Drain from nowhere?

[niftypkg]

Two drains on each side of black water drain. One 1/4" plugged, one clear plastic about 1/2". This trailer has no grey water tank. Plastic one drained for about 3 weeks then stopped. Water tank was empty. Why and what for?? 1971 Overlander 27' Mystery!!

[davidh]

Were you pluged in and frige running, I would say that the 1/2" hose is for your fridge from the moisture from you conndencer, when you have your AC on in your car you will see a wet puddle under the car,same thing moisture needs to go somewhere. I could be totaly wrong but that would be my guess.

[balrgn]

Originally Posted by niftypkg

Two drains on each side of black water drain. One 1/4" plugged, one clear plastic about 1/2". This trailer has no grey water tank. Plastic one drained for about 3 weeks then stopped. Water tank was empty. Why and what for?? 1971 Overlander 27' Mystery!!

Not sure what the 1/4" one is, the 1/2", if it is like mine, is an over flow tube to the city water regulator. Chek out the pics of before I replaced the rear floor section..

[dwightdi]

My 77 has two drains back there for draining water lines for winterizing unit. There are a couple small on/off valves on the floor of the unit leading to the drains.

[niftypkg]

balrgn, thought that might be one source for the the larger tube. My pressure regulator is mounted just inside of the hatch on the left side, but don'e see any hose running from it. Leaked for 3 weeks then stopped. Never happened before. The other hose is still a mystery? Dwight, those drains I know about. David, I have a drain just under the frige. A/C is a new Coleman. Don't see any drain from it, but noticed water running down sides of trailer when A/C is running. Maybe, the smaller hose was old A/C drain abandoned.

[niftypkg]

Thanks for the pix's and input.

[davidh]

I have two hoses also located curbside rear corner, one is for the frig and the other ac, hope you can get it figured out..

[niftypkg]

davidh, The smaller black hose was plugged. The clear 1/2" was leaking for 3 weeks then stopped! It's a who done it!

[Chuck]

was the hot water heater on, or was city water connected when this leak was occuring?

on mine, the clear hose is connected to a "pop-off" valve, or "safety valve" that trips when the pressure in the line is too high. its not "ON" the regulator; its just upstream from it, though. It can "dribble" when a) its busted b) excessive city water pressure and a failed pressure regulator, or c) when the water heater is heating water, the pressure in the line builds up, and has to be relieved somewhere. if no one is opening a tap on a regular basis, that pressure is relieved at this valve.

I bet the black hose is for the A/C condesate drain. They installed drainlines at the factory on every trailer, even if it wasn't ordered w/ factory a/c. many aftermarket a/c's don't have any provision for condensate drain, (its designed to just let it dribble on the roof). so if one of those types gets installed on the airstream, the line doesn't get used. the plug is probably there to keep critters from moving in.
I had my interior ceiling panel down last summer to do some maintenance, and found my drain line coiled up and stuffed off to the side, and it was black. (also a Coleman a/c...designed to drain onto the roof).

on edit: I remember I have this pic of my regulator and pop-off valve. the red arrow points to the pop-off. you can't see it, but the clear plastic drain tube is connected to the copper pipe that comes off the valve, and curves around behind that wood support.

[niftypkg]

Chuck, thank you for your lengthly reply. I'm sure you are right on all counts.
I was connected to city water and the WH was on. Perhaps the city water pressure was too high for awhile. Anybody using an additional in line pressure regulator at bib for extra precaution? tom

[Chuck]

I'd bet it was just the fact that the wh was on when the trailer wasn't being used. just the occasional routine opening of a water tap is all it takes to relieve the pressure. same thing could happen in your house, too, but the system is so much bigger, it would take alot of time for "normal" pressure build up to exceed the limit of that safety device. The pipe run is so small in a trailer, the pressure can build up faster.

I've seen pics posted here where people put guages in, so they can actually "see" what's going on. you can also get one to test the city line pressure, too. the in-line pressure regulators are a good idea; "belt and suspenders". if you attach it at the campground tap, it'll also protect your water hose, too, and not just the trailer's plumbing. only cost a couple of bucks, and they sell them at wally-world.

I have no idea how my pressure regulator is functioning...except to say that I've had no leaks or burst pipes or anything. I do know that the check-valve portion of it is NG; (water flows out the city connection if I'm using the on-board water pump). I'd have already replaced it, just for that reason, except its damn near impossible to get hands on it. As the pic shows, you can "see" it just fine, but its in a spot that would be difficult to access without tearing out the whole bathroom.