JESTER7406
Northern California
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Joined: 12/02/2003
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What does the hot water heater bypass valve do and when should I use it?
Happy Trails,
Jesse
[green}2006 Chevy 2500 Duramax LBZ 4x4
2003 21' Desert Fox toy Hauler
2005 Polaris Sportsman 500 4x4
2003 Polaris Sportsman 400 4x4
1 Great Wife
1 Energetic Boy
1 Lab
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FBrown
Kansas City
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Joined: 06/19/2003
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The bypass allows you to run water through the hot water heater or not. The most common occurence for using the bypass is in the fall when we winterize the water systems. If you bypass the hot water heater you do not have to fill it with antifreeze. Just drain the tank. This will leave about 1/2 gal. or so of water in it. This water will freeze, but because it has plenty of room to expand, it will not burst the tank.
I am sure that if there is another reason for the bypass, someone on this forum will fill us in. Great bunch of people here and always willing to help us poor ignorants.
Frank
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GerryB54
The Jersey Shore, NJ
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Joined: 08/22/2003
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Frank covers it well.
There are actually three bypass valves in the system.
One on the hot water line at the heater, one on the cold water line at the heater, and one between the two lines on a short connector line.
For winterizing, you turn off (close) the two feed line valves at the heater, and turn on (open) the connector line valve. Reverse to reactivate the heater system.
GerryB54 - 2005 Fleetwood Bounder 34F Class A - 3 Slides
Gerry & Nancy's Travels Home Page on MyTripJournal.com
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Paul Eppley
Newmanstown, PA
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Joined: 10/04/2003
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Is this 3-valve system always present? My RV appears to have just one valve. When I turned it the other day in order to winterize, everything appeared to work correctly as evidenced by the fact that I didn't need to add much antifreeze before it flowed out the hot water faucets. The water heater was obviously not filling up.
Paul Eppley
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NGRRFan
Colo. Spgs., CO
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Joined: 07/25/2002
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Paul,
Not all systems have 3 valves. My system is like yours; having only 1 valve to turn. The system is designed a bit differently, using a check valve in the hot water line to keep water from back flowing into the water heater.
Rich,and Tobi (the rescued dog)
Prowler 5ver, 84 Ford F250
KCOCOLOR78 Weather
Colo. Spgs. CO
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Lt46
Cape Cod, Ma.
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Joined: 10/15/2002
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Paul,
Newer bypass kits can have a single valve on the inlet side and a backflow preventer valve on the outlet side. Same result, you close the inlet valve preventing water or AF from entering the tank. Water/AF is redirected through bypass hose and backflow preventer, prevents water/AF from entering via the outlet line. Thus, you've bypassed the hot water tank.
Peter & Dawn
97 Winnebago Adventurer 37RW
91 R2500,454 Chevy Suburban
96 Prowler 27X SOLD
Yamaha EF2800I
IAFF L-792
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Greyeagle44F
Stratham NH USA
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Joined: 07/21/2002
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Lt46 has it right. The older systems had three valves (our 92 Airstream TT), our MH has but one...KISS
The U.S. Military: "All gave some, some gave all."
The Ancient Aviator
2002 26Q Tioga, Michelin Sneakers, Front XPS, Rear LTX M/S, no chassis "gimmicks" (Wind Machine sold APR 2006...pushing my luck at 84 years and a high performance bird).
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3 Dog
Spanaway, WA, USA
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Joined: 07/23/2003
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Paul,
No, the three valves are not always present. The kit that Camping World sells has just a single valve on the cold water inlet. It uses a replacement fitting for the hot water outlet that incorporates a check valve. For normal use the cold water inlet valve is positioned to allow water into the hot water tank which can then exit through the check valve into your water system. In the bypass position the inlet valve sends water to the bypass hose between the two fittings while not allowing water into the hot water tank. The check valve at the hot water outlet prevents water from going into the tank through that opening. Either system is equally effective though I personally find it easier to remember how to position 1 valve rather than 3 valves. Could be old timers disease setting in.
3Dog
Me, an understanding and extremely tolerant wife and an Austrailian Shepard that runs things.
'02 Beaver Patriot Thunder with a 455 CAT (Doghaus)
'02 Jeep Grand Cherokee (3 Dog)
"Hey look at that ... 3 Dog's chasin' a CAT!"
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Greyeagle44F
Stratham NH USA
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At 81, I'm with you 3 Dog...used to have to THINK before doing anything on the 92 Airstream TT...not needed now.
And...yes, KISS
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DAS26miles
San Fernando Valley, California
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Joined: 10/11/2003
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Can the HW bypass valve be used to regulate the water temperature as it exits the faucet when the hot water is too hot? My Atwood WH has a fixed thermostat of 140+. It's too hot and we waste too much shower water trying to adjust it. In my search for a solution, I saw a big and small valve under the counter at the rear of the WH. I tried regulating the temperature using the larger valve . As I turned the valve a little bit at a time, I checked the temperature and managed to get it down to 120+. I haven't a clue how or what it is doing, but the temerature is lower. Will this work or do I need to buy an adjustible thermostat?
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