Too many valves? Water Heater

[rogowolf]

By the pump and hot water heater, there are 4 valves, where the copper plumbing turns into grey pvc,I assume that they have to be aligned depending on if you are using city water or water from the holding tank. There is nothing in the owners manual or even a picture. How do I find out which valves should be open and when?

[SteveH]

I'm not familiar with that particular trailer, and frankly not sure what you are asking, but there are normally three valves by the water heater, and they are used for bypassing the heater so you can winterize the trailer without filling the six gallon heater with antifreeze.

[Silver Goose]

Wish this pic wasn't so fuzzy. It is a diagram of a common 3-valve configuration used to bypass the water heater so as not to unnecessarily fill it up with 6 gallons of antifreeze. One valve blocks the inlet, another the outlet and the 3rd permits the bypass. The handles are typically oblong and turn only 90°. In line with the pipe is open, crossways is closed.



If one forgets to close the bypass after opening the other 2 come spring, the wife will complain about the water not being very hot. Don't ask, I just know. 😊

If this doesn't help, can you post a pic of your valves?

[Silver Otter]

Nice image, Silver Goose. May I ask then . . . if I blow all my lines out with compressed air, plus completely empty the hot water tank, I'm supposing that I don't need to break my knuckles setting those valve during winterization???

[jdalrymple]

Blowing out the lines is hard to do with the water heater in the loop.

If one drains it he must put the plug back in to blow out the lines and the water will refill the tank. So, the plug has to come back out again.

I bypass the tank with installed valves ( as above) and remove the plug to drain the water heater and then blow out the rest of the lines



Regards,

JD