Hot Water By-Pass Valve

[AREA51]

Well,

For the first time in the 7 years years I've had my 08 Berkshire I decided to winterize with RV Antifreeze rather than blow out everything. I Drained the hot water tank, took out the anode, and turned the by-pass valve to by-pass. When I started to pump the Antifreeze it started to come out the anode hole so I turned the by-pass valve the other way, same thing happened. I shut the feed to the hot water heater off at the manifold and continued to pump antifreeze until it came out all the cold water taps. I'm concerned, any input from the Berkshire Wizards out there?

GOOD LUCK
AREA51

[I-RV]

I have a tankless now, but did have a tank-type several years ago. I am not sure you have the right bypass valve. As I recall, you need to go to the rear of the water heater (generally beneath your kitchen cabinets). There on the back of the tank will be either three or four valves (don't recall). You generally have to turn each to its other position.

I believe what you are talking about the bypass valve I the valve near the water pump, which allows injecting antifreeze.
Hank

[tmmar]

Area51,
If I remember correctly, you just have to close the one valve that lets the cold water into the heater. Once that is closed, nothing should go into the heater. If that is not working, the valve may be defective.

[NV245]

In a one valve bypass system, there is a one way valve at the outlet of the water heater. It is probably not seating properly due to lime buildup.


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[Billr]

I-RV is correct, there are 3 valves on the back of the water tank. Hot, cold, bypass. Have to use all 3.


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[NO3putt]

Yep. We turn all three values.

[NV245]

My 2008 Berk has a single valve bypass as follows.
Save on antifreeze when you winterize with the Quick Turn Permanent Water Heater By-Pass Kit. Permanently installed unit features single valve operation which allows you to by-pass the water heater effortlessly. Improved valving system with 100% shutoff and brass backflow preventer makes it easier than ever to save up to 10 gallons of antifreeze. For winterizing and storage only. Works on 6 and 10 gallon water heaters. Sturdy brass backflow preventer and 100% shut-0ff valve lets you bypass the water heater with a single turn. USA. - See more at: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping....2GPeszQe.dpuf
It is the "backflow preventer" (one way valve) that leaks back through the outlet side of the water heater when by passing the water heater, or attempting to, and when the water heater is not being bypassed, the inability to not operate as a check valve is not noticable. I would prefer to have the 3 valve system, but this is what came on my '08 and I haven't bothered to replumb it yet.


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[AREA51]

Thanks all,
I think tmmar and NV245 have (or refer to) the same system that is in my unit. The valve is the same as the 3 valves located in the pump compartment used to drain the Fresh Water Tank, siphon antifreeze into the Pump and let the Pump discharge under the coach to avoid the manifold. I had the Fresh water Drain valve fail a year or so ago and replaced the insides. I think that is what happened to my By-pass valve.
GOOD LUCK
AREA51

[AREA51]

All,
Thanks for the help, turns out when I checked the By-Pass valve all looked ok (o-ring and seal were not damaged) so I checked the upper Check-Valve (Hot Discharge) it was defective. An easy fix as it is readily accessable it was less than 12 bucks at the RV shop and I'll bet 1/2 that at the Home Store.
AREA51 is winterized at least for 6 weeks. Of course the factory did not use teflon tape on the original installation so I guess I should have replaced the lower Check-Valve also (next time).
GOOD LUCK
AREA51

[tmmar]

Happy to hear that it was an easy fix and that you were doing the by-pass correctly.

[MNtraveler]

Originally Posted by tmmar

Area51,
If I remember correctly, you just have to close the one valve that lets the cold water into the heater. Once that is closed, nothing should go into the heater. If that is not working, the valve may be defective.

If you don't close the hot water valve, then antifreeze can back up through the bypass line and hot water line into the heater if it's ever the path of least resistance (say, all faucets are turned off while anti-freeze is being pumped).

Further reason you need to close all three valves: the hot water, the Coldwater, and the bypass valve.

[MNtraveler]

Originally Posted by Billr

I-RV is correct, there are 3 valves on the back of the water tank. Hot, cold, bypass. Have to use all 3.


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Agreed.

[MNtraveler]

The best diagram others have posted before me (thanks!).

[Belleville Bob]

Anybody know how to get to the hot water bypass valve on a 2014 Flagstaff Classic Super Lite 5th wheel?