Forum Discussion

gmanharris's avatar
gmanharris
Explorer
May 30, 2015

Hot Water Heater, SW6-DE

Greetings. I am new here, and new to travel trailers. I am de-winterizing my rig, and I am not sure if my hot water heater is bypassed or not. I did clear out the anti-freeze, replace the anode rod, and opened all faucets. Something about the hot water does not seem right. The heater is NOT on.

My big question is about this picture. It is my understanding that plumbing liquid or gas requires the valves to pointed in the direction of the flow, it at a right angle, no flow. Here's the picture:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kukhtfsrgcqqrjy/IMG_0991.JPG?dl=0

The valve next to the orange cable appears to be off. Any ideas?

Thanks, Gary
  • greende's avatar
    greende
    Explorer II
    May 31, 2015
    gmanharris wrote:
    One more thing. Next fall, I should turn off the valves that lead to the hot and cold fittings on the water heater. The one that is off now would be turned on??? This would allow me to pump the anti-freeze direct from jug and bypass the water heater??? Is this how the 3 valve system works? Sorry for all the questions. I hope I an answer a few myself someday.


    Correct
  • gmanharris's avatar
    gmanharris
    Explorer
    May 31, 2015
    One more thing. Next fall, I should turn off the valves that lead to the hot and cold fittings on the water heater. The one that is off now would be turned on??? This would allow me to pump the anti-freeze direct from jug and bypass the water heater??? Is this how the 3 valve system works? Sorry for all the questions. I hope I an answer a few myself someday.
  • gmanharris's avatar
    gmanharris
    Explorer
    May 31, 2015
    Got out to my trailer this morning. Filled fresh water holding tank. Used on-board water pump to pressurize the system, and then checked the pressure release valve on the water heater. Got plenty of water. Flushed out the entire system and now ready for the road. So now I know the valves are correctly set for no bypass. Thanks to all of you for the help.
  • Dakota98's avatar
    Dakota98
    Explorer
    May 30, 2015
    You have a 3-valve by-pass system & all valves are currently in the correct position for using the HW.
  • gmanharris's avatar
    gmanharris
    Explorer
    May 30, 2015
    That's what I thought Jack_Diane_Freedom. I guess I'll check the one valve that appears to be closed and check the pressure release to make sure water is present.
  • gmanharris's avatar
    gmanharris
    Explorer
    May 30, 2015
    PS. Water heater will not get power until I am 100% sure there is water in it. I heard about that mistake. :)
  • Jack_Diane_Free's avatar
    Jack_Diane_Free
    Explorer
    May 30, 2015
    If it was winterized properly, no pick anti-freeze should be in the water heater. That would tell me it was on by pass.
  • gmanharris's avatar
    gmanharris
    Explorer
    May 30, 2015
    Thanks, everyone. I'll check the pressure relief valve to see if water is in the hot water heater tank. When I replaced the anode rod, only a little clear water came out, no pink anti-freeze. That is what started me thinking. Someone else winterized it, and this is my first time getting it ready for the road again.

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