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10-05-2012, 12:43 PM
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#1
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Winetripper
2007 25' International CCD
Santa Barbara
, California
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 26
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Fresh water drain valve replacement
I like to start out with a full tank of FRESH water from home - some of the sources on the road are a little suspect, including the one that completely clogged my hose-end filter, which I was very glad I used.
This means draining the tank when I return. The plastic drain valve is very tight and difficult to open. The handle wants to bend and I have to be very careful not to force it. If it breaks I'm in trouble.
Has anyone found a good reliable replacement? The Camco ones that come up on a web search look just as weak. Is there a brass alternative?
I don't want to try removing the one I have until I know what I'm going to put there, so your assistance will be valuable. Thanks!
__________________
1 Guy, 1 Gal, 1 Golden
Retirement isn't.
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10-05-2012, 02:28 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1981 27' Excella II
mays landing
, South Jersey
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,179
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Probably if you search tank drain I remember someone on here replacing the plastic valve with a regular brass valve. Just remember it will be in a very vulnerable spot if its between the tires if its like most. Sal.
__________________
Sal & Nora
Let us live so that when we die even the undertaker will be sorry. Mark Twain
AIR 42483
TAC N.J. 17
WBCCI 24740
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10-05-2012, 07:08 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
1993 34' Excella
York
, South Carolina
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,417
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Before you go and replace the valve, try some food grade silicone spray on it. It's in a tough spot but a good, occasional dousing of the silicone should make a big difference.
John
__________________
John
WBCCI #268 Palmetto State Airstream Club 22
Region 3 Past President....come with us, you will like it.
Go often to the house of a friend, for weeds choke the unused path........Emerson
Are you kind?..... Uncle John's Band
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10-05-2012, 07:09 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2016 30' Classic
Hinckley
, Ohio
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 907
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I think that you will find thay AS used a soft neoprene hose between the tank and the valve. These hoses colapse and the drain does not work even when you can open it. You can take that value apart. The plug handle should push up and out. I think you will find the solution is to cut a 6x6 hole in the tank cover bottom to service the hose and replace the vavle with a boiler drain petcock. (or hosebib)
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10-05-2012, 10:41 PM
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#6
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4 Rivet Member
2002 31' Classic
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 442
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Try This "Drain Valve Wrench"
Quote:
Originally Posted by Winetripper
I like to start out with a full tank of FRESH water from home - some of the sources on the road are a little suspect, including the one that completely clogged my hose-end filter, which I was very glad I used.
This means draining the tank when I return. The plastic drain valve is very tight and difficult to open. The handle wants to bend and I have to be very careful not to force it. If it breaks I'm in trouble.
Has anyone found a good reliable replacement? The Camco ones that come up on a web search look just as weak. Is there a brass alternative?
I don't want to try removing the one I have until I know what I'm going to put there, so your assistance will be valuable. Thanks!
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I previously posted a wrench for the drain valve which may negate your need to R&R the plastic one: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f443...nch-77246.html.
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10-06-2012, 01:04 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,377
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Quote:
Originally Posted by noreen&sal
Probably if you search tank drain I remember someone on here replacing the plastic valve with a regular brass valve. Just remember it will be in a very vulnerable spot if its between the tires if its like most. Sal.
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Hi, CrawfordGene replaced his drain with a brass valve.
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
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10-11-2012, 04:19 PM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 488
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When I changed my drain, I used a 3/8" brass ball valve.
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10-11-2012, 04:26 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2019 27' Flying Cloud
Albuquerque
, New Mexico
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,917
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Make a Drain Valve Wrench...
... just as Withidil suggests.
It just takes a few minutes and works like a champ.
I made mine by cutting a slot in a 3" PVC pipe nipple.
Voila! There is nothing wrong with the valve that 3 inches of leverage won't solve.
__________________
Ken L 2019 Flying Cloud 27FB
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab 6.2L Max Tow Four Corners Unit WBCCI #5783
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10-11-2012, 05:55 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sandlapper
Before you go and replace the valve, try some food grade silicone spray on it. It's in a tough spot but a good, occasional dousing of the silicone should make a big difference.
