By-pass valve

[Rambleaway]

When the hot water tank is in normal use (not winterized) should the valve on the line that runs from the cold water line to the hot water line be open or closed?

[ryeja]

The valve should be closed, but a good way to check is to turn it to the opposite position and run the hot water tap until you get hot water coming out. One way to check the other bypass valve is first drain the hot water tank and leave the plug out. Hook up the city water and turn it on. Rotate the bypass valve in either direction till water comes out the hot water tank drain, this would be the position used for camping or normal use, and of course if you turn the valve in the other position your lines will pressure up and no waterwill be coming out of the hot water tank drain, this would be the winterizing position.

There are many other methods to this process to which others here may sharebut I have found this to be easiest way for me.

[Rambleaway]

Thanks ryeja, that is kind of what I thought. Our old travel trailer only had one valve to shut off the cold water line going into the tank. I'm still not really sure what the purpose of the second valve is.

[Korbe & Diana]

One valve is to open or close the bypass loop and the other is to either open or close the line to the tank. Normally, the valve handle "points" in the direction of flow. BTW, I have a third valve that allows me to suck anti-freeze into the system.

[Rambleaway]

So to confirm that I am clear on this, the bypass loop is closed during normal operating conditions and open when the system is winterized?
I have a siphon kit connected to my water pump that allows me to flood the water lines with antifreeze.

[ryeja]

Yeah I guess. If you want to confirm this take a pail of plain waterand practice a winterizing situation and play with the valves, that way you will know first hand what the valves do and how they operate, that to me is the only real solution to get you familiar with winterizing and de-winterizing. It really doesn't take any more htan half an hour to figure it all out. If you have CRS like me you can take some nail polish and mark the valves accordingly to your preference.