Hot water heater and LP gas

Thanks for all the help everyone! So when I make sure the valves are set right the hot and cold vales should be running parallel with the pipes (open) and the smaller bypass valve should be perpendicular (closed) is that correct?

furpod wrote: Please note... water coming from your hot water tap MAY mean your WH is full. BUT.. if it has been winterized, and the valves are set to "bypass" you WILL get water out of the hot side with an empty HW tank. That is how MOST elements die. Was just talking to a tech Wednesday about that as he was conducting my sister's walk through for her new 177, and he said right after memorial day they sell and or replace dozens every year.

On Golden Pod wrote: Thanks for all the help everyone! So when I make sure the valves are set right the hot and cold vales should be running parallel with the pipes (open) and the smaller bypass valve should be perpendicular (closed) is that correct?

That is correct for "use"

Then to winterize, you just do the opposite.

Then drain the WH.

BTW, you can winterize with the valves in the "use" position.. just takes about 8 gallons of anti freeze.. that is the purpose of the valves, so you don't have to fill the WH with anti freeze. I winterize on just over 1 gallon..

We spent most of our lives in the Midwest and I can't count the times we went through the winterizing process.  The first few times we used the traditional method of winterizing with RV anti-freeze.  Then I learned that most of the dealers and RV owners were beginning to drain their tank, lines and heater, and then used air to blow out any water remaining in low spots in the plumbing, including the water heater.  The final step was to pour a small amount of anti-freeze into the sinks and shower to keep the traps from freezing.  We never had a problem with the "blow out" method and used only about 1/2 gallon of anti-freeze even in our motor homes. 

All you need is a cap with a Shrader valve that you position in place of the cap over the hose connector on the trailer and an air compressor.  Probably less than $5.00 at most RV parts store or Walmart.

Up north, this is the very same method we used to winterize our underground lawn sprinkler systems, although most people paid a contractor to do it for them.  Another simple DIY project that only takes minutes.

Bob

kymooses wrote: Aye there is a warning sticker for most everything else in the Pod.  Would be a nice idea to have a few stickers or something slapped on the wall where the water heater is.  A picture alone would be fine for most owners!    Smart idea!

All of those warning stickers are CYA safety stuff designed to prevent putting FR in the middle of a lawsuit. Some really aren't even that helpful. My favorite is the escape window. When we were doing the walk through of our new 177 at the dealership, I asked the salesman if that was some kind of joke. I mean, really, are they kidding? I can see the headlines now if my rpod catches on fire:

"LOCAL ELDERLY GENTLEMAN CAUGHT HALF WAY OUT OF ESCAPE WINDOW AS HIS SMALL TEARDROP-TYPE TRAVEL TRAILER IS CONSUMED IN FLAMES".

-- Steve