Frost control in the winter

[Graham of Madrid]

I need some help here please.

It’s getting cold here in Madrid (it was 4 degs C last night) and it’s about time to empty the fresh water tank and Truma 4 boiler

I’ve only had the van less than a year so I’m a bit unprepared for the winter weather. First thing, open the grey waste valve and leave open. As I understand it I need to empty the FW tank by turning all the taps on (sink, washbasin and shower mid-way between H and C) When the FW tank is empty will the boiler also be empty ?

On the frost control safety drain valve - I will turn the blue diamond shaped valve at the top 90 or 180 degrees (not sure which) and the blue button at the bottom will pop out and if there’s any water left in the boiler it should drain itself from the drain outlet

Then I leave all the taps in the open position between H and C, the frost control button out and that’s it for the water protection

Please advise if I’ve got this right or not.

Many thanks.

 

[Boringfrog]

I would peg mine open unless it was going to be minus temperatures inside the motorhome.

 

[Ernesto]

I dont think the frost valve empties the fresh water tank ...just the boiler I think, at least that's true on our Ducato.
I also have to go into the rear and undo a valve above the fresh water tank to drain that. A couple of turns drains all but 20 lts, and a full "undoing" of the valve drains it 100%

 

[TerryL]

I recently (after owning the van for over 10 years!) found that the taps just downstream of the water pump actually have a "drain" position so that any water left in the pipes can safely drain away. That'll be an extra job later this week when I get it "winterised"

 

[Graham of Madrid]

I dont think the frost valve empties the fresh water tank ...just the boiler I think, at least that's true on our Ducato.

Hi Ernesto. I don't think that's what I said. What I asked was if I drain the FW tank trough the taps will this empty the boiler or will the boiler only empty through the frost control safety valve

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[Riverbankannie]

Hi Ernesto. I don't think that's what I said. What I asked was if I drain the FW tank trough the taps will this empty the boiler or will the boiler only empty through the frost control safety valve

It’s best to drain the system through the taps AND. drain the boiler by opening the valve. Valve normally turns through 90 degrees to change between open and closed positions. Mine drains to the ground outside so I put a bowl under. A normal amount would be 10 litres out of the boiler.
Leave taps in open position hallway between hot and cold of mixer type.
You may also have a filter in a small glass/plastic bowl. This can crack if water in it freezes so belt and braces would be to empty the filter too.

 

[Ernesto]

Ok - just not sure you can 100% drain the FW tank via the taps so thought I'd highlight that theres another valve to consider

I'd suggest opening all 4 - grey valve, frost valve, taps and fresh water drain valve - to be 100% sure

 

[HandyAndy]

basically open everything Graham..
Taps, shower, boiler drain valve, safety frost valve, fresh water drain tap and grey water drain tap.

 

[TerryL]

I'd question being able to drain the F/W tank just by using the taps. This assumes the pump pickup is right at the bottom of the tank, which it may well be designed to be, but would be easy to dislodge.

Some vans have a separate valve to drain the tank - mine has a rubber bung in the bottom, accessible through a hatch in the floor and a screw-off cover on top of the tank. Why manufacturers make things so difficult when the simplest solution, like mine, is the easiest and cheapest, beggars belief!

 

[Graham of Madrid]

Can't go wrong with that HandyAndy - cheers

If I'm to measure the 10 litres (by opening the valve) would this be affected by draining the FW tank first ? just need to know that the boiler is fully drained as that worries me more than anything else

My FW tank has something I can open at the bottom if I stick my hand in through the top but I have a 7cm thick floor so I´m not so worried about anything in the FW tank freezing. Am I wrong

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[TheTwoOfUs]

Don't forget to turn the 12V off or the pump will keep on running with the taps open.

 

[Graham of Madrid]

I´ll turn the pump off, take the keys outta the ignition and remember to set the alarm and lock the doors !

 

[HandyAndy]

You don't need to measure anything... If it's pissing water on the floor after you flick the drain valve open or pop the frost switch open then it'll keep going til it's empty..

 

[AXO66]

Just thought. If any tank, pipe etc has say 10% of its water left in , is this an issue?, as there is room for the frozen water to expand into?

( I get as much out as possible , but haven't yet taken pipes off the pump)

 

[HandyAndy]

as long as the expansion of it, as it freezes, has somewhere to go... no.

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[Oldbob]

I thought the best way to protect it was to go somewhere warmer for the winter !

 

[HandyAndy]

On top of draining all fluids I purchased this off amazon yesterday, arrived earlier.
It will be set to 5°c and plugged into a small heater. MH is on hookup in the drive

 

[nicholsong]

My submersible pump in the FW tank has a non-return valve incorporated in the body, so the outlet pipe and pump do not drain and frost could damage them, so I disconnect the pump from the pipe which drains the residue from the pipe and then shake water out of the pump.

Maybe OTT but pumps are not cheap and not always easily obtainable so better sure than sorry.

Geoff

 

[Graham of Madrid]

Just thought. If any tank, pipe etc has say 10% of its water left in , is this an issue?, as there is room for the frozen water to expand into?

( I get as much out as possible , but haven't yet taken pipes off the pump)

my thought entirely. It´s not like it´s corrosive and will eat stuff

 

[Graham of Madrid]

I´m not on the drive and I´m banned from Amazon by SWHMO

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[Graham of Madrid]

SWMBO. Grrrrrrrrrr

 

[Potty]

Make sure you turn all the taps back on before you next fill up with water. Been there, done that!

 

[HandyAndy]

Make sure you turn all the taps back on before you next fill up with water. Been there, done that!

Did you not notice your feet getting wet

 

[HandyAndy]

SWMBO. Grrrrrrrrrr

There is an edit button for those grammatical faux Pas' you know

 

[bobandjanie]

Blow the water out the taps and remove the shower head and blow down the hose, water always get trapped. ? Bob.

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[daveandsan]

Drained ours down today as I don’t think we will be out for a few weeks.
I pull the plug out of the fresh water tank and also drain the boiler down through the frost valve while leaving the taps in the on position. When that’s all drained I remove the shower head and connect a small compressor up to the pipe and blow the pipes out, you would be surprised how much water it blows out.

 

[kevenh]

Make sure you turn all the taps back on before you next fill up with water. Been there, done that!

All the taps that drain from tanks, like the FW & WH
But leave the sink & shower tap on so that air is release as you fill. Still with the pump off tho

 

[autorouter]

Then I leave all the taps in the open position between H and C, the frost control button out and that’s it for the water protection

Don't forget the toilet flush. Press the flush until no more water comes out.

 

[Graham of Madrid]

Grrr .. just cleaned the cassette. Yes that's probably the most prone to risk on the van