Another winterizing question

[01soundman]

We've been camping since 2017; started in a 271RL. We just purchased a 2025 Passport 2870RL (to replace our 2024 Passport 2870RL purchased this past March, stolen in September… But that’s another story. ).

The camper has a Girard GSWH-2 water heater and I have winterizing questions. Despite the fact there is a “Winterize” inlet and bypass(?) lever in the wet bay, I can’t help but wonder how this is REALLY supposed to work.

I've read much here across different forum topics/entries by many of the folks I’ve come to trust. Hoping y'all can straighten me out.

Questions:

- Does the “Winterize” lever simply transfer the active source for the pump from the fresh water tank to the “Winterize” inlet without bypassing the water heater?

- Does the lever actually bypass the water heater? (Not preferred the way I read the Girard manual.)

- In any case above, does the City Water inlet still need to be bled as I have in the past via the check valve behind the screen?

- During the PDI, the tech actually told me to be sure to “bleed” the water heater during winterization and make sure to see antifreeze there but that wouldn’t be possible if the “Winterize” lever bypasses the water heater…

Confused? So am I.

[NH_Bulldog]

Question 1: Yes
Question 2: No
Question 3: Maybe
Question 4: See below for some details.

The tankless water heater does not have a drain plug like a typical 6 or 12 gallon RV water heater, so the best way to winterize it is to blow out as much water as possible and then pull antifreeze though it.

To winterize, I use compressed air through the city water inlet to get the majority of the water out of the entire system. At the water heater, I briefly flip open the T&P valve to clear any residual water. Once everything is blown out (including the outside shower, low point drains and black water flush), then I follow with drawing antifreeze through the system (hot water side first so I know antifreeze gets through the water heater) and again burp the water heater at the T&P valve.

The water heater does have a winter-use feature, but that would only be if you were planning to use the camper in cold weather and had power and water connections and were using the water regularly.

[ChuckS]

I highly suggest you follow the winterize procedure for the GSWH-2 WH as listed on page 27 of the service manual...

Link: https://www.rvupgradestore.com/v/vsp...e%20Manual.pdf