Specific question on winterizing

I put a pipe plug in the anode hole. Reinstall anode rod start of season.

Be careful about leaving the anode rod out——-in my part of NC, the mud daubers  and other critters would love the water heater for a nest. I plug it back in looseley when I winterize 

mcarter  The only reason I utilize the bypass is to drain out the WH to check out my anode rod (still using the original since purchase in January 2011) and to check for any crud that may come out (usually there is a small amount) while draining.  You bring up a great point however that I never considered before, as far as not using the bypass valves at all.  

Richand Cindy, your battery survives the winter not being charged because of the cold weather not despite it. Batteries last longer stored cold as long as they're charged, a fully charged battery won't freeze till -70F or so. If you were in a warmer climate and left your battery without being charged all winter it would more likely be a boat anchor by spring because the self discharge and corrosion rates are much higher when its warmer. If it was me I would leave it on trickle charge or charge it every few weeks or so just to be sure but that's me. 

And that is a huge waste of antifreeze.  Use the bypass.  I use 16 oz. of antifreeze each year to winterize our 177 in northern Michigan.  Been doing it this way with compressed air since 2012.