Alternative To using Chlorine Bleach to Sanitize your Fresh Water System - Purogene

danemayer

Well-known member
Will the winterizing position allow water into the tank?

I'm under the impression that the winterizing position connects the water inlet to the suction side of the pump so that antifreeze can be routed through the pump and on to all the fixtures. I think the only way to get fluid into the fresh tank is with the TANK setting.

Bleach or alternatives can be poured into an empty water hose. Then connect the water hose to the water inlet and water faucet. The water pressure from the faucet will push the bleach/other stuff into the tank. Then when ready to introduce the diluted mix to the pex lines and fixtures, switch the Anderson Valve to NORMAL and turn on the pump.
 

Alan_B

Well-known member
I'm under the impression that the winterizing position connects the water inlet to the suction side of the pump so that antifreeze can be routed through the pump and on to all the fixtures. I think the only way to get fluid into the fresh tank is with the TANK setting....

That was my understanding as well.

I have also been trying to figure out how to get sanitizing solution into the fresh water tank without a gravity fill. I am going to try using a small water pump (powered by a drill motor) to pump diluted solution from a 5-gallon bucket into the tank with the TANK setting.
 

RoadJunkie

Well-known member
If your rig uses a water filter, then take out the filter a pour the sanitizer into the filter tank. Reconnect and your good to fill your tank. Run water throughout the rig using the pump and your good to go. Yummmm...fresh water. :rolleyes:
 

porthole

Retired
Will the winterizing position allow water into the tank?


I posted my question considering I have the ‘old school’ intake system. A separate winterizing valve. Using that valve I can draw water from any source and direct it to the house systems or the tank.

The filter idea seems like a good ‘solution’ for your ‘dilution’, especially if you have a spare housing laying around.

Or, there are several pump strainer-filters they may be suitable for the small amounts of Purogen needed.

https://www.amazon.com/SHURFLO-255-...69&sr=8-1&keywords=Marine+water+pump+strainer

Just add some quick connects or 3/4” hose to 1/2” pipe fittings (Home Depot)

- - - Updated - - -

And for those that are resourceful, couple of PEX or Sharkbite fittings, 1/4 turn valve, installed in the right places and you could use the Anderson might leak valve winterizing position and pump into the tank.
 

Gary521

Well-known member
I posted my question considering I have the ‘old school’ intake system. A separate winterizing valve. Using that valve I can draw water from any source and direct it to the house systems or the tank.

The filter idea seems like a good ‘solution’ for your ‘dilution’, especially if you have a spare housing laying around.

Or, there are several pump strainer-filters they may be suitable for the small amounts of Purogen needed.

https://www.amazon.com/SHURFLO-255-...69&sr=8-1&keywords=Marine+water+pump+strainer

Just add some quick connects or 3/4” hose to 1/2” pipe fittings (Home Depot)

- - - Updated - - -

And for those that are resourceful, couple of PEX or Sharkbite fittings, 1/4 turn valve, installed in the right places and you could use the Anderson might leak valve winterizing position and pump into the tank.

You might be on to something. Adding a connection to the water line that goes to the tank after all the valves. This would make a gravity fill line for the solution. Have to think about this a bit.
 

JohnDar

Prolifically Gabby Member
I’ve ordered the Purogene, but will have to wait on using it until we get the rig to our summer site next week. Today I’ll be clearing the AF out of the lines and pumping in several gallons of clean water from jerrycans. Don’t have a water source at the storage yard and have the older gravity fill for the tank.

Reinstalled the TV’s and brought some other goods out to the rig yesterday.

5/1/2018: Got a note from Dave that due to all of you ordering Purogene, my order will be slightly delayed. No biggie, can't use it for a while, anyways. On another note, the dewinterizing went easily. First used air to drive the AF out, then used the water pump to draw 15 gallons of clean water through the lines and out all of the faucets and low point drains. Checked the Sailuns and they were all at about 105, to I topped them to 110 and installed the TST 507 sensors. The receiver has sat in a box all winter, yet showed a full battery charge when I turned it on and picked up the four tires quickly.

Dumped several gallons of water into the black tank via the toilet and added some "Geo" mix to it. Should get sloshed around when I haul it north next week.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Alan_B

Well-known member
...I have been trying to figure out how to get sanitizing solution into the fresh water tank without a gravity fill. I am going to try using a small water pump (powered by a drill motor) to pump diluted solution from a 5-gallon bucket into the tank with the TANK setting.

