Hot Water Bypass

[DonnaD]

So, my husband turned the bypass switch back in the fall when he winterized. Then a few weeks ago, he de-winterized and turned the bypass switch again. When we went camping, the water wasn't really getting hot, a little warm though. Thinking he may not have turned it afterall, he turned it again. No help. We ended up running the hot water using propane. Now, he's not sure which way the switch is supposed to be turned. It's hard to see it first of all, but he's not sure if it should be vertical or horozonal to be in the open position for the camping season. If we have it correct, maybe the element is burned out? Anybody have any insight?

[RVhiker]

Usually to turn the valve off the valve handle will be perpendicular to the direction of the pipe. For example, if the pipe is vertical the valve handle will be horizontal in the off position.

[tlhdoc]

When the handles of the valve cross the water line the valve is closed. When the valve runs the same way as the water line it is open. The water line going into the (cold water) water heater and the line line (hot water) coming out of the water heater should be open. The valve on the line that connects the water in and water out lines should be closed. Closing the this valve forces the cold water into the water heater.

[DonnaD]

Thank you both so much! That's exactly what we needed to know

[Chakara]

Did it work? They are all a bit different. My camper has 3 valves to change when bypassing the water heater.......

-Chak