Scamp plumbing Bypass System for Winterizing...

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Scott1234
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Scamp plumbing Bypass System for Winterizing...

Update: Winterizing my 2015 Scamp:

 

Gordon2
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RE: Scamp plumbing Bypass System for Winterizing...

So was this an extra that you ordered?  My 2015 16 footer sure does NOT have a bypass, only a cold water shutoff to the feed for the water inlet.  It looks like the hot side plumbing will gravity drain OK for the purposes of winterization.  The shut off stops water or RV antifreeze from going into the water heater so that you do not need to fill it with antifreeze and thereby waste it.  Pulling the heater drain plug on the outside is the only winterization mentioned for the heater (in addition to routine flushing).  The manual even states that a small amount of water will remain (about 1/2 gallon) and pose no problem (i.e. if it freezes it does not do any damage)

Scott1234
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at no cost

The Bypass System came with my 13' Scamp (at no cost nor did I know it had that option) I received in May of 2015... I heard from two others that had it too (at no cost to them either)... I think one had a 16' Scamp...

FYI: I've seen it somewhere on the internet that someone used a wet-vac to remove the excess water left in the Hot Water tank with a small flexible hose via the drain plug hole...

Johnny B
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Bypass System

Thanks for the info. I found out about the system when a fitting leaked in my 2015 13 footer. The piping is PEX Expansion type tubing, and the shutoff valves are "state-of-the-art" UPONOR fitings made. as is the Scamp. in Minnesota. To repair, I'm told, the fittings need to be cut out and replaced. My fix is scheduled at a local Colorado RV dealer, although Everland "generously" offered to repair it if I brought it to their factory.

Incidentally, no plumbers or RV dealers close by handle UPONOR parts, and last May, UPONOR settled a class action lawsuit for $18 million, admitting defective materials.  

Johannes

Scott1234
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Valves

Hi Johannes,

Thanks for the update as to the UPONOR parts… I NOW know to stay away from that company…

It looks like you can get 1/2" brass (most lead free) valves made for PEX plumbing.  Some of these valves have long handles but surely can be modified to be not as long so to fit in smaller places.

Please, after your fix, upload pictures of your fix so others could benefit from your information/fix…

Click on pictures below to take you to the sites/stores where these items can easily be gotten:

Gordon2
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All about PEX

I am no expert, nor am I a plumber by trade or training, I only know enough to say that if it were me, I would procede with caution if adding a shutoff with crimp fittings.

There are three types of PEX pipe. They are named A, B and (you guessed it..) C.  

Uponor (Wirsbo‎) uses type-A. One reason is that, after expansion, it does better than type-B at trying to regain it's original shape and that makes for a more leak-proof connection.

It seems logical that crimps would work just as well as expansion (Uponor) fittings but there is some debate about that.

One expert said this:

"You cannot crimp Uponor PEX," McGrath says. "A few years ago I was called to a group of modular homes to determine why the Uponor piping was leaking. Long story short, it was not the tubing leaking; the manufacturer of the home thought it would be OK to save on some fittings and used crimp rings and fittings made for other pipe, which are much smaller in diameter. "PEX always wants to get back to its original size and form (due to its ‘memory’)," he continues. "If you use other than Uponor fittings and crimp it, it will leak, and there will be no warranty for you."

Yet another said:

"Personally, I've used mostly Nibco brass fittings and I use only Uponor tubing," Van Handel says. "I haven't had any leaks. ... "I still agree with you that expansion fittings are likely superior, but to say that cinch clamps will certainly leak is a gross exaggeration," he adds. "There are millions of these connections in place that are not leaking."

Read more: http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/qa-spotlight/making-best-pex-connections

From what little I have read, I might be OK with crimping a good quality fitting on Uponor pipe.  But I would really want to do more research and talk to real experts before I did.
 

BTW, apparently one of the biggest  problems with PEX is long term exposure to chlorine will break it down.   Sounds like its really important to fully flush out your system after sanitizing it.

Scott1234
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All about PEX

Gordon2, good catch... Your info will definitely help those as to PEX plumbing...

Flyboyscamp
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I wish I could have followed

I wish I could have followed this but I was totally confused.

<p>Doug Allen 2016 Ford F-150 2018 Lance 1575</p>

Scott1234
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I wish I could have followed

Does yours have a Hot Water heater?