HepVo Valve Any good?

We have one of these valves factory installed in our outdoor kitchen. Starting last fall we could smell odors, but winterized it and forgot about it until this spring. When we started to use the trailer again this year the odors returned. I just figured out last weekend that it is a result of the Hepvo valve not closing properly. We don't use the outdoor kitchen sink very often, and have never put anything but water into it. I now have to replace the valve with a new one in hopes that it will last longer. Their website says that they carry a three year warranty, but has no contact information or warranty claim procedures. If I could eliminate this valve and use a regular P-trap I would, unfortunately there isn't enough space under the sink to do so.

Tiffin has been using them for some time now. I find no problems with the kitchen sinks draining, even with small bits of food or salmon fish scales, but the one in the rear shower is another issue. Since we don't shower every day (Boondocking or in a hurry getting to destination) we find the shower drain backs up. When the base gets about 1 1/2" inches of water in it, a stomp or two always opens the drain and it works fine for a day or two. It seems after it dries out well we're back to the pool in the shower pan.

Not really a deal breaker, but a minor annoyance. Seems like a P trap or a running trap would have worked better, and we do have room for either, but the down side might be the possibility of the trap freezing if the rig is in storage and the winterizing missed putting antifreeze in the trap. Of course we winter in the southwest, so that excuse doesn't apply.

Seems to be a solution in search of a problem!

I'm intrigued by how well it can block sewer gas without the need for a wet trap, but I'd like to see how well it drains. It looks like it would be rather restrictive and slow.

Fairly new to US Market but has been used since 1997 in UK/Europe markets

Supposedly it will seal around items...food debris etc.

5X more expensive than a 'P' trap

Whiff is most likely coming from an Air Admittance Valve not fully closing vs from a 'P' trap---------UNLESS 'P' trap is gunked up. Pull and clean it if that is the case.

Only use I see is if there is insufficient space for a P trap or S trap. It is far more complex then a normal trap and prone to failure. A normal water filled trap does not fail.

I would use it if I needed a solution to some issue.

agesilaus "If it isn't broke, don't fix it." Sort of my theory also. But twice now wife says she gets a slight wiff of it.

Since posting I've also thought I should take a look at my shower drain. Not sure if its straight shot or has P trap.

I'll have to stick with my engineering school precepts: "If it isn't broke, don't fix it." I have not experienced any problems with the standard P trap in our RV.