What are these valves? (FC 23FB)

[Bobbo]

I have just bought a Flying Cloud 23FB. The manual shows this plastic drain valve to empty the fresh water tank. It does not, however, address the 2 metal valves below the plastic one.

What are the 2 metal valves for?

[OTRA15]

Guessing they are hot and cold water low point drains. Your owner's manual should tell you someplace. The plumbing info is all over the place. Maybe under Winterization section?

Fill the water and turn on the water heater, then open each valve and see what comes out. Full scale model . . .



BTW you might want to add your AS year and model to your signature.

Have fun!

Cheers,

Peter

[Bobbo]

That is my guess too, but I would like to KNOW.

[OTRA15]

Fill and heat water. Open drains. Knowledge via action. Earlier comment edited re manual too.

Happy Trails.

[Bobbo]

That will work when I bring the trailer home in 2 weeks. I still haven't taken possession yet.

In the meantime, does anyone know the answer to the question?

[lsbrodsky]

They are definitely low point drains, same configuration on my 25FB. On mine, they are not the only drains, however.
Larry

[Bobbo]

The 23FB also has low point drains at the other end of the trailer that are configured as usual low point drains, tubes sticking down, with valves above inside the trailer. Those are also documented in the manual. The metal ones at the fresh water tank are not documented in the manual that I have been able to find.

[OTRA15]

I think AS has at random times decided to add these brass valves as additional low point drains, probably after getting warranty complaints about freeze-ups in the system which they did not expect.

The factory assembly process is pretty chaotic IMO, with inconsistent quality control, and if a horizontal plumbing run is not level (or pitched correctly) as-built, it can result in a low point, say at an elbow, where there is no low point drain designed in to the system.

CruizinDux on the 20-footer thread documented just such a situation, and the dealer re-worked his piping at the water heater, to get things level/pitched so his low point drains worked.

These added brass valves have been discussed in other threads, but I don't recall just where right now.

As I said earlier, the owner's manual is really inconsistent and incomplete.

Oh well, in a couple of weeks you will know. Sometimes we have to treat our trailers as full-scale models. Seriously!



Cheers,

Peter

[banderabob]

Same as on my 23D, low point drain valves.

[Bobbo]

Good. That is what I hoped they were.

[cabinetmaker]

Yep...that picture is of typical airstream low point drains

It's been several years but our 23FB also had a removable panel below the slide-out pantry with some pex pipe with cut-off valves that lead outside the trailer floor also called low point drains.

Go easy on these valves turning them on and off...especially the plastic water tank drain.

[Adam Geuss]

Originally Posted by banderabob

Same as on my 23D, low point drain valves.

Ditto the response about the low point valves. I winterize opening the drain valves in the rear of the 23D (under the bed) and then open the two valves under the unit (literally between the wheels). Haven't had any issues thus far with the 2014 International Serenity23D. We also have a 2017 Bambi 16' Sport which I've yet to de-winterize. A simpler system however

[OTRA15]

FYI a new thread on the 23D model with possible overlapping systems and mechanical layouts:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f142...ad-166085.html

Happy Trails!

Peter

[Bobbo]

Thanks, I have just subscribed to it.

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Guessing they are hot and cold water low point drains. Your owner's manual should tell you someplace. The plumbing info is all over the place. Maybe under Winterization section?

Fill the water and turn on the water heater, then open each valve and see what comes out. Full scale model . . .



BTW you might want to add your AS year and model to your signature.

Have fun!

Cheers,

Peter

That is correct.
The valves are low point drains.

[kjbishop2]

In our 27ft front bed FC - there is also a black valve located on the floor under the water heater by-pass valve that seems to do nothing other than connect the city water inlet back to the outside world through a drain that exits close to the water heater location. Took me ages to figure out and thought I had a major leak when I dewinterized! Not mentioned in the user manual. Difficult to see as well.

[pcskier]

As mentioned they are low point drains. There are two more under the slide-out pantry that are accessed by removing the panel under the pantry. It pops off easily.

[SpinWhite]

The 2 black drain valves under the pantry in our 2018 23fb are difficult to turn. I have even tried to get pliers on them but with no movement. Any suggestions? Are they clockwise or counter clockwise?

[billrector]

Originally Posted by kjbishop2

In our 27ft front bed FC - there is also a black valve located on the floor under the water heater by-pass valve that seems to do nothing other than connect the city water inlet back to the outside world through a drain that exits close to the water heater location. Took me ages to figure out and thought I had a major leak when I dewinterized! Not mentioned in the user manual. Difficult to see as well.

Did you ever figure out what this valve is for? I am winterizing and found the same valve today. Did a search...and voila....found this post!

[billrector]

Figured it out....seems to drain water when opened to a pipe just under the water heater outside. Got some water out of it when I had compressed air on the water inlet and opened the valve.