Water heater bypass

[officerhhammer]

My wife and I have a 2016 Avenger ATI 26BB and we can't find the hot water bypass on the Atwood water heater. My wife and I are new to travel trailers and appreciate all help and advice.

[brianre]

Most of the Atwood heaters have a three way valve on the inlet that bypasses the heater and a check valve on the heater outlet.

[CedarCreekWoody]

I'm not familiar with your trailer but the bypass valves will be where the water goes into and exits the heater. You will most likely have to remove some type of panel to access them. This panel could be on the inside or outside.

[5picker]

You will need to gain access to the back side of the water heater.
Go outside and stand at the water heater.
Visualize on the inside of your camper where the back side of the water heater would be.
As mentioned you may have to open storage areas, remove a panel,(s) drawers or other false access door.

[rockfordroo]

Looking at a pic of your TT and the floor plan, it appears your water heater is under the rear bunks. Remove the mattress from the bottom bunk and you can probably lift up the plywood and access the back of the water heater.

[hammer40330]

Originally Posted by officerhhammer

My wife and I have a 2016 Avenger ATI 26BB and we can't find the hot water bypass on the Atwood water heater. My wife and I are new to travel trailers and appreciate all help and advice.

I don't understand the need to bypass water heater. Why does one need this option? I have seen lots to bypass them but not sure if reason please educate me as to why. Thanks

[CHICKDOE]

I can think of two reasons. the most common would be to bypass the water heater during winterizing. by bypassing it you do not pump the antifreeze into the water heater. even the smallest water heater hold 6 gallons so by bypassing it you do not need 6 gallons of antifreeze. the other would be if you wanted to open it up by taking out the anode while leaving the rest of the water system operable.

[Iwannacamp]

Originally Posted by hammer40330

I don't understand the need to bypass water heater. Why does one need this option? I have seen lots to bypass them but not sure if reason please educate me as to why. Thanks

So you can drain the WH and winterize the system assuming it is cold enough where you live to winterize. If you fill the WH with antifreeze and don't drain and flush it would take many gallons of water to TRY to flush out the AF.