Water heater bypass

[dennisl]

04 Granite Ridge 3100SS - the water heater has three valves on the pipes attached to it. One on the top (inlet?), one on the bottom (discharge?), and one vertically between these two. Which one is the actual bypass valve? What position should the valves be in during NORMAL operation? When I first looked at it, the top and bottom were open and the middle closed. I opened the middle valve also, but don't know if this is correct. None of the books/manuals that came with the MH say anything about it. Any info appreciated.

[RVhiker]

The one in the middle should be closed during normal operation; the middle one is the bypass. The idea is that when winterizing with an RV antifreeze, the inlet and outlet valves to the tank are closed, and the bypass opened. This allows the pump to pump the antifreeze in a complete loop, filling both the cold and hot pipes. The tank is closed off, and drained. Without the bypass, you'd have to buy 6 or 10 gallons extra of antifreeze to fill up the tank.

[dennisl]

Thanks rvhiker. My fiver had a different setup, so your info clears it up for me.

[daviddudek]

Excellent answer. It is the same for a boat.

[hammerdown]

Check this thread for more info.http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?t=4030

[Tom Copeland]

Same problem. Trying to sanitize the system but looking for the water heater bypass valve. Manual does not give location for the Melbourne either.

[001952119]

Tom: I do not have your model RV. BUT, the valves are generally located directly to the rear of the water heater. In my Precept model C, the valves are located behind the water heater and to the rear of a wood panel vent located below the refrigerator. If you have a wood vent panel directly to the rear of the water heater, remove the four screws and you should see plumbing with three (3) valves on the lines.

[Seann45]

All 3 valves are the by pass. close off the two leading to the HW tank and open the one connecting the 2 lines.. the first 2 close off access to the tank and the last one allows water to flow to the hot water lines (for blow out and antifreeze)