Quick Questions for you
How many on here actually use the caravan drain down systems?
I can see the value in doing it but I can't say it is necessary to do it as I just empty the heater tank and leave the taps open in case of water expansion during winter.
I've never had one and would never buy one, I just drain everything down leave the taps open never had a problem.
Just another gadget people think they need because the manufactureres tell them.
Just do as most people, drain down and leave all taps open. I don't see the need to purchase another piece of kit, to do a task, we've always managed to do without it.
that's all I have ever done and I too have never had a problem, its that I saw them in the caravan show and just wondered what others thought of them and at £40-50 they can keep em.
thing als a wee bit of water in a pipe wont cause any damage plus plastic pipes should be flexible, surely it is when water is held under pressure and it freezes that a pipe would crack, leaving taps open and tanks drained should mean there isnt enough water to expand when freezing and cause a pipe or tank to crack
I must say I now use a drain down kit.
I probably get about a pint of additional water from each hot and cold side of each tap and the same again from the heater.
Thats about 5 pints of water that would normally still be in the system.
It takes all of 5 mins to do.
I suppose it depends on how harsh a winter you get.
I made one from a few bits and pieces, cheap and fairly straitforward plus the instructions on how to do it can be found on here and elsewhere. It removes just over a pint extra water out of the 'drained' system.
There are only a few places that ice will do damage, here are a couple to look out for, not are all in the fresh water system.
One, I have had my shower tap break internally as it iced up because I forgot to leave it open the first year we had it, the second was the flush pump in the toilet cracked but Thetford have modified the unit now. (CWE250)
Dave
------------- Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you on experience.
Mark Twain.
I use the drain down kit on the caravan, but really I bought it to clear my garden irrigation system over the winter.
I have nearly 75 meters of vulnerable irrigation hose that that lies on the surface of the ground over winter and clearing it of all water is essential.
But the caravan probably doesn't need it.
Quote: Originally posted by GCMS2012 on 26/10/2015
Our van has it's own on board water tank, so not sure 'where' to plumb a system in to force out the remaining water...
I'm sure their website will give instructions on how to do it with an internal tank
I do use a small compressor to blow water out of the system, After i have drained the system I put the compressor on but i dont let the pressure go more than 10 psi,They do say 15psi,I make sure the on board pump is completely dry by blowing it out,I have had one damaged and at £40 for a repair kit thats what i do.I get half a ltr after drain down out the pump and pipe work.
------------- Roughing it in style at Calloose caravan and camping holiday park nr St Ives.(seasonal pitch)
Its not a hangover, its wine flu!
We use a drain down kit that I made, but for me it's more about getting rid of the stagnent water from the system. All sorts of nasty bugs can grow in the stagnent water that is left in the pipes.
I get a couple of pints out the system even after leaving the drain plug and taps open all the way home.
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Topic: Water draindown units
thats what i do.I get half a ltr after drain down out the pump and pipe work.
