Sudds
Member Since: 11 Dec 2011
Location: North Yorks/Cleveland border
Posts: 526
  
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Just wondering how people drain down the water system on their tintents as the instructions for our new van tell me to blow the system with air after initially draining via the drain point to ensure I get all the water out, but this means buying a Truma pistol grip adapter at £45 to £50 that has an air line fitting to pressure the system to 1barg and open each tap in turn. Instructions say once pressured up not to leave it for more than a minute as it may damage the system.
I have had tintents for years and have always just opened the drain valve and opened the taps to allow air in and left it at that.
What are peoples thoughts on this.
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 9th Nov 2017 8:50 am |
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nigel207
Member Since: 26 Mar 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1344
 
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I used to do the same as you, plus take off the shower head and try to blow any water out. However, a few years ago I was bought one of the devices you mention (Floe) as a present, and must admit that I’m a convert. I did my usual drain down (including the shower), but the device still managed to get out the best part of another half a litre of water.
If that was left to fester in the pipes................
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| 9th Nov 2017 9:20 am |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26699
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Open drain, open taps, open cupboard and locker doors inside, open fridge, close blinds. That's all I do.
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| 9th Nov 2017 9:25 am |
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Sudds
Member Since: 11 Dec 2011
Location: North Yorks/Cleveland border
Posts: 526
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That's what I normally do Gareth and have never had any issues in the past.
Always sterilise the water system and fit a new filter before first use after winter.
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| 9th Nov 2017 9:32 am |
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Ted Newman
Member Since: 09 Oct 2010
Location: SE London
Posts: 840
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I don't drain down - just leave the van on our own hook up at home and heating on at 12 degrees! Keeps the van nice and dry as well.  LR Discovery 4 XS pulling an Airstream 532 Caravan also own (since new) a 1996 MGF
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| 9th Nov 2017 10:33 am |
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THUB
Member Since: 10 Dec 2005
Location: West Berkshire.
Posts: 717
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I drain down both the tanks (hot & cold). Then remove shower head and blow keeping all taps shut, then open one, wait a few seconds close that tap and repeat. You need to do it through hot and cold system. Has worked for me for many many years. I am not too keen on high pressure in the water system although like the idea.
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| 9th Nov 2017 10:42 am |
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Brian_DL13
Member Since: 25 Aug 2013
Location: Teesdale
Posts: 1418
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Sudds wrote:Just wondering how people drain down the water system on their tintents as the instructions for our new van tell me to blow the system with air after initially draining via the drain point to ensure I get all the water out, but this means buying a Truma pistol grip adapter at £45 to £50 that has an air line fitting to pressure the system to 1barg and open each tap in turn. Instructions say once pressured up not to leave it for more than a minute as it may damage the system.
I have had tintents for years and have always just opened the drain valve and opened the taps to allow air in and left it at that.
What are peoples thoughts on this.
That's all I do, plus we generally get ours serviced in November so I take it to the dealer with the drain valve and taps open and that probably gets rids of more.
I also checked the Bailey manual for our current van (1 year old) and that's all it specifies to be done.
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| 9th Nov 2017 12:28 pm |
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M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8072
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Never blown mine out, just open all the drain valves and taps, easiest way to blow system out is with an air bed or air awning pump, but I've never done it. One year I forgot to drain out and it cost me a new hot water boiler  It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
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| 9th Nov 2017 1:43 pm |
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Dexter
Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 1391
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Empty the tank(s), open the taps, disconnect the pipes from the pump and run it for a few seconds (a lot of water stays in the pump), finally stick the Aquaroll filler hose over the tap (one by one) and blow like billy-o 
That shifts all the sitting water within the pipes down and out thro the open pipes at the pump.
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| 9th Nov 2017 1:46 pm |
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Sudds
Member Since: 11 Dec 2011
Location: North Yorks/Cleveland border
Posts: 526
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Thanks for all the replies. Will try blowing back through the taps and see if I can get any more water out.
We have had quite a few tintents but this one (Lunar) is the first one that has advised me to blow the system using any pressure.
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| 9th Nov 2017 1:55 pm |
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Hot Tub
Member Since: 15 Aug 2017
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 1071
 
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Have a look at https://www.keepfloeing.1gbx.com/categorie...ing+Combo/ I made something with a spare pump connector plug short peace of hose then car type tire valve but only pressurised to about 8psi then open each tap to blow out water do for hot and cold don't forget shower quite a bit of water comes out. I do this after draining hot tank then close valves blow out.
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| 9th Nov 2017 2:03 pm |
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Airportman
Member Since: 17 May 2014
Location: Hinckley
Posts: 342
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Just done mine with the Truma pistol grip thingy, the only way of making sure all water is out.
Bought it about four years ago after paying out for a couple of new pipes after a severe frost.
Even after draining down the water in the usual way, using the device I get about 3/4 of a bowl of water
coming through the pipes. Worth every penny of the £50 I paid for it.
Pete IID BT
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| 9th Nov 2017 3:29 pm |
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Bazalab
Member Since: 08 Jul 2016
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 80
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| Winter Drain down in Caravans |
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Darn sight cheaper using one of these than coping the resulting costs of freezing pipes/fractured boiler/shower heads or taps.
https://www.keepfloeing.1gbx.com/categories/Touring/
I have just ordered a new Buccaneer Cruiser and will certainly be using one of these between winter tips.
Bazalab
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| 9th Nov 2017 5:28 pm |
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Washwipe
Member Since: 19 Apr 2013
Location: Bucks Oxon Herts Border
Posts: 3169
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Converted to Floe a few years ago, used to do as others have done, just open all the taps, back in 2009, we did it but just a small bit of water had remained in the Whale pump, that blew and cost me a £100, the modern inboard pumps are a bit delicate compared to the older style that drop in the Aquaroll.
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| 9th Nov 2017 6:11 pm |
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D4mation
Member Since: 29 Jul 2011
Location: Ruralshire
Posts: 593
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Open the drain valve and taps before leaving the last campsite of the year. The homeward journey will shake the water out. 
Then just need to drain down the toilet flush. MY12 D4 HSE Ipanema Sand
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| 10th Nov 2017 12:09 am |
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