Three dump valves?

Sofia Leo · 01-29-2013, 11:52 AM

Being a Newb, I have no idea what a "common" layout might be, but it's my understanding that the grey water pipes are 1 1/2" and the black water pipe is 3". I have a 'Y' coming out of the coroplast (hope that's spelled right) with a 1 1/2" valve on either side and the 3" hook-up opening coming straight out. One 1 1/2" pipe goes forward, one goes to the rear and the 3" pipe disappears into the coroplast. There is some spray insulation around the 3" opening so I can't see up in there.

There is also a valve to the right of this assembly that has a threaded shaft with a nut and washer. The shaft disappears into the coroplast behind a piece of framing. This valve does not pull out like the other two. It turns, and I can hear something working in there (kind of a flapping sound, like a gate valve, not the sliding sound that the other valves make) but nothing flows down the drain slinky. Turning loosens the nut holding the shaft to the framing so I have been reluctant to work the thing off in case I end up with something nasty on the ground

When I pull out the other two valve handles liquid flows down the slinky.

What is this third valve? Does the black tank have only a 1 1/2" end opening?

I was told that I have two grey water tanks and one black water tank. Are the two grey water tanks connected to each other?

The sensors read 'empty' on the grey water tank and 'full' on the black water tank, but I know how unreliable they are. Looking down the toilet opening there does not appear to be much in there - I've been having mechanical issues with the toilet and so have not been using it much...

Ayotte · 01-29-2013, 12:25 PM

I would say that the two 1 1/2 lines are your gray water valves and the one with the rod on it is your black 3 in valve. I think that this valve also has to pull and push not turn. Have never seen one that turns-probaly when you are turning it it is just turning the shaft in the valve that is connected to the slide. If you can't pull or push it, I would say that it is siezed up and you will have to get into the valve to get it loosened up.

**hankpage** · 01-29-2013, 12:26 PM

It would help if we knew what model trailer you have, but I am going to assume that you are missing the Tee handle from the valve that you see with just a threaded rod. That should be the same rod as on the other two valves. Hope this helps, Hank

Sofia Leo · 01-29-2013, 08:10 PM

Sorry not to say what I've got - it's a 2008 Sprinter 300KBS. Duh - I guess that would be helpful

Attached is a picture of the valve area and a close-up of the valve in question.

X-Treme · 01-29-2013, 08:18 PM

Looks to me like its a cable driven gate valve for your black tank, as there is no "local" 3" gate valve.

**hankpage** · 01-29-2013, 08:31 PM

Since the shower, vanity and galley are on opposite sides from the toilet on that model, I'm inclined to agree with X-Treme. You should be able to pull that tee handle to dump the black tank.

Sofia Leo · 01-29-2013, 08:36 PM

That sucker is STUCK! Pulling does nothing. Pushing does nothing. Do I need to loosen the nut or something? If so, how much - I don't want the thing to fall at my feet and be a PITA to put back

Operation of that valve was not covered in the walk-thru or the "user's manual" a term I use very lightly...

Festus2 · 01-29-2013, 08:59 PM

You might try squirting some WD40 (or similar) into the handle/sleeve and tapping it lightly with a hammer to see if you can "unstick" it that way. Are you able to see the cables and pulleys?

Don't expect too much from the Owner's Manual other than generalities that can apply to any of the Keystone models built during that year.

Sofia Leo · 01-29-2013, 09:03 PM

The cables and pulleys are not visible - the shaft disappears into the coroplast. I will try the WD-40 tomorrow and see if that helps. The handle should just pull out easily, like the others, right? There's no special trick or anything?

Festus2 · 01-29-2013, 09:12 PM

If the other pulls look the same as the stuck one, it should pull out without applying excessive force and I am not aware of any secret catch or button to push or pull that would release it. No secret words to say. No special trick.
Have you spoken to the previous owner or the dealership about this sticky situation?

Sofia Leo · 01-29-2013, 09:15 PM

I have not called the dealer about this yet, figuring it was a noob problem or I would see one of the dudes in the park that I could ask, but the weather has been bad so no one has been out and I just couldn't wait any longer and here I am with all you helpful people

Sofia Leo · 01-30-2013, 10:36 AM

Hurrah! Spraying WD-40 worked like a charm - the handle was just stuck and it took considerably more force to open it than the other valves. Thanks for the help

Terry W. · 01-30-2013, 04:39 PM

We just traded our 2008 300KBS back in May 2012. The two small gate valves are the 2 gray tanks, 1 kitchen, shower and vanity. the other handle is the black tank. Mine was stiff. As stated above I sprayed WD40 down along side the cable. Also you could try pouring some veg. oil in the tank if you think it is almost empty.

**hankpage** · 01-30-2013, 07:34 PM

Sofia Leo · 01-30-2013, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry W.

We just traded our 2008 300KBS back in May 2012. The two small gate valves are the 2 gray tanks, 1 kitchen, shower and vanity. the other handle is the black tank. Mine was stiff. As stated above I sprayed WD40 down along side the cable. Also you could try pouring some veg. oil in the tank if you think it is almost empty.

Good idea! It's empty now

I bought some valve lube liquid at the local RV place that is probably the same thing. What a rip-off!

jsmith948 · 01-31-2013, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hankpage

Wait for it..........

**JRTJH** · 01-31-2013, 05:58 AM

Where's GEO when you need him?????

Sunbeamtiger · 02-01-2013, 02:49 PM

Just purchased a 2013 28sgs Cougar Lite. Guess what brilliant idea Keystone came up with? They dump the shower into the black tank! Now that really cuts down on your "primitive" camping time.
When I looked into this model I took it for granted that one gray would be galley and the other would for the vanity and shower. After a few days of camping I noticed the black tank filling up rather quickly. Then the shower pan started filling up. That's when I figured it out. After reading the "generic" owners book, it states that in some models the shower drains into the black tank.
Looks like I will have to look into replumbing this puppy.

Sofia Leo · 02-01-2013, 02:52 PM

OMG! Wonder whose brilliant idea that was! Also, it explains why the black tank was so full...I better check on that, too...

geo · 02-01-2013, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Where's GEO when you need him?????

Yeah, i know. That geo guy is just unreliable. Where was he anyway!

Let's see here, who started this linked thread? http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/sho...ighlight=olive.

Ron
aka, Lord of the Underbelly and Grand Poobah of the Olive Oil.

.

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