Winterize your RV ice maker in minutes not hours

[@tbone1690]

Great info! I combined this with the air compressed line method tonight...worked perfectly! Thank you sir.

[@Qukslvr]

You have to watch out when you use air to clear your lines. If you have any quick connect lines, the air pressure could pop off a line and you could have a small leak where it pops off. Most likely this could happen if the pressure is set to high without a faucet being open to relieve the pressure. I use my water pump and I let the antifreeze push out the water on its own. Once your low points are drained and recapped it’s a very simple process with no need for air.

[@JeffTucc]

You just saved me HOURS, thank you!!!!

[@Qukslvr]

Glad I can help.

[@jstuart6717]

I’ve paid some for 4 years to winterize my fridge in my rv because I didn’t want to deal with something happening. I had no idea it was that painless. Thank you

[@Qukslvr]

You’re welcome. I used to do it the old way of simply letting it make ice on its own pace and that took forever. It’s the method to unwinterize. Simply run it the same way until the water runs clear.

[@doncrowder8344]

This can also be done with low pressure air, and if you are doing this to a residential fridge with a lower drawer freezer you will need to tape the light/drawer switch down to have the solenoid activate. Took some playing around to figure it out, but works great!

[@Qukslvr]

Don Crowder thanks for the added info. It’s always nice when there’s extra helpful stuff added by viewers.

[@4726jules]

Thanks. Needed that info!

[@stephanewinter6591]

I will have to winterize an RV for the first time next fall. Two questions (dumb?) here: - Do you do the ice maker at last or is the order not important? - When you're done with the ice maker, do you shut off the ice maker valve or leave it as is? Thanks for this great video.

[@Qukslvr]

I do it last so there’s antifreeze already in all the lines leading up to the ice maker line. I don’t shut off the the ice maker valve. Sorry. I thought I answered this at the time you first posted it and now I don’t see my initial answer. I hope you find it very easy like I do.

[@bquint6843]

Hi Thanks for the video Very helpful. I had a problem when trying to clear out the antifreeze. It required filling the ice tray about 5 times before it started running clear BUT before it was completely clear the motor stopped running. Now I'm afraid I burnt out the motor? Does that sound plausible? Maybe a thermo switch tripped? Refrigerator is still powered so its not that. Its a brand new rig 2020 so not an older unit. Any ideas?

[@Qukslvr]

I’m not refrigerator repairman I just offered a quick tip. I don’t believe running your ice maker for 5 cycles will burn out the motor. I would check your system for a jam to start with. Could the the smallest freeze up jamming it. Start with the simple fixes first before jumping to the conclusion that it’s a burnt motor. One thing you can do is go by smell. Since it’s an enclosed area you’ll be able to smell if your motors went south on you. My RV ice maker stopped turning and I had to defrost it and it started working again.

[@bquint6843]

@@Qukslvr Thanks for getting back so quickly. Nothing is frozen so not an ice jam and didn't smell anything either. Very strange how it just stopped. I powered down everything and restarted same thing. I also see 120vac on the L terminal so it doesn't seem to be a power issue. Thanks again for responding.

[@Qukslvr]

Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.

[@ericshop]

Thanks for the tip!

[@Qukslvr]

aplusmm no problem. Glad to be able to help.

[@jasontemplin8303]

You don't need to get antifreeze inside of the ice maker it is designed to freeze. you just need it in the valve on the outside. Although your method does work it is just messy. Just use a 110VAC jumper on the outside valve using the hot and neutral wires. @@Qukslvr

[@Qukslvr]

I’m just pumping out the water from the lines leading into the ice maker by pushing antifreeze through it. Seeing it in the tray tells me all water is pushed out of the lines since I don’t use air to clear the lines. I do mention in the video that I’m filling the line AND the ice maker. Thanks for watching.

[@ericshop]

Jason Templin, the problem is that sometimes you can't get to the valve on the back due to the fridge being built in with no outside access panel.

[@metalski64]

What is Jumper Wire and where can I buy it?

[@Qukslvr]

metalski64 You can use any wire that you have on hand that is small enough to fit into the holes. I used the wire that comes with garage doors that are used for wiring the opener buttons. I think that’s a 20 gauge solid copper wire.

[@philramsey8588]

You sound like you need some strong anti freeze

[@Qukslvr]

Phil Ramsey Yes I do. I would love to coat my pipes with some strong antifreeze.