Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Sunline RV Forum
Sunline User Photos

Go Back   Sunline Coach Owner's Club > Technical Forums > Repairs and Maintenance
Click Here to Login

Join Sunline Club Forums Today


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 07-25-2010, 07:44 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
GoodoleBob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 272
SUN #15
GoodoleBob
Low point Drain Valve Operation.

I knew I had this low point drain on my Sunny. Up until today I had never tried it out. I see two flip handles under the bathroom sink area. I see a Red line and a Blue line. I do not see any visual indication as to operating these two flip handles. They each have a 180 degree motion potential. I can't say I know what is right or wrong in the way they are positioned frankly. I tried flipping them every which way and combination of ways and nothing drained out beyond a few drips according to my DW who was observing outside. I know the fresh tank was half full of water. Why can't I make this work? What exactly is the correct way to drain using these two valves?

Thanks

Bob
__________________

__________________
Bob ...SOC-015
2007 Solaris T-2499 with 2004 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab Diesel TV.

GoodoleBob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2010, 08:07 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Gene's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 1,515
SUN #768
Gene is an unknown quantity at this point
I don't know if this will help but mine are under the kitchen sink area and when the ends point to 2 o'clock (as I face them) they are closed, when they point to 10 o'clock they are open. You will only get a large amount of water come out if you are connected to "city water" or your pump is turned on. .... or in my case while adding antifreeze ....
__________________

__________________

Gene & DW Ginny
2002 Sunline T-2363
2008 Toyota 4-runner 4wd 4.7L V-8
Reese Dual Cam straightline - P3 Brake controller
Gene is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2010, 08:29 PM   #3
Moderator
 
JohnB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 12,877
SUN #89
JohnB is on a distinguished road
Bob, the low point drains only drain the hot and cold water piping inside the trailer. Red = hot, blue = cold. They do not drain the fresh tank. The fresh tank drain it that super mini little white pain in the neck valve off the bottom of the fresh tank with a short hose feeding it.

If you open up the bath and kitchen faucet and the relief valve on the HW heater it will let air in to break the vacuum and then gravity will drain as much as it is going to. Make sure the pressure is bled off before lifting the safety relief.

If you hook up the compressed air to the fresh inlet you can burp those low point drains and blow water out of them.

The words gravity drain is a relative thing. What will come out by gravity once the vacuum is broke is all that will come out. It takes compressed air to blow the other several pints out.

I do mine so automatically I cannot remember if it is a 90 degree turn or a 180. You flip it all the way until it stops and then it ports to outside. Then flip it all the way back to shut it off. They are a 3 way valve.

Hope this helps

John
__________________
Current Sunlines: 2004 T310SR, 2004 T1950, 2004 T2475, 2007 T2499, 2004 T317SR
Prior Sunlines: 2004 T2499 - Fern Blue
2005 Ford F350 Lariat, 6.8L V10 W/ 4.10 rear axle, CC, Short Bed, SRW. Reese HP trunnion bar hitch W/ HP DC

Google Custom Search For Sunline Owners Club
JohnB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2010, 07:04 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
awellis3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Virginia
Posts: 638
SUN #987
awellis3
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnB View Post
They are a 3 way valve.

John
Whatcha mean, "3 way"?

Teach
__________________
https://thumb0.webshots.net/t/88/171/5/88/75/2165588750103096700MZYWsp_th.jpgWright Ellis and Penny Sedgley
'10 Tundra 4X4
SOB -'14 Rockwood 2604WS (Rocky)
"Life is a cruel teacher. She gives the test first; the lesson then follows."
awellis3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2010, 07:19 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
GoodoleBob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 272
SUN #15
GoodoleBob
Yes what is meant by threeway valves John? Mine are capable of a full 180 degree motion. So you must be saying that the straight up position is also functional in some way. Is that so? Frankly I see no value in these things verses the confusion of how to operate them correctly. I'm still confused.

Bob
__________________
Bob ...SOC-015
2007 Solaris T-2499 with 2004 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab Diesel TV.

