Cable operated dump valves

[jdgreen42]

I have the cable operated dump valves and the black valve is so hard to operate that I can barely get it opened and closed. Has anyone used an electric operated valve ? If so , how do you like it and what kind did you use ?

Don

[jamway]

It has been about ten years since we had a cable dump valve but I made a fitting to grease the cable.

I used a 1/4" or a 1/8" pipe coupling to screw on the threads where the cable was bolted on. I had to take the handle off first. Then I screwed on a short piece of pipe, then an another coupling, then a grease zerk. Use the grease gun to pump grease into the cable.

I put a rubber o ring on first because the treads would not keep the grease from leaking out too fast to get in the cable very far.

This is kind of messy but I only had to do this one time in three years.

[motorcycle_jack]

Auto Drain installed for 4 years and no problems, no maintenance done and works perfect even with full tanks (75 and 50 gallons).

[FlatBroke]

Last two trailers thought the handle would come off in my hand. The first one came apart at the mount and would not go back in. Our trailer we have now the valves open and close easy and there seems no resistance. I had a couple of feet of the bottom unfastened and could see the cable ran a nice straight line with no unnecessary turns. Guess it all depends on the way there built.

[Stefonius]

I think that if you make sure the cables are routed sensibly (not too long, not making unnecessary turns, not kinked or bound, et cetera), you will probably do just fine.

[Alannyiri]

What have you all found to be an effective preventative maintenance procedure to keep the cables pliable and easy to open/close? We'll be taking delivery of a new Redwood 38 GK at the end of June. This unit uses cable controlled waste valves as well. We'll be full-timing soon after, and I plan to keep the valves closed for daily living, then opening and flushing tanks when the BW tank reaches about half full. So this may be every 3-5 days - time will tell. I read about the problems people have, and just wonder if many could be averted by an effective regimen from the beginning. Thanks in advance.

[laknox]

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

[Dave_H_M]

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]

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.

[Duck]

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

X2 this helped mine a lot.
Don

[Stefonius]

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.

[Timothy]

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.

[filrupmark]

Lube the stainless shaft by the handle also.

[tvman44]

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

[dbbls]

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.