Corky 8 Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 Hi, the Manual fresh water drain valve on our Rapido has started to drip , enough to have fellow Motorhomers continually telling us we have a leak, I can buy a new one from e bay for £27 , Which seems a bit expensive for a bit of plastic with a spring operated shut off valve , Have any of your budding engineers/designers found a more reliable replacement possibly made from a more robust material like brass or s/s, thanks in advance, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 Can you give a bit of an description of the existing or ebay link Corky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Dave Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 i used on of these on our van its been on for three years with no issues. http://www.screwfix.com/p/jg-speedfit-15esotp-emergency-shut-off-tap-15mm/13133 Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 I’m guessing that the drain-valve is the type shown in Section 3 of this webpage http://chrismart.byethost15.com/Materials/Manuals/Rapido/III.htm?ckattempt=1 as that’s what is fitted to my Rapido 640. As long as there is good access to the drain valve it should be easy enough to replace it with a more robust version, but if access is limited (as it is on my 640) it might be best to opt for an exact like-for-like replacement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corky 8 Posted June 11, 2016 Author Share Posted June 11, 2016 Sorry Flicka, here's a link to the type.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CARAVAN-MOTORHOME-TRUMA-WATER-HEATER-SAFETY-DRAIN-VALVE-70142-05-/371095283848?hash=item566700a888:m:msUEmxITs5RgZzI-gB2rjqg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corky 8 Posted June 11, 2016 Author Share Posted June 11, 2016 Derek Uzzell - 2016-06-10 10:10 PMI’m guessing that the drain-valve is the type shown in Section 3 of this webpagehttp://chrismart.byethost15.com/Materials/Manuals/Rapido/III.htm?ckattempt=1as that’s what is fitted to my Rapido 640.As long as there is good access to the drain valve it should be easy enough to replace it with a more robust version, but if access is limited (as it is on my 640) it might be best to opt for an exact like-for-like replacement.[/QUOT Thanks Derek, my drain valve is that type and is in a very restricted space in a Half round cupboard below the sink, I,m going to take it of today and decide which way to go ,either direct like for like replacement or adapt a washing machine T valve like this .http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WASHING-MACHINE-DISHWASHER-VALVE-HOT-COLD-WATER-C-P-VALVE-TAP-/251290588144?var=&hash=item3a821613f0:m:mvlvOiqQuzt-wvhIMqeAkQgThanks again Derek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corky 8 Posted June 11, 2016 Author Share Posted June 11, 2016 Dr Dave - 2016-06-10 9:39 PMi used on of these on our van its been on for three years with no issues.http://www.screwfix.com/p/jg-speedfit-15esotp-emergency-shut-off-tap-15mm/13133DaveThank you, but my drain needs an outlet aswell so its a three way affair in a restricted space , but Thank you for you valuable input, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will86 Posted June 12, 2016 Share Posted June 12, 2016 It would seem that you are able to remove it so why not try giving it a good clean in detergent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe63xnotuse Posted June 12, 2016 Share Posted June 12, 2016 Corky 8 - 2016-06-11 7:47 AMSorry Flicka, here's a link to the type.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CARAVAN-MOTORHOME-TRUMA-WATER-HEATER-SAFETY-DRAIN-VALVE-70142-05-/371095283848?hash=item566700a888:m:msUEmxITs5RgZzI-gB2rjqgSo it's a *boiler drain down valve then..(*if it is the boiler drain that's leaking, then isn't your pump constantly buzzing away?)They're a tenner cheaper here:https://www.leisureshopdirect.com/electric/caravan-gas-water-heater/boilers-and-heaters/truma-boat-boiler-bm10-and-bm14-and-spare-parts/safety-drain-valve-john-guest-12mmIf cleaning it doesn't work then I suppose you could faff about making something else fit..?eg: http://www.discountleisureproducts.co.uk/pond-supplies-c1/pond-pipe-and-fittings-c20/hose-fittings-c88/12mm-inline-3-way-pond-hose-flow-control-tap-plastic-barbed-flexi-pipe-fitting-p974http://www.propexleisure.co.uk/shop/whale-3-way-valve-12mm etc...but I'm guessing that the original one lasted a good few years anyway, so is it worth the messing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted June 12, 2016 Share Posted June 12, 2016 There are few worse than me for cutting costs by using whatever I can find in the shed, and altering things to fit but on this I do have to agree with Derek - is it worth the faff for the sake of a few quid? Sorry Den, but if in the grand scheme of things cleaning it does not work why not just replace it with like for like and get on with using the van! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 Worthwhile taking off to check it as It maybe only a build up of lime scale causing it to leak (i.e. Truma Boilers will create lime scale the same as a kettle) If it shows signs of damage & as it's the Truma Boiler drain, I would keep to the manufacturers item, because it has the frost protection facility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dipsticks Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 Good point about the limescale and we likely never always know how hard the water is wherever we travel. Keep your hot water temperature below 60 degrees C / 140 degrees F and the build up of limescale is significantly reduced. http://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Water_Heater_Scale_Prevent.php (interesting article) I never knew this till we moved house and had to contend with much harder water than in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgnbuk Posted June 14, 2016 Share Posted June 14, 2016 dipsticks - 2016-06-13 9:42 PM Good point about the limescale and we likely never always know how hard the water is wherever we travel. Keep your hot water temperature below 60 degrees C / 140 degrees F and the build up of limescale is significantly reduced. http://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Water_Heater_Scale_Prevent.php (interesting article) I never knew this till we moved house and had to contend with much harder water than in the past. HSE Guidelines on hot water temperature : "Hot water should be stored at 60 °C at least in order to kill legionella bacteria. " Nigel B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dipsticks Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 Thank you mgnbuk, 62 degrees it is then, probably the reason our stat goes no lower. I will keep a check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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