GoodoleBob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2010, 09:32 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
henryj's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Ontario
Posts: 663
SUN #597
henryj
On the newer trailers they do flip 180°. I used a felt marker to label the handles with a "C" so I know when they're closed as it's easy to forget in the rigamarole of winterizing. The only advantages of using the drains is for "dry" winterizing which I wouldn't do in a freezing cold location; and you will use less antifreeze. I have drained and not drained the lines and I still need 2 jugs of antifreeze, so suit yourself, YMMV.

There is no reason to use the low point drains other than for winterizing.

Henry
__________________
2019 F150 3.5L Max Tow
2014 Arctic Fox 22G
2005 Sunline T-2499
henryj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2010, 12:01 PM   #7
Moderator
 
Sunline Fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,156
SUN #123
Sunline Fan is an unknown quantity at this point
Quote:
Originally Posted by henryj View Post
There is no reason to use the low point drains other than for winterizing.
The only other reason is if you don't plan to use the trailer soon and you had some funky water in the lines, you can drain it out so it doesn't sit in there.

Jon
__________________
2007 T-286SR Cherry/Granola, #6236, original owner, current mileage: 9473.8 (as of 6/18/21)
1997 T-2653 Blue Denim, #5471
1979 12 1/2' MC, Beige & Avocado, #4639
Past Sunlines: '97 T-2653 #5089, '94 T-2251, '86 T-1550, '94 T-2363, '98 T-270SR
Sunline Fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2010, 08:53 PM   #8
Moderator
 
JohnB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 12,877
SUN #89
JohnB is on a distinguished road
Teach and Bob

A 3 way valve. Sorry guys…. I try and curb my industrial background but I can’t help myself some times.

There are several types of valve flows patterns. 2 way, 3 way, 4 way, 5 way are common. And there are more exotic ones as well. The average home owner or RV’er only ever run into 2 way or 3 way in there normal course of things.

A 2 way valve has 2 ports. An in and an out. It is either open or closed when in the full shifted position. Think of a water fountain with a knob lever on it, you flip the lever and water squirts out. The water is either off or squirting out the hole to allow you to drink it. There are many uses for 2 way valves around the house. The garden hose, the drain valve on your hot water heater, the shut off valve that supplies water to the toilet tank, etc.

A 3 way valve has 3 ports. One port is common and the other 2 are selections so to speak. If water is pressurized on the common port you can select which outlet port will get the water. In the case of the low point drains, the common port is the pressure source pipe. The 2 outlets, 1 goes to the outside of the TT the other feeds down stream pressured items. And in a T2499 it is the toilet if I remember right. It is for sure on a T310SR.

A 3 way valve is also used as a by pass valve in the HW heater hook up. The common port is the pressure supply line. The outlet ports 2 of them, one goes into the HW heater the other bypasses the HW heater. Sunline used this exact same valve on both of my 2004 campers and I’m sure Bob’s 2007, for the low point drains and the HW heater by pass.

See here.



So that is what a 3 way valve is. Does that help explain it?

The low point drains or shall we call them, a fresh water supply drain to the outside of the camper allows the option to drain water from the fresh water piping system. It does not drain it all, maybe only 60 to 70% of it at least as observed on a T2499 or a T310SR. Each floor plan I’m sure is different.

Now who in the world uses them??? Well I do, even as poorly of a total drain they may be. I actually use them after every camping trip we go on and we camp a fair amount. Just not as much as I would like too… They have a level of value to me that it allows me to burp/purge to the outside standing water in the pressure lines of the system verses splashing it up in the sinks or into a galloon jug under the faucet that splashes out all over the drainee (aka me….)

H’mm, water left in the camper after camping. This is a topic we have not yet ever that I can recall discussed on SOC. Some leave it in, some don’t. That is a good post all on it’s own. If we want to discuss this please take out a new one. I can see it getting quite long and it might be a great value to folks who have not yet thought thru this.

