Caravan Draindown

[mjtefc9]

Hi All,

I've bought a static caravan and need to drain it down at the end of the month. I'm just going to follow this:

But I have an Ecotec Pro 28 fitted with Hive.. Do I need to check he antifreeze and set the hive to frost protect ? How does that work when the water is turned off and the boiler ?

Sorry if these are dumb questions !

 

[ericmark]

I used a touring caravan in the winter, I had a small heater under the aqua-role, but nothing else, the plastic water pipes did freeze from time to time, but no damage done, with non-winter use, all I would do is drain the boiler, lifting the bunk where the boiler was, we would open the drain before travelling, and by time we were home, all water out of the system, never bothered with anything else.

Started using caravans when around 5-year-old, now 73, OK early ones no plumbing, water carrier next to sink, not quite got my head around the term static caravan, if static, then not a caravan, the words do not go together, unless it can be towed, then not a caravan. It's a mobile home yes, as can be transported on a wagon, but it's not a caravan. Unless you look at the way, at some points in the year wagons seem to go in convoy to the Welsh coast.

The video shows the stop cock above ground, so that would freeze, remember the park would have a tire and an adaptor and would pressurise the water supply and open taps until are from each tap, latter they fitted trace heating.

 

[mjtefc9]

Thanks Eric..

Its more the below issue..

Ecotec Pro 28 fitted with Hive.. Do I need to check he antifreeze and set the hive to frost protect ? How does that work when the water is turned off and the boiler ?

 

[mjtefc9]

Can Anyone help with this ?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Can Anyone help with this ?

Drain all freshwater systems down, both hot and cold - open all taps, and open the drain cock.

Regarding the boiler....

You need to check to what level the antifreeze in the system, is designed to protect to/ how cold it is safe to. In the UK, then to minus 15C, is generally regarded as safe. In which case, your entire heating system should be OK, down to minus 15C, and no need for boiler to be left on. If the anti-freeze is not valid to minus 15C, then it might be best to drain that down too.

You can check a sample of the anti-freeze mix, by popping it in the freezer, in a plastic container. If it freezes solid, then it is not adequately protected.

 

[Rodders53]

I'd agree with Harry on this.

The whole point of (expensive) antifreeze in the wet central heating circuit is so one doesn't need to drain it down.
But it's also pressurised and adding more of the same antifreeze might be necessary if the test is unsatisfactory and a bit harder to do. Hopefully the antifreeze used is clearly marked somewhere should you need to buy more.

Probably mostly plastic barrier pipework under the caravan and able to better withstand a bit of freezing/thawing than copper https://www.sav-systems.com/hep-20-piping-fittings/

NB Some caravan sites drain down and disconnect the potable water supplies and electricity to the pitches, so it would be impossible to leave the system in a frost protect mode. {Late in-Laws site did that, and warned users to clear and leave open fridges as well.}

Check with your site operators / other owners - they may offer better local advice.