196 water heater bypass
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Topic: 196 water heater bypass
Posted By: tewjax
Subject: 196 water heater bypass
Date Posted: 23 Feb 2021 at 8:13pm
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I found the water heater in my new 196, access panel under refrigerator, but only see one valve. Was told to look for three (hot, cold & bypass) but its pretty cluttered under there with the vacuum and all. Any help would be appreciated as I'm ready to de-winterize. What should I be looking for? ------------- Tim & Diane, 2020.5 R-Pod 196 2007 Chevy Avalanche 2018 Honda Pilot AWD 2 Poms (Munson & Georgia) |
Replies:
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 23 Feb 2021 at 9:04pm
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Some of the newer systems only use one valve. If you only see one, then that is what you have. If you switch it and start to add water, you should be able to hear water going into the water heater tank. You can check by opening the pressure relief valve on the outside. Your dealer should have showed this to you on the walk-through. If they didn't, shame on them. You may want to call them to ask. ------------- 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: Ricktoon
Date Posted: 23 Feb 2021 at 11:38pm
 Our 196 has two valves under the fridge. One is for the cold water and another for the hot. It has a tag showing what needs to be done.Both poiting in toward water heater for normal usage. ------------- Rick and Ellen B 2019 Chevy Colorado 2021 Rpod 196 |
Posted By: tewjax
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2021 at 9:50am
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Thanks for the photo and comments. Your compartment is certainly less cluttered than mine. Maybe I can clean it up. Do you have a vac set-up? ------------- Tim & Diane, 2020.5 R-Pod 196 2007 Chevy Avalanche 2018 Honda Pilot AWD 2 Poms (Munson & Georgia) |
Posted By: Ricktoon
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2021 at 10:15am
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Yes we have the vacuum. Sits below the compartment with water heater. A bright light helps to look sound inside. I put Velcro and handle on compartment door to improve access. ------------- Rick and Ellen B 2019 Chevy Colorado 2021 Rpod 196 |
Posted By: Ricktoon
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2021 at 10:16am
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BTW. The photo is turned 180 degrees because the tag was attached upside down. ------------- Rick and Ellen B 2019 Chevy Colorado 2021 Rpod 196 |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2021 at 7:04am
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My 195 also has a tag on it showing the valve directions for bypassing. I think only some come like that as your only the second person I know that has it. Ergo: let no 2 pods be built the same lives on. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: tewjax
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2021 at 7:31am
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I found my tag upon looking again so thanks to all. My access panel is about 5"x8" and opens to a cluttered compartment blocked by the vac and 2" vac flex hose. Also, water heater hose lengths appear excessive. You know, 18" where 10" would be adequate. I think a larger access panel and some cleaning up may be in order! ------------- Tim & Diane, 2020.5 R-Pod 196 2007 Chevy Avalanche 2018 Honda Pilot AWD 2 Poms (Munson & Georgia) |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2021 at 8:08am
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That 18" hose MAY be the antifreeze take up line. check carefully Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: Ricktoon
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2021 at 9:49am
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On my 196 the antifreeze takeup line is attached to the pump and is behind a panel in the front slide-side compartment. An area also good to check when de-winterizing. A valve there can be turned to put in antifreeze but turn it back to draw water from the fresh water tank.
------------- Rick and Ellen B 2019 Chevy Colorado 2021 Rpod 196 |
Posted By: tewjax
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2021 at 10:38am
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Thanks Pod People for the heads up but like Ricktoon says the antifreeze take up is at the water pump, not the water heater. Ricktoon, it looks like the 90ยบ elbow on the back of the vac is elbowed up instead of to the side so when the 2" flex pipe is attached it blocks the view and creates the cluttered look! ------------- Tim & Diane, 2020.5 R-Pod 196 2007 Chevy Avalanche 2018 Honda Pilot AWD 2 Poms (Munson & Georgia) |
Posted By: Ricktoon
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2021 at 11:35am
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You may be able to move things around to get a better view. However, once you know where the valves are and the proper position it is pretty easy to change their position even in a tight space. I put a small knob and velcro on the panel so it would be easier to remove and replace in the future. Plan to do the same or use magnets for the water pump access panels as well. ------------- Rick and Ellen B 2019 Chevy Colorado 2021 Rpod 196 |