KeithR Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 my present m/home is my first with a seperate toilet flush tank. i use pink flush stuff and am usually in warmer climes for the winter but with the temperature suddenly plummeting i am concerned that the pink stuff wont stop the flush tank freezing (its full)!!!. am i worrying needlessly or heading for a disaster???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Given that it contains the pink stuff I doubt it will freeze unless it gets very cold, but it's not worth the risk in my view. Simply drain the flush tank into any available containers - two litre empty drinks bottles are good for this and free - or even a bucket - and refill again when you use the van - or just drain it all away as it costs far less than a new pump or the inconveniemnce of a split. I used to give the pump a short burst when the tank is empty to remove most of the liquid around the impeller, not sure if it helped but it was a no cost option! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 We used to put antifreeze in the separate toilet flush in the winter in the 90s. We left the water in all winter as we used the van from time to time. It never froze. You have to be careful what antifreeze you use - its not the stuff you put in the car's radiator. From memory we used an Ethylene glycol solution imported from the US for RVs but don't quote me on that. With the heater on in the van, emptying the cassette on a regular basis, and draining your flush tank when you get home, it should not freeze but the right antifreeze might give you extra assurance. Probably a caravanner or caravanning website will be able to point you in the right direction if you don't get better and more up to date advice on here. A caravan accessory shop should have an appropriate antifreeze. Be warned, all antifreeze is poisonous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laimeduck Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 I used windscreen wash when I had a similar system in the Caravan. Diluted to give -15 to -20 protection I think. Used to go skiing in the Alps when overnight temps dropped regularly to -10 and it never froze. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 These links discuss the issue http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Thetford-flush-antifreeze-/2710/ http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Screen-wash-in-Loo/32786/ https://www.practicalcaravan.com/forum/technical/28004-will-our-thetford-toilet-freeze Toilet ‘rinse additives’ (eg. Thetford’s own Aqua Rinse product) https://www.thetford-europe.com/product/aqua-rinse-plus/ are not advertised as providing any frost-protection and, given the sizeable capacity of a Thetford toilet’s flush-tank and the small ‘dose' of rinse-additive that will normally be put in, there’s no persuasive reason to expect a rinse additive to protect against freezing if the weather becomes very cold. Thetford’s historic advice is that adding ordinary ‘car’ antifreeze to the water in the tolet’s flush-tank should not cause problms (ref. 1st link above) but - if the poison potential is a concern - ’safe’ antifreeze is available that can be employed to protect a leisure-vehicle’s complete water system. Several products are marketed (GOOGLE “potable antifreeze”) - for example https://tinyurl.com/y74dokq9 http://www.elsan.co.uk/anti-freeze.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebishbus Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 Another vote for windscreen wash,and pour a drop down your sinks to protect the water traps. Brian B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chas Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 Drain it and store it. Job done and no worries. :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithR Posted December 1, 2017 Author Share Posted December 1, 2017 many thanks for all your replies, number of good ideas to choose from so i can get a plan of action today. the van is in storage and everything else is drained down, ive even taken out the leisure batteries to charge so some of the options are not immediately open to me. just hope im not too late. it hasnt been that cold (-3 external) but it can get worse up here!!! first winter for 12 years not away, and it looks like a bad one. bah!!!! again, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 Not strictly on-topic, but the following links relate to a modification to Thetford C250 CWE toilets that reduces the risk of frost damage https://www.practicalcaravan.com/forum/technical/44727-thetford-offers-free-toilet-fix-kit https://www.thetford-europe.com/improved-draining-solution-c250-cwe/ A picture of a C250 CWE is on this webpage http://www.grasshopperleisure.co.uk/thetford-c250-cwe-motorhome-electric-swivel-caravan-cassette-toilet--door-3227-p.asp If a motorhome is to be stored outside and exposed to the possibility of very cold weather, draining the water system needs to be very thorough to prevent frost damage. My Hobby motorhome had the type of plastic multi-part water manifolds shown in the attached photo and, although I had carefully ‘gravity drained’ the system, enough water had remained within the manifold for the frozen water’s expansion to cause the manifold’s parts to separate. Nowadays, after I have drained the water tanks, water heater and the water-pump’s filter, I use compressed air to blow residual water out of the water pipework. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelmorris Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 Brock - 2017-11-30 11:05 PM We used to put antifreeze in the separate toilet flush in the winter in the 90s. We left the water in all winter as we used the van from time to time. It never froze. You have to be careful what antifreeze you use - its not the stuff you put in the car's radiator. From memory we used an Ethylene glycol solution imported from the US for RVs but don't quote me on that. I hate to disabuse you, but the active ingredient in most car antifreeze IS ethylene glycol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithR Posted December 1, 2017 Author Share Posted December 1, 2017 i found the drain tube so i drained it down and put in a little bit of pure pink in case there was any lurking water. as we are probably not using the van til spring it seemed the best option. thanks all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 A webpage about Thetford toilet maintence advises as follows: "When putting the toilet into storage or not using it for a long period of time (as you may be doing at this time of year!) the seal should be kept clean and lubricated. The blade of the toilet should also be kept open to prevent the seal sticking to the blade. The rest of the toilet can be safely and effectively cleaned with Thetford bathroom cleaner. We advise draining the flush water-tank prior to travelling. Anti-freeze should not be required if the caravan/motorhome is heated. If you do wish to use anti-freeze, brands containing the following substances may be used -Mono-propylene glycol -Ethylene glycol -Mono-ethylene glycol -Propane-diol -Glycerol -Ethane-diol -Glycol NEVER use alcohol based anti-freeze, i.e Methanol, Ethanol and Iso-propanol.” I don’t know where the idea might have come from that ‘pink flushing stuff’ will be effective as an antifreeze. It is not advertised as having that property and the following link to the Safety Data Sheet for Thetford’s Aqua Rinse Plus suggests that it’s essentially water with relatively small quantities of detergent and perfume agents in it. http://www.partinfo.co.uk/files/30355AK%20Thetford%20Aqua%20Rinse%20Plus%20400ml.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithR Posted December 1, 2017 Author Share Posted December 1, 2017 i do have thetford bathroom cleaner and rubber lubricant, and have left the blade half open (which i do when we are travelling through hills!!). guess id better drain the rest of the pink stuff!!! everything else is always cleaned emptied and drained betwen trips. the day before we we go anywhere i take the van home, put it on charge, load it and flush then fill the water tank. now i know to remember my flush tank outside of summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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