Cable operated dump valves

Several years ago I install electric valves. They worked fine for regular dumping. But my first dump into a portable blue tank was not good. The electric valves I had closed rather slow compared to hand operated. Before the valve got closed my blue tank was over full, what a mess. Maybe the electric valves today are faster operating.

I had an electric valve once, a Drainmaster. It worked very good until it had water against it, then it would not open. I replaced it once, same problem. Replaced it with a manual one and problem solved. Try some drain valve lubricant in the tank.

A little mineral oil and a little water and operate the valve a few times and it is lubed for awhile. Works for me. :)

Lube the stainless shaft by the handle also.

I had Auto Drain electric valves and they worked great. They attached right to my existing valves with no plumbing required. My valves were standard and not cable operated though.

Pull the coroplast off of the bottom of your rig and follow the cable back to the valve. You may find that the valve is installed in such a way that the cable makes an unnecessarily sharp bend. This can make it difficult to operate, or cause it to fail to open or close properly.

One of the other forum members had this problem on his unit. I suspect that his tanks may have been installed after a "two joint coffee break" at the factory.

filrupmark wrote:
Lube the stainless shaft by the handle also.

X2 this helped mine a lot.
Don

I have the cable operated dump valves also. I had a failure of the black water valve when 2000 miles from home. Took it into a dealer and they said it was the valve that was bad & would have to be replaced but it would take 10 days for the valves to arrive at their location.We would be half way home by that time. I had an end of line valve on the sewer dump line so I used that until I got home. Took it into my dealer and they replaced the cables to the black water and one gray water valve. Works much better. Oh yes, while out west I ended up trying to get a look at the cable, so I took the handle off and proceeded to pull on the cable. There had to be 2 miles of cable in there. Why? Who knows, but my dealer shortened the new one. They said it was the inner sheath that was damaged therefore making it hard to pull and push and eventually failed altogether.

I have my black valve out and a new assembly on order at amazon. They beat any price I found.

The local stealer was in the ozone layer with his price.

Course along with the savings i get to have a little stinky stuff dribble down my arm. :W

Pipeman wrote:
I have the cable operated dump valves also. I had a failure of the black water valve when 2000 miles from home. Took it into a dealer and they said it was the valve that was bad & would have to be replaced but it would take 10 days for the valves to arrive at their location.We would be half way home by that time. I had an end of line valve on the sewer dump line so I used that until I got home. Took it into my dealer and they replaced the cables to the black water and one gray water valve. Works much better. Oh yes, while out west I ended up trying to get a look at the cable, so I took the handle off and proceeded to pull on the cable. There had to be 2 miles of cable in there. Why? Who knows, but my dealer shortened the new one. They said it was the inner sheath that was damaged therefore making it hard to pull and push and eventually failed altogether.

Why, the cables come only one, long, length, and it would take too much time for the workers to shorten it to a more optimal length. They've got the next trailer to work on, don't ya know?

Lyle