Hope this helps

John
__________________
Current Sunlines: 2004 T310SR, 2004 T1950, 2004 T2475, 2007 T2499, 2004 T317SR
Prior Sunlines: 2004 T2499 - Fern Blue
2005 Ford F350 Lariat, 6.8L V10 W/ 4.10 rear axle, CC, Short Bed, SRW. Reese HP trunnion bar hitch W/ HP DC

Google Custom Search For Sunline Owners Club
JohnB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2010, 09:43 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
MACK C-85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,131
SUN #64
MACK C-85 is an unknown quantity at this point
The low point drains on our '07 276SR are two-way valves, not three-way. They are in the rear bathroom vanity near the floor and our hooked into the vanity supply lines. They are not your typical 90 degree handle operation, however. The pipes are vertical and the handles are at a 45 degree angle to the pipe when opened or closed. I can never remember which way is which, so I used a thin SHARPIE and marked each side of the handle OPEN or CLOSED.

MACK
__________________

2004 Dodge Ram 2500 Club Cab 4x4 CTD
2007 Sunline Solaris T-276-SR: Misty Blue/Cherry
2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Reg Cab 4x4 OFF-ROAD
MACK C-85 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2010, 12:33 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
awellis3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Virginia
Posts: 638
SUN #987
awellis3
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnB View Post
So that is what a 3 way valve is. Does that help explain it?
Yup. Now, my set up



has the valves under the sofa. Bathroom, HWH and fresh water tank to picture left, city water and kitchen sink to the right. If these are three-way valves, how would they work? (Your best guess) Any other 2653 owners out there who know?

Teach
__________________
https://thumb0.webshots.net/t/88/171/5/88/75/2165588750103096700MZYWsp_th.jpgWright Ellis and Penny Sedgley
'10 Tundra 4X4
SOB -'14 Rockwood 2604WS (Rocky)
"Life is a cruel teacher. She gives the test first; the lesson then follows."
awellis3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2010, 02:05 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
GoodoleBob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 272
SUN #15
GoodoleBob
That's exactly how mine are configured also. I don't believe anyone has specifically address the orientation issue as yet...I guess I can fiddle around until something happens. But would be great to hear from a known user whose has figured it out already.

Bob
__________________
Bob ...SOC-015
2007 Solaris T-2499 with 2004 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab Diesel TV.

GoodoleBob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2010, 02:06 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
MACK C-85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,131
SUN #64
MACK C-85 is an unknown quantity at this point
Unless there is a third connection on the valve with a pipe going through the floor you can't see in the picture, those are two-way valves. If it's just the two pipes seen in the picture and they are in fact low point drains, one side should go outside some how and the other side should be tied into the plumbing somewhere. Usually the valve handle is in-line with the pipe when open, at a ninety degree angle when closed. i.e. in your picture they should be open.

If they do have the third connection going through the floor, I hope you can pull them up some because the valve handle typically would need to be in-line with the pipe through the floor to drain.

Mack
__________________

2004 Dodge Ram 2500 Club Cab 4x4 CTD
2007 Sunline Solaris T-276-SR: Misty Blue/Cherry
2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Reg Cab 4x4 OFF-ROAD
MACK C-85 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2010, 02:17 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Steve Collins's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: New York
Posts: 1,846
SUN #264
Steve Collins is an unknown quantity at this point
There is a pipe going through the floor under each valve. That's why one is oriented left and the other right so the levers can both be flipped without moving anything else. Handle pointed to the ceiling should open the drain valve and allow the water to dump out the pipes underneath.
__________________

'12 F250 4x4 Super Duty PowerStroke 6.7 diesel
2011 to present: '11 Cougar 326MKS
1999 to 2011: '99 Sunline T-2453
SUN264 * Amateur Radio kd2iat monitoring 146.52
Steve Collins is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2010, 02:35 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
MOKID's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Missouri
Posts: 190
SUN #763
MOKID
3 Point Drain

This is what the low point drain looks like on our 2005 T-1950. You can actually see the drain going thru the floor.100_4637.jpg
__________________
Jim, Mary Jane and Lord Bentley (Beagle)
2005 Sunline T-1950 (Sold)
2006 Sunline T-2499 (Sold)
2014 Ford F150 Super Crew 4x4 Eco Boost
2012 Holiday Rambler Vacationer Motorhome
MOKID is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2010, 03:07 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
MACK C-85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,131
SUN #64
MACK C-85 is an unknown quantity at this point
That's interesting that the valve handle points away from the third port, usually they would be in-line. Learn something new.....
__________________

