Airstream fresh water tank drain valve replacement

I took possession of my brand new Airstream in May, 2017. In November, 2022, 5&1/2 years later, when I went to winterize, the plastic handle of the fresh water tank drain valve broke off. Every place that I tried to grip it to turn the valve to open it also broke off.



I didn’t want to replace it with another plastic valve to repeat this in 5 more years, so I found this aluminum flange that would replace the plastic one. It takes a 1/8” NPT valve.



Since it was bright RED, I wanted to paint it silver so it wouldn’t stand out. I bought this 1/8” NPT Plug and put it in the flange to block the opening.



And used this silver paint to paint the upper surface. I made sure not to get any paint on the barb where the hose connects, or inside the flange.



I then got this 1/8” NPT brass shut-off valve and installed it in the flange.



Since I didn’t want the valve shooting water in my face when I opened it, I got this 1/8” NPT elbow to redirect the water flow downwards.



Here it is, ready to install.



And, the final result. (Note that I did have to cut the 3/8” barb off the flange. The hose was 1/2” so the 3/8” was not needed, and the flange was too long to fit with it on there.)