shut off valves on drain hoses

[model71]

Hi Folks, I'm a new owner 2015 forester model 2251SLE.
Blue and red drain hoses are dripping a bit,I can tighten the black plastic caps
but was thinking that there must be shut off valves somewhere, if correct can you direct me to the shut off, if no shut offs what do you seasoned owners do, hard to rely on those simple black caps on hose ends.
Thanks for the help.

[fella10]

Originally Posted by model71

Hi Folks, I'm a new owner 2015 forester model 2251SLE.
Blue and red drain hoses are dripping a bit,I can tighten the black plastic caps
but was thinking that there must be shut off valves somewhere, if correct can you direct me to the shut off, if no shut offs what do you seasoned owners do, hard to rely on those simple black caps on hose ends.
Thanks for the help.

those are the "low point drains" and do not have a shut off valve, ... but many folk's have replaced the black caps with any number of different styles of small valves, ..... I haven't yet, but do see the advantage of doing that,......

[model71]

Thanks Fella 10, hard to believe, I think a new valve on end of the hoses is in order. sure appreciate the quick reply.

[model71]

Hi Folks, a quick followup, teflon tape did not work on the black plastic cap of the drain hose, what did work was an oh ring inside the cap, just passed finger tight and leak stopped. a good quick fix till i can get some good ball valves down there.

[PenJoe]

We added shutoff valves, Now we don't have to crawl under the camper and this is in a heated area. Also on left of the photo, we added a winterizing valve above the water filter. If you need to add a winterizing valve, I purchased a hot water heater bypass kit that was little more than a single valve. Used all of the parts, but have an extra two-way valve if ever needed.

[SeaDog]

Thanks for letting us know how you solved the problem good idea with the o-ring. I thought my low point was leaking and it turned out to be the kitchen sink.

[pmsherman]

Just before I left on my first winter trip, I realized the low point drains would be exposed and the water in them would freeze. I temporarily "fixed" the problem by wrapping the drain pipes with aluminum foil (as a separator) then used expanding foam to build thermal insulators around the pipes.

Before I left on my next trip, I cut both drain lines in the plumbing compartment and installed ball valves. I still keep them capped underneath the compartment to prevent bugs from building nests in the bottom sections of the tubes but I no longer need to worry about freezing in the exposed pipes.

Phil

[Wolverine 1945]

Our low point cold on our Sunseeker does have a valve,,, it is in the cabinet with the pump & filter !!! It is how we drain the FR tank !!!

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by PenJoe

We added shutoff valves, Now we don't have to crawl under the camper and this is in a heated area. Also on left of the photo, we added a winterizing valve above the water filter. If you need to add a winterizing valve, I purchased a hot water heater bypass kit that was little more than a single valve. Used all of the parts, but have an extra two-way valve if ever needed.

Great Job,,, I must take another look,,, I did not think I had a place for winterize kit !!!

[jeff64]

The teflon tape doesn't work because those are straight pipe thread (NPS) not tapered pipe thread( NPT) That's why there is that sealing washer in the cap. I switched mine out to ball valves

[PenJoe]

Originally Posted by Wolverine 1945

Great Job,,, I must take another look,,, I did not think I had a place for winterize kit !!!

When trying to sneak the winterizing valve into 7.5 inches, it was determined that the hot water bypass kit would give me everything needed except for the 90 going into the pump. It was cheaper to buy the bypass kit than to buy individual components. The price of one valve was also very near the price of the kit which didn't didn't make sense. Of course, I needed the half inch crimp rings which I carry a supply of. I don't recall if I moved the pump slightly down, but did have to maneuver around the wire harness. If your set up is like ours, the below parts will get it done.Most of the parts already there are just reconfigured.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

ttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BQUJL8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by PenJoe

When trying to sneak the winterizing valve into 7.5 inches, it was determined that the hot water bypass kit would give me everything needed except for the 90 going into the pump. It was cheaper to buy the bypass kit than to buy individual components. The price of one valve was also very near the price of the kit which didn't didn't make sense. Of course, I needed the half inch crimp rings which I carry a supply of. I don't recall if I moved the pump slightly down, but did have to maneuver around the wire harness. If your set up is like ours, the below parts will get it done.Most of the parts already there are just reconfigured.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

ttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BQUJL8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for the info Joe !!!
I will be checking it out before fall !!!

[RSchleder]

Originally Posted by model71

Hi Folks, a quick followup, teflon tape did not work on the black plastic cap of the drain hose, what did work was an oh ring inside the cap, just passed finger tight and leak stopped. a good quick fix till i can get some good ball valves down there.

My blue and red shutoff valves have a plastic washer already in them that works very well. Only issue is you have to keep track of them when you remove the cap as they will fall out of the cap and can easily get lost in the grass

[Wolverine 1945]

When I first saw the cap on our hot water low point drain,,, even before I know what it was,,, I ran to our corner RV store and bought an extra one !!!

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Wolverine 1945

Great Job,,, I must take another look,,, I did not think I had a place for winterize kit !!!

Think about the install of those "Winterizing Kits" they are VERY Restrictive by their design! Your call but here is a Pic of the "Half Hole" your pump will be be supplied through AFTER install! Youroo!!

[Semperfi24]

Hopefully the picture works. I used these on mine. I think 3/4" is the size you need. Its just a PVC ball valve, a little over $3 at Lowes. If you go this route, just get the one that is threaded. Remove the black caps from the low point drains (and be careful, if you are in the wrong place or not ready for it, you will get wet). Then screw the ball valve on in its place, and done. Then in the future for draining the low point drains it is as simple as turning the valve and done.

If the pic didn't post, here is a link:
Shop AMERICAN VALVE 3/4-in PVC Sch 40 Female In-Line Ball Valve with Integral Stops at Lowes.com

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by RSchleder

My blue and red shutoff valves have a plastic washer already in them that works very well. Only issue is you have to keep track of them when you remove the cap as they will fall out of the cap and can easily get lost in the grass

I installed shut off valves inside the unit and just leave the drain ends open. First and most important was that when you have water sitting in them during the winter or worst a freezing night. They will freeze then the plex will expand at the fitting and all of a sudden you have a leak inside your basement. I know it happened to me in Florida of all places a couple of years ago. Lesson learned, either insulate them if exposed to the weather or install some shut off valves inside the basement on the hot and cold low point drains.....

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by youroo

Think about the install of those "Winterizing Kits" they are VERY Restrictive by their design! Your call but here is a Pic of the "Half Hole" your pump will be be supplied through AFTER install! Youroo!!

Years ago I installed one on our old TT,,, but did not see room for one on the Sunseeker,,, but will now take another look,,, the Sureflow elbow might just do the trick !!! Thanks Again !!!

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by youroo

Think about the install of those "Winterizing Kits" they are VERY Restrictive by their design! Your call but here is a Pic of the "Half Hole" your pump will be be supplied through AFTER install! Youroo!!

X's 2 it will cut your water in half, volume wise..

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by Witch Doctor

X's 2 it will cut your water in half, volume wise..

We can probably live with that,,, we do not use our shower anyway !!!
Thanks for the advice !!!