2023 Jayco Eagle Fifth Wheels Water Heater Bypass 

The 2023 Jayco Eagle Fifth Wheels are top-of-the-line when it comes to comfort and new ideas in recreational vehicles. The Jayco Eagle has a beautiful exterior and luxurious interior, but it also has smart engineering that goes all the way down to the smallest but most important parts. This dedication to greatness is shown by the water heater bypass system, which is a hidden gem in the 2023 Jayco Eagle Fifth Wheels. The water heater bypass system is the most important part of preparing for winter and doing upkeep. It combines ease of use and usefulness. This method makes it easy to change the direction of the water flow. This protects the water heater from freezing temperatures, which could cause damage. The water heater bypass system in the 2023 Jayco Eagle Fifth Wheels is a great example of Jayco’s unwavering commitment to improving the RV experience. It combines usefulness and peace of mind in a way that embodies the brand’s goal of taking every trip to a whole new level of sophistication.

Water Heater Bypass

The water heater bypass valve is typically located in the utility center compartment. It allows you to bypass the water heater when winterizing or sanitizing to avoid damage to the water heater. The valve has (2) positions NORMAL and BYPASS.

City Water Connection Inlet

Use a non-toxic drinking water hose dedicated only to supplying fresh water. To prevent contamination, keep the non-toxic drinking water hose from coming into contact with the ground. Install the city water connection inlet cap when the fresh water connection is not being used. The fresh water connection should be disconnected (i.e., the non-toxic drinking hose disconnected) when the recreation vehicle is unattended for any amount of time. If something would happen to the water system, this may help limit water damage to a smaller area.

WARNING
A check valve is located inside the city water connection inlet on the utility center. NEVER depress the check valve on the “CITY WATER CON-NECTION” inlet with pressure in the line. It will cause irreparable damage to the valve function and the inlet will leak water.

2-Valve Position and Routing Information:
Green Handle: Receives water from Sanitize/Winterize inlet on front panel. Sideways: Water goes from the inlet to the pump.
Down: Water goes to the freshwater tank.
Blue Handle: Receives water from the City Water Connection inlet on front panel. Sideways: Water goes to fixtures in the RV (cold).
Down: Water goes to or from the freshwater tank.

City Water (Pressurized fresh water source)

1. Connect the fresh water hose to the city water inlet.
2. Set the color coded valves to the CITY WATER setting:

• Green handle pointing left
• Blue handle pointing right
• Water heater bypass lever – NORMAL.
• Connect other end of the hose to the pressurized fresh water source.
• Turn ON the pressurized water source.
• Water should now be available to all fixtures in the RV.
  To disconnect from city water, turn off water at the pressurized source first. Disconnect the hose from the water source, (to release pressure off the system) then disconnect the hose at the city water connection on utility center last.

Filling the Fresh Water Tank (Pressurized fresh water source)

1. Connect the fresh water hose to the CITY WATER inlet on the utility center.
2. Turn handles to TANK FILL position.
3. Green handle pointing left
4. Blue handle pointing down
5. Water heater bypass lever – NORMAL
6. Connect the other end of the hose to a pressurized fresh water source (faucet or spigot).
7. Turn the pressurized water source ON, the tank should begin filling.
8. When water has reached the desired level, turn the pressurized water source OFF. DO NOT OVERFILL (tank level can be viewed on the monitor panel inside the RV).
9. Disconnect water source from the spigot/faucet first, then disconnect from the city water fill inlet on the utility center.

Dry Camping (pump supplies water from the freshwater tank)

1. Make sure the freshwater tank has an adequate supply of water.
2. Set the color-coded valves to the DRY CAMPING setting:
3. Green handle pointing down
4. Blue handle pointing right
5. Water heater bypass lever – NORMAL
6. Turn the pump switch ON. The LED indicator light below the pump switch will be lit if the pump has power.
7. Water should be available to all fixtures. Pump runs when a fixture is opened.
8. Turn pump OFF when water is not being used.
9. NOTE: To fill the fresh water tank without a pressurized water source, refer
   to SANITIZE (Siphon Fill) section, and use a container holding fresh po-table water and your fresh water hose. Water will be drawn into the tank by the pump. There is no gravity fill inlet on the recreation vehicle.

Sanitizing the Plumbing System (with a storage tank water heater) When to sanitize

• When your RV is new.
• At the beginning and end of each season.
• When the water system becomes contaminated or every three months of use.

Preparing to Sanitize

Prepare a chlorine solution using 1/4 cup of household bleach (sodium hypochlorite solution) to one gallon (3.785 liters) of water in a container. Prepare one gallon of solution for every 15 gallons of tank capacity. This will result in a residual chlorine concentration of 50 ppm in the water system.
If a 100-ppm concentration is required, use ½ cup of household bleach with one gallon of water to prepare the chlorine solution. One gallon of the solution should be used for each 15 gallon of tank capacity.

NOTE: Fresh water tank sizes vary by model. Contact your dealer or Customer Service for your specific tank size.

