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Topic: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach? (Read 4509 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #20 –
Well, FOT did the work and the tech that did it really didn't like me within 10 feet of him, so I didn't see much.  He did have to install it twice....  I think the bay door didn't close the first time. 

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #21 –
if it is cutting a fitting out (as in removing a glued fitting) I have done this many times and it is easy to do on PVC or ABS. Use a hacksaw blade and make 3 or 4 careful cuts around the fitting you want off, whether it is male or female, and then either use a small sharp chisel or screwdriver and a hammer and break away the fitting you have cut thru'. It does come apart and if a bit extra is removed just put extra glue in that joint when installing the new one.
If you still have difficulty understanding this let me know and I will take some pictures of me doing it so you see.
John H

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #22 –
I added a third valve on our 03 320 by cutting the pipe off very close to the hub on the fitting that protrudes out of the walled section and then took a hack saw blade and every inch or so cit down through the old pipe to the depth of the inside of the hub and then using a sharpened screw driver pried out the pieces of the old pipe. I thengot a male spigot fitting for a valterra dump valve and glued it in with abs glue and then installed a valterra dump valve that I bought at CW that had the ears on it to attatch the hose adaptor on. I was able to install mine so the handle is standing straight up, the dump handle for the sewer valve just clears it. If I can figure out how to send a picture of it I will take a picture tomorrow. It works very well

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #23 –
This is exactly what I was referring to. Removing the old piece so a new one can be added without adding to the length.
John

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #24 –
OK.  I've never tried chipping away a glued fitting before, but I think I'll give it a try.  John and Red Tractor (we're about 75% green here), no need for a picture; I know what you mean.  The Thetford is a female fitting glued onto the 3" pipe, so that should be easier than if it was a male fitting.  The Dremel should be a help.  Wish me luck.  If this doesn't work I'll be all the way to the black tank, and no one should have to go there!

George,  I hate when they won't let you watch.  That's usually been my experience at FOT also.

Thanks all,
Mike
2003 U-295

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #25 –
Quote from: michaelespitz –
I hate when they won't let you watch.  That's usually been my experience at FOT also.
I have two sons who are that way.  They can't stand having someone look over their shoulder and if someone is, they quit doing and walk away.  So I have learned to not look and just leave them alone.  Very hard if I'm trying to learn something!  Now I don't mind as I always had to allow that.  Was a instructor in the military for a while, and again in civilian life, was a trainer for a petroleum transportation company.  In both those cases you have people watching how to do it.

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #26 –
When I added my third valve, I use a Valterra hyrdoflush fitting which I just attach with my hose when I am dumping.

 Available at most good rv supply stores, including Amazon.

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #27 –
I have taken some pictures of the third valve I added to our 03 u320. It had a hub sticking out of the panel and I cut off the pipe coming out of it and then used a hacksaw to make notches in the pipe to the depth of the hub and then used a sharpened screwdriver to remove the pieces and then glued in a spigot for the valtera valve. I had bought a valtera valve at camping world that you could attatch to your termination and then just revoved the side that had the slots in it and attatched the valve to the spigot that I had glued in. good luck, mine works beautiful

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #28 –
Removing sawn off pieces of pvc pipe from flange, here's how the pros do it.  Make one cut with your hacksaw blade down to the depth of the flange.  Take propane torch and heat the piece of pipe to be removed from flange.  Concentrate on the cut area until you are able to lift an edge with a screwdriver but keep torch moving.  Grab lifted edge with pliers,  Then, continue heating the pipe and rolling up the waste onto your pliers (needlenoses work best.)  Clean area with pipe cleaner and you're ready to reuse. 

A buddy tought me that, one of his jobs as a plumber apprentice was on a large utility project where the fittings may cost $50.00 plus.  For several months that's all he did.  He still does it on 3" an up fittings as he doesn't like to waste them. 

Be aware of potential methane ignition issues. 

Chuck

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #29 –
Hi all,
  There is a tool made by Wheeler Rex that is called the pipe hog. Works with an electric drill. It is available on Amazon. Then there is another pvc/abs pipe removal tool called the Pipe Parana. This tool shows it working in a You Tube clip. They seem to do the job.
Raymond

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #30 –
I removed the Thetford fitting today. It came off quite easily - less than 20 min.  I chose to remove the female Thetford from the pipe rather than cut it off and then chip out the remaining pipe from the inside of the hub. I used a hacksaw blade and got if off in 5 pieces.  I have a little more than an inch of pipe exposed which looks like enough to attach the new valve.

Thanks to everyone for your help,
Mike
2003 U-295

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #31 –
One of the benefits of MOT is that they will let you watch.  Kodak when it was FT did as well.

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #32 –
I had quite a bit of work done at Foretravel in the last three weeks. I had no problems watching whatever part of the work I wished. In fact, they even came a got me from the waiting room to show me some of the work they were doing that they knew I would be interested in. It was an excellent experience this time.

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #33 –
Please excuse my ignorance...but why is a third valve necessary?

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #34 –
Bill, That third valve is a good insurance policy.  Should a dump valve not close completely or the cable/handle/shaft break off you can still flush and dump without having to wade in a mess. It is a simple fix and brings a lot of peace of mind.
Gary B

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #35 –
I don't know your space limitations, but Camping World has a Valterra twist on valve, Cat. 27868, that might work for you.

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #36 –
Quote from: bill velting –
Please excuse my ignorance...but why is a third valve necessary?
The third valve is not necessary. However, I installed the third valve and a Valterra fitting, and I've been very pleased with the benefits. Search the forum for "third valve." Put the words in quotes so the search finds the pair of words together. You can find several discussions of advantages and experiences.

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #37 –
I was dumping today at a place that had no water to back flush. So, I closed the third valve and used 80 or so gallons of water pushing thru a 3 inch pipe to backwash the black tank. I do it two times and you can hear the whoosh.

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #38 –
That is one of the main reasons for having a third dump valve, backflushing without wasting water.  A second good reason is to add water to the black tank before dumping (assuming the gray is much more full than the black) so the bla ckcontents can flush out .  A third is to stay out another day or two before dumping by transferring excess water from the gray to the balck tank.

My main reason is to hopefully avoid having a cup or two of not-so-nice liquis spill out when I remove the cap. 

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #39 –
Thank you for explaining.  Another nugget I will be jotting down on my list.
On a side note... I am really amazed at the folks on this site who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences.  Kudos to you all.  ^.^d