water heater bypass valve location
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6255
Printed Date: 02 May 2024 at 10:39am
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Topic: water heater bypass valve location
Posted By: Jay in Maryland
Subject: water heater bypass valve location
Date Posted: 17 May 2015 at 4:18pm
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I'm a newbie who needs to check (and I suspect close) the water heater bypass valve. I have a 179, I've read that it is "under the bed". Do I need to unscrew and remove a wood panel directly under the mattress, if yes the front or back panel? Or should I remove the panel on the side of floor storage space under the bed next to the heater (this smaller panel is perpendicular to the mattress under the bed.) ------------- Jay r-pod179 05 Tacoma PreRunner |
Replies:
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 17 May 2015 at 4:33pm
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The valves are on the back of the water heater, look on the outside of your pod to see where the water heater sits, and remove the corresponding panel on the interior.
Lift/remove the mattress, and remove the panel above the water heater. ------------- |
Posted By: Jay in Maryland
Date Posted: 17 May 2015 at 4:36pm
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-thanks ------------- Jay r-pod179 05 Tacoma PreRunner |
Posted By: iamsister7
Date Posted: 09 May 2017 at 2:53pm
Where is the bypass in the 180? We're new, too, and don't have any idea. From the outside vent location, we assume it must be under the bed, but don't want to remove the whole bed to find out if it's not!!! LOL ------------- Candy E |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 09 May 2017 at 3:01pm
Yes, that's where it is for your floor plan. ------------- |
Posted By: iamsister7
Date Posted: 09 May 2017 at 3:18pm
Thank you so very much. Still seems like a PIA location to me!  ------------- Candy E |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 09 May 2017 at 7:44pm
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You can access from the rear storage compartment if you are an excellent contortionist and do not suffer from claustrophobia. We ended up making measurements and then carefully cutting the luan under the mattress for an access area (6" x 8 ") directly above the 3 valves. Now it is just a matter of lifting the mattress, sliding the access cover open and then reaching in and changing valve positions. Doing it this way takes about a minute, once you've done it a couple times.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: ronahue
Date Posted: 09 May 2017 at 8:01pm
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If your of a realitively small stature you can reach the bypass and other heater valves in the 179 by removing the panel beside the heater under the bed. Without having to lift the mattress, but it is a tight squeeze. ------------- Ron & Sharon 2015 R-Pod 179 2022 Nissan Frontier No trees were harmed in the sending of this message but a billion electrons were really agitated |
Posted By: iamsister7
Date Posted: 09 May 2017 at 9:14pm
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Thanks. With the info you all shared, we'll get 'er done when the time comes. I appreciate you all! ------------- Candy E |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 10 May 2017 at 12:31pm
Well.. A) they have to be at the WH.. and B) it's a small camper, bits fit where they do, and not anywhere else.. ------------- |
Posted By: iamsister7
Date Posted: 10 May 2017 at 1:41pm
------------- Candy E |
Posted By: bikenpod
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2017 at 10:42am
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I also own a new 179. When winterizing the rig in October I successfully drained the system and pumped anti-freeze using the water pump under the bed. It took about seven gallons, however, which means I must have filled the hot water tank unnecessarily. I never saw a bypass valve so I assumed this was proper procedure. Where, exactly, does our crafty little valve like to hide? On a related note, the knowledgable gentlemen at Jerry's RV in Bend, OR told me not to use the air purging method only. It can apparently leave water in the system. Thoughts? ------------- 2018 179 2011 Ford F150 Ecoboost |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2017 at 10:56am
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There are usually 3 valves that you get to by taking off the kick panel in front of the WH or by taking off whatever is above the WH. For winter, the 2 outside valves are off and the center valve is on. Search Google images for RPOD water heater for pictures. I guess now that it's in there it doesn't matter -- just leave it til Spring -- but aside from the cost you really don't want that stuff in the water heater. As for air only, there are people who are adamant about how well it works and who have had excellent results with it. I think it's risky. To each his own. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: voisj
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2017 at 12:16pm
------------- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=slopod-180-mods-johnsue - SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost 
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2017 at 1:12pm
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The reason you don't want RV antifreeze in the hot water tank is that it could corrode the anode rod. In any case, you will want to drain and flush the water heater in the spring anyway. If the anode rod is starting to look like a clothes hanger wire, then the sacrificial metal part is gone and needs replacing. Likely there will be sediment in the tank that will need to be flushed out anyway.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2017 at 2:59pm
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+1 to SH. I pull anode rod as part of winterization, inspect/replace if necessary and flush inside HW heater. I use compressed air to remove water, so never change valves. Also I have a pipe fitting loosely put in water heater and when I dewinterize I flush WH and put anode rod back in, that way I flush WH twice a year. I was in POD today, it is in the upper 20s in TN today, I have small ceramic heater set on low and it was 60 in the POD. I keep cabinets and latrine door open. I believe if my POD were in storage and I couldn't effect temps inside I would antifreeze winterize. Also I keep small bowl of water in POD and make sure it never ices (actually my dog's water dish). Works for me because I have 365/24/7 access to POD with shore power and can control the inside temp. BTW - my battery voltage is at 13.2, which means it is in the trickle/float stage. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: PilotPodder
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2017 at 3:28pm
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Bikenpod, I have a 179 specific winterization video if you are interested for future reference. Just click the "My Rpod Videos" in my signature below. ~PP ------------- Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — https://johnmarucci.com/r-pod-video-list/ - My RPod YouTube Videos |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 11 Dec 2017 at 8:28am
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Can anybody send pictures of how to get to the valve? Taking out the mattress seems like a really bad design. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing. 
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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 11 Dec 2017 at 8:57am
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Rawest50,
I don't remove the bed, I lift the bed and plywood platform with a cut 2X4. Some have cut access panels to valves, other have installed struts. If I had to remove bed, the valves would never be changed:) ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |