2499 Hot Water Heater Bypass

[donreitz]

This is the first year we've had to worry much about winterizing our 2499's water system. The method outlined in the owner's manual is straightforward and makes sense--it took about a half-hour to accomplish. Here's the thing: the Attwood water heater manual describes how to empty it, which involves opening the drain plug and letting the water run out (I also siphoned out the small amount that remained). I found no mention of a heater bypass valve. This means that I had to add eight gallons of antifreeze, which is okay but it's expensive. Is there a bypass valve hidden away somewhere not obvious in my 2499?
Thanks,
Don

 

[kanyonkitty]

Hi Don,

The bypass is an option, so I don't know if you have it or not. But it's pretty easy to look to see if you have it.

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In this picture, if you look closely at the upsidedown "T" shaped fitting in the bottom blue water line, there is a lever on the side facing the heater. When you flip this lever, it diverts the incoming water or anti-freeze up the short section of blue tubing, causing it to bypass the HWH. In the spring just flip the lever back, and water will now flow back thru the bottom line into your WH.

Some bypass setups use two levers, but basisally the same function. If you just have a blue line going into the bottom of your WH and a red coming out the top with no other connections, I'd say you DON'T have a bypass valve.

Sorry, I don't know how to put an arrow in my picture to pinpoint the valve.

Kitty

WHAT EVER YOU DO, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE WATER BACK INTO THE WH "BEFORE" YOU TURN THE HEATER ON !!

 

[Bobo 3008]

In my 2006 T-2499, I am assuming the set up is the same as yours, there is an access hole under the jacknife couch. It is a bit of a pain to hold up the couch and reach in to turn the valve, but that is the way to access the valve.

Bobo

 

[donreitz]

KK and Bobo:
Thanks for the advice. I'll investigate the situation when I get back to town. Your help is appreciated.
Don

 

[JohnGB]

Don

To add to what Kitty and Bobo have allready said, here are 2 more pics.

The HW heater setup is original on a 2004 T2499, however this sliding door on how I get to the bypass, was a weekend project.

Here is a top view similar to Kittys with the couch off.

Here is a straight on veiw.

The bypass valve is the little white valve on the bottom blue line feeding into the heater. The red line on top is the hot outlet.

On the top, outlet line there is a check valve to prevent water (once it is set) from going into the top of the HW heater. You just flip the little white lever from horizontial to point up so the water goes up the 1 foot long blue pipe, hits the check valve, can't go in the heater then out the red line.

The check valve does not allways 100% seat immediatly, so a quart or so of the pink stuff will end up in the bottom of the HW heater. Once the check set's tight it will shut off.

Before this access door I put in, I use to have to pivot up the couch, unscrew the Luan board, reach in, flip the lever and cuss a few times in the process.

Bobo said his had an access hole. In 2004 they did not have one. Mine now does.... Good luck

Hope this helps

John

 

[kanyonkitty]

Darn,

Forgot about making an "access" door. On my '06 I must lift up the sofa and then the piece of luan. But, not for much longer, will start on that project tomorrow inbetween bus runs. Hum, better make sure the 19 volt batteries are charged.

 

[JohnGB]

Darn,

Forgot about making an "access" door. On my '06 I must lift up the sofa and then the piece of luan. But, not for much longer, will start on that project tomorrow inbetween bus runs. Hum, better make sure the 19 volt batteries are charged.

Go Kitty Go! And show off you work when your done. Inquiring minds need to know....

John

 

[Sunline Fan]

Darn,

Forgot about making an "access" door. On my '06 I must lift up the sofa and then the piece of luan. But, not for much longer, will start on that project tomorrow inbetween bus runs. Hum, better make sure the 19 volt batteries are charged.

Go Kitty Go! And show off you work when your done. Inquiring minds need to know....

John

Ditto here!

At least y'all's WH's are somewhat accessible. For those of you somewhat familiar with the 2653/270SR layout, mine is on the back side of the bed and the access panel (yes, there is a removable panel in it already) is on the bottom of the nightstand on left side of the bed, when looking at it. So, that means I have to squeeze myself into that "walkway" to get at the WH. For those of you who know me, that won't be an easy task, as the walkway is only about 12" wide and I'm just an inch or so wider .

The previous owner already had the panel removed, so I had the wonderful experience to get down there to put it back on!

Jon

 

[Makers Mark]

I must say Jon that you should an easier time then me. My WH on the 2363 is also under bed in back corner. Easier to get through outside access door. THose of you who know me can imagine what it looks like for me to crawl into that small door with my bottom half exposed to the world. Needless to say when I packed up at Narragansett RI last week, I thought it would be good thing to bypass heater and drain WH on the way home. Of course a neighbor there said he thought he needed to call 911 to get me extracted. hahaha!

 

[Sunline Fan]

Jay,

Now that I look back at my pics, I remember what you mean. I didn't have any access panel in mine either. I do remember some tiny little access hole underneath the mattress, but there's no way I could get my hand in there.

Jon

 

[Sunline Fan]

Oh yeah, I forgot how difficult it was to do my pump in my 2363:

At least in my 270, it's in front of the water tank.

Jon