One night freeze

[RC Osborne]

I have a Thor ace 27.2 2017. I live in Southern California in an area that rarely sees a freeze. However, tonight we have an overnight freeze coming in and I am a little concerned about my waterlines since I do not winterize. The process of a full winterization just isn’t usually necessary here. I would love some suggestions but this is what I am thinking. I have drained what I can out of water lines, and I drained my black and gray last time we camped and left just a little in the black as recommended. I was thinking I would leave the heater on at the lowest setting to just keep the RV warmer than the freezing temperatures outside. The predicted freeze is a one night and done then back up to more normal temperatures for this area. Thank you for any suggestions and thoughts you may have.

[16ACE27]

How cold is this "freeze"? Unless it's in the teens for 6+ hours I don't think you will have any issues.

[MJC62]

If you are really worried blow out the water lines with an air compressor. Dump the water out of the black tank and dump some rv antifreeze in the sinks and toilet

[Bill Johnson]

Originally Posted by MJC62

If you are really worried blow out the water lines with an air compressor. Dump the water out of the black tank and dump some rv antifreeze in the sinks and toilet

Like MJC62 said blow it out with a compressor and leave all the faucets open so no pressure builds up if a little water does freeze. Leaving anything in the gray or black tank could freeze by the valve. My valve is inside a closed compartment a small real light bulb would keep it from freezing, My outdoor shower is in there also so that would not freeze also

[RC Osborne]

It is supposed to be 36F tonight and now they are saying tomorrow night as well. I was thinking of leaving the heater on at 50*. do you think that would be okay? I opened all the lines but do not have the right kind of antifreeze.

[Bill Johnson]

Originally Posted by RC Osborne

It is supposed to be 36F tonight and now they are saying tomorrow night as well. I was thinking of leaving the heater on at 50*. do you think that would be okay? I opened all the lines but do not have the right kind of antifreeze.

It shouldn't freeze at 36. One of the people on here says his ACE 33.1 has furnace air blowing between the floor to keep the pipes from freezing. He's on a trip right now and we will find out when he gets back

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by RC Osborne

It is supposed to be 36F tonight and now they are saying tomorrow night as well. I was thinking of leaving the heater on at 50*. do you think that would be okay? I opened all the lines but do not have the right kind of antifreeze.

Ummmmm, that's not a freeze. Water doesn't freeze unless under 32 degrees. You don't need to do anything for nighttime lows in the 30s.

[sportcoupe]

Originally Posted by MJC62

If you are really worried blow out the water lines with an air compressor. Dump the water out of the black tank and dump some rv antifreeze in the sinks and toilet

My air compressor output is 110 psi. I know better and would lower it to 30 psi but not everyone knows that.

110 psi would certainly damage the plumbing.

[Miramar Owner]

I agree that there's no need to do anything at 36 degrees. You can drop into the 20's for a couple hours and as long as it warms up in the daytime you'll be fine.

Water will freeze around 32 degrees but it takes several hours at that temperature to freeze hard enough to do any damage. It's not like at 32 it magically freezes solid instantly.

Don't lose any sleep over 36 for sure.

[Bill Johnson]

Originally Posted by sportcoupe

My air compressor output is 110 psi. I know better and would lower it to 30 psi but not everyone knows that.

110 psi would certainly damage the plumbing.

I found our water pump from the factory is 55 pounds so air shouldn't be any different

[sportcoupe]

Originally Posted by bill johnson

i found our water pump from the factory is 55 pounds so air shouldn't be any different

110 > 55

[Bill Johnson]

You said you were using 30 pounds 55 pounds the pump is set for would do a better job and be safe. Ever try to blow dust off something at 30 pounds. I have a 60 gallon air compressor and I set it on 60 pounds when I blow the lines out

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by MJC62

If you are really worried blow out the water lines with an air compressor. Dump the water out of the black tank and dump some rv antifreeze in the sinks and toilet

https://www.thorforums.com/forums/at...1&d=1640696114

[lwmcguire]

