Really need a drain on the fresh water holding tank??

[SmokelessJoe]

The current drain is in the way of my new furniture install.

Since I’ve installed a shut-off between the pump and the tank can’t I just cap off the existing drain?

It seems I should be able to jut use the pump to drain the tank. (The drain and the outlet are at the same level). And if the pump needs to be disconnected while I have water in the tank, isn’t there the new shut-off?

Before I cap it, have I overlooked anything??


Sergei

[HowieE]

Not sure what you are saying.

Are you saying the external drain on the water tank is not there and you have to drain the water tank from inside.

The fresh water tank should have a drain directly from the bottom of the tank and accessable from under the trailer.

[Happycampers]

Hi Sergei, I am planning on doing the same thing. I see no reason why you can't there might be an inch or two in the bottom of the tank but it won't hurt anything if it freezes, you can't get all the water out with the drain plug that is in it now. Marvin

[SmokelessJoe]

HowieE:

Thanks for your reply.

Our Argosy trailers don’t have a drain on the bottom of the water tank.



Inside, behind the front gaucho, a petcock at the bottom quadrant of the tank empties to a drain hose carrying the water outside.



The tired looking spigot is in the way of new furniture I am installing. I want to take the petcock out and replace it with a 3/8” plug.



Both the drain and the outlet to the pump are at the same level. Since I’ve installed a shut-off before the pump I think I can use the pump to empty the tank.

If I have to remove the pump while the tank is full I still have the shut-off.

As Marv says, a small amount of water stays in the tank in either case.

Sergei

[Fyrzowt]

I don't see why you cant do what you're talking about.
Another alternative is to put in a 90 degree L, which would not stick out as far as that valve, run the tubing out to the exterior and put the valve on the outside of the trailer like the current models do. Just a thought.
Dave

[markdoane]

I put a bottom drain in my tank. Drains straight down and empties the tank completely.

Seems like a good idea to drain the tank totally when running sanitizer through it. Otherwise you need to rinse and drain it a couple of times to get the residual chlorine out.

[RDM16CCD]

Here's a related idea, to not having a drain valve. I installed a clean out port in my fresh water tank - it's big enough that I can reach inside to clean & santize the tank. So you could also empty the last of the water with a cup and a sponge, and take care of the cleaning step in the process. You have to have access to the tank to install this port, and to use it, but it looks like your tank is accessible. I don't think you are missing anything if you need to cap your drain valve - just puts you in a situation to handle the water tank maintenance in a little different manner.

[SmokelessJoe]

Dave, thanks. I had bought a 90’ brass elbow and rigged it to a flexible sink riser, which terminated on the tongue with a shut-off.

But it meant that I’d have to cut a bigger hole in the floor so as to turn the elbow into the fitting all the way. As I prepared to do that I realized the drain wouldn’t get any more water out of the tank than the pump would and asked my question.

Maybe I’ll go to the extra work and run the drain to the tongue after all, just for back-up, but the idea I REALLY like is RDM16CCD’s clean out hatch.

Do you have a photo or can you tell us how you made it?

I’m learning that with any extensive reworking of an Airstream you are going to end up with a bunch of things you wish you had thought of first or done differently.

On of them is that I now wish I had taken the whole tank out and put a drain right at the bottom, like Markdoane did.


Sergei

[davidz71]

Have you considered how often you would be utilizing the freshwater tank, how much demand it would place on the pump to drain the tank and whether you would be hooked up to shore power for charging or utilizing just battery power to run the pump? I didn't have a drain plug on my '77 Excella 500 and wish I would have had one. I might have utilized the freshwater tank more often if I had.

[SmokelessJoe]

Craig,

I didn’t think of these things, probably because I don’t have real world experience. Thanks for bringing them into the discussion.

Rigging the drain is a little more work than plugging it but, considering everything that has been offered up here, I think I will now do it.

I’m still hoping that we will hear from RDM16CCD about the clean out hatch.


Sergei

[HowieE]

The thing I don't like about using the pump to drain the tank is the fact that you will still have to get into that line after the tank is drained to get antifreeze into your pump. Yes a small amount of water in the bottom of the tank might not crack a plastic tank when frozen but any water in the pump will crack the pump head when freezing.

I would try very hard to find a way to have a drain on the tank.

What is the black object to the left of the drain that is noticeably bigger than the drain?

[SmokelessJoe]

HowieE

When I open the valve to suction anti freeze into the lines the other valve, to the holding tank, will be closed. Anti freeze doesn’t go to the tank.

Nevertheless, I’ve decided to keep the drain operative for the several reasons offered up here.

The black device is the Micro Pulse monitor. A communication wire with telephone type jack plugs into it. I’ve removed the wire while working on the drain.

Sergei

[SmokelessJoe]

I used a 90^ brass elbow in place of the old petcock, attached to a pair of flexible sink risers.



Out front, under the tongue, I terminated the run with a shut-off, to make a tap.



It works. I kept water in the tank all day. No leaks.



Now I’ll add the clean out hatch recommended by RDM16CCD.

Sergei

[HowieE]

Originally Posted by SmokelessJoe

HowieE
The black device is the Micro Pulse monitor. A communication wire with telephone type jack plugs into it. I’ve removed the wire while working on the drain.
Sergei

What is a Micro Pulse Monitor?

[SmokelessJoe]

HowieE:

A tank monitor system currently used by Airstream and many MoHo manufacturers.

http://www.catconproducts.com/rv.htm.

Use the search function or look under Plumbing for many references to Micro Pulse.

Sergei

[davidz71]

Sergei,
Good job and you will be glad you have the ability to drain the tank when you need to, especially when you haven't used it for awhile and you have to disinfect it. I hate it when STUFF grows in what you thought was an empty tank.

[Happycampers]

Sergei, I just noticed this weekend that my trailer is plumbed with a drain on the discharge side of the pump. So I am going to close off the tank drain and use the pump to drain the tank. I think I can get more water out of the tank with the pump anyway if I have the trailer on a tilt to the left.