Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Topic: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic) (Read 5393 times) previous topic - next topic - Topic derived from Please confirm waste ...

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #25 – June 08, 2015, 03:06:06 pm

Roger,

Thank you very much for sharing. WOW! I am sure others will benefit from your R&D.

It is truly amazing how much information you conveyed with so little on a piece of paper. My three semesters of drafting left me with enough knowledge to recognize brilliance when I see it. (I was an Aeronautical Engineering student before I became an Electrical Engineer.)

Trent

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #26 – June 14, 2015, 03:12:42 pm

On the far right of the utility bay is a small door that covers an area for storage of the sewer hose. In the process of cleaning up to add a third valve, I tried to remove this door which is covering some of the rubber mat which I am removing (in pieces).

I have removed EIGHT screws from the inner slot around the door (normally covered by the door), but the door assembly will not budge. I wanted to clean up the area while I clean up the sewer door, while I am doing preventive maintenance on two tank valves. The lip of the door assembly looks like it is on top of the upper potion of the rubber mat. There is a large dose of sealant around the door assembly.

Has anyone successfully removed this door assembly? Is it likely that with the screws removed, it is now held fast by the sealant around the edge of it? Is there any reason to continue trying to disassemble it any further?

thanks for any explanations, suggestions, or guidance anyone can provide,

Trent

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #27 – June 14, 2015, 03:27:49 pm

It is held in place by the sealant. I removed the one on ours twice... once when I rebuilt the bulkhead and then after I actually used the coach and tried to stow the sewer hose in it, at which point I removed it and covered the backside in front of the driver's side rear wheels with a pice of 16 gage stainless. I think I may have posted on it awhile back... but not sure.
Edit: Here are a couple of pictures while in process.
Don

Quote from: TulsaTrent – June 14, 2015, 03:12:42 pm

Has anyone successfully removed this door assembly? Is it likely that with the screws removed, it is now held fast by the sealant around the edge of it? Is there any reason to continue trying to disassemble it any further?

thanks for any explanations, suggestions, or guidance anyone can provide,

Trent

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #28 – June 14, 2015, 03:36:14 pm

I am still wrestling with removing the lowest back wall section. It is the one that (in my case) has the faucet and both tank valve handles. I have removed the water pipes from the back of the faucet.

I have not been able to remove any more of the faucet components from the lower wall section. Part of the problem is that the gray valve cable is too short. The black tank cable is long enough to let me move the bottom wall section out of the way. When I rebuild the two valves, I am going to switch the valves, so that the shorter cable goes to the black tank which will have more excess cable with the shorter cable (as the valves are physically located).

If I can remove the gray tank handle section from the that wall section, then I could move that wall section up and out of the way. This should give me enough clearance to allow me to replace the seals and clean the gate valves.

My questions are:

1. How do I remove the gray tank handle assembly from the wall section?

2. How do I further disassemble the outside faucet? I have tried using an adjustable wrench to remove the connector that attaches the thru-the-wall pipe to the body of the faucet, but it did not want to budge. I think I am turning it in the right direction (righty-tighty, lefty-loosey). I can use a cheater pipe for more leverage, but am afraid of destroying the faucet assembly. I have gotten a pretty good push/pull on it with a 10" wrench.

3. Do I need to replace the rubber flooring piece? I have the replacement ribbed rubberish material. If I do replace it, do I bring it up to the front metal or try to go under it? Do I fold the back and sides and seal the corners of them good enough to hold water if it drips?

Thanks for any advice y'all might be willing to provide,

Trent

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #29 – June 14, 2015, 03:49:13 pm

Quote from: acousticart – June 14, 2015, 03:27:49 pm

after I actually used the coach and tried to stow the sewer hose in it, at which point I removed it and covered the backside in front of the driver's side rear wheels with a piece of 16 gauge stainless.

Don,

So you totally removed any access to the Foretravel sewer hose storage vault?

(Which gives you the same storage ability that I have, based on the number of times I have used it.)

I am not sure I want to stow my used sewer hose there either, but it seems a shame to not use that area for something -- but I don't know what. Maybe a place to store valuables, with some minor modifications.

Thanks for your quick response and continued demonstration of your willingness to share your experiences with others.

Trent

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #30 – June 14, 2015, 03:51:25 pm

Mine had a lot of 2" or more ss screws and lots of silicone seal. I took the screws out and used a thin scraper to pry it loose from the silicone. I could pull it into the bay about an inch, enough to get the rubber liner out and later back in. The door assembly looked like it was glued into the 90° fitting that was connected to the transverse tube for storing the drain hose. This tube and the door are not big enough to fit a hose with fittings. So I just put mine back in with new silicone and screws.

Maybe I will find something to store there. It is open to the weather at the other end so nothing important.

My new Valterra hoses are much easier to store. They compress in length and stay compressed. 10' to about 40".

