Water Heater By-Pass Kit

Dwight · 09-19-2002, 09:32 AM

I need to add a "kit" to my Excella. Does anyone have any information on what type to get or brand? Is it easy to install?

niftypkg · 09-19-2002, 09:46 AM

Dwight, Just bought one! Didn't like it and sent it back. Those permanent kits are very restrictive, cut pipes to 1/4 from 1/2 in. line I finally made up a temp. one. I have an original Bowen Heater. The only one I ever saw was made by Camco. Tom

Dwight · 09-19-2002, 10:43 AM

I have an '86 Excella with a Atwood 6 gal unit. Most of the units that I have seen in the stores make it appear to be an easy job.

74Argosy24MH · 09-19-2002, 10:54 AM

Mine has 1/2" inlets same as the water heater, easy to install. Take the lines out of the tank, put the two adapters in, reattach the lines. Attach the bypass tube and that was it. 15 minute job.

John

Dwight · 09-19-2002, 11:20 AM

John, did your kit have 1 or 2 cutoff valves? Do you remember the brand? Was it Camco?

74Argosy24MH · 09-19-2002, 12:28 PM

Two valves and it is a Camco. There are different length bypass tubes. I have an Atwood water heater, the tube is 12" between the fittings. Turn the valves so the bypass fittings are horizontal. I think this was probably a universal kit, the directions show the tube nice and neat vertically between the valves.

hex · 09-19-2002, 05:42 PM

Hey guys give us an overview of what in tarnation yall are talking about.

What are these kits?

If you bypass the HWHeater aren't ya askin for rather cold showers and rather dirty dishes?

I was told that replacing a HWHeater runs around $400 bux. They were strictly propane weren't they? That just seems ludicrous!
Wonder if the soda machines at the Airstream Plant had Nehi's for $6bux a bottle??

davidz71 · 09-19-2002, 05:50 PM

hex,
This is for winterizing the trailer. Most people just drain the HW heater and leave it dry. The bypass kit allows you to run RV antifreeze through the lines without a bunch of it going into the HW heater. If you lived in your trailer year round, this would not apply to you if you ran the HW heater all the time.

**john hd** · 09-19-2002, 08:29 PM

hey craig

are you sure you don't have a bypass intalled at the factory? my 92 exella has one, but it is in the pumbing leading to the heater not actually on it.

john

74Argosy24MH · 09-20-2002, 06:18 AM

Hex-

Most water heaters are propane, but some are porpane/electric. If you think they are expensive, look at the refirgerators. Everything for an RV is twice the price. Except for things like appliances and the toilet a lot of it is common with trucks, home, etc. search around you can often get a better deal.

John

davidz71 · 09-20-2002, 11:33 AM

john jd,
I'm not sure about the factory bypass. I do see an old brass valve that looks like the 2 drain valves in my rear compartment inside the bathroom HW heater cabinet but there are 2 of the newer looking brass short throw lever valves and new steel braid lines with tags still hanging on them. I don't know how much work the previous owner did on the bypass but I'm sure the steel braid hoses were changed withing a year of me purchasing the trailer.

davidz71 · 09-20-2002, 11:35 AM

John hd and hex,
I just picked up the digital camera and as soon as I get home I will post a picture of my HW heater and the bypass setup.

niftypkg · 09-20-2002, 06:42 PM

Argosy, The Campo by pass I saw had a restrictive looking valve. The valve opg was only 1/4 in. and the valve itself was not a ball valve. Might have cheapened it! I was sent another one mail order by a different brand, same thing. Sent it back! Finally I just installed a line between the H&C lines for now.
Tom

davidz71 · 09-23-2002, 06:32 PM

Johnhd and hex,
There appears to be a factory form of bypass for my heater but hoses and 2 valves are new.