[C320-list] a/c winterizing

[John Frost]

I used to be able to find a non toxic engine anti freeze that kept the
fishes happy at the Wal-Mart or auto store. Now they all have nasty warnings
so I've been using drinking water pink stuff. Where do you get non toxic
engine antifreeze?

John Frost
2007 C320 MKII, Hull # 1118 
Lake Guntersville, AL



-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of warren updike
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 10:40 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] a/c winterizing

While you are saying "pink" I hope you don't mean the same "pink" you're
using for the potable water system. The engine antifreeze should be a purple
color of at least -50deg. I'm not sure why, but the pink stuff is not
appropriate for winterizing the engine.

Warren & Pattie Updike
Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar"
Middle River, Chesapeake Bay




-----Original Message-----
From: momvan at aol.com [mailto:momvan at aol.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 6:32 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] a/c winterizing

I found an easy way to get pink through the system. Get a large bucket that
will hold 3 bottles. Get a hose ( 2 feet or so) that will fit tightly
outside or inside the diameter of your water intake. Take the intake off the
thru-hull, add the externsion, put the bucket on the white box ( aqua filter
) and have someone start the engine, with the tube in the bucket.......rev
up the motor and drain until all 3 gallons are out........If you open the
cockpit hatch, you can talk to the guy on deck to turn off the motor when it
is done.


-----Original Message-----
From: Jamie Pett <JPett at JP2ARCHITECTS.COM>
To: C320-list at Catalina320.com
Sent: Mon, 3 Nov 2008 10:18 pm
Subject: [C320-list] a/c winterizing








Dreading the prospect of winter, I am nevertheless facing the task of
getting 
Bella Luna ready for the hard after our first amazing season with her. 
 
I have a copy of Carl's very nice article on winterizing the c-320.  It has
been 
very helpful and I am working my way through winterizing - got the water
system 
done last weekend.  The tips on draining the hw heater by releasing the
pressure 
valve were very useful (amazed at how much water was still in there), but
his 
paper does not say anything about winterizing a reverse cycle a/c heat unit.

 
I thought I would simply close the thru-hull intake, open the strainer, and
add 
pink stuff with the unit running until it comes out the outlet - can anyone
add 
suggestions ? 
 
I also read somewhere that if you put the unit on fan only the compressor
won't 
run, but don't know why that matters ?  Do I need to do anything else with
the 
A/c compressor ? (or the Alder Barbour fridge?)
 
Also, on the engine - what is the best method for getting the pink stuff
into 
the system  - my strainer for the engine is inverted, so I guess I can pull
the 
intake hose and use it to pulll the antifreeze, but it seems awful short to
try 
to suck pink stuff out of a gallon jug , and switching jugs mid-job seems 
difficult as well ? Any suggestions ? 
 
Jamie Pett
'Bella Luna' #614