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12-27-2016, 02:46 PM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Kent
Posts: 294
M.O.C. #6300
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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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12-27-2016, 03:15 PM
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#2
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Dover
Posts: 75
M.O.C. #15866
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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.
__________________
2014 High Country 318RE
2012 F250 6.7 long bed with B&W Hitch
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12-27-2016, 03:56 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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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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12-27-2016, 04:48 PM
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#4
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Ferndale
Posts: 273
M.O.C. #16033
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Won't be a problem, it will have room to expand if it freezes.
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12-27-2016, 09:08 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Davison
Posts: 786
M.O.C. #12331
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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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12-27-2016, 11:20 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Englewood
Posts: 3,095
M.O.C. #164
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Absolutely no need to drain that last bit of water!
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12-28-2016, 06:29 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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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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12-29-2016, 05:51 AM
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#8
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: new caney
Posts: 98
M.O.C. #18819
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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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12-29-2016, 07:37 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Englewood
Posts: 3,095
M.O.C. #164
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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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12-29-2016, 07:47 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 3,335
M.O.C. #10496
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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.
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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.
__________________
2010 3150RL
LevelUp, Dual 6 volt batteries, Progressive Industries EMS HW50C, Honda EU2000i Generator, Bridgestone Duravis R250 tires, Torklift Glowstep Revolution Stairs, LED Tail lights
2015 RAM 3500 Laramie SRW LB CC Cummins 6.7L Aisin Trans B&W RVK3600
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12-29-2016, 07:48 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 3,335
M.O.C. #10496
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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.
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Agreed!
__________________
2010 3150RL
LevelUp, Dual 6 volt batteries, Progressive Industries EMS HW50C, Honda EU2000i Generator, Bridgestone Duravis R250 tires, Torklift Glowstep Revolution Stairs, LED Tail lights
2015 RAM 3500 Laramie SRW LB CC Cummins 6.7L Aisin Trans B&W RVK3600
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