To Valve or not to valve

[JoandJames]

We just bought our 1st RV. It is a 2012 Salem Hemisphere 246RLBS. The previous owner was not very RV savvy and unsure about some of the "things" on the RV. There is a valve on a white hose that appears to come from the water heater. As you can see from the photo, it is not the bypass valve. I did not have any luck with the owners manual. Thanks in advance!

[captnrick3]

Originally Posted by JoandJames

We just bought our 1st RV. It is a 2012 Salem Hemisphere 246RLBS. The previous owner was not very RV savvy and unsure about some of the "things" on the RV. There is a valve on a white hose that appears to come from the water heater. As you can see from the photo, it is not the bypass valve. I did not have any luck with the owners manual. Thanks in advance!

Could it be a water tank fill, used to fill your tank while hooked up to city water? I can't quite read the label but that is my take.

[Firefighter969]

X2 on fresh water tank fill


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[JoandJames]

The label above this hose is "Fresh Water Connection". It relates to the female hose connection just above the label. It's a bit confusing. The city water connection on the left is below the label. Not a lot of consistency here. I have a Suburban water heater. Is the only way to drain it is to take out the anode? I took this one out and it was 99% gone. Anyway, I guess I could open the valve and see what happens!

[captnrick3]

Originally Posted by JoandJames

The label above this hose is "Fresh Water Connection". It relates to the female hose connection just above the label. It's a bit confusing. The city water connection on the left is below the label. Not a lot of consistency here. I have a Suburban water heater. Is the only way to drain it is to take out the anode? I took this one out and it was 99% gone. Anyway, I guess I could open the valve and see what happens!

The fact that you took out the anode rod spells "good show"! On the Suburban's I've had that is the only way to fully drain. The rod will usually consume itself in 12 to 18 months depending how much you are connected to shore power (which creates electrolysis). Just plan on replacing and that heater will last longer than the rest of the rig. Be sure to flush out the tank as good as possible to get all the debris out, there will be plenty. Usually whitens my whole driveway when I flush one out. Local RV store should have a flush out tool that works very well . http://www.amazon.com/Camco-11691-Wa...+flushing+tool

[kandl]

Originally Posted by JoandJames

Anyway, I guess I could open the valve and see what happens!

That's an interesting setup but I'm thinking the same as was previously indicated - a shut off for the fresh water supply. Have you attempted to trace the plumbing? The label above the female connector appears to be the standard, canned precaution re sanitizing and filling fresh water tanks.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by kandl

That's an interesting setup but I'm thinking the same as was previously indicated - a shut off for the fresh water supply. Have you attempted to trace the plumbing? The label above the female connector appears to be the standard, canned precaution re sanitizing and filling fresh water tanks.

Yes, you'll have to trace the plumbing on the backside of those panels. Otherwise, our guesses here will range from plumbing to drain the fresh water tank, plumbing to drain the water heater, plumbing to add anti-freeze for winterizing, plumbing to dispense cranberry juice to combat kidney stones. As kandl says, "That's an interesting setup...." My translation of that is "I've never seen anything like that (as in - the previous owner did something clever or crazy)". Get behind those panels or come in from the bottom to see the intended purpose.

[jk510]

Silly question, but what happens if you open the valve?
It looks like it was factory installed. Could it be a drain? Though it seems too high to be a low point drain.

[18CrewDually]

I believe that is a water heater by - pass for winterizing. You don't want to waste putting gallons of antifreeze in your water heater.

Is this what you're referring to:

[Tiggerdad]

Welcome to the forum. I see your city and state. Same as mine. Live past Junior High in L.C.-M.

Traveling now. Will be back in town towards the end of the week. I will contact you and willing to help you learn the "ropes."

[seicken]

We have the same set up iin our Heritage Glen- same model. True on manual being no help. The dealer we got it from did explain it to us. It is used-turned when not hooked up to city water using water from tank

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by captnrick3

...The rod will usually consume itself in 12 to 18 months depending how much you are connected to shore power (which creates electrolysis)...

What does shore power have to do with the water heater anode being consumed?

The anode will be consumed as long as there is water in the water heater regardless of whether the shore power is connected or not.

[captnrick3]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

What does shore power have to do with the water heater anode being consumed?

The anode will be consumed as long as there is water in the water heater regardless of whether the shore power is connected or not.

Shore power intensifies the effects of electrolysis in many rigs due to poor grounds etc. Same issue as power boats in the ocean plugged in to shore power. Any AC power source around water increases galvanic action.

[silverback 35ts]

We all knew which valve you meant the first time, but the issue is you still need to look behind the panel to determine what it goes to, to many choices, or even could be a repair from a tech or owner??

[ksignoles]

In mine this valve closes the line to the water heater to be used while winterizing. If you use pink rv antifreeze and do not close the valve, you water heater will fill up and use more of the pink stuff.


2013 Sierra 346 RET
2010 Ford 350 6.4 l CC SRW
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[JoandJames]

Originally Posted by 05CrewDually

I believe that is a water heater by - pass for winterizing. You don't want to waste putting gallons of antifreeze in your water heater.

Is this what you're referring to:

Attachment 77818

Yes. When connected to city water, if I closed the valve, the water pressure inside seemed to increase. It's still a mystery to me.
Thanks for all the responses. I wish there was more (any) documentation on this... The hose to the left of the valve is for winterization. I have it pushed back into the storage box behind.

[JoandJames]

Originally Posted by Tiggerdad

Welcome to the forum. I see your city and state. Same as mine. Live past Junior High in L.C.-M.

Traveling now. Will be back in town towards the end of the week. I will contact you and willing to help you learn the "ropes."

It's a small world. We are in Bear Trails.

[Maxhise]

It's the shutoff from the fresh tank. Use it to Winterize. Drain the fresh tank, close that valve, then you use the Winterize hose into antifreeze. This valve keeps the pump from pulling from the fresh tank and forces it to pull from the siphon hose (bottom center of picture-pull hose out, remove cap and stick in gallon jug). I have the same setup. It will not fill the fresh from the city water connection. Valve has to be open to pump water from fresh tank. Otherwise, it can stay closed all the time. , .

[Maxhise]

Just remember they can't both be open at the same time. If you remove the cap, the pump will suck air and if you leave the valve open, the pump will not suck antifreeze.