Water heater bypass...doesn't make sense

stand up or sit down...to sink or not to sink...want or got gas...post your Q&A here..........

Water heater bypass...doesn't make sense

Postby Treeview » Thu May 24, 2018 3:39 pm

I just got the camper last winter so there are things to learn

There's a gas water heater installed

What I don't get is why there is a non-valved bypass line tee'd in between the hot and cold inlet/outlets. Seems like it should be a pass through...cold in at the bottom, hot out at the top

The burner ignites and runs for a while. Then I open the hot valve in the shower and no hot water comes out. Close hot...open cold...cold comes out

It seems like the water circuit is bypassing the water heater

Am I missing something? Am I making this clear?

Thanks
User avatar
Treeview
The 300 Club
 
Posts: 498
Images: 30
Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2011 9:22 am
Location: Land of 10,000 Lakes

Re: Water heater bypass...doesn't make sense

Postby MtnDon » Thu May 24, 2018 6:51 pm

No hot coming out of the hot valve at point of use means no cold water is being allowed in. The cold goes in and pushes the hot out.

It is quite common to have a water heater tank bypass, but they are equipped with two selector valves, one on the hot tank outlet and one on the cold tank inlet. Camco makes a bypass kit and sometimes folks put together a DIY system. They all have, they need, valves to bypass the heater tank or to direct the water through the tank. In the camco version both valves must be set correctly to permit flow in and out of the tank. They are special valves, not just a shut off type. They switch flow from one direction to another. For DIY, it will be some variation... I have seen some pictures of DIY using three regular shut off / on - off valves and a couple of tee fittings.

If it is a DIY system maybe the valve you need to change on or off is not right there at the tank.

Google RV water tank bypass valve and select to look at images.

Do you have a picture of your setup at the water tank connections?
Our 6x12 deep vee nose cargo trailer camper conversion... viewtopic.php?f=42&t=58336

We have a small off grid cabin we built ourselves in the NM mountains; small PV solar system; 624 watts PV, Outback CC & inverter/charger ... http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=2335.0
User avatar
MtnDon
2000 Club
2000 Club
 
Posts: 2200
Images: 24
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2012 10:57 pm
Location: New Mexico

Re: Water heater bypass...doesn't make sense

Postby Treeview » Thu May 24, 2018 8:13 pm

Hi Don

Thanks for the lead. After some image searching I think I found my system

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/camco--water-heater-bypass-winterizing-kit--329195

Neither of the valve handles are attached and the stem is tucked in behind a fitting.

I hope I can buy just the handles. Maybe my corner hardware store has something.

A bit more research to
Understand the open/closed configuration of the two valves is next

Best!

Tom
User avatar
Treeview
The 300 Club
 
Posts: 498
Images: 30
Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2011 9:22 am
Location: Land of 10,000 Lakes
Top

Re: Water heater bypass...doesn't make sense

Postby Dale M. » Fri May 25, 2018 9:22 am

Lots of images on concept and operation....

http://lmgtfy.com/?t=i&q=Camper+water+heater+bypass

Dale
Lives his life vicariously through his own self.

Any statement made by me are strictly my own opinion.
You are free to ignore anything I say if you do not agree.

Image
User avatar
Dale M.
2000 Club
2000 Club
 
Posts: 2693
Images: 18
Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2005 8:50 pm
Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite National Park
Top


Return to Plumbing & Propane Secrets

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests