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theotherbart's avatar
theotherbart
Explorer
Oct 25, 2020

Coachmen Freelander 23BB Water Heater Bypass

I'm getting ready to winterize my Coachmen and I'm having a heck of a time bypassing the water heater. It's in the bathroom, under the counter behind an access panel beside the toilet. I can see two valves. If either valve is open, then water flows into the water heater. If both valves are closed then water doesn't go into the heater, but there's no flow through any of the hot lines (meaning that I can't blow them out, or pump antifreeze through them).

It seems pretty obvious that there should be a third valve somewhere to open the bridge/bypass between the cold water and the hot water lines, but for the life of me I can't find it. The worst part? I have winterized and un-winterized this rig four times before, but suddenly this year I can't figure it out.

Any suggestions what I might be missing? Where is that phantom third valve???
  • Is there a line that goes between cold & hot on backside of WH Tank?

    The 2 valves....both handles should be 'in-line' with that connecting line
    Cold Handle UP & Hot Handle DOWN


    OR the handles should turn 180* and point towards bypass line if like this set up
  • Good thoughts, but these valves are both simple 1/4 turn single input, single output valves. They're not three-way valves. I'll get out there and snap a picture in a little while.
  • theotherbart wrote:
    Good thoughts, but these valves are both simple 1/4 turn single input, single output valves. They're not three-way valves. I'll get out there and snap a picture in a little while.


    Did you find the bypass IF so equipped?