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22-09-2020, 09:28
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 689
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Scarcity of"RV" type antifreeze
For those of us in northern climates, I was told by a boatyard that they were having problems getting the pink antifreeze (known as RV antifreeze-50) as it is in short supply. I get the last 5 gallons at Walmart today. Home depot didn't seem to have any where they usually have pallets in an isle. Don't know how extensive the shortage. I'm in Ct. (USA)
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22-09-2020, 09:35
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Rochester, NY
Boat: Chris Craft 381 Catalina
Posts: 6,190
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Re: Scarcity of"RV" type antifreeze
I haven't personally been there yet (still a few weeks away from picking up winterizing supplies), but the website indicates my local West Marine has a ton in stock. Hopefully it stays that way, as I need 6 cases of the stuff to winterize everything on my boat...
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22-09-2020, 09:35
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Petersburg, AK
Boat: Outremer 50S
Posts: 4,229
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Re: Scarcity of"RV" type antifreeze
Literally pallets of it here (Petersburg, AK), at both the hardware and auto parts stores. A lot of boats never got used this summer because of travel restrictions (non-resident owners) so less than normal winterizing going on.
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22-09-2020, 16:17
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,636
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Re: Scarcity of"RV" type antifreeze
Lots of it here in Maryland as well. Might just be a local shortage or you got unlucky in the stores you went to.
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22-09-2020, 16:52
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Toronto area when not travelling
Boat: Nonsuch 30
Posts: 1,663
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Re: Scarcity of"RV" type antifreeze
No problem in southern Ontario.
__________________
Have taken on the restoration of the first Nonsuch, which was launched in 1978. Needs some deck work, hull compounding, and a bit of new gear.
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22-09-2020, 18:12
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Canada
Boat: T37
Posts: 2,336
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Re: Scarcity of"RV" type antifreeze
Just wait a few weeks it’ll come back.
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22-09-2020, 18:15
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#7
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S/V rubber ducky
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: heading "south"
Boat: Hunter 410
Posts: 20,362
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Re: Scarcity of"RV" type antifreeze
Saw a shelf full at Walmart in Jacksonville Fl today
__________________
Don't ask a bunch of unknown forum people if it is OK to do something on YOUR boat. It is your boat, do what you want!
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22-09-2020, 18:22
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: between the devil and the deep blue sea
Boat: a sailing boat
Posts: 20,420
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Re: Scarcity of"RV" type antifreeze
Buy glyco 100% and mix 50/50 with distilled water.
??
b.
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23-09-2020, 10:21
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Seabroook Texas or Southern Maine
Boat: Pearson 323, Tayana V42CC
Posts: 1,501
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Re: Scarcity of"RV" type antifreeze
Quote:
Originally Posted by barnakiel
Buy glyco 100% and mix 50/50 with distilled water....
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Ethylene Glycol as in auto antifreeze is toxic. It's also sweet tasting. If you have pets be very careful using and disposing of Ethylene Glycol antifreeze.
Propylene Glycol is the RV antifreeze and is not toxic. Completely different beast from car antifreeze. Better to drain and blow out lines with air and use vodka (or moonshine/poutin) or IPA alcohol as an antifreeze if proper RV style or Propylene based glycol is not available. If you have the white vinyl hoses you should not be using glycol based antifreeze anyway.
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23-09-2020, 10:25
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2018
Boat: 50ft Custom Fast Catamaran
Posts: 11,832
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Re: Scarcity of"RV" type antifreeze
If someone cannot get antifreeze, you can blow your lines out with air, or you could run alcohol through the lines.Maybe some salt water solution as well.
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23-09-2020, 10:27
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Aboard
Boat: Hatteras CPMY 63’
Posts: 900
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Re: Scarcity of"RV" type antifreeze
I was in the Defender Marine store in Waterford, CT yesterday and they had several pallets sitting on the floor. Maybe 100 gallon jugs or more......
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23-09-2020, 10:32
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,074
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Re: Scarcity of"RV" type antifreeze
Marine/RV antifreeze seems to be around everywhere here. There are pallets stacked in West Marine and Defender Industries. I wouldn't buy it at either Walmart or Home Depot. Mostly because both places will interchange Ethenol with Propylene Glycol. Ethenol is much cheaper and doesn't work as well as propylene glycol.
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23-09-2020, 10:38
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#13
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Writing Full-Time Since 2014
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Deale, MD
Boat: PDQ Altair, 32/34
Posts: 9,559
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Re: Scarcity of"RV" type antifreeze
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scubaseas
Ethylene Glycol as in auto antifreeze is toxic. It's also sweet tasting. If you have pets be very careful using and disposing of Ethylene Glycol antifreeze.
Propylene Glycol is the RV antifreeze and is not toxic. Completely different beast from car antifreeze. Better to drain and blow out lines with air and use vodka (or moonshine/poutin) or IPA alcohol as an antifreeze if proper RV style or Propylene based glycol is not available. If you have the white vinyl hoses you should not be using glycol based antifreeze anyway.
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a. Glycol (EG or PG) is easily disposed through any recycling center. Aquatic toxicity is very low and equal for both. It is only mammals that are extremely sensitive to EG.
b. Vodka is a very poor choice for AF. It is expensive and you need 2 parts vodka to 1 part water to keep it strong enough that it cannot ferment. It is tough on hoses. An urban legend that just won't die.
c. IPA is quite toxic. Twice as toxic as EG. Never. Ethanol is acceptable.
d. Vinyl. In fact, PG is less harmful to vinyl hoses than ethanol. Google chemical compatibility. Also, I have tested this for publication. PG is also harmful to neoprene head parts and water pump impellers (they get hard). The least harmful is EG (in part why it is used in cars), but EG cannot be used in potable water systems. However, EG can be used in engines, AC, and blackwater systems.
I use EG in the blackwater and AC systems, and PG in the potable system, except when I'm lazy and use PG in everything (safer if you are easily confused). Recycle the waste and don't leave open containers of any of these around. Why would you?
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23-09-2020, 10:40
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Rochester, NY
Boat: Chris Craft 381 Catalina
Posts: 6,190
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Re: Scarcity of"RV" type antifreeze
Ethylene Glycol is an interesting one. Highly toxic to mammals, but also biodegradable.
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23-09-2020, 12:43
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 7,310
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Re: Scarcity of"RV" type antifreeze
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chotu
If someone cannot get antifreeze, you can blow your lines out with air, or you could run alcohol through the lines.Maybe some salt water solution as well.
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Compressed air is a common method of winterization if one can't just drain by gravity. Antifreeze of the RV type is best for use in traps. Alcohol is flammable and it also is a solvent which parts of the plumbing or tanks could not be compatible.
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