Water Heater Bypass Access

[JRTJH]

A couple months ago there was a thread asking for ideas to gain access to the water heater bypass valve without having to disassemble walls or partitions.

I described how I installed an access port in the panel that forms the rear wall in my fifth wheel basement storage area. At the time I didn't have a way to unload the basement to take pictures. Today, while cleaning things up a bit, I thought about those pictures, so here they are. As you can see, to access the bypass valve required removing a panel that is almost 4' long and 18" high. That meant unloading the roadside half of the basement and crawling into the basement to unscrew the center screws that held the panel in place.

After installing the port, it's a simple 1/4 turn, the plate comes off, turn the valve and reinstall the plate. No need to unload the basement and remove the panel. Total cost was about $6 for the access plate and about an hour to cut the hole, install the port and reinstall the panel in the basement.

[rbev2308]

great clean job......just added to my list...probably will do a trap door style for water pump access just cause I need more space!!!!thanks

[GaryWT]

Very nice, looks good.

[Javi]

Nicely done, wish my water heater was closer to the bulkhead like that. Unfortunately it's more than a arms length away.
I have discovered that there is a cavernous void behind the basement bulkhead on the 333MKS.

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[Alpine]

Oh, I like that idea! Great workmanship as well.

[Lawdog]

Great idea. I noted during my PDI and walk-through that this would be a pain.

This will be one of my Spring mods before I load my basement for the first time.... I might try to do something similar in the way back for my water pump and winterization access.

[swanson]

JRTJH looks good! How large is the access? And where did you find it. I would love to find it in black.

[JRTJH]

JRTJH looks good! How large is the access? And where did you find it. I would love to find it in black.

The inside dimension of the hole is 5 1/2". I've seen several similar deck plates in colors from white, gray, tan, black, etc. I'm sure if you look around, you'll find one in the color you want. Here's the link for what I ordered: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0080IMQKG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00

[zuley]

Great idea. Those same access covers are used in marine applications. Any marine supply store will carry them in various sizes.

[CoreyC]

Very nice. I was thinking about using Velcro to hold on the access panel for my outside fridge plug but I may use this setup instead.

[swanson]

Thanks for the come back JRTJH. My access is inside, but I have to take a panel off to get to it. I think this would be a better setup.

[old timer]

When i winterized mine for the first time , after reading many post's on the subject. I found my water heater bypass behind a return grill in the kitchen area. I had to remove the grill to access it. I realized that if I do this to many times the holes will strip out. So I went to Lowes and ordered a filter grill to replace the regular grill. That way all I have to do is open the grill and not have to remove it from the wall.
I have a 03 3280 RL

[Nagrompj]

Nice job. As many others have said my wh bypass is a pain in the butt to get to, but I could use your idea to make it much easer.
Thanks for posting!

[Lawdog]

I copied what JRTJH did... Easy and helpful.