Winterizing Question

[ca443]

I really hate to ask this as I am sure someone, sometime asked before. I did watch some videos, and read some articles but couldn't find an answer.

I am looking to winterize my new 27DBK Wildwood. I found my water pump under the fridge, and it has one line in and one line out, so will be buying a Camco Pump Converter, or making my own with a longer hose.

I also found access to my hot water heater in the closet. However, this is where my question begins. My hot water heater has two valves. One on the hot line and one on the cold line. There is no bypass hose between the two hoses. If I just shut both valves, this will keep me from filling my hot water heater but does it still winterizes those hoses? Or do I need to buy a bypass kit that will allow me to have the hose that connects the two lines so that I can run antifreeze throughout them?

Thanks in advance.

[Iwritecode]

That's interesting. Can you post a pic?

I only remember one other time that someone has mentioned a similair setup. Although they had no valves at all. They said they simply didn't use AF other than pouring some down the traps. Blew out with compressed air was all they could do.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...8&d=1481069466

[ca443]

I didn't take pictures, but will head back out and grab some (I keep it at an RV lot). I need pictures anyway since it seems everything is PEX and not sure if I can use the screw fittings for the Pump Bypass.

[Skyliner]

You need a bypass.

[Briorick]

Originally Posted by ca443

I really hate to ask this as I am sure someone, sometime asked before. I did watch some videos, and read some articles but couldn't find an answer.

I am looking to winterize my new 27DBK Wildwood. I found my water pump under the fridge, and it has one line in and one line out, so will be buying a Camco Pump Converter, or making my own with a longer hose.

I also found access to my hot water heater in the closet. However, this is where my question begins. My hot water heater has two valves. One on the hot line and one on the cold line. There is no bypass hose between the two hoses. If I just shut both valves, this will keep me from filling my hot water heater but does it still winterizes those hoses? Or do I need to buy a bypass kit that will allow me to have the hose that connects the two lines so that I can run antifreeze throughout them?

Thanks in advance.

Firstly, NO you do not need a bypass kit if your 2 valve setup is similar to this one in this picture.

To put the system in bypass mode, turn the 2 valves "parallel" with the center Blue water line. These are 2 way valves and once turned they create a bypass for winterizing your system. My first time as well having this type of bypass, so was a learning curve for me also. My winterization is complete....they worked great!

If you are in doubt, as I was at first, with using this 2 valve setup, I left the hot water drain anode rod out while I was winterizing with AF and watched to see if I had a flow of AF coming out of the water heater. No AF, so it was a successful bypass. Winterization complete.

*please excuse the sideways pic.

[Briorick]

Here is a helpful RV Plumbing Schematic for various valve shut-offs / bypasses.

As mine is, yours is most likely the #3 diagram as well.

*Combo Cold Water Inlet / Bypass Valve...Combo Hot Water Outlet /Bypass Valve.

[polishdon]

Originally Posted by Briorick

Firstly, NO you do not need a bypass kit if your 2 valve setup is similar to this one in this picture.

The pic you are showing has a bypass, as you pointed out it's the center blue line. Yes, it only works when you turn the valves in the correct position, but the OP stated he doesn't have a bypass line at all.

[Briorick]

Duh, you are so right. I stand corrected. I re-read his posting and not sure how I missed that. Damn bi- focals! He does need a bypass as Skyliner suggested. Thanks polishdon for bringing that to my attention. Much appreciated.