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02-06-2017, 09:25 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Near Richmond, VA
Posts: 241
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Water heater drain mod - would this cause problems?
I recently made my own little mod for my x17z to make draining the water heater simpler, since I hate that stupid nylon plug. I know a similar setup has been used by a lot of people. I bought a brass male-to-male adapter, then a braided household sink hose and a faucet. It seems to work well, although I haven't fully tested it since my camper is winterized. However, when I posted about it on Facebook, a couple of people popped up and had concerns about introducing different metals. I guess the concern is corrosion. What do you folks think?
__________________
2013 Jayco Jay Feather X17Z
2015 Nissan Pathfinder
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02-06-2017, 09:38 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 723
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You didn't have an Anode rod in your W/H?
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2016 Pinnacle 36REQS
2022 Ford F-450 6.7 4x4 CC LB Dually
Mike & Chelle, My kids when they decide to go with us.
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02-06-2017, 09:41 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Akron
Posts: 3,191
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeNChelle
You didn't have an Anode rod in your W/H?
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It's an Atwood, they have an aluminum tank and no anode rod.
__________________
Rob R.
Akron, OH
2014 Seneca 37TS
Toads: 2019 Ford Edge ST or 2013 Ford Focus ST
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02-06-2017, 09:42 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Near Richmond, VA
Posts: 241
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeNChelle
You didn't have an Anode rod in your W/H?
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No ... just a nylon plug. It's an aluminum tank.
__________________
2013 Jayco Jay Feather X17Z
2015 Nissan Pathfinder
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02-06-2017, 09:45 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Texas
Posts: 7,198
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Lots of users have made similar mods with good success. There is some risk of corrosion because of dissimilar metals, but most don't have a problem.
I still don't understand what the big deal with that plug is. I've still got the original plug (in the attached pics) that came with my rig over 3 years ago. I carry a couple spares. I've never had a problem installing or removing that plug. See pics, note how I put my thumb above the propane hose, and the rest of my fingers below. I get a good grip on the plug, and it's like the hose isn't even there.
ETA: Ensure tank is cooled and de-pressurized, loosen the plug with the ratchet (15/16" socket), spin the plug out with fingers, drain tank. When installing, start the plug with fingers to ensure proper threading, snug up with the ratchet. Add teflon tape if you want, but I never have and have never had a leak.
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-2018 Greyhawk 29MV
-2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JLU) (Primary Toad)
-1994 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Secondary Toad)
-2014 Jay Flight 28BHBE & Ram 2500 6.4L CC 4x4 (sold)
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02-06-2017, 09:47 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Bellingham,Wa.
Posts: 6,649
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I'm starting year #4 and I have no corrosion problems and I just use a little white plumbers tape on the fitting.
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2010 Jayco Hybrid EXP21M
2013 Toureg TDI
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02-06-2017, 09:49 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Bellingham,Wa.
Posts: 6,649
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Camper_bob
Lots of users have made similar mods with good success. There is some risk of corrosion because of dissimilar metals, but most don't have a problem.
I still don't understand what the big deal with that plug is. I've still got the original plug (in the attached pics) that came with my rig over 3 years ago. I carry a couple spares. I've never had a problem installing or removing that plug. See pics, note how I put my thumb above the propane hose, and the rest of my fingers below. I get a good grip on the plug, and it's like the hose isn't even there.
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Exactly, and you have large hands !
__________________
2010 Jayco Hybrid EXP21M
2013 Toureg TDI
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02-06-2017, 09:56 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Near Richmond, VA
Posts: 241
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tunce the traveler
I'm starting year #4 and I have no corrosion problems and I just use a little white plumbers tape on the fitting.
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So, you have a similar setup as the one I made? I also used plumber's tape on mine, to avoid leakage. I won't know how well it works until I can de-winterize. Like I said, the male-to-male fitting is brass, and the interior of the sink hose should be lined with plastic of some kind, so I didn't see a problem until a couple of people popped up with some convincing arguments against it. I also did a little research of my own, and found a couple of sites warning against it. I really don't want to have to replace my water heater, obviously.
