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11-19-2017, 03:53 PM
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#1
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: May 2017
Location: MO
Posts: 42
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Plumbing Winterization Questions
With this being our first RV, this will be our first time winterizing.
I have a few questions about winterizing the plumbing.
I have read about bypassing the water heater in order to prevent wasting 6 gallons of antifreeze.
However, in reading through the water heater owner manual, there is no mention of a bypass valve.
I want to better understand wintering the plumbing.
My external (and only one I can find) access:
Wintering Section from owner manual:
If there is no bypass valve, am I just going to have to waste the 6 gallons of antifreeze that my water heater holds?
After researching a bit, the bypass kit doesn’t appear to be expensive. How difficult is it to install?
Do you fill the plumbing with antifreeze or is it just coating the plumbing?
2018 Crossroads Z-1 Zinger 328SB
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT
Missouri
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
2018 Crossroads Z-1 Zinger 328SB
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT
Missouri
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11-19-2017, 04:49 PM
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#2
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: 1
Posts: 2,036
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You have a bypass valve on the inside of the rig (opposite side of your picture). Do a search on this forum as there are good pictures available. Once you turn the two valves on the water heater, find your water pump and there will be a suction hose and valve to suck up the anti-freeze. Yes, you will fill the water lines - both hot and cold. Also pour A/F into all drains and toilet. Run outside shower.
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11-19-2017, 04:53 PM
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#3
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Cedar Rapids,IA
Posts: 50
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The by-pass valve is generally behind your heater tank, it is part of the plumbing network, it's purpose is to isolate the heater tank, so the heater's instruction may not even mention it.
Look on this same forum for Water heater bypass valve, it has a good picture of the normal by-pass plumbing.
__________________
Harry
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11-19-2017, 05:34 PM
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#4
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Gone Traveling
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,392
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You will to have figure where the back of the heater is inside, under the bed, behind a panel that you'll have to remove, back of a cabinet, & the bypass valves will be on the back side of the heater.
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11-19-2017, 05:37 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 5,721
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Reverse valves for winterizing.
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Mark & Susan
Lehighton, Pennsylvania
EAGLE HT FIFTH WHEEL | 30.5CKTS - '13 Ford F150 SCREW - PullRite Superslide - Roadmaster Active Suspension
Member - "Northeast Adventures RV Rally Group" & "Mason-Dixon Bunch"
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11-20-2017, 07:24 AM
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#6
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DFW, TexUS
Posts: 1,032
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Since we don't have the weeks and months of freezing temps, we just drain the water heater and replace the plug, then blow out the lines with air and add some pink to the drains and tanks to winterize.
good luck !
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11-20-2017, 05:31 PM
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#7
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Belle River , Ontario
Posts: 1,753
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Do not forget to take the screen off the city water intake and push on the little white button to let antifreeze exit that spot. Push it in with no pressure and have someone turn on pump in that order or you will dislodge the o ring inside.
Best bet for a newbie is to find a neighbour that has knowledge of winterising to help you.
__________________
It was a rainy few days at Algonquin Prov park...tarps kept us dry.
Wayne --Belle River (Windsor), Ontario
2013 Sunset Trail Reserve 25RB..(just sold it)
2015 White Chev Silverado 2500HD 4x4 (6.0 l gasser)
2003 Mountain Star 890SBRX Truck Camper
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11-21-2017, 08:51 AM
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#8
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: May 2017
Location: MO
Posts: 42
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Found the water pump. It’s located under the pantry next to the fridge.
Is this the hose I put in the antifreeze jug?
What does this valve control?
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__________________
2018 Crossroads Z-1 Zinger 328SB
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT
Missouri
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11-21-2017, 08:59 AM
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#9
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: May 2017
Location: MO
Posts: 42
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Found the back of the water heater. It’s located under the bunk against the back wall.
Is this the bypass valve?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
2018 Crossroads Z-1 Zinger 328SB
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT
Missouri
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11-21-2017, 09:29 AM
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#10
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: 1
Posts: 2,036
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Yes and Yes! The siphon hose valve lets the pump either siphon water from the holding tank or from the A/F jug/bucket. Turn the water heater valve 90 dgs so as to "bypass" the water heater when filling water lines with A/F. Don't open valve in the Spring until ALL the A/F fluid has been flushed out of the system.
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11-21-2017, 10:59 AM
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#11
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: May 2017
Location: MO
Posts: 42
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Plumbing Winterization Questions
Do I leave the fresh water drain plug off or put it back when I’m ready to pump antifreeze?
And do I leave the water heater drain plug off or put it back when ready to pump antifreeze?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
2018 Crossroads Z-1 Zinger 328SB
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT
Missouri
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11-21-2017, 11:44 AM
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#12
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,160
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I leave the plug for water heater, out.
The drain cap for the fresh water tank I leave off, and cover the end of the pipe with a cloth, secured it on with a twisty. Purpose is to keep the bugs out of the tank. If they had the drain coming directly out the bottom of tank, I would leave that cap off also. I have inside storage.
If your unit is stored out side, then I would probably screw the water heater plug in loosely, and the drain for the fresh water either covered or the cap back on the same way. Reason being, to prevent bugs and blowing dust from getting in.
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11-21-2017, 12:04 PM
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#13
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,160
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I guess I over answered your question.
You can leave them both off when pumping anti freeze. It really doesn't make any difference if they are on or off, if, you have the valves all set in the correct position when pumping the pink stuff.
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11-21-2017, 12:31 PM
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#14
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: May 2017
Location: MO
Posts: 42
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Thanks for all the help and info!
Used 2.5 gallons of antifreeze. Probably would have only used 2 gallons, but wasted 0.5 gallons down the shower because I thought I had the hot off, but it was full on and quickly sucked the antifreeze down.
Also, almost forgot to pump some through the city water connection, but remembered as I was waking by to put supplies away. No one warned me not to stand directly in front of it. I got blasted pretty good.
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__________________
2018 Crossroads Z-1 Zinger 328SB
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT
Missouri
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11-21-2017, 12:54 PM
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#15
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: May 2012
Location: N.C. Mountains
Posts: 2,416
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Don’t forget to flush the toilet to put antifreeze through there. As far as pouring antifreeze into the drains; when you turn on the faucets and shower the antifreeze will go down the drains. If you have two traps under the kitchen sink just make sure you let antifreeze go in both sides of the sink. And as stated don’t forget the outside shower and the outside low point drains. Open just enough to let antifreeze out to clear any water. Just open faucets and low points until you see the antifreeze start to come out, no need to let it run long. Make sure the fridge is off and leave the doors open so it won’t mold.
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*2016 CAF25SE Cruiser Aire 5er. *2020 Chevrolet 2500 HD Custom
*Ted & Tricia (Mimi - Teacup Poodle/ Sailor - Maltipoo)
*I have tried to live my life so that my family would love me and my friends would respect me. The others can do whatever the Hell they please!” —John Wayne
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