Still Slushy, but good

We actually got above freezing today, Sunny and all.  It sure felt good to go outside without your eyelids sticking shut when you blinked.

I took the time to inspect the TNT and Butler units for freeze damage.  The Butler seems to have survived fine with the heaters on-board, but I couldn't test the TNT yet as the RV antifreeze is still pretty slushy.



We are supposed to reach upper 30's tomorrow so that might be enough to start it up and check for leaks.  The bright spot is that there is no water below the heater so far.  That might change when heated and under psi, but my fingers are crossed.

For pete's sake...will be almost 50 on Wed., followed by negative digit lows and single digit highs for the rest of the week.

Sure, it is winter in the Midwest, but it still gets old fast going from 50 to -2 with 6 inches of snow in 24 hours just isn't right. That leaves me a couple of days to inspect the TNT, operate, and then re-winterize before the next round.

Still not sure if I will go with De-icer or RV antifreeze this go around. I guess if there is no damage to the coil, pump, or fittings, then the RV stuff works, but will find out.

You need to sell that rig to a warm climate CC.

I agree Matt, that is going to happen before the end of Summer. It is a great set-up during the warmer months, so I will get some more usage out of it until then, but it will have to go before the fall.

Day of truth arrived with temperatures in the mid-40's for the second day in a row.

Ran the TNT closed loop for 30 minutes at just about 500 psi.....no leaks anywhere and pump psi consistent.  I am very surprised by that discovery and very pleased as well.

We were below zero every night for 2 weeks with some as low as -22 and it never got higher than 9 degrees during the day.  The RV antifreeze froze into a solid block, but never expanded enough to damage anything.



I used the Sta-Bil brand because it includes an anti-corrosive agent unlike the cheap "pink" stuff.  It was also rated for -75 instead of -50.  I guess it works.

That's a big "whew"!

Yes it is!!

We go back into the sub-zero deep freeze with 8 inches of snow Wed. night. At least I know that this stuff will protect the TM, so I no longer have to worry so much.

Just have to focus on the power going out now....hate winter.

I remember the first winter with my TM. For 3 weeks, never got above 20°. I was checking the heaters and thermometes 5x a day. 
  One thing I did was place a plastic cup with water, just next to the TM. Quick visual to see if freezing issues.
  Now I have a garage!! In my 25 the year.
I did have an astro van for several years, that I could squeeze into our small garage. And I mean Small.

I still do that Matt. Wireless thermometers in 2 locations in my van and a bottle of water on the floor as well next to the pump. I would never leave town over-night out of worry in case the power went out.

But the TNT in that box truck may have cured my OCD. It sat in an aluminum box for 2 weeks of the worst cold in decades with no apparent damage. There was no space heater, no blankets, no insulation beyond what was wrapped around the LG heating coil.

My Butler was winterized with the same stuff, yet I still keep a heater in there for some reason. I guess some paranoid behavior remains.

This industry really requires a good size shop or garage, no doubt about it. Between the threats of freezing temperatures, theft, or hail, the only safe thing is to have a heated garage.

I really hope to make that happen this year.