I got tired of fighting the drain plug in the tight space that it's in so I made this small modification and it has really made draining the water heater easier. I just added a PVC ball valve to the drain hole. I had to use a 45 degree fitting to get the valve to clear the gas line in the compartment. Now I just open the hatch and open the valve and drain the heater...when it's empty I close the valve and it's ready for the next refill. Click the pic for a larger view.
This is a great idea! How did you get the PVC to thread into that hole?
I wanted to make that modification, but on my Atwood model water heater, there is not enough room for the components. I can barely get the nylon plug in and out.
I wanted to make that modification, but on my Atwood model water heater, there is not enough room for the components. I can barely get the nylon plug in and out.
I ran into the same issue. I wanted a drain valve, but it was not to be.........
__________________
2017 Coachmen Catalina 283RKS
2018 Ford F250 Super Duty 6.2l CCSB
2010 Jayflight 28BHS (sold)
This is a great idea! How did you get the PVC to thread into that hole?
I used a metal to PVC adaptor that is male on both ends to go between the metal water heater hole and the PVC parts. Then the next part is a PVC bushing that is female threaded on one end to connect to the male metal adaptor and the other end is smooth female for the PVC pipe to fit into. The rest is just a couple of very short pieces of PVC pipe and a 45 degree PVC elbow and a PVC ball valve. All the PVC is 1/2 inch.