Community Forums

cokoliso · 07-07-2006, 01:56 PM

Can anybody explain how this bypass kit works? My Utah has one installed, but I don't understand how to use it when time to winterize. I don't see a valve handle. Am I missing something?

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?deptI...=186,13&skunum=15717

thanks

cokoliso · 07-07-2006, 01:56 PM

Can anybody explain how this bypass kit works? My Utah has one installed, but I don't understand how to use it when time to winterize. I don't see a valve handle. Am I missing something?

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?deptI...=186,13&skunum=15717

thanks

Hitchhiker · 07-07-2006, 02:37 PM

With the kit you've linked correctly installed and the valve in the tee turned to the normal position, cold water enters the heater and exits normally as hot water from the other outlet of water heater.

Turn the valve on the tee to 'bypass' and cold water is diverted through that white bypass line (pictured) to the opposite side, the hot water outlet side. The check valve furnished prevents the bypassed cold water from entering the tank in the wrong direction, thus totally bypassing the water heater.

When properly installed, the water heater can be empty and the water system either used as normal sans heated water. Or the system can be winter protected by filling all the lines with RV antifreeze.

Hope this helps.

Frank P. Martin · 07-07-2006, 04:08 PM

And remember...

To drain your hot water tank before you setup the bypass and winterize the system. If you don't, the water could freeze in the hot water tank and damage it. This could create a real watery mess if the tank cracks and then the temperature goes above freezing. You'll have "water, water, everywhere... but not a drop to drink".

cokoliso · 07-08-2006, 10:27 AM

Thanks. The valve was on the underside and I couldn't see it.

Do you drain the water heater after each camping trip, or wait until winterizing?

Hitchhiker · 07-08-2006, 02:53 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Do you drain the water heater after each camping trip, or wait until winterizing? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

It depends.

If you're getting out every couple of weeks or so then I wouldn't bother draining it until done using it for the summer. If it's a long spell between use, then drain it.

If in doubt, drain it.

I'm sure we have many members who drain theirs after each use, no problem with that at all.

Frank P. Martin · 07-09-2006, 06:15 AM

I don't drain my hot water tank until I winterize. After all, once it heats up, the water's pretty sterile and who drinks hot water anyway? The only thing I try to remember to do is when I de-winterize in the spring, I open the hot water valve on the bathtub while the hot water tank is filling so that any sediment in the tank's bottom that gets stirred up while filling comes harmlessly out of the tub faucet. If you open your kitchen or bathroom sink faucet instead, the sediment will accumulate in the screen, thus reducing or completely obstructing the water coming out of the faucet (not to mention the fact that you will have to put on your plumbers hat and remove/clean/replace the screen).

cokoliso · 07-10-2006, 01:36 PM

Thanks for the tips. I checked the water heater on my new-to-me 2004 Utah and found that the anode rod was completely corroded away. I bought a replacement and a hose-end plastic water heater cleaner-outer and blew lots of corrosion crud out of the heater drain hole. I think when I winterize each year I will take out the anode rod and clean that water heater out really good.