Community Forums

Bertrrr · 12-29-2017, 03:32 PM

I have a lever that is for winterizing on my 5th wheel , not sure what it does or how it works, switch positions are Normal / winterize , does anyone know how to use this valve ? any help would be great, thanks a bunch

Tony Lee · 12-29-2017, 03:44 PM

If this is associated with the water heater it would be the bypass valve that allows you to use the water pump and antifreeze to fill up all the piping without having to fill the HWS tank which is drained separately. If it is near the water pump then it changes the suction line over so you can suck antifreeze out of a container.

Or neither of the above

**NLOVNIT** · 12-29-2017, 03:45 PM

Can you provide a picture of it & where it is? That'd go a long way for us to help you figure it out.

Lori-

BuzzWolfAR · 12-29-2017, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLOVNIT

Can you provide a picture of it & where it is? That'd go a long way for us to help you figure it out.

Lori-

Would also be helpful to know the year and model of the fifth wheel.

Gigattime · 12-29-2017, 07:39 PM

Our 5er has the Nautilus System and the Winterize Position does the bypass that "old fashion" in-line values do.

It automatically bypasses the water heater and also allows you to draw antifreeze from the jug through the fresh waster port (by passes the fresh water tank as well).

Basically ours runs antifreeze through the pump and directly to the lines/fixtures.

rgreen45 · 12-29-2017, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Lee

If this is associated with the water heater it would be the bypass valve that allows you to use the water pump and antifreeze to fill up all the piping without having to fill the HWS tank which is drained separately. If it is near the water pump then it changes the suction line over so you can suck antifreeze out of a container.

Or neither of the above

Water pump suction for winterizing and a water heater bypass are two separate functions. Indeed we need a bit more info from the OP.

The water heater must be bypassed when winterizing or it will ruin the anode rod.

rgreen45 · 12-29-2017, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bertrrr

I have a lever that is for winterizing on my 5th wheel , not sure what it does or how it works, switch positions are Normal / winterize , does anyone know how to use this valve ? any help would be great, thanks a bunch

If you also have a connection that is labeled winterize, you would hook a piece of hose to it and suck winterizing fluid from jugs with the water pump. Before you do however (as Tony Lee mentioned) you must drain your water heater and have it on bypass.

Bertrrr · 12-30-2017, 06:54 AM

[ATTACH]187260[/ATTACH

As you can see , there is a bypass valve and a winterize valve as well,
Not sure I need to worry about freezing where I live but would be nice to know how to use this apparatus.
thanks for all your input

keymastr · 12-30-2017, 11:53 AM

Go to youtube.com and search: winterize xxxcoach and see what pops up. You might need to scroll through a few videos before you see the same coach or 5er.

You can also put the make and model in the youtube search and look for a "walk through" video that will explain all the systems.

Youtube is your best freind and will show you everything. If you had listed the make and model I would have found you a link.

Gigattime · 12-30-2017, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgreen45

Water pump suction for winterizing and a water heater bypass are two separate functions. Indeed we need a bit more info from the OP.

The water heater must be bypassed when winterizing or it will ruin the anode rod.

Not true on the new fivers with the nautilus system. It is all on one. You hook up a cut piece of hose (old garden hose is fine) to your fresh water fill inlet. Turn panel to winterize mode and it will suck antifreeze from the jug, bypass water heater and fresh water tank.

You must drain water heater separately as others have suggested.

Bertrrr · 12-30-2017, 01:53 PM

Thanks for the input , I will look on u tube as suggested, for now I put some air pressure at the water inlet and opened all the valves in the rv to flush.

Tony Lee · 12-30-2017, 10:44 PM

That may only do half of the winterizing. Drain the HWS and make sure the pump and strainer have no water in them. Remover filters and bypass filters so last part of that branch gets blown out.

wandering1 · 12-31-2017, 05:20 AM

Really curios, what did the dealer say?

Bertrrr · 12-31-2017, 05:36 AM

Dealer says not to mess with those valves , got the feeling he didn't really understand their function. I pulled the plug on the HWS and drained it, never used the fresh water holding tank so not too concerned with that aspect.
Thanks again for all your input.