Atwood Hot water heater drain plug and bleach question

[igeorgei]

Hello All

I am new to owning an RV

I recently purchased a 2015 Coachmen Freedom Express 21tqx.

I was going to de-winterized it this weekend by sanitizing the water system but I came across 2 plugs for the Atwood hot water heater. The white plug on the right is the typical drain plug that I recognize from internet videos.

My first question is, what is the black plug on the left in the attached photo??

My second question is, should I be using bleach to sanitize the water system?

I have read that bleach is not good for rubber in the water system and that some people use hydrogen peroxide instead.

Thank you for your help.

[bob213]

Where did the black plug come from? Can you show us a picture of where you removed it? Atwood should only have one white plug that I know of.

[igeorgei]

Originally Posted by bob213

Where did the black plug come from? Can you show us a picture of where you removed it? Atwood should only have one white plug that I know of.

Previous owner stored and had the camper maintained by the dealer.



The 2 plugs were just sitting their from when the RV dealer winterized it. They left them sitting there and the drain hole open all winter. That's how I bought it, still in winterized mode from the dealer.


This is so weird!


George

[A32Deuce]

Looks like the dealer swapped the white plug for the black one that uses an Allen type /square socket. No worries of rounding off the plastic plug.

[Duckogram]

Lets start with Welcome to the FRF.
Ok, enough of the niceties. The answer to “what is the black plug for?” is nothing. It looks worn out anyway so my suggestion is to just use the OEM white plug with a good 15/16” wrench. Not too tight, just enough so it does not leak under pressure. If your are concerned with leaving the drain open during the winter, they make vented plugs to keep the criters out.

Next is the bleach vs hydrogen peroxide question. Sodium hypochlorite is recommended by the manufacturer for sanitizing the water system. With that said, there is no reason that I know of that would prevent you from using hydrogen peroxide. It will cost you about double the price to use it.

[igeorgei]

Hey Guys


OK, I figured out what the black plug is for........


Its the drain plug for the fresh water tank. I guess the dealer left that tank unplugged for the winter as part of the winterization.


Mystery solved!


I would have figured that out as soon as I tried to put water in it eventually.


Thanks for all your help


George

[Flybob]

Never saw a drain plug like that for the FW tank. I would replace it with a 1/4 turn valve.

[Duckogram]

Originally Posted by Flybob

Never saw a drain plug like that for the FW tank. I would replace it with a 1/4 turn valve.

X2

[A32Deuce]

On the other hand, no picture of the fresh tank drain to see how the plug fits.

[igeorgei]

Originally Posted by Flybob

Never saw a drain plug like that for the FW tank. I would replace it with a 1/4 turn valve.

That is an excellent idea!!


Thanks

George

[brandon 2]

!/2 cup of bleach to 15 gallons of water will not hurt any of your fresh water system. Besides it does not stay in there for a long period of time and when its flushed out any potential damage would be non existent.
Check RV 101 as shown by Mark Polk and you will see the safe way to sanitize your water system.


Brandon2
2014 Sun Seeker