How to turn water on to hot water heater

[jl2you]

Can't figure out what forum to post this to, so guess this is good as any. We have a 2007 Forest River Surveyor 235RKS. We have only been out a couple times and finally thought we might see how the hot water heater worked. We saw a couple valves behind the panel under the sink, but try as we might, we could not turn the darned things! Didn't want to push it in case they broke off.

Do they just turn? Left to loosen? Or do you have to push in?

Heading out for 3 days next week so want to get this figured out.

[Dave_Monica]

The water are typically 1/4 turn valves....does it look like this...

Valves 1 and 3 or open, valve 2, the bypass valve is closed. This is set for normal operation. The valves would be set opposite to bypass the WH for winterization. They might be stiff, not they should turn...one direction only.

Dave

[jl2you]

This is a small 6 gallon water heater tank with red & blue tubes running in.

So I need to turn ALL of them 1/4 turn to the left to open them up?

Boy - I wish there were simple people manuals to these trailers.

[Dave_Monica]

Originally Posted by jl2you

So I need to turn ALL of them 1/4 turn to the left to open them up?

You need to open valve 1 and 3 and close valve 2 to operate. They are 1/4 turn but could be left or right depending how they were installed. The long portion of the valve handle should be parallel to the water line for the open position. The picture shows valve 1 and 3 open, valve 2 closed.

Dave

[jl2you]

The valves are black plastic and we just can not turn them. Sure, we haven't taken a wrench to it, but afraid to push it too hard for fear we will break them.

[Dave_Monica]

If the valves are in the correct position to operate the WH, leave it be until you have to winterize at the end of the camping season. If they're not in the right position to operate or when you have to winterize, empty the water system (low point and WH drains) and disconnect the valves from the lines. You may be able to free them up or worse case, replace them.

Dave

[Batts-toy]

Originally Posted by jl2you

Can't figure out what forum to post this to, so guess this is good as any. We have a 2007 Forest River Surveyor 235RKS. We have only been out a couple times and finally thought we might see how the hot water heater worked. We saw a couple valves behind the panel under the sink, but try as we might, we could not turn the darned things! Didn't want to push it in case they broke off.

Do they just turn? Left to loosen? Or do you have to push in?

Heading out for 3 days next week so want to get this figured out.

Those may not be valves and this can depend on where the TT was sold. My T26TBSS has absolutely no auxilery shut off valves. I am in California, winterizing not needed just sanitizing.

[jl2you]

I am in Kansas, so yes, we definitely have winter here. Appreciate the suggestion.

[F and E Damp]

You also need to let air out of an empty water tank when you start to fill it with water. Crack open the pressure relief valve. On my rig, the valves are white plastic with a half handle sticking out a the valve top, which is ribbed.

The aft-most valve is on the line from the potable tank or city water, the forward one goes to feed the various water-using appliances. They are easy to turn. Note that our rig is a Georgetown Class A, which could be significantly different.

[garbonz]

pictures are woth a thousand words... postplease.

[kandl]

Originally Posted by jl2you

We saw a couple valves behind the panel under the sink, but try as we might, we could not turn the darned things! Didn't want to push it in case they broke off.

The valves might be stiff due to water deposits, especially if they've never been used - they typically turn only 90 degrees depending on how they were installed. If they look like this, be tender working them loose. The connection between the valve cock and ball valve is not very robust. Then you get wet...