winter

NinjaVan Winter Care & Storage Guide

Winterizing Plumbing

Rule of Thumb

If it’s cold enough to freeze a water bottle inside your vehicle, it’s cold enough to damage the plumbing. Winterize before the first freeze.

Required Equipment

  • RV Antifreeze: Approximately 5 gallons
  • Utility Pump: Optional (available on Amazon by searching “110v utility pump”)

Step-by-Step Procedure

1

Drain the Fresh Water Tank

Run the kitchen faucet until the water flow stops completely. Use a utility pump if available to help remove residual water. Ensure as little water as possible remains in the tank.

2

Add Antifreeze

Pour approximately 5 gallons of RV antifreeze directly into the fresh water tank through the large white cap opening.

Alternative: Pump into the exterior inlet if using a utility pump.

3

Activate Pump & Run Faucets

  • Switch on the internal water pump.
  • Run the Kitchen Faucet: Open COLD until the water color matches the deep pink of the antifreeze, then switch to HOT and repeat.
  • Run the Shower Faucet: Open COLD until the water color matches the deep pink of the antifreeze, then switch to HOT and repeat.
  • Run the Outdoor Shower (if equipped) similarly.
4

Finalize & Drain

  • Open HOT faucets until flow stops (indicating the tank is empty of antifreeze).
  • Turn off the water pump and leave all faucets OPEN.
  • Dump the gray water tank.
  • Leave the gray water tank’s manual dump valve OPEN.
The system is now safe for freezing conditions.

Electrical Storage Prep

First, fully charge the battery bank. Then, disconnect the following components (the order is flexible):

1. Battery Breaker

Yellow Button

2. Solar Breaker

Red Button

3. Charging Switch

Set to Neutral

Using Van in Freezing Conditions

Gray Water

Leave the manual dump valve OPEN. Do not run the gray water tank heater with this valve open.

If this valve must be closed temporarily, dump and reopen as soon as possible to prevent freezing.

Tank Heating

If equipped, the 70W heat pad on the gray water tank will NOT prevent freezing in extremely cold temperatures.

Battery Safety

Lithium batteries must NOT be charged when temperatures are below freezing. Check the temperature in the inverter compartment (displayed in Celsius on the digital thermostat) before enabling charging.

If the battery is too cold: Disconnect the solar breaker and set the charging switch to neutral. Maintain > 30% charge.

Interior Heating

Maintain an interior temperature > 32°F using the van heater or an external heater. Install insulation covers on all windows and roof vents.

Prevent Frozen Lines

When the interior of the van is cold and water is not in use, turn off the water pump and leave all faucets open.

Temporary Usage During Storage

Warning: Ensure the electrical system remains OFF while warming the batteries.
1

Warm up Batteries: Run an external heater in the garage area. Open the inverter compartment panel and warm the batteries for at least 24 hours.

2

Reconnect: Engage the Battery breaker and Solar breaker.

3

Charge: Charge batteries to at least 50%.

4

Flush: Fill the fresh tank. Open the kitchen faucet to the COLD side for 30 seconds, then switch to the HOT side to empty the tank. This flushes antifreeze from lines and the water heater tank.

5

Monitor: Dump the gray tank immediately when full.

6

Follow Rules: Adhere strictly to all guidelines in the “Using Van in Freezing Conditions” section above.

Spring Restoration

1

Reconnect Power: Turn on the Battery and Solar breakers.

2

Charge: Bring batteries to at least 50% charge.

3

Flush Water System: Fill the fresh tank with clean water. Open the kitchen faucet to the COLD side for 30 seconds, then switch to the HOT side. Continue running until the tank is empty to thoroughly flush out any remaining RV antifreeze.

4

Monitor Gray Water: Dump the tank as soon as it becomes full.