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Old 04-18-2017, 04:11 PM   #1
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Where is the water heater bypass valve?

I just bought a 2014 Forest River Evo T2850. I'm new to camping and trying to dewinterize to get ready for our first trip this weekend. It wasn't winterized with antifreeze, previous owner just aired the lines out. I want to sanitize the fresh water system and found steps to do it, but can't find the water heater bypass valve. I found the anode rod outside which was removed for the winter. Also found a small hot and cold water low point drains outside, and a big fresh water low point drain valve. But can't find the water heater bypass. I can't see a way to access the water heater from inside. It appears to be under the stove.
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Old 04-18-2017, 04:24 PM   #2
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Are there a couple of screws holding on a panel?

If so remove the screws an see if the valves are there.

Is the fridge next to the stove?

Panel under it?
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Old 04-18-2017, 04:24 PM   #3
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If panels underneath stove can not be removed, then remove the two drawers next to stove and see if you can access valves.....
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Old 04-18-2017, 04:28 PM   #4
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Looking at one online, it looks like it's below your stove. However, it doesn't look like there's direct access from there. You may have to open/remove the drawer(s) under the sink and get to it from the side.

The other access route may be to remove the furnace's return air return under the fridge and get to it from the other side. (You're furnace is under your fridge, BTW.)
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Old 04-18-2017, 04:31 PM   #5
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Yeah it does have screws in the panel under the stove. I'll try taking that off tonight to see if I can get to it. The fridge is just to the right of the stove, so no access there.
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Old 04-18-2017, 04:35 PM   #6
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Suggested approach, belly crawl, with lots of lumens and long arms will be a big bonus.
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Old 04-18-2017, 11:11 PM   #7
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So I was able to get to it through the acess panel under the stove. Thanks for the help there!

Attached a pic to show the 3 valves, one hot, one cold, and one in between. Which valves do I open when doing dewinterizing and cleaning the fresh water system? And after its all cleaned out, which valves do I leave open to use the hot water heater all summer? Thanks again!
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Old 04-18-2017, 11:15 PM   #8
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it's perfect as shown. The cold supply is open, hot is open middle bypass is closed.
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Old 04-18-2017, 11:42 PM   #9
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I thought to clean out the fresh tank, lines, and water heater you had to close some valves though? When would you ever open the middle bypass?
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Old 04-18-2017, 11:50 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by onecrazyfoo4u View Post
I thought to clean out the fresh tank, lines, and water heater you had to close some valves though? When would you ever open the middle bypass?
when you winterize.
you open the middle and close the other two, to bypass the WH.
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Old 04-19-2017, 10:39 AM   #11
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Based on this list of steps, you should bypass the water heater when doing the initial cleaning. Then open the valves to let it fill. Is that not the preferred method?

1. Empty any antifreeze in your FW tank.
2. Remove water heater drain plug to ensure it's empty as well. Re install drain plug
3. Fill and empty your FW tank to rinse it out.
4. Fill your FW tank with a solution of 1/4 cup beach to 15 gallons of water.
5. Make sure your water heater valves are in the bypass position.
6. Turn on your water pump.
7. One by one, turn on each faucet until you no longer see pink then turn it off.
8. Put your water heaters valves back into the normal operating position.
9. Turn on any hot water valve to allow water / bleach solution to fill the water heater. Turn off one filled.
10. Top off your FW tank with water. Allow bleach solution to remain in your water lines for several hours at least. Over night is preferable.
11. Once soaking is complete, drain your FW tank, fill and drain again to rinse. Fill it once more.
12. Open water heater drain plug until water heater is empty. Reinstall plug.
13. Turn on water pump.
14. One by one, turn on each faucet and let run until you no longer smell bleach.
15. Fill and drain your hot water heater a couple of times to rinse.
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Old 04-19-2017, 10:32 PM   #12
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So are the steps above the right steps to follow? Bypass the WH for the first bit if flushing, then open it up to fill and clean out?
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