R25 Winterizing Procedures

[Metric Rider]

As a newbie I have a lot of questions and how best to winterize is one of them! I would like to do the winterization myself on my new to me R25 and have been trying to research old posts but still have lots of questions. Looking for recommendations for good writeups on the subject hopefully with good pics or illustrations. Thanks for your input in advance!

 

[Brian B]

I follow this for my 25. download/file.php?id=140
Although it is written for a 29 the procedure is the same, no pics though.

 

[Ken Boyd]

Congratulations on purchasing your R-25. I remember my first winterizing effort and it was a bit of a challenge. If memory serves me correctly, Andrew Custis at Ranger Tug forwarded me a checklist similar to what Brian B posted for the R-29 but it was written for the R-25. Recommend you check with Andrew if you have not already done so.

The procedure for winterizing a R-25 is essentially the same as that for the R-29 but I find I can get by with 12 gallons of nontoxic RV antifreeze. This materiel is readily available but the price varies a lot. In my area, Wal-Mart has the best deal on it.

If you have any specific questions, send me a PM. Basically, winterizing is something you learn by doing. Works best if you have someone to help flip switches but it is doable working alone.

 

[Metric Rider]

Thanks for all the good advice! As a new owner it is exciting, but there sure is a lot to learn, hopefully I don't learn too many lessons the hard way

 

[Rsmitshoek]

What does the multiport strainer look like?

 

[Kaisardog]

After 35 years of winterizing boats and rv s I still make a winterizing checklist with little boxes to check off when i complete the task. the checkoff looks something like this :

Diesel:
____add FttF fuel tank winter additive then
____run until hot, change engine oil filter
____check gearbox oil while hot, according to mfgr specs
____max rpms attained: 3900 at 4.pm 9-26-14
____alternator belt tension: less than 1/2 "
____raw water pump:felt for seepage, there was none
____t-stat block: inspect for leakage: result: none
____check t stat block hoses to hot water heater for abrasion or leakage: none
____coolant level in overflow tank: fine
____engine operating data check: oil pr 42 PSI, coolant temp 170 degrees OK
____ winterize engine: shut off raw water flow, pour 4 gal antifreeze in while running, check AF comes out OK

AC:
___ insert pump inlet into antifreeze, turn on
___watch for AF to come out AC outlet thru hull
___undo screws on march pump housing

Freshwater:
___add 6 gall AF to water tank thru intake deck port
___run freshwater pump to nearest fixture (galley hot ) till pink comes out, catch AF in bottle to reuse
___run thru galley sink cold "" ""
___run thru head hot sink spigot "" ""
___run thru head cold sink spigot
___run thru shower
___run thru outside shower lines , if it's installed

HEAD : (after pump- out of holding tank)
___with head set to holding tank, detach head raw water feed, put intake hose into AF bottle, pump thru toilet pump . keep feeding head toilet pump with bottles of leftover antifreeze save from freshwater system .
___dump AF saved from freshwater winterization into toilet, use toilet pump to get it thru plumbing pipes and in to the holding tank
___run macerator to get AF into and thru macerator

BILGE PUMPS:
___pour leftover freshwater antifreeze into the bilge, pump it out.
don't forget manual bilge pump if you have one.

___battery check: sand connections, put dielectric grease on them, check wires for chafe .

give yourself a cold beer and congratulations, you just saved $500... :lol:

kaisardog, (just returned from doing all of the above on boat, rv is next....)