Originally Posted by Bill Johnson

You said you were using 30 pounds 55 pounds the pump is set for would do a better job and be safe. Ever try to blow dust off something at 30 pounds. I have a 60 gallon air compressor and I set it on 60 pounds when I blow the lines out

We had a cabin at a lake for years that had seasonal water so we winterized and I always used 60-70 psig. Tried it lower and it just wasn't enough. Had pax plumbing in it back when it was first coming on the scene

Pex is good for around 150 psig so you don't have to worry about blowing up a line. Some is rated higher than that

[ador]

Hey Bill. If you are referring to me, we made it back from Williams, AZ (after 3 nights) just fine. Overnight temp dropped to 18. Temp started to drop around 5PM. I used a 60W incandescent light bulb and a "work light" with metal backing from Lowes. I placed the work light metal back on top of a baking clear pan (so that the heated backing doesn't melt the plastic storage bin). I placed my refrigerator temp monitor inside the basement and the lowest it was 36 degrees (which is still above freezing water temp). Did not have any problem with ANY lines. Inside the RV, we used 2 additional space heaters set at 70 degrees.

I just ordered a 6 inch tall, 200W Lasco Space heater. The basement where I need the heating is very limited in space. I will try this heater next trip, in Cali this January 1st.

Originally Posted by Bill Johnson

It shouldn't freeze at 36. One of the people on here says his ACE 33.1 has furnace air blowing between the floor to keep the pipes from freezing. He's on a trip right now and we will find out when he gets back

[Bill Johnson]

Originally Posted by ador

Hey Bill. If you are referring to me, we made it back from Williams, AZ (after 3 nights) just fine. Overnight temp dropped to 18. Temp started to drop around 5PM. I used a 60W incandescent light bulb and a "work light" with metal backing from Lowes. I placed the work light metal back on top of a baking clear pan (so that the heated backing doesn't melt the plastic storage bin). I placed my refrigerator temp monitor inside the basement and the lowest it was 36 degrees (which is still above freezing water temp). Did not have any problem with ANY lines. Inside the RV, we used 2 additional space heaters set at 70 degrees.

I just ordered a 6 inch tall, 200W Lasco Space heater. The basement where I need the heating is very limited in space. I will try this heater next trip, in Cali this January 1st.

That's good to know that the water lines in the floor are heated so I might be able to extend my camping season, Thanks for the update

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by Bill Johnson

That's good to know that the water lines in the floor are heated so I might be able to extend my camping season, Thanks for the update

In my coach, the only part of the water and waste system that is not heated by the furnace is the 1.5" pipe from my gray water tank to the wet bay. If we are going to be using the coach when the temps are below freezing, I just fill that section of pipe with RV antifreeze before using the kitchen sink or shower. After dumping I refill the pipe again. It takes a half gallon. All my tanks are below the floor but are heated.

[Ottosails]

I'm in AZ and have never winterized any of our RV's. We do get the occasional overnight temps as low as 26 - 28 degrees but it doesn't stay down there below freezing for more than an hour or two. It does make me a little nervous when it dips in the 20's but have never had and issue myself. I certainly wouldn't loose sleep or winterize for 36 degrees. But - That's me.

[Bill Johnson]

Originally Posted by Beau388

In my coach, the only part of the water and waste system that is not heated by the furnace is the 1.5" pipe from my gray water tank to the wet bay. If we are going to be using the coach when the temps are below freezing, I just fill that section of pipe with RV antifreeze before using the kitchen sink or shower. After dumping I refill the pipe again. It takes a half gallon. All my tanks are below the floor but are heated.

But after you fill the 1.5" pipe from the gray water tank to the wet bay with the pink stuff you don't take a shower or use the sink? RV antifreeze shouldn't be mixed with water because RV antifreeze doesn't expand when it freezes in the +20 degrees. If water is added it takes away the non expanding properties that RV antifreeze is known for and when the water freezes it expands and breaks things

[04fxsts]

No worries at 36 degrees, sometimes we get a quick cold snap down to 26 or 27 and I don't care. As long as the daytime temps are around 40 or more a few hours in high 20's should not hurt. Jim.