another drain valve replacement

[BFH4N]

I guess everyone has to replace the original cheap plastic drain valve eventually. I chose this one because I want to be able to attach a hose. It sticks out far enough that the door was going to hit it, so I extended the door bumper.

 

[Conestoga]

Like your setup better than what we did. Could you provide more details on what pieces you used, where they were acquired and any special tricks for install...both on the valve and the bumper.

Thanks

 

[Missing Link]

I too would be interested in that information, as the handle on my original one just broke. Thanks.

 

[Vic Harder]

Looks similar to mine... I like the blue handle better though!

 

[BFH4N]

I got the valve from McMaster-Carr Supply. It's brass, quarter-turn. (Listed in the online catalog under "Hose Bibbs") .The blue handle was a plus! The mounting holes had the same spacing as the original valve. I used stainless sheet metal screws. The brass pipe thread-to-hose fitting is McMaster 5346K21. (1/2" male pipe thread, 3/8" hose.)

I had to orient the hose clamp just right to get it to go back into the camper wall.

I made the bumper extender from a short piece of 3/4-inch PVC conduit. (PVC 3/4" water pipe is the same size, but white.) I got nice square ends by cutting it with a chop saw. The notches were easy to rough in with a hacksaw and trim with a utility knife. I used acetone to clean off the writing. I used a longer screw and put a 1-inch diameter fender washer between the bumper and the PVC part.

The whole project took less than an hour.

 

[craig333]

My plastic valve was still working when I replaced it. The motorcycle tank valve lasted a year before it completely froze up.

 

[muttmaster]

Can you measure the distance from mounting surface to outer hose thread. My Granby’s outlet is located on the right side of the propane compartment door and I am not certain this Stillcock will allow my camper door to close and latched to the newer door hold down lever. Nibco bib diagram does not show the dimension I need, and I don’t remember my trigonometry at all. I think I only have about two inches clearance when the door is latched open.

I suppose hose connection would be nice, but realistically, the 3/8” hose only allow so much flow. Not enough to wash my truck anyway. Why do they call it a Stillcock anyway. Because it only trickles?

 

[Vic Harder]

I suppose hose connection would be nice, but realistically, the 3/8” hose only allow so much flow. Not enough to wash my truck anyway. Why do they call it a Stillcock anyway. Because it only trickles?

That's why I plumbed mine into the pressure side of the water pump. I have pressurized water outside! And it makes emptying the tank faster too!

 

[craig333]

Does it still work with the pump off?

 

[Vic Harder]

very slowly , as per normal

EDIT --> NO, it doesn't, which is kind of nice, since the tank won't drain accidentally... you have to turn on the pump first to get water out of the outside spigot.

 

[BFH4N]

The good thing about the drain as FWC configured it is that it comes right off the very bottom of the water tank, so it will drain the tank almost completely. The reason I want to connect a hose is not to have pressurized water outside (although that might be good, too), but just so that when I drain the tank, the water doesn't puddle right below the door. The way that I disinfect the tank requires filling and draining several times to flush out the disinfectant. All that water draining on the ground forms a big puddle that I have to slosh through as I go in and out of the camper. I figured that, since I'm replacing the valve anyway, why not be able to attach a hose?

Even without pump pressure, the drain faucet is a great place to rinse your hands, fill a dog bowl, etc.

Now, I'm wondering if I would use pressurized water outside enough to add another faucet...

- Bernard

 

[Vic Harder]

The good thing about the drain as FWC configured it is that it comes right off the very bottom of the water tank, so it will drain the tank almost completely.
Even without pump pressure, the drain faucet is a great place to rinse your hands, fill a dog bowl, etc.

Now, I'm wondering if I would use pressurized water outside enough to add another faucet...

- Bernard

Bernard,

Yup, I just fine the amount/speed of drain frustratingly slow. As for another faucet... that's possible too... you would have to be ok with drilling another big hole in the camper. The rest is easy, just install a "T" to feed the extra faucet from the line that already goes to the internal faucet.

 

[craig333]

Most of the time I'm too lazy to open the door and turn on the pump but you got me thinking. I think I"d need a one way valve for what I'm thinking though.

 

[pvstoy]

I use a blow out attachment that screws to the hose water port. I modified it to have a hose connection for my air compressor hose. I just turn the pressure regulator to around 35 PSI and that speeds up the draining. Even all the lines at faucets and cassette toilet on the other side of the camper. Crack open and the air will remove the water, even through the drain.

On the outside I just use 5 gallon paint buckets switching them before they are full, then watering trees with the waste.

https://www.google.com/search?q=water+blow+out+for+rv&rlz=1C1KDEC_enUS825US825&oq=water+blow+out+for+rv&aqs=chrome..69i57j0.13822j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

[Vic Harder]

I use a blow out attachment that screws to the hose water port. I modified it to have a hose connection for my air compressor hose. I just turn the pressure regulator to around 35 PSI and that speeds up the draining. Even all the lines at faucets and cassette toilet on the other side of the camper. Crack open and the air will remove the water, even through the drain.

On the outside I just use 5 gallon paint buckets switching them before they are full, then watering trees with the waste.

https://www.google.com/search?q=water+blow+out+for+rv&rlz=1C1KDEC_enUS825US825&oq=water+blow+out+for+rv&aqs=chrome..69i57j0.13822j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

This is a great idea.... thanks!

 

[patrkbukly]

Isn't it way faster to drain the tanks (fresh water and hot water) by turning on the water pump, opening the kitchen faucet and opening the kitchen sink drain plug?

 

[Vic Harder]

Isn't it way faster to drain the tanks (fresh water and hot water) by turning on the water pump, opening the kitchen faucet and opening the kitchen sink drain plug?

For most folks, I would think so. I don't have a sink inside, just a nice faucet for filling up my portable wash basin and water bottles.