Those of you in cold climates or areas that receive freezing temperatures need to winterize clients systems or notify them that freezing temps can damage Auto Mist system components.

 

Winterizing consists of blowing out the pump and all nozzle lines with compressed air or flushing the system with an environmentally safe product that will not freeze (windshield washer fluid has been a popular and inexpensive product used in the past).  Then zip tie the suction line and float up out of the liquid to prevent damage.  The liquid in the drum can be left to freeze.  It is recommended that the solution be stirred in the spring after it thaws.

 

Only a few days of freezing temps can damage system components.  Pumps, tubing and fittings are the first to be affected from freezing temps if not winterized.

 System Winterizing

It is always best before winter arrives, if possible, to run the system to a point where the liquid is at its lowest point in the reservoir.

1. Unplug the systems power cord.

2. Remove the steel band from the reservoir lid.

3. Remove the reservoir lid (with pumping unit still attached) from reservoir or slid it to the side making sure it does not fall into the reservoir.

4. Pull the suction line with filter and float assembly out of the liquid in reservoir.

5. Make sure you are using an environmentally safe product to winterize your system such as windshield washer fluid. Dump the windshield washer fluid in to a one gallon or larger pail, then place the suction line into the pail, also making sure that the return line discharges into the same pail. DO NOT USE ANTI-FREEZE PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN PROPYLENE GLYCOL FOR WINTERIZING. Propylene Glycol will damage the internal seals of the pump and void the warranty.

6. Plug the systems power cord into an outlet. Manually run the pumping unit until the windshield washer fluid has filled all tubing lines and nozzles. Once all the insecticide has been purged and you see the windshield washer fluid spraying from all nozzles unplug the power cord. (Do not run the pump dry.)

7. Next, pull the suction line out of the windshield washer fluid. Using a cable tie, rope or like method, tie the suction filter and float to the suction tubing just under the lid. (Do not allow the filter and float to stay in the liquid over winter months. Freezing will damage them.)

8. To de-winterize the system, stir the insecticide in the reservoir, untie and place the suction filter & float assembly in the insecticide liquid... plug the power cord in ... set the time of day on the clock timer... set pins for the spray cycles desired... start power unit manually and run it until all windshield washer fluid is purged from the system. The system is now ready for automatic operation. DO NOT USE ANTI-FREEZE PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN PROPYLENE GLYCOL. PROPYLENE GLYCOL will damage the internal seals of the pump and void the warranty.

Winterizing directions can also be found in the Auto Mist installation instructions.  This booklet is enclosed with new system purchases and can also be downloaded and printed here:

Automist Manual, click here