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Topic: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic) (Read 8090 times) previous topic - next topic - Topic derived from Please confirm waste ...

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

Reply #40 –
Quote from: juicesqueezer –
......., 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 #42 –
Quote from: Jack L –
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 –
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 –
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 –
Quote from: craneman –
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  8)

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

Reply #46 –
Brett, you don't put toilet paper down your toilet, do you?

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

Reply #47 –
Quote from: craneman –
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 #49 –
If there is a failure on the electric actuator, the mechanical valves are still in place and can be operated manually.

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

Reply #50 –
Quote from: juicesqueezer –
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


Been there, done that many times.  Take a drill, drill a hole, drain the fluids, then take it apart.

Rubber gloves and a hazmat suit!

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

Reply #51 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
The Rubber Liner
Mine was in pretty good shape but to get at the main valves it had to come off.  Some careful easing it off with a long thin scraper did the trick.  Glued on with some sort of contact cement.  Mine had no tears in it and it cleaned up well so I just reused it.

The Cable Attachment Extensions to the Valve Body
I bought valve bodies ready for the cable wire and reused the original cable attachment extensions. Much cheaper that way.  Unless yours are broken there is no reason not to use them.  Same with cables.  They appear to be stainless steel.  Mine were in good shape.  I cleaned and lubed them well.  I painted the gray water tank valve handle gray. 

Third Panel
The third panel is a 90° piece that extends the back wall up another 4" and then out towards the outside of the coach about 9" to the bottom of the slide opening reinforcement. The 2001 coaches with slides have some extra structure under the slide opening the extends down into the bays. My first picture shows the water fill mounted in this structure, basically a truss made of steel tubing.  My water fill and water pump switches are mounted in this above the waste half of the bay.  This structure takes up about 1/3 of the height of the bay. 

As I am discovering as I meet more owners and see their coaches, there are many differences from year to year and even within years.  Dave M has the exact same coach as mine (expect for everything he has done to his and I have done to mine) and they are only a few build numbers apart but many small things are different. So be inspired and measure carefully since yours will be unique.

I will send a sketch of my metal parts.they are pretty simple, most any shop can fabricate them for you.  Stainless is tough to work with.  14 ga is about 0.08 inches and it was hard to drill the bigger  1-1/8" and 5/8" holes and hard to saw the openings.  It would have been much easier to work with steel and then (harder) to get them powder coated.  Cost would have been about the same.

Roger


Hi Roger,
A couple of quick newbie  questions. When you change out a blade valve. What is the process? Is that valve glued in? What do you use to lubricate the cables? I have a single valve and it's pretty difficult to operate. Thanks.

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

Reply #52 –
The blade valve housing is between two flange fittings. The flange fittings are glues to the pipes on either side.  There are four bolts that go through the four corners of the flanges and blade housing to hold it all together.

There is a large o-ring on either side of the valve housing that fits into a mating grove on the flanges.  Hold it it place with plumber's silicone grease.  Use the same grease to very liberally lube the sliding part of the valve and the rubber seals on either side.

Make sure the o-rings are seated properly.  If not it will likely leak.  The hardest part is getting at the nuts and bolts, a long extension for the sockets or a flexible one helps. I replaced the nuts and bolts with stainless ones ans used an anti-seize lubricant on the threads.

Empty your tanks as best you can, add more fresh water and empty again.  Both of my tanks empty towards the driver's side. I leaned the coach hard to the passengers side and then started disassembling.  I stuffed a rag in the pipes to stop any leaking or smells.

I removed the pipes and valve assembly from the tanks to replace the valve bodies. Easier to do outside of the coach.  Then I cut the old original hose connection fitting off and glued on a new flange for the third valve.  Then it all went back in with shallow aluminum trays under the valves to catch any leaks and reattached to the tanks with the hose clamps.

The valve cable housing is clamped in the valve body, and a set screw holds the center cable.  If the set screw is loosened you can pull the center cable out with the handle. I used a spray lithium grease for lube.  The little red tube will push grease through the spiral housing,  I have re-lubed the cables a couple times.

While you are in there clean everything as best you can.  Leave some way to look inside to check for leaks.

The third valve is a useful project. It really is in spite of what others may so I will just put a line through it. You may not need one with just a single combined tank but the third valve also provides an extra protection from a failed or leaking primary valve.  Most of us have two waste tanks.

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

Reply #53 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –

The third valve is a useful project.


Res777 has a 2008 Nimbus, so the utility bay is likely different than a 2001.  I recall with the 2002-2005 year coaches, one cannot install a 3rd valve easily and still have the utility bay door close with the dump hose attached.  The dump piping needs to be cut quite a ways back for that to work.  2008 may be even different.

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

Reply #54 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Res777 has a 2008 Nimbus, so the utility bay is likely different than a 2001.
Res777 says (Reply #51) that he has a "single valve" (and I would assume a single holding tank) so yes, quite a bit different.

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

Reply #55 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Res777 has a 2008 Nimbus, so the utility bay is likely different than a 2001.  I recall with the 2002-2005 year coaches, one cannot install a 3rd valve easily and still have the utility bay door close with the dump hose attached.  The dump piping needs to be cut quite a ways back for that to work.  2008 may be even different.


My wet bay has a small storage area in the upper right corner about 1'w x 6"h x 1'd. There's not much room in there. I haven't had the opportunity to remove the panels and look around. But I was curious about blade valve replacement. Now I understand.

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

Reply #56 –
Quote from: Res777 –
I was curious about blade valve replacement. Now I understand.
Roger (Reply #52) gave a very good explanation of the valve replacement process.  For those who, like me, are more visually oriented learners, there was a timely post on the RV Tip of The Day web page.

https://rvtipoftheday.com/rv-repair/how-to-replace-rv-waste-dump-valve/


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

Reply #57 –
Changing the blade valve and lubing the cable was the primary question. Doesn't matter what coach, but relevant as long as the valves and cables are the same.

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

Reply #58 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
Res777 says (Reply #51) that he has a "single valve" (and I would assume a single holding tank) so yes, quite a bit different.



So, yeah, third valve doesn't apply in that case  ;) 

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

Reply #59 –
Inspired by Rogers really nice work and post 8 years ago, I'm updating my wet bay too.  Thanks Roger for the post and the detailed description along with parts list.  Lonnie