This method actually worked to get the sanitizing solution into the fresh water tank. I followed these steps:
  1. Filled the fifth wheel fresh water tank about 1/3 full with fresh water.
  2. Put about a gallon of water in a 2 gallon bucket for a test run.
  3. Connected the output side of the drill pump ($3.99 at Harbor Freight) to a hose then connected the other end of the hose to the Andersen fill valve.
  4. Connected a short piece of hose to the input side of the drill pump, primed the pump, then put the short hose into the 2 gallon bucket.
  5. I had to experiment with the drill direction and speed to get it to pump. Then it pumped just fine.
  6. Then I mixed the Purogene solution with lemon juice and let it set 5 minutes.
  7. And then pumped the activated Purogene solution into the Bighorn fresh water tank.
  8. Then I topped off the Bighorn fresh water tank and finished the sanitizing process.
 

emery395

Well-known member
Purogene seems like a proprietary product and is very expensive. Anyone have opinion on product "spring fresh" that may do the same job?
 

Ask-Dave

Member
Purogene seems like a proprietary product and is very expensive. Anyone have opinion on product "spring fresh" that may do the same job?

Spring Fresh is a completely different compound that contains Ethylalchol, Sorbitan Monooleate Ethoxylate. I am not sure how to use it or what it's effectiveness is, but it sounds like it is similar to an alcohol swab for your water and is not EPA approved for ingestion.
 
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JohnDar

Prolifically Gabby Member
Two quarts cost $70 and if used correctly should last a long time.
 
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Mrsfish

Well-known member
Finally got around to ordering Purogene for our rig. Was please to see that now you get free shipping if you order 2 bottles. With the heart18 discount Jim has arranged for us the price was very reasonable. Love the idea of cleaning our fresh water system with out bleach
 

Mrsfish

Well-known member
Mrsfish, where did you order it and what is the discount you mentioned?

Rvwaterstore.com. Dave is preferred vendor of the club and as a result there is a discount code of ‘heart18’ for purchases. He has a great selection of rv products for water use and an even bigger knowledge of how to apply them. We have bought hoses (high quality drinking hoses) a high grade pressure regulator (watts) water filtration canisters and now the Purogene. Anxious to get my water system cleaned. We move around a lot and I know that water quality is not the same at them all.
 

Lynn1130

Well-known member
Yes, that stopped me from ordering earlier. They were really unreasonable with their shipping charges.

I can't get that Web cite to work.
 
To fill fresh water tank without a city water connection, I added a 2nd 12volt water pump in the UDC.
I pump the water out of a Blue Colored water jug I have, turn Anderson valve to tank, hook hose up to city water inlet and pump into the tank.
I taped into the 12volt power off the light in the UDC and added a switch for the pump.
Works like a charm.
I removed this system from my Big Country before I sold it.

Hockster
 

RottsNScotts

Well-known member
As usual, you guys are the BEST! Was just going to start researching this and here the thread was, waiting for me!
 

Bones

Well-known member
I'm attaching myself to this thread. I need to clean my on-board tank even thought I never use it.
 

lwmcguire

Member
Sodium Chlorite is a precursor to produce Chlorine Dioxide. It doesn't magically do this by itself. You must use chlorine or acid to activate it. Left to dry out it will spontaneous combust. Commercially it is supplied in as low as 3% solution for small applications and at much higher concentrations for large applications. If you do let it dry out and hit it with some acid you will be dead in a hurry if you breathe it. You can make a lot of money cutting the industrial version with water and reselling it. The lower percent watered down product is sold that way due to the fire hazard and environmental hazards as well of the concentrate.

Chlorine Dioxide gas in water is an excellent biocide and will remove biofilms while killing more bacteria than chlorine. However it is very lethal and dangerous and must be generated on site and is never transported. Google it and see how lethal actual chlorine dioxide is. It is also very easily gassed of and doesn't remain in the water very long.

I worked with chlorine dioxide generators on a large scale for many years and you don't buy it in a bottle or any other type container.

You are buying a little over 0.0335% sodium chlorite salt. (not sodium chloride) this is based on the MSDS dated 1994 on file by the parent company. Note the .1 ppm used rate as well on the MSDS. Supposedly 0.2% Citric Acid for the activator is added but don't show up in the SDS which is the replacement for the MSDS sheets of old.

I use hydrogen peroxide and just add it to the tank when I fill it based on the amount of water added. Bleach does have its drawbacks but there is no magical product out there that is safely and easily applied or the world would be using it.

This product can work on a limited scale but it is hardly anything new or magical. To sum it up a bottle of hydrogen peroxide will do the same thing and is a bit cheaper.

Do a little home work and see what you are investing in. I don't like to rain on any ones parade but this one is in a very grey area.
 
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