How to Sanitize

1. Turn water heater power OFF (both electric and LP gas on standard storage water heater). Set the colored valves to SANITIZE/WINTERIZE setting:
   • Green valve pointing left
   • Blue valve pointing down
   • Set the red water heater bypass lever (located in the utility center compartment) to BYPASS. Red lever will be pointing up.
2. Level the recreation vehicle and drain the fresh water system (see Draining the Fresh Water System). Do not drain the water heater or remove the water heater drain plug.
3. Close the low point drain valves and the fresh water tank drain valve.
4. Remove and bypass the water filter:
   • Full System Canister water filter (if so equipped):
     Turn water valves off at the canister. Remove the canister lid, take the filter out of the canister, then replace the lid and turn the water valves back on.
   • Bypass the cartridge water filter (if so equipped):
     Use the clear plastic tube (supplied with RV) to bypass the water filter.
   • NOTE:
     Filters should be replaced at the beginning of the camping season or if they have been exposed to contaminated water, sanitizer or antifreeze.
5. Attach a short section of garden hose to the SANITIZE/WINTERIZE inlet at the utility center. DO NOT use your fresh water hose for sanitizing.
6. Insert the other end of the short hose into a container holding the chlorine solution.
7. Turn the pump switch ON (red LED will light). The solution will be drawn into the fresh water tank. Turn the pump OFF when solution has been drawn into the tank. To aid in siphoning, set the container on a surface approximately (2) feet off the ground. The drain valves must be turned OFF.
8. Disconnect the short hose from the SANITIZE inlet. Leave the colored valves in the SANITIZE position.
9. Power Fill Water Tank Attach your fresh water hose to the CITY WATER inlet at the utility center. Connect the other end of the hose to a pressurized water source. Turn the water on and finish filling the water tank with fresh water. DO NOT OVERFILL THE TANK! Use the LED indicators on the tank monitor inside the RV at the Command Center panel to monitor water level in fresh water tank. Siphon Fill Water Tank If there is no pressurized water source available, fresh water can be siphoned into the water tank from an external container (bucket). Fresh water hose should be connected to the SANITIZE inlet, other end of the hose placed in the bucket of water. Colored valves should still be in SANITIZE position. Turn the pump ON and water will be siphoned into the tank. DO NOT OVERFILL THE TANK! Use the LED indicators on the tank monitor at the Command Center to monitor water level in fresh water tank.
10. When the tank is full, turn off the water source. Disconnect the hose from the faucet/spigot first. Then disconnect the hose from the utility center panel.
    At this point the following conditions should be met:
    • Power to the water heater is OFF. The water heater is set to bypass.
    • Water filter has been bypassed or removed (depends on model).
    • Sanitizer has been put into the tank.
    • Water tank is full having been topped off with fresh water.
11. Set the valves to the DRY CAMPING setting.
    • Green valve points down
    • Blue valve points to the right
    • Water Heater Bypass valve is still set to BYPASS.
12.  Turn the water pump ON and sanitized water will flow into the water lines from the water tank (when a fixture is opened).
13. Open hot water faucets one by one until water begins to flow continuously and a chlo-rine smell is noticeable. Close hot water faucets. Repeat this process with the cold water faucets. Include outside shower faucets (if so equipped) and outside kitchen faucets as well (if so equipped).
14. Turn OFF the water pump.
15. Let the solution remain in the tank and lines for at least four hours when disinfecting with 50-PPM residual chlorine, and for at least one hour if using a 100-PPM chlorine concentration.
    • NOTE:
      To thoroughly sanitize the fresh water tank, the unit should be driven around for a short distance allowing the solution to splash the sides and top of the tank.
16. After the required period, drain the chlorine solution from the fresh water system. Rinse the system with fresh water:
17. Fill the fresh water tank full of clean (potable) water. Use water either from a pressur-ized source, or from a container (as detailed below).
    • Filling from a pressurized source: Attach your fresh water hose to the CITY WATER inlet at the utility center. Connect the other end of the hose to a pressur-ized water source. Colored valves should be in the TANK FILL position. Turn the water on and finish filling the water tank with fresh water. DO NOT OVERFILL THE TANK! Use the LED indicators on the tank monitor inside the RV at the Command Center panel to monitor water level in fresh water tank.
    • Syphon filling from a water container: Fresh water hose should be connected to the SANITIZE inlet, other end of the hose placed in a bucket of water. Col-ored valves should be in SANITIZE position. Turn the pump ON and water will be siphoned into the tank. DO NOT OVERFILL THE TANK! Use the LED indicators on the tank monitor at the Command Center to monitor water level in fresh water tank.
18. Power to water heater should be OFF (electric and LP Gas switches on standard storage water heater). Water heater should still be bypassed.
19. When the fresh water tank is full, set the valves to the DRY CAMPING setting. Turn the pump ON to send water through the lines.
20. Run water through all faucets (hot and cold, including outside shower and outside kitchen) until chlorine smell is gone. Turn all faucets and outside shower off, turn pump OFF.
21. Drain the fresh water system again. If the RV has the full system canister water filter, remove the canister, reinstall the filter, and reattach the canister.
22. Refill the fresh water tank with fresh water again. Change the colored valve setting to DRY CAMPING, and change the water heater bypass setting to NORMAL. Turn the pump switch on sending water into the water line and fixtures. After the water heater is full, turn the water heater power ON. Water heater is full if you open a HOT water faucet and water comes out in a steady stream.

Lingering Chlorine Taste: If a chlorine taste lingers in the water, flush the water system with a solution consisting of one-quart vinegar to five gallons of clean water. Re-flush as necessary. Remove the canister water filter and bypass the water heater as the vinegar solution may damage the water heater or the water filter.

• Set water heater bypass lever to BYPASS (pointing up).
• Follow the steps outlined in Draining the Fresh Water System with one exception: do not drain the water heater. Do not remove the water heater drain plug.
• For the full system canister water filter: remove the canister, take out the filter, then re-attach the empty canister.

FAQ