Freezing climates can damage the camper’s plumbing system and equipment. The camper must be drained and have antifreeze protection before storing or camping in below-freezing temperatures in fall/ winter. This is done through a process called winterizing.

 

Be sure to always use a non-ethanol-based antifreeze when winterizing your camper.

 

When getting the camper ready for camping season in spring, you must cleanse the potable freshwater system to remove all the antifreeze. This process is called de-winterizing or sanitizing.





1. Prepare the Nautilus Panel

  • Set the Nautilus panel to Power Fill mode according to the key on the sticker.
  • Ensure the black and gray tanks are emptied at a dump station.

2. Drain the Plumbing System

  • Open the freshwater tank drain and the hot and cold low-point drain valves to let the water drain out.
  • Open a hot and cold faucet to help speed up the draining process.
  • Locate the water heater safety drain under the dinette.
    • Lift the lever and allow the water to drain completely.
  • Once drained, turn off all faucets and close the water heater drain.
  • At the Nautilus panel, close the freshwater tank drain and one of the low-point drain valves, leaving the cold drain valve open.

3. Blow Out the Lines with Compressed Air

Materials Needed:

  • Garden hose
  • RV blowout adapter
  • Air pressure regulator
  • Air compressor
  • A way to shut off the air

Steps:

  1. Turn each of the Nautilus panel knobs to a 45-degree angle (V-shape).
  2. Connect the hose to the city water inlet on the Nautilus panel.
  3. Turn on the air compressor (set below 40 PSI).
  4. Allow air to blow excess water out of the system.
  5. Close the cold low-point drain valve and open the hot low-point drain valve.
  6. Repeat the air blowout process for the hot water lines.
  7. Open the yellow water heater drain lever and blow out the water heater lines.

4. Add Antifreeze to the System

  1. Place the hose into a jug or bucket of antifreeze.
  2. Set the Nautilus panel to Winterize mode according to the key on the sticker.
  3. Turn on the water pump to begin siphoning antifreeze into the system.
  4. When the lines are pressurized, move inside the camper.
  5. Open each faucet and fixture (both hot and cold) until the liquid runs pink.
  6. Run antifreeze through the shower and pour antifreeze down the shower drain to protect the trap.
  7. Pour antifreeze into the toilet to protect the shutter valve.
  8. Connect the external shower and run antifreeze through both hot and cold taps.
  9. Release some antifreeze from the hot and cold drain valves.

5. Final Steps

  • Turn off the water pump.
  • Disconnect the garden hose from the system.

Final Step: Ready for Winter Storage

Your nuCamp Cirrus 820 is now properly winterized! If you have any questions, email tech@nucamprv.com.


Stay warm and safe!


Guide to Dewinterizing a nuCamp Cirrus 820


Dewinterizing your nuCamp Cirrus 820 involves draining antifreeze, sanitizing the plumbing system, and flushing it with fresh water. Follow these steps to ensure your camper is ready for the camping season.



1. Drain the Antifreeze

  • Empty the black tank; antifreeze will drain below the camper.
  • Empty the gray tank; antifreeze will drain below the camper.
  • Open the hot and cold lines as well as the fresh tank drain valve.
  • Once everything is drained, close all drain valves, including the black and gray tank valves.

2. Prepare a Sanitizing Solution

  • Mix 1/2 cup of bleach per gallon of water.
  • You may need to repeat this process multiple times to fully fill the tank.

3. Siphon the Sanitizing Solution

  • Connect a garden hose to the Nautilus panel.
  • Use the key on the sticker to switch the Nautilus panel to Sanitize mode.
  • Place the other end of the hose into the sanitizing solution.
  • Turn on the water pump to begin siphoning the solution into the water system.
  • Once the freshwater tank is filled, switch the Nautilus panel to Dry Camping mode.

4. Flush the System with Sanitizing Solution

  • Inside the camper, turn on the water pump.
  • Run sanitizing solution through all faucets and fixtures until the water stops running pink.
  • Don't forget to flush the external shower.
  • Turn off the water pump and empty the gray tank.

5. Refill the Freshwater Tank

  • Set the Nautilus panel to Power Fill mode.
  • Connect the garden hose to the City Water connection.
  • Use an inline water pressure regulator to prevent over-pressurization.
  • Monitor the panel to avoid overfilling the tank.
  • Once the tank is full, switch the Nautilus panel back to Dry Camping mode.

6. Flush the System with Fresh Water

  • Turn on the water pump.
  • Run fresh water through all faucets and fixtures to remove any remaining sanitizing solution.
  • Turn off the water pump.
  • Open the drain valves again to remove any remaining water.

Final Step: Ready for the Camping Season

Your nuCamp Cirrus 820 is now dewinterized and ready for use! If you have any questions, contact tech@nucamprv.com.


Happy Camping!