billyfish
Well-Known Member
I changed the engine antifreeze today, washing my hands after , the hot water was running very slowly and I was thinking if it has frozen and what to do about it. Do you drain the system when cold ? And how ?
Freezing fresh water
- Thread starter billyfish
- Start date
Boathook
Well-Known Member
I just run the pumps until no more water comes out. Also do the same with any manual pump. I also try to drain the toilet as much as possible. Believe some pump antifreeze through though I don't know whether this affects rubber seals.
VicS
Well-Known Member
Or fill the freshwater system with a non-toxic propylene glycol antifreeze like the RV owners do.
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
A calorifier has to be drained from below. Running the pump until no water exits the tap leaves the calorifier full of water.
Draining the engine water trap is also a good idea, especially if it is a metal or grp one.
Draining the engine water trap is also a good idea, especially if it is a metal or grp one.
billyfish
Well-Known Member
Trouble is I use the boat through the winter and I have a full tank. Maybe need a tap at the bottom of the tank.
lustyd
Well-Known Member
If you’re in the water it’s unlikely to be an issue as seawater rarely gets that cold (assuming UK!). Some enclosed marinas may be more worrisome as they could get colder than the sea.
thinwater
Well-Known Member
I'm sure this is location and year dependent. It also depends on how the lines are run on the specific boat. In my case the transom shower, water heater, and holding tank are in non-heated, bulkheaded spaces; they can freeze even if the heat is on.
- The most vulnerable part of the head is NOT what you can easily antifreeze through the bowl, it is the intake system. You need to suck AF through the head. We actually flush with a jug of dilute AF during the coldest part (the intake end is winterized with AF).
- I sail through the winter. Unless you want to take the risk, winterized the water system and use bottles.
- Yes, PG is bad for neoprene pump impellers; they stiffen. But they can take it for a few seasons before replacement. This concerns the head as well.
billyfish
Well-Known Member
Yes in the UK in the sea but no power. Im thinking a valve at the tank outlet and drain into the bilge then pump overboard. But if I go t o all that trouble it won't get that cold again. It's never been a problem before.
Boathook
Well-Known Member
I will have to check the calorifiers on my new boat. Never had to worry on the old boat ! Going to be novel to be able to turn a tap on and get running hot water on a boat
billyfish
Well-Known Member
It sure is , new to me as wellI will have to check the calorifiers on my new boat. Never had to worry on the old boat ! Going to be novel to be able to turn a tap on and get running hot water on a boat
Refueler
Well-Known Member
For toilets and bilges .... instead of using Anti-Freeze ... use car winter screenwash .... its basically a dtergent with possible citron additive .. should be fine for seals / pumps etc.
Locked in marina vs open marina .... static liquids freeze before liquids that are in motion..... even though temperature can be same.
Locked in marina vs open marina .... static liquids freeze before liquids that are in motion..... even though temperature can be same.
VicS
Well-Known Member
and a high concentration of methanol, ethanol or propan-2-ol.
thinwater
Well-Known Member
I believe it is not so much the lack of motion (although that is a part) as that the water does not exchange with warmer water in the river or estuary, and that locked marinas are more likely 100% fresh water vs. brackish.
Even the slightest tidal exchange greatly reduces freezing.