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2013 Jayco Jay Feather X17Z
2015 Nissan Pathfinder
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02-06-2017, 09:58 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Near Richmond, VA
Posts: 241
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Camper_bob
Lots of users have made similar mods with good success. There is some risk of corrosion because of dissimilar metals, but most don't have a problem.
I still don't understand what the big deal with that plug is. I've still got the original plug (in the attached pics) that came with my rig over 3 years ago. I carry a couple spares. I've never had a problem installing or removing that plug. See pics, note how I put my thumb above the propane hose, and the rest of my fingers below. I get a good grip on the plug, and it's like the hose isn't even there.
ETA: Ensure tank is cooled and de-pressurized, loosen the plug with the ratchet (15/16" socket), spin the plug out with fingers, drain tank. When installing, start the plug with fingers to ensure proper threading, snug up with the ratchet. Add teflon tape if you want, but I never have and have never had a leak.
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I want to be able to drain my tank at the end of every outing, mainly to avoid hauling around 48 pounds of unnecessary weight. Having a faucet rather than dealing with a plug will make that a lot easier. When you have an x17z, you start to understand that every pound of CCC counts!
__________________
2013 Jayco Jay Feather X17Z
2015 Nissan Pathfinder
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02-06-2017, 09:59 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: FL
Posts: 11,281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Camper_bob
snip...
I still don't understand what the big deal with that plug is. I've still got the original plug (in the attached pics) that came with my rig over 3 years ago. I carry a couple spares. I've never had a problem installing or removing that plug. See pics, note how I put my thumb above the propane hose, and the rest of my fingers below. I get a good grip on the plug, and it's like the hose isn't even there.
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What he said... I do the same thing Camper_bob does. No problem.
One other tip that works for me:
With plug in position to install, rotate it 'backwards'; like you would to remove it. Stop when you'll feel a 'clunk' as the threads pass one another. Then it's a fraction of a turn clockwise for the plug to engage the tank threads.
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Sherm & Terry w/rescue Eydie (min Schnauzer) & Charley (std Poodle)
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SOLD: 2006 Ford F350 PSD, 4WD, CC, LB, SRW, Camper pkg., 375,000mi
Full timing: Some will think you're crazy, some will be envious, just enjoy the freedom!
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02-06-2017, 10:04 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Texas
Posts: 7,198
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveMM
I want to be able to drain my tank at the end of every outing, mainly to avoid hauling around 48 pounds of unnecessary weight. Having a faucet rather than dealing with a plug will make that a lot easier. When you have an x17z, you start to understand that every pound of CCC counts!
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I totally understand that. I empty my tank every time I store the rig (along with the rest of the water). It's just never been difficult enough a process for me to seek out a solution.
Like I said before, your mod should work just fine; I wouldn't worry about it.
__________________
-2018 Greyhawk 29MV
-2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JLU) (Primary Toad)
-1994 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Secondary Toad)
-2014 Jay Flight 28BHBE & Ram 2500 6.4L CC 4x4 (sold)
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02-06-2017, 10:08 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Near Richmond, VA
Posts: 241
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Camper_bob
Like I said before, your mod should work just fine; I wouldn't worry about it.
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Thanks. I know there are some overly-cautious people out there who will warn against making any modifications for this reason or another, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't doing something stupid here that would end up costing me a lot of money.
__________________
2013 Jayco Jay Feather X17Z
2015 Nissan Pathfinder
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02-06-2017, 11:47 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Ottawa, ON
Posts: 1,954
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I might think differently if I was a full timer, but I can't see corrosion being a problem for the way it sounds like you are using the tank. If the usage is only for a handful of weeks and weekends each year, it would probably be a decade or more before corrosion became noticeable. It might be a lot quicker if you are a full-timer and the tank is always on like in your sticks and bricks.
