[ThePair]

You know, I've always opened the TM so I could fill the hot water tank when filling the fresh water tank, run the water throughout the system and pressurize so that I was getting maximum capacity. I had read the threads on filling the water tank, and it simply never occurred to me to do what you're suggesting. Using the other two ports as vents for the high pressure side relieves my concern of over-pressurizing that side with fill water. I had previously thought of using the city water port whilst open to quickly fill the hot tank and lines, but loathed the idea of getting a pressure regulator out just to do so--using those other drain ports is a nifty idea!

I'm going to have to give this some serious thought. Not that popping the shells open is that big a deal, but a few less steps is...a few less steps!

Now, to see how this can integrate with that other water modification...