Another 24RBS mod thread!

[Jay2504]

We just got our 2020 JayFlight 24RBS home a couple of weeks ago. I almost immediately started to mod the camper and do things to get ready for our first trip. So this thread will be about my ongoing mod adventure.
First mod: a better way to drain the hot water tank. I replaced the plastic plug with a plastic pipe nipple and cap. No fancy valve for me! Unfortunately, my pressure relief valve is sideways, and I can’t put a drain hose on it like others have done. I tried a wench, but it’s really tight and I didn’t want to risk damaging the hot water tank. Jay

[Rustic Eagle]

Jay,

Welcome to JOF

Everybody likes simple MODS that are easy to incorporate!

Staying with a plastic pipe nipple (in lieu of metal) on the aluminum tank threads was wise as well.

Bob

[Atlee]

I like that mod. Where did you get the plastic pipe nipple and cap?

Originally Posted by Jay2504

We just got our 2020 JayFlight 24RBS home a couple of weeks ago. I almost immediately started to mod the camper and do things to get ready for our first trip. So this thread will be about my ongoing mod adventure.
First mod: a better way to drain the hot water tank. I replaced the plastic plug with a plastic pipe nipple and cap. No fancy valve for me! Unfortunately, my pressure relief valve is sideways, and I can’t put a drain hose on it like others have done. I tried a wench, but it’s really tight and I didn’t want to risk damaging the hot water tank. Jay

[GHen]

Looks like a pipe extension for a sprinkler head that can be cut to the proper lenght, great idea.

[LuckyDuck]

Originally Posted by GHen

Looks like a pipe extension for a sprinkler head that can be cut to the proper lenght, great idea.

Yep looks like a half-inch PVC riser. Is that rated for water heater temps?

[Jay2504]

It was cut to length. I hope it can go to water heater temperature! More mods tomorrow. Jay

[Jay2504]

Removed the panel on the curb side pass through, insulated the area and all the way around the bed support. I used 1/2 inch thick foil faced foam board. Was going to use 1 inch but the 1/2 inch was on sale, making 2 4’x8’ boards cheaper than 1 4x8 1 inch board. I just doubled up the pieces. Then I added pegboard to that side to hang common tools on. I don’t know yet if I am going to pegboard the other side yet.

[Jay2504]

Atlee, I got the pipes at Lowes. I’m sure that any home improvement store has them. The grey piece was called a riser and you cut it to length. Sorry I didn’t respond sooner. Jay

[GHen]

That riser will be in the underground sprinkler section, not plumbing.

[Atlee]

Thanks for the reply. Do you know what temperature that pice of pipe can resist? Would exposure to the heat of the water heater eventually do damage to it?

Originally Posted by Jay2504

Atlee, I got the pipes at Lowes. I’m sure that any home improvement store has them. The grey piece was called a riser and you cut it to length. Sorry I didn’t respond sooner. Jay

[LuckyDuck]

Originally Posted by Atlee

Thanks for the reply. Do you know what temperature that pice of pipe can resist? Would exposure to the heat of the water heater eventually do damage to it?

Those types of cutoff sprinkler risers are very soft — much more than a schedule 40 or 80 pipe. I’d be surprised if they can handle high heat situations.

[Jay2504]

Lucky Duck and Atlee, I was back in Lowe’s today. While I was there I showed a long time plumbing department employee the riser that I bought and where it was going. (On the water heater drain) I was reassured that at the temp of 140-150 it would be no problem at all. I will keep everyone posted when I put it to use. At another store I found schedule 40 plastic pipe nipples that would work.
More mods done. I had 2 outlets that have USB chargers built in. I put one on my side of the bedroom and one replacing the slide outlet. I shut off the power at the breaker and got a very pleasant surprise from Jayco. On our previous unit ALL of the outlets inside and outside were on ONE 15 amp breaker. Thankfully that is not the case on the 24RBS. One 15 amp breaker covers the tv outlet,the slide outlet and all 3 (including the ceiling) outlets in the bedroom. The bathroom, both outside and the outlet by the door are covered by a different breaker YEA!
In the bedroom I used an curved old work box because there were 2 wires. In the slide I used a metal old work box, these USB outlets are pretty thick. Just a little more than 1 1/4”. I will post more mods soon. Jay

[GHen]

I agree that the riser can handle the heat of the water. I’m not sure how much heat is in the compartment when the propane flame is on and what affect that heat has. The schedule of the pipe really refers to the crush strength and the pressure it can hold. I use those risers on some of my sprinkler heads at home. They do snap off somewhat easy.

The idea is very sound, and there are some flexible pipe options that I’m going to look at that are also used on sprinkler heads that are designed to take more abuse. I run over them with the wheelbarrow all the time, lol. I have also seen short metal braided pipe like for a faucet used.

Either way, I need to do that mod on my water heater. I winterize and de-winterize my rig about 6 times a winter and the plastic screw in plug is a problem.

[Jay2504]

More mods in the last couple of days. Pulled out the single microwave outlet, put in a box and a duplex so that the bottom of the outlet could run off a possible future Inverter. Also put in a outlet on the bottom of the cabinet, run off the 20 amp microwave wiring so that we can plug in her coffee machine in one outlet and the toaster oven in the other outlet by the door that is on a different 15 amp circuit breaker. Jay.

[Jay2504]

In the previous post I also added a paper towel holder. This is what I did to make the access panel for the water heater into usable storage space. I freely admit that I stole the idea from Rustic Eagle, who has the same unit, just a couple of years older. My door opens from the top, letting me hide the holes for the original screws with door handles. This was my first attempt to turn a panel into a cabinet door. Other mods I did without pictures: pulled all the floor registers and straightened out the duct work, vacuumed out the debris, and installed screens on the bottom of each register to keep things from falling in.
Moved the striker on the cabinet door under the counter to let me get her coffee maker in there. IMHO, Jayco did a good job with the kitchen sink, using glue and brackets. I added a couple of boards for extra sink support. Jay

[cfarrar]

Any problem with a brass plug on an aluminum tank?

[JFlightRisk]

Originally Posted by cfarrar

Any problem with a brass plug on an aluminum tank?

There will be galvanic action between the two dissimilar metals, unless you wrap the threads very well with Teflon tape. Is there any reason you don't want to use an original nylon plug?

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by cfarrar

Any problem with a brass plug on an aluminum tank?

As mentioned, best to stay with the plastic plug and/or plastic fittings.

Bob

[cfarrar]

Nylon is too easy to cross thread if your not careful

[Racinforthefinish]

Originally Posted by cfarrar

Any problem with a brass plug on an aluminum tank?

Right or wrong I don't know but I asked this question in the plumbing department and the answer was maybe in 30 years, why be concerned about until then.