Black tank mystery

Topic: Black tank mystery (Read 1749 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #25 – March 31, 2019, 12:17:08 pm

That must be a really old, not-brand-name electric dump valve. I can't find anything even close to that design with a Google search. Looks like it has a metal frame with a rack and pinion lifting mechanism. Anybody here ever seen one like that? Red Tractor?

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #26 – March 31, 2019, 07:41:15 pm

I have seen that type of valve before but has been a while. I am not sure if the metal can be removed and see if the mechanism is hooked to the blade. Maybe some type of long screw could be used to hook the blade. Good luck.

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #27 – April 01, 2019, 01:15:27 pm

Susan,

Ran your pics through one of my photo editing software programs to lighten them up. Can't help with electric valves though.

Keith

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #28 – April 01, 2019, 01:36:17 pm

I think that is just an attachment that went onto a regular valterra valve

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #29 – April 01, 2019, 02:57:39 pm

I have heard that if you can't fix the problem then just touch up the photo.

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #30 – April 01, 2019, 04:04:32 pm

I agree with RT The ? is the pull lever still attached to the valve or just sliding back and forth with the valve staying closed. I can see if tank was frozen and tried to open the valve the rod could come undone from the valve.

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #31 – April 01, 2019, 04:46:31 pm

That looks like a manual valve as there is a cable going to the top of it in a nice even bend and it has a support clamp holding it at the top right side. Those wires could be just going past the valve to something else.
JohnH

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #32 – April 01, 2019, 05:06:46 pm

Quote from: John Haygarth – April 01, 2019, 04:46:31 pm

That looks like a manual valve as there is a cable going to the top of it...

Agree - sure does look like a cable going in the top of the mechanism.

BUT, what about the straight gear teeth that can be seen in 1st photo to the left and behind the operating rod? (rod pulled up)

AND, in the very first post, OP said:
"When I click on button to open the black tank and drain it, the lever seems to make the same noise it ever did that accompanied the opening of that tank and I can see the lever opening upwards but nothing comes out. "

Which is why I assumed it is a electric valve of some sort. Perhaps it is electric with a manual backup provision?

Still waiting to hear back from Susan as to her progress, if any, in solving the problem.

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #33 – April 01, 2019, 07:54:24 pm

Got home from work this afternoon, warmer and no snow.... I took off drain hose, after closing both black and gray tank buttons. I put the above mentioned snake up the drain and it hit a solid something, meaning probably that the door is still closed.

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #34 – April 01, 2019, 07:59:54 pm

Quote from: Susan – April 01, 2019, 07:54:24 pm

Got home from work this afternoon, warmer and no snow.... I took off drain hose, after closing both black and gray tank buttons. I put the above mentioned snake up the drain and it hit a solid something, meaning probably that the door is still closed.

I hope you meant that you opened both valve buttons, if closed you definitely would hit the door.

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #35 – April 01, 2019, 10:30:02 pm

Susan,

If you decide the valve is stuck in the closed position, then someone is going to have to get in there and figure out why. I don't see any other way to solve this situation. I thought about the possibility of getting the tank pumped out through the toilet, but the valve is still going to require either repair or replacement. If you don't feel up to this task, then you will probably require the assistance of a experienced RV repair person.

Can you take a photo pulled back some so we can see what the bay area surrounding the valve looks like? I'm trying to figure out what the light colored object is in the left half of your photos. Is it something that could be removed, to allow better access to the valve? The more room there is to work around the valve, the better the chance of figuring out how to get it open.

I am guessing that the final solution will be similar to that described in the link I posted in Reply #13.

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #36 – April 01, 2019, 10:55:23 pm

Hi Chuck and Jeanie,

That light colored object is another mini wall separating the battery bank from this tank/water/electric plug, area. I thought about taking it apart but it has my blue sky attached to it. I guess it will have to be dismantled as well for me to get closer to this valve.

Tomorrow is another day... (as in Tara that works as an elementary school teacher/ not.)

I will try to take it apart without disturbing my wonderful Blue Sky... tomorrow after work.

I will keep you posted.

