Why would they do this?

[BC1]

Winterizing this unit for first time - have everything located/figured out and ready to start then I look at the WH drain and of course its not what I expected. By Googling I can see someone added a WH drain but from what I can see they didn't have room for the actual drain handle so now there is just a square nub that I can't turn. Why would they do this - ARRGGHH.

Am I missing something here or is that what this is?

I will now have to get someone over here to help me. The pics attached are a top down view and a bottom view (except they are sideways - sorry).

Thanks, Beth

[kwplot34]

That looks like the drain, why they put that brass piece in there, I have no idea. They definitely did you no favors.
You may have to do some disassembly and fix it correctly.

[B&G]

Is that an Atwood or Suburban water heater? If it's an Atwood, you need to remove that and replace it with a plastic plug, made for Atwood.

[Bob Denman]

Give folks a chance to make something complicated, and they'll never disappoint you with their creativity!

[JamieGeek]

Yup agree: If that is an Atwood replace that with a plastic plug ASAP.

[BC1]

Yes it's an Atwood.

I will get it done asap.

Thank you!!

[ducksface]

Pics aren't from an angle I can tell, but I think the valve was used as a plug.
Don't bother operating the valve, remove it.
I've often used whatever was needed when it was needed if what I really needed wasn't available.

Unscrew the entire assembly at the heater then buy the right plug
Or
Install a flex hose into the heater and put a drain valve on the other end. That'll give you some room in there.

[BC1]

No idea how they even got it in there - it can't come out without disassembling something(s). We have one mobile RV guy around here so I left him a message.

I think I can go ahead and winterize while I'm waiting for him since I'm bypassing the WH anyway?

Thanks again for everyone's help and patience. I REALLY appreciate it. I'm sure I'll say something really stupid soon but I have thick skin and can take the heat. Last time I had RVs I had S.O. to do this stuff with me which is not the case now but I like learning & understanding things so this is fine for me I'm just glad I have you all to bounce things off.

Take care,
Beth

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by BC1

No idea how they even got it in there - it can't come out without disassembling something(s). We have one mobile RV guy around here so I left him a message.



I think I can go ahead and winterize while I'm waiting for him since I'm bypassing the WH anyway?



Thanks again for everyone's help and patience. I REALLY appreciate it. I'm sure I'll say something really stupid soon but I have thick skin and can take the heat. Last time I had RVs I had S.O. to do this stuff with me which is not the case now but I like learning & understanding things so this is fine for me I'm just glad I have you all to bounce things off.



Take care,

Beth

Looks like very minimal disassembly would be needed. Undo the fitting on the gas line and remove the screws on the valve. Then remove the offending fitting and reassemble.

[Travelin' Texans]

Replace with a plastic plug ASAP, the corrosion from dissimilar metals has already started by the the appearance of the green crude around that valve.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

Looks like very minimal disassembly would be needed. Undo the fitting on the gas line and remove the screws on the valve. Then remove the offending fitting and reassemble.

If there's enough slack in the gas line she may just be able to remove the valve mounting screws and move things out of the way to remove the "drain valve/plug".

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

If there's enough slack in the gas line she may just be able to remove the valve mounting screws and move things out of the way to remove the "drain valve/plug".

You’re probably right. It doesn’t look like kit would take much more space.

[BC1]

Thanks guys,

I know when I shouldn't touch things so I have a call in to the mobile RV guy. If he's too backed up I'll either get my ex or my handy neighbor to help get it off of there this week. Not really any slack in there - if there was I was going to try some things myself.

Take care,
Beth