2004 Dodge Ram 2500 Club Cab 4x4 CTD
2007 Sunline Solaris T-276-SR: Misty Blue/Cherry
2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Reg Cab 4x4 OFF-ROAD
MACK C-85 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2010, 12:12 AM   #16
Moderator
 
JohnB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 12,877
SUN #89
JohnB is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoodoleBob View Post
That's exactly how mine are configured also. I don't believe anyone has specifically address the orientation issue as yet...I guess I can fiddle around until something happens. But would be great to hear from a known user whose has figured it out already.

Bob
Bob

That type of valve in Teach's pic has a stop on it. And yours should too. It does not go 360 degrees.

Worst case. The next time you have water in the camper, flip it a full direction until it stops. It will be full open to the outside or fully closed to the outside and in it's normal working condition. If you are 1/2 way or part way, water will be draining outside.

It appears some floor plans use a 1 ended pipe and a 2 way valve. My 2004 T2499 used the 3 ways if my memory serves me correct. I did it out of habit so much I do not recall. Since I was blowing it out with air, I know if it was open or closed.

John
__________________
Current Sunlines: 2004 T310SR, 2004 T1950, 2004 T2475, 2007 T2499, 2004 T317SR
Prior Sunlines: 2004 T2499 - Fern Blue
2005 Ford F350 Lariat, 6.8L V10 W/ 4.10 rear axle, CC, Short Bed, SRW. Reese HP trunnion bar hitch W/ HP DC

Google Custom Search For Sunline Owners Club
JohnB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2010, 06:49 AM   #17
Senior Member
 
awellis3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Virginia
Posts: 638
SUN #987
awellis3
Quote:
Originally Posted by MACK C-85 View Post
Usually the valve handle is in-line with the pipe when open, at a ninety degree angle when closed. i.e. in your picture they should be open.
Nope, they're closed.
__________________
https://thumb0.webshots.net/t/88/171/5/88/75/2165588750103096700MZYWsp_th.jpgWright Ellis and Penny Sedgley
'10 Tundra 4X4
SOB -'14 Rockwood 2604WS (Rocky)
"Life is a cruel teacher. She gives the test first; the lesson then follows."
awellis3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2010, 10:33 AM   #18
Senior Member
 
MACK C-85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,131
SUN #64
MACK C-85 is an unknown quantity at this point
Quote:
Quote:
Originally Posted by MACK C-85
Usually the valve handle is in-line with the pipe when open, at a ninety degree angle when closed. i.e. in your picture they should be open.

Nope, they're closed.
The three-way valve is "open" to the two visible pipes, closed to the third "drain" side.

Quote:
There is a pipe going through the floor under each valve. That's why one is oriented left and the other right so the levers can both be flipped without moving anything else. Handle pointed to the ceiling should open the drain valve and allow the water to dump out the pipes underneath.
What I am learning is valve handle "conventions" don't mean a whole lot in these applications. Typically the handle would go inline with the third pipe, not 180 degrees like these do. Oh well, live and learn.
__________________

__________________

2004 Dodge Ram 2500 Club Cab 4x4 CTD
2007 Sunline Solaris T-276-SR: Misty Blue/Cherry
2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Reg Cab 4x4 OFF-ROAD
MACK C-85 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Question..1999 Solaris T-2363 Drain Valve Featherock Sunline Community 4 06-23-2010 11:02 PM
Converter operation question awellis3 Repairs and Maintenance 3 06-10-2010 11:40 AM
Water Heater Operation MOKID Repairs and Maintenance 21 04-12-2009 04:09 PM
where is the halfway point? clueless campers Sunline Community 0 02-11-2009 12:03 PM
The Que looks great but what's the point? flip Sunline Que 13 02-21-2008 10:50 PM


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sunline RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:32 AM.


×