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Old 10-22-2016, 12:15 PM   #1
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Suburban water heater bypass

Hi everyone.

I'm only seeing 2 bypass valves on my heater, not 3. There is a black valve for the water inlet that I turned 90° and there is also a white valve at the intersection of the bypass tube and the hot water tube. I assume both of these need turned? I'm used to seeing 3 valves: 1 each for cold and hot water and 1 in the middle of the bypass tube.

Thanks.
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Old 10-22-2016, 12:40 PM   #2
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The 2 valve system is pretty common. The top valve isolates the "hot water output" from the tank and the bottom one rotates the direction of cold water flow from the tank to the pipes; bypassing the heater tank.

You isolated correctly.

FYI - there is also a 1 valve system that uses a one way check valve instead of the white outflow shutoff valve.
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Old 10-22-2016, 12:45 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Herk7769 View Post
The 2 valve system is pretty common. The top valve isolates the "hot water output" from the tank and the bottom one rotates the direction of cold water flow from the tank to the pipes; bypassing the heater tank.

You isolated correctly.

FYI - there is also a 1 valve system that uses a one way check valve instead of the white outflow shutoff valve.
Thanks Herk7769. Now I feel comfortable pumping the antifreeze through. I have not yet drained my heater (need to go purchase a 1 1/16 socket) but at least with it bypassed I can run the antifreeze through the trailer. Thanks again.
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Old 10-22-2016, 02:04 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by Moellerdan View Post
Thanks Herk7769. Now I feel comfortable pumping the antifreeze through. I have not yet drained my heater (need to go purchase a 1 1/16 socket) but at least with it bypassed I can run the antifreeze through the trailer. Thanks again.
Perfect; I am glad you know not to drain the water heater through the low point drains. All that crud at the bottom of the water heater is drawn into the cold water pipe and can then be pushed into your faucets and toilet valve when you put pink or fresh water back in.

Just watch your toes ...
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Old 10-22-2016, 02:23 PM   #5
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I've actually seen/heard of 4 different bypass setups. See attached.
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Old 10-22-2016, 04:28 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by rockfordroo View Post
I've actually seen/heard of 4 different bypass setups. See attached.
Thank you. I have added that graphic to my library.

It is interesting that the "4th" valve arrangement does not use 4 manual valves; just another way of managing the closing off of the tank using 2 valves and a check valve (vice a 3rd manual valve) instead of the "T" valve and a check valve.
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Old 10-23-2016, 12:32 PM   #7
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My Suburban only has one T valve to reroute the incoming water to bypass the heater. There is a backflow preventer on the output side of the heater which prevents water from entering the heater from the output side.
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Old 10-23-2016, 12:50 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by Telstar View Post
My Suburban only has one T valve to reroute the incoming water to bypass the heater. There is a backflow preventer on the output side of the heater which prevents water from entering the heater from the output side.
Yes, that is the "one valve" type.
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Old 10-23-2016, 01:50 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Telstar View Post
My Suburban only has one T valve to reroute the incoming water to bypass the heater. There is a backflow preventer on the output side of the heater which prevents water from entering the heater from the output side.
It's the setup on the far right side in my PDF in post #5.

"Backflow preventer" = check valve.
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Old 10-23-2016, 02:39 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by Herk7769 View Post
Perfect; I am glad you know not to drain the water heater through the low point drains. All that crud at the bottom of the water heater is drawn into the cold water pipe and can then be pushed into your faucets and toilet valve when you put pink or fresh water back in.

Just watch your toes ...
Did that come out of your tank....? wow
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Old 10-23-2016, 05:50 PM   #11
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And just as a reminder...like I found out a few weeks ago... be sure to relieve water pressure before removing anode rod. Had to go take a quick shower after that to get the calcium off of me.


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Old 10-24-2016, 11:02 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by Herk7769 View Post
Yes, that is the "one valve" type.
mine on the Sundance is similar but it has a valve at the top which I forgot to close off and ended up getting my wife another pink shower... second in 2 yrs.
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Old 10-24-2016, 11:14 AM   #13
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mine on the Sundance is similar but it has a valve at the top which I forgot to close off and ended up getting my wife another pink shower... second in 2 yrs.
Shower or "Wife"? Youroo!!
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Old 10-24-2016, 12:32 PM   #14
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Shower or "Wife"? Youroo!!
last year she got the first pink shower when the city water inlet back pressure valve failed and she was standing directly across from the inlet.
Almost 2 gallons of it fired out the line vs where it was supposed to go before I clued into why she was slapping the side of the trailer saying "Stop" for.
This time it was coming out the very loosely insert rod at the bottom. I actually just set it in there without more than a thread holding it.
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