Community Forums

rockintom · 09-28-2007, 01:50 PM

I've seen these electric dump valves for black and grey tanks, and wondered if anyone has had experience with them? This would eliminate the manual cable issues, but then again you have the electric motors and switches with potential problems. They aren't cheap either. But that's the cost of being a techie!

I know one of these days replacement of the valves is inevitable.

If you have experience with this please chime in. Brand, switch location, where purchased would be nice! Thanks.

P.S. Can you tell it's raining in Portland today?

This is my 2nd or 3rd post today.

rockintom · 09-28-2007, 01:50 PM

I've seen these electric dump valves for black and grey tanks, and wondered if anyone has had experience with them? This would eliminate the manual cable issues, but then again you have the electric motors and switches with potential problems. They aren't cheap either. But that's the cost of being a techie!

I know one of these days replacement of the valves is inevitable.

If you have experience with this please chime in. Brand, switch location, where purchased would be nice! Thanks.

P.S. Can you tell it's raining in Portland today?

This is my 2nd or 3rd post today.

Hitchhiker · 09-28-2007, 02:51 PM

I have them on my rig, the switches are located inside the Swan Control door. There's three, one for each valve. (dual gray water tanks) I like them, they're really simple to operate.

An addition I'd like to see is a small LED indicator light that would illuminate when the valve is closed. Without a T-Handle sticking out it's hard to tell at a glance if the valve is closed or open. With an advancing CRS syndrome, sometimes I'll forget how I left them.

rockintom · 09-28-2007, 04:02 PM

Thanks Richard,

What brand are they? Did you do the install? How long have you had them? Remember where you got them?

I know, too many questions!

Hitchhiker · 09-28-2007, 04:37 PM

They're made by Drain Master and are available from RV Upgrades. Mine were a factory installed option on my trailer when I bought it in March of this year.

rockintom · 09-28-2007, 04:40 PM

Thanks buddy! I'll check it out. Tom

DeepDoc1 · 09-28-2007, 05:54 PM

PhaseFour also makes the Waste Master hose & nozzle which look like a natural for the Pivot-EZ setup. Carriage is using them as standard, I think. Combined with the electric dump valves, It may have some advantages. Any thoughts?

DeepDoc1 · 09-28-2007, 06:03 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Hitchhiker:
I have them on my rig, the switches are located inside the Swan Control door. There's three, one for each valve. (dual gray water tanks) I like them, they're really simple to operate.

An addition I'd like to see is a small LED indicator light that would illuminate when the valve is closed. Without a T-Handle sticking out it's hard to tell at a glance if the valve is closed or open. With an advancing CRS syndrome, sometimes I'll forget how I left them. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The DM20-RPMS Drain Master – one touch electric 3" waste valve with LED operator switch. or the LED Switch Kit-DM30-LED - Red LED on switchplate indicates valve is open. looks like the right stuff.

rockintom · 09-28-2007, 07:17 PM

Thanks Deep, I read it over and it sounds pretty good. Also sounds as if it's a smaller company that appears to customer focused. I think it's the way I'll go when the time comes.
Tom

D and J · 09-29-2007, 04:06 AM

Maybe I am over thinking this, but; if you have a flush system for the black tank, would you want valves that are switched from inside your coach?? I guess you could have paralell switches outside and inside.

Heck, why stop at dump valves, lets add a 12volt diverter valve so you don't have to hook up a hose to the tank flush. (maybe there is a contamination concern with this setup??)

Do the LED indicators display the actual position of the valves (with proximity switch feedback) or just display where the valve is supposed to be??

Guess my electronic controls engineer backround is surfacing in this thread!!

Edit: I hope the valves that are used today are better than the ones they used back in the late seventies. . .I was in one of those "fancy" (at the time) rock and roll tour buses for a few months in 1979. It had electric dump valves that did not work to well once the temparature got to about 40 degrees. You had to be very careful removing the outlet hookup cover when you were in cold weather!!!

rockintom · 09-29-2007, 08:04 AM

Doug,

I have the same thoughts as you. I would consider putting a second switch inside the coach for only the grey tank. Silly to do it on the black cause you gotta flush anyway.

The main reason I'm considering electric is the cable system make me nervous. The cable portion of the system seems to me to be the weak link.

The LED is controlled by a magnetic switch on the motor assy. that turns the light on when the valve is FULLY open and off when FULLY closed. The valve takes about 2-5 seconds to cycle from one end of travel to the other.

Any other questions? Mr.know-it-all wants to know!!!!!

Hitchhiker · 09-29-2007, 08:17 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">The LED is controlled by a magnetic switch on the motor assy. that turns the light on when the valve is FULLY open and off when FULLY closed. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Interesting point, I wonder if I could pick up 3 red LED's at Radio Shack and add them to my factory installed system? I think I'll pull one of the switches and see what wires are attached and if a switched 12v is present while the valve is open.

I think I see a new project on the horizon.

rockintom · 09-29-2007, 08:45 AM

Richard,

I think I have good news for you. From what I read at their website (deep in the bowels) that you can upgrade your switches with the LED on all the later model valves assys. They say if you have doubt, give them a call to verify. The switches are sold on their website and IIRC they are about $24.00 a piece.

Also, they have the wiring schematics on the website. Good info. HTHs

Tom

vblarry · 10-01-2007, 04:32 PM

These valves sound interesting. Won't be near my trailer again till the weekend. On an all season 5er is valve replacement possible without having to dismantle part of the trailer?