Toilet water

No, not the stuff your OH splashes on herself, but the water used to 'flush' the cassette.  

Our previous van used water from the main fresh water tank, but this one has its own supply as part of the casette arrangement.  I am wondering how these cope in freezing conditions?  With the main fresh water tank, due to the quantity of water in it, it's not going to freeze at -1 or 2 degress for sa night or two.  (We've been out in -5 a few times with no problems in our 'old' van).  But with our present arrangement, no doubt a few pints of water could freeze up much more readily?

Does anyone know what kind of exposure these cassettes with there own water supply will cope with?
And when we do leave the van for a few weeks in cold weather, is there a way to drain off all the water from the loo without pumping it all into the casette first?

Any advice gratefully received - thanks

I always leave my flush tank full with pink additive in the water. I always keep the bathroom door open a little so that the bathroom is the same temperature as the body of the van. If we are not using the van and the temperature seems as though it will be below -2 deg for a while I put a 500w oil filled electric heater in the van to stop things freezing.

There is a drain plug for the tank accessible through the external door. The handbooks tell you where it is but if you haven't got them look on the Thetford website.

Peter

Mine flushes from the main tank as well. In the caravan it had a separate flush water container and I never had a problem. Was away in -8 more than once.

Nora

Thanks t0 you both for the advice - no worries this weekend, that's for sure!!

As Peter and Nora we have never had a prob and as Peter we have always kept an oil heater in the van for deep cold periods. Using the unit regularly even in the winter helps as it heat soaks and airs out 

Hi there,

I don't think that the "pink stuff" has any great anti-freeze qualities!

In order of quantity, from the Thetford Product Information Sheet, it contains:
o  AQUA  (aka water)
o  CITRIC ACID (aka Lemon Juice)
o  SODIUM CHLORIDE (aka Salt)
o  SODIUM CITRATE (sometimes used as a food additive)
o  SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (sometimes used in toothpaste, detergents and personal products)
o  GLYCERIN (used in pharmaceutical products)
o  ALCOHOLS (various types)
o  Perfumes and dyes.

The Salt, Glycerin and Alcohols will all inhibit the flush-water from freezing but, as they are present in small quantities and then diluted when mixed with water in the flush-tank, their usefulness will be reduced.

Best to drain it completely or keep it above freezing with a heater.  

Best regards,

Our Nuevo has got the same system (cistern?  ) with its own water supply.
When we got the 'van 3 years ago, one of our first trips was to the Forest of Dean in December.
The temperature on site reached a chilly minus 15 degrees. We never had any trouble with the cistern (or indeed any other pipes) freezing. I suppose maintain a moderate heat within the van itself is sufficient to keep frost at bay.

Hi
We drain down everything, including the flush toilet,however we carry a large water bottle containing pink flush added to water.
Ideal for away days at Filey Brigg.
Boaby 

Thanks again for the helpful comments.  Problem solved for now - we have just returned from a weekend away and just before we came home the flush water ran out - perfect!  used some from a container for the rest of out time out, soo now all ready for thecold nights to come:up!: