeze and alcohol .I was told by peak techs, Rv anti freeze gets solid around 10 degrees F. It
doesn`t expand until - 30 f to-50f. I`m using Sierra mixed with water in a geothermal system. A gallon of Sierra cost about $12.00. ( put a gallon
of rv antifreeze in the deep freeze was amazed that it was solid. I was also told that Sierra was the safest anti freeze on the market. Hope this
helps u .
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Lock5
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| posted on 11-15-2009 at 07:01 AM |
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I have been using rv anti-freeze in boats since the late 80's, you folks can reinvent the wheel if ya want to, I staying with something I know works.
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem."
PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN, 1985
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squakmeister
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| posted on 11-15-2009 at 10:43 AM |
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Pinnacle,
There has been no hijack. The subject is still RV antifreeze for Recreational Vehicles.
Earlier, exsweet stated:
| Quote: | Originally posted by exsweet
When you de-winterize in the spring, you just start your engines and genset and blow it into the lake and you are done. |
I then stated:
| Quote: | Originally posted by squakmeister
Polyethylene Glycol is an ingredient in a product called: "Go-Lytely".
It is prescribed for use by patients who are scheduled for a colonoscopy. |
Since exsweet stated, he dumps his antifreeze into the lake when he starts his engine, I was pointing out;
there are some RV antifreezes which contains "Polyethylene Glycol" and there are some that contain "Propylene glycol".
The difference being:
- Polyethylene Glycol
- Propylene Glycol
Personally, I don't recommend putting anything except clean rain water in the lake and I do not presume to
be telling anybody what to do regarding the recommended method of disposal for their RV antifreeze.
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Divet
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Location: Middletown, OH/ A-2 and GH Dock
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| posted on 11-20-2009 at 10:01 AM |
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So who has found the best price on the propylene glycol and where did you find it?
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