John
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X2. I was going to make the wrench, then go replace with brass, but two applications of the silicone and it has operated smoothly for almost 2 years.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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10-11-2012, 07:00 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
Port Orchard
, Washington
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,463
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Food Grade Silicone?
Someone explain this to me.
I realize some people have silicone in their bodies. However I believe it is cased in something less reactive. As I understand, when the casing brakes it is a health hazard. How can there be food grade silicone.
To me the term makes about as much sense as food grade Drano, or food grade gasoline.
Ken
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10-11-2012, 08:05 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
Lin
, Ne
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,430
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Quote:
Originally Posted by w7ts
Someone explain this to me.
I realize some people have silicone in their bodies. However I believe it is cased in something less reactive. As I understand, when the casing brakes it is a health hazard. How can there be food grade silicone.
To me the term makes about as much sense as food grade Drano, or food grade gasoline.
Ken
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It must have been food grade teflon that they put on those millions of crappy fry pans. At least you wont ingest silicone from your drain valve.
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10-11-2012, 08:15 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
Port Orchard
, Washington
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,463
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Quote:
Originally Posted by r carl
It must have been food grade teflon that they put on those millions of crappy fry pans. At least you wont ingest silicone from your drain valve.
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I always crawl under the trailer to drink out of the drain valve, so I get water that hasn't been exposed to the plastic pipes.. Doesn't everyone??
Ken
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10-12-2012, 08:05 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
1993 34' Excella
York
, South Carolina
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,417
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I don't know the technical stuff as to why it is called food grade, I only know that compared to most silicones the food grade is not oily and has no smell. It is cleaner. I'm not ready to spray my frying pan with it but you could. I'll dig out my can and post the name a bit later.
John
__________________
John
WBCCI #268 Palmetto State Airstream Club 22
Region 3 Past President....come with us, you will like it.
Go often to the house of a friend, for weeds choke the unused path........Emerson
Are you kind?..... Uncle John's Band
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10-12-2012, 08:09 AM
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#15
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one of those
2011 27 FB International
'03 F250 PSD
, Airstream summers, Catalac winters
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,091
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do people actually drink the water from the tank? We carry bottled for drinking. Not worried about the health hazards, but the plastic taste is a bummer.
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10-12-2012, 08:22 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
1993 34' Excella
York
, South Carolina
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,417
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We have the drinking water filter that is mounted under the sink. It does a great job making the water taste good. And after 5pm I filter mine again through some good single malt, making it taste really good.
__________________
John
WBCCI #268 Palmetto State Airstream Club 22
Region 3 Past President....come with us, you will like it.
Go often to the house of a friend, for weeds choke the unused path........Emerson
Are you kind?..... Uncle John's Band
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10-12-2012, 08:24 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gringo
do people actually drink the water from the tank? We carry bottled for drinking. Not worried about the health hazards, but the plastic taste is a bummer.
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Yes, and I have noted no plastic taste in the 3 RVs I have owned. Maybe we're just less sensitive.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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10-12-2012, 08:46 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
Port Orchard
, Washington
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,463
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gringo
do people actually drink the water from the tank? We carry bottled for drinking. Not worried about the health hazards, but the plastic taste is a bummer.
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Believe it or not there are multiple threads about that very subject.
I have drank water out of an RV tank since 1956. Never had a problem or even given it a thought. Ours doesn't taste like plastic, it tastes like water. We generally drink and cook using water filtered by the under sink water filter, but this is our first trailer that has that feature.
Ken
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10-12-2012, 09:42 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2007 23' Safari SE
San Diego
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sandlapper
Before you go and replace the valve, try some food grade silicone spray on it. It's in a tough spot but a good, occasional dousing of the silicone should make a big difference.
John
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Molykote 316 Silicone Release Spray
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10-22-2012, 07:28 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
Lin
, Ne
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,430
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Quote:
Originally Posted by w7ts
I always crawl under the trailer to drink out of the drain valve, so I get water that hasn't been exposed to the plastic pipes.. Doesn't everyone??
Ken
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Ummm, do I dare ask where you go to eat?
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