Winterizing Monaco

[j50970]

i HAVE A mONACO lA pALMA 2006, DEISEL. i CANNOT LOCATE THE BY-PASS VALVE FOR THE HOT WATER HEATER. iT IS NOT BEHIND THE HOT WATER HEATER THAT I CAN SEE. CAN ANYONE HELP?

[popsuscdds]

We have a 2000 Safari Trek gasoline motor home. There is no by pass for the hot water heater. Darn !!! To winterize we empty the tank by removing the anode. Replace the anode after the tank is empty. The manual suggests blowing out the lines with compressed air while opening and closing each faucet. Dump some anti freeze in the P traps. It has worked well and doesn't require gallons of anti freeze. What does your owners manual say?
My .03 cents
Have fun
Milt

[DP01]

Here's a scan from 2006 Vacationer Diesel Owner's Manual (same as LaPalma) showing location of by-pass valve.

Dennis

[Robi.1014]

popsuscdds

Assuming you HAVE a bypass valve, it will be in the same location as where the cold water enters the HWH (typicallly a blue pipe) and the hot water exits the HWH (a red pipe). On my Diplomat, the valve is readily accessible under the bath sink, at the front of the HWH.

[jimkate]

The 'Blowing the Air' technique will not work in our climate, where our winter temperatures drop down as low as -40 degrees. We have to draw RV antifreeze into the entire water system. If the hot water tank is not bypassed, then the hot water tank must be filled with RV antifreeze before the antifreeze will get through the entire system.

I just finished installing a hot water bypass valve kit last week in my coach. Most RV shops and RV parts supply stores such as Camping World handle them. Or you can purchase the individual components from a Lowe's and make up your own kit.

It's supposed to be a simple job, but it took me all day to get it done. Several trips to the hardware store for that 'special' fitting.

[ccook129]

water heater bypass

[Poptop]

My '93 Bounder didn't come with a water heater bypass so I added one. Check it every couple years as I developed a small water leak at one of the fittings.