De winterize Water system: Ice maker

[Spaniard]

I need help with what it seems a simple question, as I am new to boating. I assume de-winterizing the water system in my cruiser would be more or less the same method the winterizing it, but using water instead. My main concern is the Ice maker. Some people states that we should not drink the water in a boat, and we should always carry bottled water. I completely understand that way of thinking; however, what do we do about the ice maker? Is it save to put the ice in our drinks? How often do I need to change the water in my tank so that the ice it would not be affected?


Thanks in advance.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: De winterize Water systme: Ice maker

Re: De winterize Water systme: Ice maker

Flush a couple tanks of fresh water through it, and then empty as much as possible. You don't want any standing water in the system, fill it before use and empty if its going to be unused for awhile. Although I don't have a boat with a water system, I do have an RV... I would never drink the water (or use the ice in a drink) from the water system in that, unless it was down to no other sources and life or death situation obviously. You don't know what the plastic tank is leaching out into your water.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: De winterize Water systme: Ice maker

Re: De winterize Water systme: Ice maker

next year use cheap vodka instead of antifreeze in the drinking system.

As for whether it's safe: it's just like third world travel. if the water is bad, the ice is bad, too. Why? it's made out of the same water!

So either fix your water system or use the ice for your fish.

If you have an aluminum tank or other parts, don't clean it with clorox!

BTW if your water is unsafe, you will get the same germs when you shower, brush your teeth, wash dishes, etc. if it just tastes bad, it will make your gin and tonic taste bad--truly a disaster at sea or in port.

 

[Spaniard]

Re: De winterize Water systme: Ice maker

Re: De winterize Water systme: Ice maker

Thank you, guys. That is what I was thinking;however, why in the world do we have a $1500 ice maker installed in our boats? It makes no sense to me. I have not tested my ice maker yet, as I just bought the boat, and it was winterized. But if for whatever reason were no to be working, i am not sure if I will be replacing it. At the same time, I feel like I sure am missing something here.... Many cruisers have ice makers on them, and don?t think manufactures would put them in boats if were not to be safe.... Of course, that is my two cents worth common sense... in which it might be overpriced at this point.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: De winterize Water systme: Ice maker

Re: De winterize Water systme: Ice maker

BTW if your water is unsafe, you will get the same germs when you shower, brush your teeth, wash dishes, etc. if it just tastes bad, it will make your gin and tonic taste bad--truly a disaster at sea or in port.

There are lots of nasties that you will only get by swallowing them, and in decent quantities. (as well as the bad chemicals that are leached out by plastic) Bathing and washing dishes is quite a bit safer than drinking it. (most people wouldn't drink straight lake/pond water, but yet swimming is fine) And drying out kills most/all of the nasties, so washing dishes is safe as long as your dishes are dry before you use them again.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: De winterize Water systme: Ice maker

Re: De winterize Water systme: Ice maker

If you are worried about biologicals in the water, Flush the system and refill it it with Chlorinated tap water.

If you are Really worried...
Get a swimming pool Chlorine test kit. ($2) and check the Chlorine level in the onboard system water.
Expect to see 2-3 ppm. (Parts Per Million)
Positive for chlorine? No biologicals!
If you drink tap water at home, what's the difference?

If you are worring about strange chemicals leaching out of your plastic holding tank, Bring bottled water along!
But don't get any bottled water that comes in a plastic bottle because it is just as bad as the water on the boat! :facepalm:

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: De winterize Water systme: Ice maker

Re: De winterize Water systme: Ice maker

Hmmmm my boat doesn't have a $1,500 ice maker on it. Neither does my house, come to think about it.

Must be there for fish ice.

As to germs, etc.: when you take a shower, especially hot, the chemicals and microbes are suspended in the spray, "steam" etc and you breathe them. Dry dishes are fine; not dry are not and neither is a toothbrush. Point is, there are so many critters in a drop of contaminated water that a drop may be as bad as a swallow.
I'm not a germ-a-phobe; actually the opposite--my view is that since you can't avoid them, may as well enjoy them! (within reason of course)

 

[Comogene]

Re: De winterize Water systme: Ice maker

Re: De winterize Water systme: Ice maker

I guess the Admiral and I must be full of nasties. Boat hold 100 gallons of fresh water and use it all the time, refilling from municipal water supply as needed. No problems with taste or content. Since we spend weekends on the boat plus vacations and use the water for showers, washing, drinking, cooking, etc., it generally never sits on board for more than two weeks without refilling.

Cleaning the tank first thing in the Spring seems to work well. Flush out what is left of the anti-freeze, add 1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon, run faucets and let it sit. Flush out twice and good to go. No aftertaste and no flavor from ice maker in drinks.

Gene

 

[Fireman431]

Re: De winterize Water systme: Ice maker

Re: De winterize Water systme: Ice maker

I have a boat with a fresh water system and an ice maker and we use it all the time. If you're interested, here's how we clean ours:

Drain the tank using the tap furthest away from the tank (in this case, the head sink and the transom shower. Refill and add 1/8 cup Clorox (for approx 80 gallons). Allow to sit for 24 hours, then empty again. Refill and either add 1/8 cup of Clorox (again, for 80 gallons) or add the proper number of water purifier tablets (available from the Army/Navy store). Do the math for the amount of water you carry.

We drink the water and use the ice (we use the ice a lot!!) and have never had a problem. The solution is to not let the water sit stagnate. Keep it changed out and freshened up. it's there for a reason. Use it!

 

[Spaniard]

Re: De winterize Water systme: Ice maker

Re: De winterize Water systme: Ice maker

Thank you all for the extremely helpful hints, ideas, and steps to follow to have "clean" water. With just a few comments I have learned quite a bit, and things make more sense now. Now I just hope the ice maker works... otherwise, I will be in trouble, as I never thought these little things could be as expensive as they are.

Happy boating to every one.