Water heater questions....

[campermama]

My water heater has 3 valves on it.
One on the red line at top = it's open
One in the middle = bypass valve closed
One on the blue line at bottom = closed

Should the bottom blue line valve be open for normal RV usage?

I'm just wondering, I am winterizing, drained water heater, shut off red line, opened bypass, blue already closed, will leave it that way. Is this correct?

Thx!

[Old-Biscuit]

campermama wrote:

GrandpaKip wrote:
Instead of messing with the pressure relief valve, why not just open a faucet on the hot side? It’ll do the same thing.
Something definitely screwy with the valve.

I did open faucets first, but when I released the pressure valve water still came out.

That is due to 'loss of air pocket'

Water level should be just at the tank opening where T&P Relief Vlave screws in......temp probe goes down into the water

Air pocket is above T&P opening to top of tank.
Air can be compressed and control pressure increases when heating water.
Water SWELLS when heated so w/o air pocket pressure would increase

[campermama]

opnspaces wrote:
Did you check if your valves were only 1/4 turn valves? Or are they the ones that turn a few revolutions? If they are the screw type and you never touched the cold valve then it's still open and needs to be closed.

They are 1/4 turn valves. I did the winterize, closed hot water valve, opened bypass valve, never touched cold water valve (already in closed position). All went well.
I will check the cold water valve when I dewinterize and use the RV in a few months.

Temps here dropping to 18 tonight :E

[campermama]

GrandpaKip wrote:
Instead of messing with the pressure relief valve, why not just open a faucet on the hot side? It’ll do the same thing.
Something definitely screwy with the valve.

I did open faucets first, but when I released the pressure valve water still came out.

[GrandpaKip]

Instead of messing with the pressure relief valve, why not just open a faucet on the hot side? It’ll do the same thing.
Something definitely screwy with the valve.

[opnspaces]

Did you check if your valves were only 1/4 turn valves? Or are they the ones that turn a few revolutions? If they are the screw type and you never touched the cold valve then it's still open and needs to be closed.

[campermama]

ScottG wrote:

campermama wrote:

wopachop wrote:
Might not want to open the pressure vent. Lots of plumbers over the years have told me to never touch them on residential water heaters.

??? not sure what you are talking about? I'm talking about my rv

Your RV WH has one too and many of us open them to speed up draining. It's a gamble though because sometimes they leak forever more after that.
So it was good advice that also goes for RV's.

Well when taking the drain plug out its safer to release the pressure first. I've replace the pressure valve on a different rig before, not a big deal if needed.

[ScottG]

campermama wrote:

wopachop wrote:
Might not want to open the pressure vent. Lots of plumbers over the years have told me to never touch them on residential water heaters.

??? not sure what you are talking about? I'm talking about my rv

Your RV WH has one too and many of us open them to speed up draining. It's a gamble though because sometimes they leak forever more after that.
So it was good advice that also goes for RV's.

[campermama]

wopachop wrote:
Might not want to open the pressure vent. Lots of plumbers over the years have told me to never touch them on residential water heaters.

??? not sure what you are talking about? I'm talking about my rv

[wopachop]

Might not want to open the pressure vent. Lots of plumbers over the years have told me to never touch them on residential water heaters.

[campermama]

Thanks for the pictures, that is exactly what I have. Must be the valve then. Water heater works fine! Thanks!

[Old-Biscuit]

1/4 turn valves....valve handle indicates if valve open or closed

Traditional valve that you turn handle until fully open or closed....valve handle could end up any position

[Boon_Docker]

If this is the type of setup you have with the blue line valve closed and still get hot water then that valve is defective.

[campermama]

Boon Docker wrote:
If the blue line valve was closed you would not have gotten any hot water at the faucet, so it must have been in the open position.

Normal RV operation:
Red line valve open
Bypass valve closed
Blue line valve open

Bypassed:
Red line valve closed
Bypass valve open
Blue line valve closed

Hmm, well unless the valve is somehow backwards it was in the sideway position (closed) and not in line with the line (open).

[Boon_Docker]

If the blue line valve was closed you would not have gotten any hot water at the faucet, so it must have been in the open position.

Normal RV operation:
Red line valve open
Bypass valve closed
Blue line valve open

Bypassed:
Red line valve closed
Bypass valve open
Blue line valve closed