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TankerIP · 11-11-2019, 01:32 PM

I am confused.

I'm struggling through the process of draining system and following the manual where I can. The manual tells me I need to work with the water heater bypass valve, which on my model happens to be located through the curbside storage access door.

Further, the manual states:...."If valve is in-line with water line, turn byass valve clockwise to close."

Well, I found the valve already in the closed postion. (I assume perpendidular to water line means closed) The first picture is what I saw. That's the position in which the water heater has operated normally.

So then I turned this water heater bypass valve counter-clockwise to the open position. See picture #2. Now the water drains out quite nicely underneath the trailer once I open the petcock.

So, what am I seeing wrong? If you follow the instructions above to ensure that the valve is in "closed" position, then the water will not drain out -- the purpose of this exercise is to drain the system.

Hmmm...?

Malia20 · 11-11-2019, 01:53 PM

That appears to be a valve to open a "low point drain". This is normally left closed. When opened you drain water out of the plumbing higher than the drain. This is used for winterizing. The hot water by-pass valve should be very near the hot water heater and low, on the pipe feeding cold water to the heater. It should have three pex pipe coming off of it, one cold water input, one output feeding the hot water tank and one output feeding the by-pass pipe. The valve switches the cold water input between between the two output pipes.
Good luck!

uncle_bob · 11-11-2019, 02:02 PM

Hi

In general, any valve that is normally open gets closed. Any valve that normally is closed gets opened. That process reverses in the spring.

Bob

lsbrodsky · 11-11-2019, 02:03 PM

Don't know your 25 arrangement. I have a 2012 25FBQ and the bypass valve is reached through a panel underneath the wardrobe. You cannot reach it from outside.

Larry

jeffmc306 · 11-11-2019, 04:05 PM

TankerIP, the valve you’re looking for should have a yellow handle. It shuts off water flow into the water heater to prevent antifreeze from getting in the tank.

Go outside and open the water heater door, remove the plastic plug from the tank (pull the pressure release valve lever first or open your faucet to release any pressure). This will allow the tank to drain. You can leave the plug out and reinstall it next spring.

Malia20 is correct, the valve in your photos is the low point drain. You’ll want to open it to drain any water remaining then close it if you’re going to pump antifreeze into the system.

Hope that helps!
Jeff

OTRA15 · 11-11-2019, 04:26 PM

As already noted, "bypass valve" and "low point drain" are different valves, each with a specific purpose, and each located in unique spots according to the model and length.

As the old saying goes -- AVANCE -- "All valves are not created equal."

Read the manual more carefully IMO -- it should distinguish between the two valves, such that your confusion will go away.

OTRA15 · 11-11-2019, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

In general, any valve that is normally open gets closed. Any valve that normally is closed gets opened. That process reverses in the spring.

Bob

What?

Bob, did you recently add this moniker under your ID:

"Half a Rivet Short"

SSquared · 11-11-2019, 04:41 PM

I have a 2013 25FB twin. There are two valves near the water heater.

One is accessed from the curbside storage compartment. It's a low point drain valve on the cold water pipe that feeds the heater. The cool thing about this valve is, it drains the water heater (if you open the pressure relief valve).

The other is accessed from inside. When you lift the curbside mattress, you find a round hole near the foot of the bed. That lets you reach down and turn the valve. This is the winterizing valve (that when turned for winterizing, prevents antifreeze from getting into the hot water tank).