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Old 12-27-2016, 02:46 PM   #1
jaybird
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"Bypass Hot Water Tank" Switch

As I boondock this weekend I'm trying to figure out why I would ever need to flick this switch to the "ON" position ever. Why would I need to bypass the hot water tank? Is it a winterization thing?
 
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Old 12-27-2016, 03:15 PM   #2
baybum10
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You are correct, it is a winterization thing. If you do not winterize you will not need to use the switch. The switch allows you to bypass the water heater and save gallons of antifreeze.
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Old 12-27-2016, 03:56 PM   #3
Art-n-Marge
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FYI - When winterizing the rig one should DRAIN the hot water tank, so no water is in it. I have not had to winterize my rig, but the hardest thing about using the bypass and emptying the tank is removing the last of the water in the tank. The srain opening is a fraction higher than the bottom so there always seems to have some amount of water at the bottom of the water tank.

For those of you who winterize, how do you get that last bit of water out of the tank? I wouldn't want to leave any water in there to prevent it from freezing, but maybe it won't hurt if it did freeze since the empty tank may not have a problem with it. I wouldn't want to put any antifreeze (pink stuff) in there. I would think it could take a long time to get the tank clean of the stuff when it's time to start camping in the rig once again.
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Old 12-27-2016, 04:48 PM   #4
Mike117
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Won't be a problem, it will have room to expand if it freezes.
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Old 12-27-2016, 09:08 PM   #5
bethandkevin
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RV anti-freeze has the nastiest odor if you don't get it all out of the water heater and heat it up. I never put it in the water heater anymore.
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Old 12-27-2016, 11:20 PM   #6
kdeiss
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Absolutely no need to drain that last bit of water!
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Old 12-28-2016, 06:29 PM   #7
Art-n-Marge
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Good to know about the remaining water not affecting things too much. I have no experience with winterizing or having to have a completely empty tank, but hoped any remaining water would freeze/expand but not impact anything so this is making sense.
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Old 12-29-2016, 05:51 AM   #8
kenneth e holman
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As long as there's expansion room on either the water tank or water lines then you should have no problem with anything bursting. I would doubt a water heater would burst anyhow as it is insulated. I never understood why it is recommended to add a little anti-freeze to your drains as there is always room to expand in your drains.
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Old 12-29-2016, 07:37 AM   #9
kdeiss
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The primary reason you add RV antifreeze to the trap is that it does not evaporate nearly as quickly as water left in the traps.This is a good idea to add to your brick and mortar home if you leave it empty for a long period of time even if no freezing conditions, mineral oil will work also.
You do not what to deal with the odor if the water in the trap evaporates
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Old 12-29-2016, 07:47 AM   #10
CORattler
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Art-n-Marge

FYI - When winterizing the rig one should DRAIN the hot water tank, so no water is in it. I have not had to winterize my rig, but the hardest thing about using the bypass and emptying the tank is removing the last of the water in the tank. The srain opening is a fraction higher than the bottom so there always seems to have some amount of water at the bottom of the water tank.

For those of you who winterize, how do you get that last bit of water out of the tank? I wouldn't want to leave any water in there to prevent it from freezing, but maybe it won't hurt if it did freeze since the empty tank may not have a problem with it. I wouldn't want to put any antifreeze (pink stuff) in there. I would think it could take a long time to get the tank clean of the stuff when it's time to start camping in the rig once again.
You are right.
Using the bypass keeps the pink antifreeze out of the water heater. The little water that remains behind after draining the tank would have no adverse effect even if it froze since it would have a lot of room to expand.
I don't use pink antifreeze at all except for my P traps and the washer drain. I blow out all lines with compressed air to include the black tank flush line.
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Old 12-29-2016, 07:48 AM   #11
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by bethandkevin

RV anti-freeze has the nastiest odor if you don't get it all out of the water heater and heat it up. I never put it in the water heater anymore.
Agreed!
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