Thanks for everyone hanging in here with me.

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #37 – April 01, 2019, 11:09:17 pm

Chuck, I did ot read her comment regarding activating the a switch for valves I just looked at the picture, so, with saying that I take back my comment re it not being an electrically operated item.
JohnH

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #38 – April 02, 2019, 09:41:11 am

Not to hijack the thread but I like this approach to lubing the valve blade;

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TGv9THpOdmw

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #39 – April 02, 2019, 10:10:12 am

Quote from: Travelin' Man – April 02, 2019, 09:41:11 am

Not to hijack the thread but I like this approach to lubing the valve blade;

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TGv9THpOdmw

Genius!! So simple.

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #40 – April 02, 2019, 10:15:19 am

I have just installed two new valves and I will incorporate this technique when its time for lubrication. Thanks TM.

jk

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #41 – April 02, 2019, 10:19:55 am

Be sure to verify that the lube you use is compatible with the blade seals. I am not saying that there is a problem, but, for example if you use a petroleum-based lube on rubber, it will help short-term, but swell the seals.

If someone KNOWS what material the seals are made of, we can post that so everyone will know.

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #42 – April 02, 2019, 10:39:19 am

Sears.com

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #43 – April 02, 2019, 10:41:23 am

Santoprene?

https://www.usplastic.com/knowledgebase/article.aspx?contentkey=996

Bladex Replacement Valve Seal Kit 3" T1003-9VP
Bladex replacement seals are made of high-quality Santoprene for chemical resistance and maximum durability. Kits include seals, nuts, & bolts.

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #44 – April 02, 2019, 10:51:45 am

https://www.salhydro.fi/files/PDF/SantopreneChemicalResistance.pdf
Lithium minor effect

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #45 – April 02, 2019, 11:05:55 am

Quote from: craneman – April 02, 2019, 10:51:45 am

https://www.salhydro.fi/files/PDF/SantopreneChemicalResistance.pdf
Lithium minor effect

Excellent. THAT is what we need to know.

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #46 – April 02, 2019, 11:10:33 am

I can't remember where I heard, saw, or read it now but someone drilled the blade housing and installed a zerk fitting in it. I thought that was an interesting idea, but I don't know of any grease I would want to use there that goes in a grease gun. I think drilling a hole and spraying some pure non drying silicon is what I will do. I was able to spray the third valve and the gray valve by just disconnecting the hose because it is a straight shot through the opening. It is quite effective, and can easily be renewed if it gets sticky again. But the black tank valve is around the corner and farther back, so the method in this video should work. Fortunately, my utility bay set up makes it very easy to access the valve assemblies.
Don

Quote from: Travelin' Man – April 02, 2019, 09:41:11 am

Not to hijack the thread but I like this approach to lubing the valve blade;

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TGv9THpOdmw

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #47 – April 02, 2019, 01:40:24 pm

I think it was Carol & Jeff who I purchased the coach from who told me this tip. Put some vegetable oil down the sink and toilet and operate the valves. Lubes them for a while. Works for me.

Keith

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #48 – April 02, 2019, 01:57:05 pm

I to have made that modification and have been useing white lithium grease. Don't forget to put the sheet metal screw back in after you lube! Got distracted and missed the one on the black tank. Simply amazing how much stuff can come out of such a tiny hole. Felt like the little Dutch Boy with my finger over the hole till tank drained down. DW thought it was the funniest thing she had seen in a while. Glad she did not have phone or it would have been on Youtube.

Re: Black tank mystery

Reply #49 – April 02, 2019, 02:17:25 pm

Quote from: steve31 – April 02, 2019, 01:57:05 pm

I to have made that modification...

If you are talking about the lubrication mod in the video linked above, I don't understand how any "stuff" could come out the drilled hole. That hole is up in the "top" section of the valve housing where the steel shaft goes up and down. That area of the valve is outside the two seals that surround the moving blade. The seals keep all the liquid from escaping around the blade as it moves up and down. Unless the blade seals are damaged and leaking badly, there should be nothing except the grease that was injected, and no pressure, in that part of the valve.

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