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2011 Jayco X19H (purchased 2015)
2008 Jayco 1007 PUP (purchased new, traded for the X19)
2018 Nissan Titan Midnight Ed.
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02-06-2017, 11:50 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: FL
Posts: 11,281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bankr63
I might think differently if I was a full timer, but I can't see corrosion being a problem for the way it sounds like you are using the tank. If the usage is only for a handful of weeks and weekends each year, it would probably be a decade or more before corrosion became noticeable. It might be a lot quicker if you are a full-timer and the tank is always on like in your sticks and bricks.
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x2
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Sherm & Terry w/rescue Eydie (min Schnauzer) & Charley (std Poodle)
SOLD:2015 Jay Flight 27RLS, GY Endurance (E), Days: 102 '15, 90 '16, 80 '17, 161 '18, 365+ '20
SOLD: 2006 Ford F350 PSD, 4WD, CC, LB, SRW, Camper pkg., 375,000mi
Full timing: Some will think you're crazy, some will be envious, just enjoy the freedom!
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02-06-2017, 12:06 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Near Richmond, VA
Posts: 241
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bankr63
I might think differently if I was a full timer, but I can't see corrosion being a problem for the way it sounds like you are using the tank. If the usage is only for a handful of weeks and weekends each year, it would probably be a decade or more before corrosion became noticeable. It might be a lot quicker if you are a full-timer and the tank is always on like in your sticks and bricks.
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Makes sense. Plus, if the tank is not only off, but also drained, I would think that would also reduce the chance of corrosion.
__________________
2013 Jayco Jay Feather X17Z
2015 Nissan Pathfinder
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02-06-2017, 12:10 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,728
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I looked at your setup and I had to take a double take as it looks like my setup, until I realized you used a 90 degree bend on your valve, and I used a straight through valve.
It works great, the tank does drain a little slower than pulling the plug.
I spoke with the metallurgist at work (now retired). He stated in this application there was no issue with dissimilar metals reacting. I have looked at it a few times and have not noticed any issues. I to used plumbers tape on the threads.
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02-06-2017, 02:17 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Gainesville
Posts: 697
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Do they not make a plastic Male/Male in that size? That would completely eliminate the issue.
Not that I think there is an issue. This type cross metal corrosion usually takes a LONG time and would only be an issue if it were in a home where 30 years later you got a small leak or couldn't unscrew the connection because it had bonded together.
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Buddy Ray - Atlanta
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Jayco 2016 Eagle HT 26.5RLS
Ford 2016 F150 Lariat, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost
Max Tow Pkg, 36gal tank
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02-07-2017, 11:27 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Near Richmond, VA
Posts: 241
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BuddyRay
Do they not make a plastic Male/Male in that size? That would completely eliminate the issue.
Not that I think there is an issue. This type cross metal corrosion usually takes a LONG time and would only be an issue if it were in a home where 30 years later you got a small leak or couldn't unscrew the connection because it had bonded together.
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That's a good idea. Next chance I get, I'm going to run down to the hardware store where I got all of the parts for this, and see if they have a plastic version of the brass male-to-male that I originally bought.
__________________
2013 Jayco Jay Feather X17Z
2015 Nissan Pathfinder
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02-07-2017, 06:28 PM
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#19
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Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 52
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As a somebody that was a plumber for 17 years the only real problem with the brass into the aluminum , especially with teflon tape is easily over tightening and splitting the aluminum. I would recommend a plastic nipple or use pipe dope.
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2015 RAM 2500 6.4 Hemi CC 4X4
2015 Eagle HT 29.5BHDS
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02-07-2017, 10:36 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 942
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This mod is now on my to-do list. Last fall I forgot to relieve the pressure on the tank as I was winterizing, and as I was loosening the cap, the geyser of water blasted the cap out of my hand, never to be seen again. Good thing the water was only warm and not at full temperature. Instead of being wet and embarrassed, I'd be scalded and screaming.
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Geoff & Jill
& Sierra, the little white monster
2013 Ford F-150 XTR SC Ecoboost
2015 Jayco Jay Flight 24FBS
Winnipeg, Manitoba
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