Cool Mods - Thread restored 10/18/2012

[2Rad4U]

My daughter was getting a little warm in her bunk during our last camping trip, so I decided to put her a fan in to keep the air flowing.

I had been wanting to add a 12-volt fan to the main living area anyway, so I decided to tackle both jobs today. A trip to Wal-Mart for two fans($8.48 each) and we're halfway there.

She picked the spot, and I got to work -



I picked up the power from her overhead light. All I have left is to install a short piece of wire cover and I'm done -



I added one in the main area -



I dropped by Lowe's and found this cool soap dispenser. I also just installed these Pop-a-Toothbrush holders -



I added a sopa dispenser to the kitchen area as well. I also installed a Pop-a-Napkin under the radio -



Here's an easy mod. I found this over the door towel rack at Walmart and it works great -

[Loopy]

MarionMedic wrote:
You can NOT use anything but the plastic/nylon "plugs" in my heater.

it doesn't use an ANODE ROD either.

I might re-do the setup at a later date.
I have the original plug I can use if it doesn't work.

I might get a braided nose this spring, but for now I'm trying this setup.
It's an "experiment" as are ALL mods that aren't "store bought".

Looks like the same water heater I have in my Jayco (Atwood 6 gallon DSI) in which I use a brass fitting to adapt to the braided stainless steel.

There's no reason you can't use brass in the threads on the water heater.

[winty03]

I have been trying to think of something like that for our trailer....but we use or had a anode rod...is there anything, someone has thought of for the same type of result? Tired of all the water all over the inside of the water heater and slowly rusting the pan/tray.

[sunline1]

LarryJM

That's a neat, easy setup.

Sunlinel

[LarryJM]

HERE is what I did and the parts and where I got them are in the photo captions.

Larry

[mobeewan]

On an older trailer with an Atwood WH I have I installed a brass nipple into the drain hole with a pipe thread ball valve. I removed the handle from the valve so the valve would fit. I also have a piece of clear tubing on a plastic male pipe thread x hose barb fitting I can screw into the valve. I kept the handle with the hose and barb in my spare plumbing parts box so I can use it when I drain the WH.

[MarionMedic]

You can NOT use anything but the plastic/nylon "plugs" in my heater.

it doesn't use an ANODE ROD either.

I might re-do the setup at a later date.
I have the original plug I can use if it doesn't work.

I might get a braided nose this spring, but for now I'm trying this setup.
It's an "experiment" as are ALL mods that aren't "store bought".

[Loopy]

Use a toilet fill line. Works great and will stand up to pressure and heat. Braided stainless steel is a wonderful invention.

LINK!

[lzasitko]

You can get reinforced rubber (Heater hose) or clear or white reinforced tubing. I would look for heater hose, stuff survives in cars and trucks in all weather.

Mine has a little petcock valve like they use to drain radiators and you just open it a turn or two to drain the tank.

[MTBer]

Be careful with that plastic tube. On my old trailer I made an outside shower by connecting to the low drain points.

First time I tested it the pressure in the water lines was such that it caused the plastic tubing to inflate like a balloon at a weak spot and explode !

I replace with the more expensive tubing that is reinforced with nylon or something and worked like a charm.

I have no idea what the pressure is in the tank but I would highly recommend either:

1) Putting the shutoff directly at the drain point so that no water under preassure enters the tubing unless draining. There may be one there already and it's just obscured in the photo.

2) Upgrade to a stronger tubing.... if that tubing gives that could hurt someone.

[RollingRockTX]

MarionMedic wrote:
I bought a nylon plug with a "spout", 12" of tubing, a Brass fitting, and a 1/4 turn valve.
Got it all at Lowes for under $15.

Assembled last night in living room with addition of small clamps I already had.

Screwed nylon plug into water heater.
Attached tubing and tightened clamp.

tested and it worked.





Sorry for blurry pics. I was a little shakey in the cold.

I did a similar mod but instead of having a tube you just unscrew the center part of the bolt and the water drains from the tank.

They sell that part at most CW or RV parts stores. I think I paid 4 bucks for it.

[rrich]

Is that clear tubing ok with the temperature it will encounter?

[MarionMedic]

Oh yeah....

Use some teflon tape to prevent leaks.

[MarionMedic]

I bought a nylon plug with a "spout", 12" of tubing, a Brass fitting, and a 1/4 turn valve.
Got it all at Lowes for under $15.

Assembled last night in living room with addition of small clamps I already had.

Screwed nylon plug into water heater.
Attached tubing and tightened clamp.

tested and it worked.





Sorry for blurry pics. I was a little shakey in the cold.

[MarionMedic]

I bought all the parts for my water heater quick drain.

Will assemble and take pics tomorrow.

[scotty63]

Our first mod was to build a cabinet and shelf to keep TV, Satellite, and other things corralled. It was a pain to move them every time we hit the road. After this was don the DW mentioned that she didn't have a coffee table. I started to plan the building of this and she came up with another order. She wanted somewhere to put things like the coffee maker, toaster, and other appliances so she didn't have to remove all the cushions to get to them. This changed the coffee table plan. I built a box 4 ft long, 13 inches wide, and 16 inches deep. We put casters on one end so that it can be moved out of the middle aisle where it travels.the top is 50inches by 16 inches with a piano hinge on one long side.
We also went to IKEA and purchased a under the bed table on which we mounted a set of drawers. I replaced the melamine top with a cutting board top and it gives us more food prep area and storage.
we replaced the kitchen faucet with one that pulls out to spray. in the bathroom the DW picked up some small wire baskets that we have mounted above the sink to hold toothbrushes etc. we also mounted a second towel rack above the other and can now spread the towels out more.
I have told the dw that we are not doing like the last time and looking for a new rig now that we have this one how we want it.