Roger

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #31 – June 14, 2015, 04:32:36 pm

Trent,
On our coach, the sewer hose storage was in a 4 inch ABS pipe in front of the axle that you access through a white plastic hatch just in front of the outside dually. It was very difficult to try and feed the sewer host through the 90º elbow there, and none of the Valterra fittings would fit. I took the hatch and 4" ABS pipe out, which also improved access from underneath to the wet tank area. Now I store the Wastemaster Hose which has a valve in the Nozzle, but I also made a cap. The entire area under the cord reel shelf is caulked top and bottom except at the front. When stowed, of course all three waste valves plus the final one in the nozzle are closed. If I wish, I can put the entire 20' hose plus an extension hose and a shoe box full of various adapters etc. and cover it with a hatch, but so far I love the quick hook up I get just leaving it connected at the camlock fitting and pulling the hose out. It is very convenient.
Don

Quote from: TulsaTrent – June 14, 2015, 03:49:13 pm

Don,

So you totally removed any access to the Foretravel sewer hose storage vault?

(Which gives you the same storage ability that I have, based on the number of times I have used it.)

I am not sure I want to stow my used sewer hose there either, but it seems a shame to not use that area for something -- but I don't know what. Maybe a place to store valuables, with some minor modifications.

Thanks for your quick response and continued demonstration of your willingness to share your experiences with others.

Trent

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #32 – March 28, 2020, 04:16:29 pm

Our wet bay faucet bit the bullet the other day and I decided that along with replacing it, I would install a 3rd valve and quite fooling with those cables to the black and grey tanks. It got to the point of throwing good money after bad and when I had to put both hands on the handle to pull the valve open, I decided it was time to cut my losses!
So, I went in and cut the cables, made sure the valves were fully open and installed a 3rd valve. I ordered the faucet from websturant.com and it met the 8 inch spread for the holes as well as a good price. I believe with shipping, tax, it was less than $50. Got all back together yesterday and am a happy camper now!

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #33 – March 28, 2020, 06:47:59 pm

Joe, are you saying you opened and left open the gray and black valves and now have only the third valve to hold back the sludge?

I replaced both the gray and black valves with the center blade section of new valves. I reused the flanges.
Amazon.com: Valterra T1003PBC 3" Valve Body: Automotive
Lube all of the moving parts and gaskets with silicone plumber's grease.

I reused the OEM cables. Pulled the wire out and cleaned it us, lubed it with lithium grease. They work fine.

The way I use mine is to start with all valves closed, double check connections, open the black valve about 1/4 of the way, open the third valve about 1/4 of the way and check to see if anything is misbehaving. Believe me having just a small flow is way better than a full blown blow out.

If all is OK the third valve gets opened all the way, black valve full open.

Once the black tank is empty, close the third valve and open the gray valve. If you can monitor your tanks close the gray valve after about 1/4 has drained out or about 20 seconds. This flushes gray water into the black tank. Now open the third valve until the black tank is empty. Then close the third valve.

Repeat a couple times until you have used 2/3 - 3/4 of the gray tank. The black tank will be flushed out and empty. Close the black tank valve.

Open the third valve and the gray valve and let the gray tank empty. Close the gray valve and the third valve. Double check that all three valves are closed. Deal with the hoses.

Other likely will do it differently but the idea is the same.

Roger

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #34 – March 28, 2020, 07:59:24 pm

Yes, Roger, left open the black and grey and only have the 3rd valve. When I dump, I flush the black out till clear water comes out and that cleans the sewer hose. Have not had any issues with this and it sure is easier to dump now. Of course, when I dump, I start slowly just to make sure all is okay! Don't want any issues with that mess!

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #35 – March 28, 2020, 09:49:14 pm

Joe, so basically your black tank and grey tank are open to each other all the time and your only valve is the third valve?

I admit, that would make me nervous. I like the redundancy that my 3rd valve gives me. I also like how I can use the grey tank to flush the black tank and the sewer hose... with three valves.

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #36 – March 29, 2020, 12:30:08 am

Quote from: Jeff & Sandy – March 28, 2020, 09:49:14 pm

Joe, so basically your black tank and grey tank are open to each other all the time and your only valve is the third valve?

I admit, that would make me nervous. I like the redundancy that my 3rd valve gives me. I also like how I can use the grey tank to flush the black tank and the sewer hose... with three valves.

I have had no issue with this and the tanks show empty when dumped! I do flush the system out quite well.

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #37 – March 29, 2020, 01:30:58 am

Joe that gives you one valve to contain all your sewage. If that fails you're not going to like it. Just clean and relube them. Or replace them. It's cheap insurance.

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #38 – March 29, 2020, 02:19:17 am

New coaches do have combined holding tanks do they not?

Most new coaches were designed to have full hookups always

The idea of bootleg dumping of a grey tank is easier with split tanks.

