[C320-list] a/c winterizing

Wed Nov 5 11:07:53 PST 2008

O.K. now that we've sorted that pink stuff out.....I just wanted to
thank everyone for the input on winterizing.  

Since I got several differing methods for getting the antifreeze in,
none of which seemed quite right for me, my boat, or required the
installation of 'T's etc. - I devised my own.

In the spirit of sharing, here's what I did - 

West Marine sells a 3/4" barb with a female hose fitting (about $4 in
plastic, or $7 in brass).  I used that on the end of a short hose led
from a 5 gallon 'winterizing kit' type jug. (This is a kit for
winterizing powerboat i/o engines -also available at West Marine - 5 ga.
jug has a valve outlet and a vent - about $35 on sale).

For both engine and a/c, I simply:
1.- Close the in-take through hull, clean the strainer
2.- Pull the intake hose at the through hull (for the A/C I allowed the
strainer basket to drain at this point.  For the engine, strainer is
inverted and I dumped it)
3.- Insert the barb / hose fitting into the intake hose, and put one
clamp on it, (for a/c -  fill the strainer basket w/ antifreeze) and
reassemble 
4.- Run the short hose through the starboard cockpit seat port light to
the winterizing jug in cockpit
5.- Opened the jug valve, started the engine or a/c, lifted the jug to
get more gravity feed, fed until antifreeze coming out outlet 

Done. This allows you to winterize alone, since you are in the cockpit,
can start and stop the motor or the antifreeze flow, and can see the
outlet.

In Step 3 re-filling the basket is important when doing the a/c, or you
may get a vapor lock - doesn't seem to matter for the engine, as it
sucks the antifreeze through fine.

I could not get the petcock open to drain the lift muffler, but was
assured by a mechanic if I ran 4 + gallons of antifreeze through, it
would push virtually all the water out, and it seemed to be true - pure
antifreeze coming out when I finished.  Used 4 gallons on the engine,
and about 1 1/2 on the a/c. (For the engine, I diluted Banfrost 50/50
which provides -75F. burst point.  For the a/c I used the now 'infamous'
pink stuff straight)

Thanks again.

Jamie Pett
Bella Luna #614

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Allan S.
Field
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 9:58 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] a/c winterizing

Warren - "Pink Stuff" is propylene glycol.  Your original statement was
that
pink stuff is not suitable for winterizing the engine.  Again, why did
you
say that?  I think it is time for you to connect the dots between "pink
stuff" and "propylene glycol" and admit your mistake.  Others may be
acting
on your misinformation. - Allan

-----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 8:38 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] a/c winterizing

Allan, what brand do you use?

Here is what I can tell from limited research. Antifreeze for RV/Marine
use
is of three types:

         Ethylene Glycol

         Propylene Glycol

         Ethyl Alcohol

Ethylene glycol is only for use in the closed-loop cooling side of an
engine
as it is toxic and should not be released into the environment. These
will
have corrosion inhibitors to protect the cast iron or aluminum block and
other parts.

Propylene glycol is suitable for winterizing the raw water side of
engines
if appropriate corrosion inhibitors are included; and, for potable water
systems.

Ethyl alcohol is suitable only for winterizing potable water systems.

If anyone can correct or improve on the above description please do so.
You'll be doing most of us a service.

Warren & Pattie Updike

Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar"

Middle River, Chesapeake Bay

-----Original Message-----
From: Allan S. Field [mailto:allan.field at verizon.net] 
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 1:01 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] a/c winterizing

Warren - I would suggest you figure out why you say the pink is not
suitable

for marine engine antifreeze 'cause it is.  It not only says so on the

bottle, but I have used it in marine engines for 21 seasons now without
a

problem.  If memory serves me correctly, the purple stuff takes you down
to

a minus 100 degree bursting point.  Regardless, the pink stuff has
corrosion

inhibitors that make it suitable for all engines including aluminum
parts.

It also is suitable for the potable water system.  But of course if you

don't want to believe the label, then I can see where you are coming
from...

- Allan

-----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 11:40 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