Chaparral 327rlks Water heater bypass

[sandtsherman]

I've been all over this forum. Where is the bypass to our WH? I've looked above and below the unit and nothing I see would lead me to it. Does anyone know where they have hidden it? The manual, written several years ago, is no help whatsoever.

Thank you in advance for your help!

[2013leprechaun319dsf]

Though I am not familiar with your unit, many shut off valves are located behind the water heater inside your unit. I remove two screws and a panel and mine is accessible from inside.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by 2013leprechaun319dsf

though i am not familiar with your unit, many shut off valves are located behind the water heater inside your unit. I remove two screws and a panel and mine is accessible from inside.

x2

[sandtsherman]

Believe me, I've looked everywhere, even using a tape measure to narrow down the area. The only access door inside is below the refrigerator and that gives access to the furnace.

I'm sure it's there somewhere...

[CamperBill]

I have a wildcat 317rl, your floorplan looks similar. The access to mine is thru a pannel to the left of the stairs going to bath/bedroom, just under the pantry. There were 2 screws that need to be removed and then you need to work the panel out between step and wall. If there is not one there, then maybe on 'street side' storage compartment there may be a large access panel held by 4 screws on right if you stick head in and look toward back of unit. On mine that is where the water pump is. you can save antifreeze if you detach input of waterpump from fresh water tank and rig a tube to input that you place in the antrifreeze jug.

Anyway This may or may not help, but I hope it does. Good luck.

[sandtsherman]

Well, thank you to the engineering group at Coachmen. To bypass the water heater on a Signature 327RLKS, you must remove at least 6 screws from the street side basement, bend the full length wall back, then reach in about 4 feet (no kidding!) around a bunch of water lines, and turn the valves with your fingertips. Absolutely no thought given to end users by the engineer that put together the drawings and his supervisor who reviewed them, and those that approve the plans. (Can you tell I'm an engineer?)

Coachmen and Forrest River; I expect better than this and you should too!

[Ford Idaho]

Mine is behind a panel under the fridge.

[sandtsherman]

@ Ford Idaho: Do you have a 327RLKS?

My panel under the fridge provides access to the furnace. No access to the water heater, but it should.

[Ford Idaho]

You never know what may be where some might be the same others will not.
In this case not so much.

[CamperBill]

It does not sound like fun. I'm glad they at least put in an almost hidden access pannel wedged in the side of my inside stairs. I also have the street side access pannel in the basement, which has 6 screws, not 4 as I stated before. I found the other 2 when winterizing mine. I can't imagine trying to reach the bypass from there without crawling in a bit.

[wmtire]

Some lucky RV owners, have their bypass in a compartment like where the outdoor shower and other water connections are.