Sink and shower water? We used to be remote area dry campers in the open dez.....

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #39 – March 29, 2020, 10:53:53 am

Quote from: Caflashbob – March 29, 2020, 02:19:17 am

New coaches do have combined holding tanks do they not?

Most new coaches were designed to have full hookups always

The idea of bootleg dumping of a grey tank is easier with split tanks.

Sink and shower water? We used to be remote area dry campers in the open dez.....

Bob, this is just the reason why I decided to go this route. New RV's only have one dump valve for both. I have full timed going on 7 years now and have never had any issues with dumping, ever! I buy the best hoses and check them regularly. I also don't just go out and open that valve all the way, as I open slightly and see if there is an issue and then proceed. My tanks have been happier with this setup and I have been keeping more money in my pocket. The last charge on repairing these valves with installing new ones in May last year was just over $500. Was not a happy camper on that bill! I hate to use the word, but dumping now is a much less stressful experience. Just saying..................

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #40 – March 29, 2020, 11:52:12 am

Quote from: juicesqueezer – March 28, 2020, 04:16:29 pm

......., I would install a 3rd valve and quite fooling with those cables to the black and grey tanks. ....I had to put both hands on the handle to pull the valve open, I decided it was time to cut my losses!
So, I went in and cut the cables, made sure the valves were fully open and installed a 3rd valve. .... back together yesterday and am a happy camper now!

I post this because someone might try this instead of servicing, or in my opinion, a better choice, replacement of the inexpensive knife valves.

I have serviced and replaced many. Yes it might take a few hours of your time or $300 to $500 at a shop. It will be worth it.

Having worked in both rv sales and rv repair, for over 45 yrs, I have seen many a coach owner pay big money to remove a "cone" from their black tank. Too many issues I could talk about if one chooses to go the way of one dump valve. I believe anyone that has had a knife valve totally lock up would never depend on one valve Much is written on this subject, do your research, and enjoy.

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #41 – March 29, 2020, 12:41:20 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – March 29, 2020, 02:19:17 am

The idea of bootleg dumping of a grey tank is easier with split tanks.

LOL.......

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #42 – March 29, 2020, 05:10:51 pm

Quote from: Jack L – March 29, 2020, 11:52:12 am

I post this because someone might try this instead of servicing, or in my opinion, a better choice, replacement of the inexpensive knife valves.

I have serviced and replaced many. Yes it might take a few hours of your time or $300 to $500 at a shop. It will be worth it.

Having worked in both rv sales and rv repair, for over 45 yrs, I have seen many a coach owner pay big money to remove a "cone" from their black tank. Too many issues I could talk about if one chooses to go the way of one dump valve. I believe anyone that has had a knife valve totally lock up would never depend on one valve Much is written on this subject, do your research, and enjoy.

Those valves were brand new and never worked to my satisfaction and well lubed also. I was at the point of doing something that wouldn't leave us standed with no way to dump the tanks and this was it. I did look at electric valves, but that is another issue in of itself, with nightmare stories out there. I was afraid of the handle pulling off, it was so hard to pull. A cap on the end with a smaller cap near the top is the answer to NO SURPRISES, in case of the worst scenario of a failed valve. This isn't my first rodeo!

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #43 – March 29, 2020, 05:19:50 pm

OK, got to ask: Is all this talk about dump valves driven by the shortage of toilet paper?

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #44 – March 29, 2020, 07:58:28 pm

In the 5 years I have owned the coach no problem with the electric actuators on the valves that were installed by the PO. I didn't even know they weren't factory until I joined the Forum.

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #45 – March 29, 2020, 08:03:35 pm

Quote from: craneman – March 29, 2020, 07:58:28 pm

In the 5 years I have owned the coach no problem with the electric actuators on the valves that were installed by the PO. I didn't even know they weren't factory until I joined the Forum.

I wired the valves, up to dash switch's for a customer on his U320

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #46 – March 30, 2020, 09:48:24 am

Brett, you don't put toilet paper down your toilet, do you?

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #47 – March 30, 2020, 11:31:50 am

Quote from: craneman – March 29, 2020, 07:58:28 pm

In the 5 years I have owned the coach no problem with the electric actuators on the valves that were installed by the PO. I didn't even know they weren't factory until I joined the Forum.

Chuck, maybe I should have spoken to you before I did this, but have read so many horror stories on dump vlaves not opening and of course, you know this only happens when the tanks are really full to the brim! Don't even want to deal with that issue! lol

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #48 – March 30, 2020, 11:32:53 am

Quote from: gracerace – March 29, 2020, 08:03:35 pm

I wired the valves, up to dash switch's for a customer on his U320

Interesting!

Re: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic)

Reply #49 – March 30, 2020, 11:33:59 am

If there is a failure on the electric actuator, the mechanical valves are still in place and can be operated manually.

Affiliate Notice