How to Winterize an Ember 22ETS the Right Way, by Cavillier Outdoors on YouTube. 3 min 53 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 53 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Drain the fresh water tank and water heater, then blow out all the lines with an air compressor until only air comes from the faucets.
Open the access panel and find the water pump. Look for the short winterize siphon line and its valve next to the pump inlet.
Put the siphon hose into a jug of non-toxic RV antifreeze and turn the valve to the winterize position so the pump draws from the jug, not the tank.
Switch the pump on and open one faucet at a time, hot and cold, until steady pink antifreeze runs out. Close each tap as you finish.
Flush the toilet until pink comes through, then pour a cup of antifreeze down each sink and shower drain to fill the P-traps.
Run the outside shower and any spray ports until pink antifreeze appears, then shut them off.
Open the low point drains briefly until antifreeze reaches them, then close them again so the lines stay full.
Check the tankless water heater. It holds no tank, but follow the maker's procedure for draining or bypassing it before hard frost.
Lift the siphon hose out of the jug and let the pump run a few seconds to clear the line, then set the valve back to summer mode.
Do a final walk round: every faucet closed, drains capped, antifreeze in all traps, and a note of what you used.
Tips and common mistakes
Use only non-toxic pink RV antifreeze, never automotive antifreeze, because traces stay in the lines all winter.
Keep the jug upright and watch the level, since the pump will sputter air into the lines once it runs dry.
Don't forget the toilet valve, outside shower and spray ports, as these are the parts that crack first.
Set the pump valve back to summer mode when you finish so you don't draw air on your first trip out.
Questions
Do I still need to blow out the lines if I use antifreeze?
Yes. Blowing the lines out first removes most of the water, so the antifreeze stays strong instead of being diluted. It also clears any water sitting in low spots.
How much RV antifreeze does an Ember 22ETS need?
Most small travel trailers take 2 to 3 gallons to fill the lines and P-traps. Have a spare jug on hand so you don't run the pump dry halfway through.
Does the tankless water heater need antifreeze in it?
No. A tankless heater has no tank to fill, so you drain it or bypass it following the manufacturer's instructions instead of pumping antifreeze through it.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
