[C320-list] a/c winterizing

Wed Nov 5 13:02:19 PST 2008

Ok, dots connected, I stick by my second message. Please read:

I have two types of "pink stuff."  One is propylene glycol, the other is
ethyl alcohol, both pink, both labeled as suitable for marine and RV potable
water systems. Some pink propylene glycol products are usable in the engine
if they have corrosion and scale inhibitors.  Apparently, Allan, the brand
you use is one such product. The ethyl alcohol product I have boasts no
additives on the label and so I would not use it in the engine, yet it is
"pink."

I would hope others relying on my message below would read it fully, do
their own research, and act accordingly. I don't profess to be an expert on
boats and offer my comments, such as they are, based on my own limited
experience.

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: 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