Emptying tanks for winter

[Hayesdec]

Hi everyone

I have an Elldis 185 auto quest 2019.

I wanted to know if I have to empty water from water heater as it situated outside under the van. If so how do I do this please.
And when we use the van after winter. Will the water heater fill when I fill water tank.
I do empty water tanks. Van is parked on drive plugged in and we keep a electric blow heater on so van is warm inside.
Thanks

 

[TerryL]

Despite having a heater in the van (which personally I wouldn't do anyway but that's another thread) it's a good idea to drain down the water heater and the full system too. Bit puzzled about your comment that the heater is outside the van - they're usually under a seat or bed, assuming it is gas/electric powered. If it's diesel, the following should still apply but you may have to crawl underneath to find the drain tap.

Not sure if your model has an automatic drain down but in any case there will be a manual drain situated close to the boiler. You simply raise the lever and you should hear/see water running out outside the van.
While you're at it drain down the water pipes too. Switch on your water pump (freshwater tank already empty of course) then open all your taps - if they're mixers put the lever in between the hot and cold so both lines are open. Put the shower head on the floor so that it drains too (you'll hear the pump running whilst this is all happening of course). Once water has stopped running turn the pump off, leaving all the taps open - the small amount of residual water in the pipes should be okay as there will be room for any ice that does form to expand. Also don't forget the toilet flush - operate that too to clear that.

Once you're certain there is no more danger of frosts, close all the taps including the boiler drain (I always forget that one!) refill the water tank and turn on the pump. The water heater will refill itself then you'll pronbaly need to "bleed" the taps - starting at the closest to the pump, open the tap (it'll probably splutter so have a cloth handy) until the water runs smoothly. Repeat with the rest of the taps, shower head and loo flush - it may take a little while for the spluttering to stop.

Have done this every winter since we had the van (12 years) without any problems.

 

[robnchris]

As said by TerryL don't bother with the heater, you'll just attract condensation.
Open all cupboards, remove all soft furnishing and food.
Open all the taps and drains, we used to remove the window wipers but now we have an all over cover don't bother, as the solar panel now doesn't get any light we connect a trickle charger to the hab battery.

 

[Hayesdec]

Hi

Thanks for that. Never done any of that before thought about. I think I’ve just been lucky
Thanks again for all your help.

Regards
Richard
Hayesdec