A few days ago, I used a a section of threaded steel pipe to make it
easier to pour antifreeze into the strainers to winterize my boat's engine,
generator and freshwater plumbing system, but yesterday I improved on it.
The new version uses PVC, has a much greater capacity, and would work even
better.  And PVC is absolutely simple to work with, even your girlfriend
could do it (as long as the wife doesn't find out.)  Here's a link to a new
page on my website, with photos, parts list and instructions:

http://www.tug44.org/winter.maintenance/antifreeze-flushing/

The pipe sizes I mention on the page are for the Groco ARG-750 (2" cap
threads) sea-water strainer on my genny, but it's easy enough to select the
correct sizes for other sizes of strainers.  The parts for the one I made
for the ARG-750, cost about 30 bucks at Home Depot, but there was enough
pipe and pvc glue left over to save half the cost of making a larger
version (3" cap threads, I think) for the ARG-2000 on my main engine.

Let me know what you think.

And I like Groco's part numbers on their strainers, that "ARG" really
appeals to my inner pirate... heh!

Fred
Tug 44

Nice thinking, as long as the completed height of the PVC is comfortable for
pouring. The good thing for you is your house is where your boat is so you
have plenty of storage space off the boat for the new device.

I did mine differently but yet simple......and it allowed me to easily
monitor the amount of antifreeze going into the engine and prevents you from
running out. I used this technique for both the genset and the Lehman 120:
Simply shut off the sea cock and remove the intake hose that leads to engine
intake.
Add another piece of hose with a coupler in between them to get the length
you need.
Fill a bucket with fresh water. Keep a supply hose of fresh water with you
in the injun room.
Put the intake hose (and extension) into the fresh water bucket then run the
injun. As it runs, use the hose to keep water supplied in the bucket to stay
ahead of the water intake rate. This will completely flush the injun of salt
water BEFORE you fill her with antifreeze.
Now fill the bucket with the anticipated amount of antifreeze needed. Have
spare antifreeze gallons on hand and ready to pour in if desired/needed.
Run the engine as described above.
When you see antifreeze coming out of the exhaust, you are done. The system
has been fully filled with antifreeze.
Put the intake hose back on the sea cock but keep it closed (unless you are
hauled out of the water).
Write yourself a nice big note and attach it to the keys and starter of the
genset and main injun: SEA COCK IS CLOSED ! That prevents dumb stuff from
taking place months from now in the Spring when you launch or start up for
the first time. (I'm sure no one has ever done this......)

One additional thought: this spare hose I used for the genset and
Lehman.......I kept it in the bilge storage compartments labeled and ready
to grab in the event of a catastrophic water flood event in the bottom of
the boat. My plan was to quickly connect it as described above but hang it
in the bilge to let the injun (genset or main) quickly pump out the unwanted
bilge water. Even better is to attach a small strainer to it to be used in
case of this emergency situation. It's a great supplement to an overworked
bilge pump.
R.

-----Original Message-----
From: Great-Loop [mailto:great-loop-bounces@lists.trawlering.com] On Behalf
Of fred@tug44.org

A few days ago, I used a a section of threaded steel pipe to make it easier
to pour antifreeze into the strainers to winterize my boat's engine,
generator and freshwater plumbing system, but yesterday I improved on it.
The new version uses PVC, has a much greater capacity, and would work even
better.  And PVC is absolutely simple to work with, even your girlfriend
could do it (as long as the wife doesn't find out.)  Here's a link to a new
page on my website, with photos, parts list and instructions:

http://www.tug44.org/winter.maintenance/antifreeze-flushing/

Fred
Tug 44

Ralph,

Removing the hose is not really possible on my main engine strainer.
Mine's bigger than yours.  :)

I have a mega-motor in my boat, it pumps water thru a 4 inch tube at the
speed of a firehose.  That steel-reinforced tube is impossible even to
flex, let alone remove from any of the fittings.  That leaves me with only
the option of pouring into the strainer.

Fred

From: "Ralph Yost" ralph@alphacompservices.com
Sent: Saturday, November 21, 2015 5:41 PM
To: fred@tug44.org, "Great Loop List" great-loop@lists.trawlering.com
Subject: RE: Engine Winterizing Gadget, Version 2

-- snip --

I did mine differently but yet simple......and it allowed me to easily
monitor the amount of antifreeze going into the engine and prevents you
from
running out. I used this technique for both the genset and the Lehman 120:
Simply shut off the sea cock and remove the intake hose that leads to
engine
intake.
Add another piece of hose with a coupler in between them to get the length
you need.
Fill a bucket with fresh water. Keep a supply hose of fresh water with you
in the injun room.

-- snip --

R.