Antifreeze in heater?

[ctdkite]

I can't find the answer to this by searching.

The heat exchangers on my last heater sprung a leak after I opened the pool last spring. A friend recommended adding RV antifreeze to the new heater this time. I've always added to the lines, but never thought about adding it to the heater before.

Any thoughts?

And, yes, it gets cold here. North Dakota.

 

[Jive5877]

I'm sorry I cant help but I just added a heater this year and I'm in Chicago so it gets cold here too and I would like to know the answer to this question

 

[JamesW]

Pulling the drain plugs should be enough. You can blow air through it for extra insurance.

 

[ctdkite]

It is a Hayward H400. What makes us wonder is that the drain plug is not at the bottom. It doesn't look low enough.

But even if it is, would it hurt anything to add it as an extra precaution?

 

[JamesW]

As long as the antifreeze says safe for copper, you should be ok to add some if you want.

 

[ps0303]

How are you going to get it inside the heat exchanger? I wouldn't add any. When it comes time for spring to open the pool, are you just going to flush it into the pool water? Remove the plug and run some air thru the exchanger.

 

[tstex]

How are you going to get it inside the heat exchanger? I wouldn't add any. When it comes time for spring to open the pool, are you just going to flush it into the pool water? Remove the plug and run some air thru the exchanger.

I second this..I would not put antifreeze into my heat exchanger - this is poison to all, aka ethylene glycol...drain the system, then take a compressor and insure you have a tight fit when you add the air. instead of putting the plug back in the heater, cover it w a fine wire screen..this will prevent anything from entering it but also allow for any condensation or other to drain plus it neutralizes the pressure...

 

[JamesW]

Pool antifreeze isn't the same as car antifreeze. Pool antifreeze is propylene glycol or ethanol.

It's the same as rv antifreeze. It's non-toxic.

I agree that it's not needed in the heater. Just remove the drain plug(s).

 

[tstex]

Thanks for clarification on chemical content.

Antifreeze is best suited for "closed circulatory systems", which the heater cannot be bc it would include the pool. Just drain, blow out air and you're done.

 

[ctdkite]

Thanks for all the advice.