Fresh water tank drain on 2350

dogyard

Fresh water tank drain on 2350

« on: April 29, 2019, 10:30:59 pm »

Dewinterizing with fresh water tank cleaner and sanitizer (Thetford's 2 part system) I found that low point drains didn't really work unless I turned the pump on. Without the pump all 3 drains would start with a fairly good steam and then quickly decrease to a trickle. I tried opening all faucets thinking they may need venting but that didn't produce any flow. I then turned on the pump and the tank emptied (through all 3 drains) within 5- 10 minutes.
Is this normal?

Logged

Volkemon

1061
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: Used
PurchDate: October 31, 2017
Model: 2350 Ford
ModelYear: 2006
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Light Maple
ExtColor: White
Location: Space Coast Florida

Re: Fresh water tank drain on 2350

« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2019, 10:22:46 am »

Quote from: dogyard on April 29, 2019, 10:30:59 pm

Dewinterizing with fresh water tank cleaner and sanitizer (Thetford's 2 part system) I found that low point drains didn't really work unless I turned the pump on. Without the pump all 3 drains would start with a fairly good steam and then quickly decrease to a trickle. I tried opening all faucets thinking they may need venting but that didn't produce any flow. I then turned on the pump and the tank emptied (through all 3 drains) within 5- 10 minutes.
Is this normal?

That does seem odd, especially having to run the pump.

Opening the faucets shouldn't vent the tank, as they are on the other side of the check valve in/on the pump.

Maybe try opening the tank fill cap? (if you have one... ***) If opening the fill cap allows draining, then take the tank cover off below the bed and see if the vent line is pinched. Mine (a 2006) has a separate vent line next to the fill cap, I forget where it vents to.

*** Do you have the 'magical' 4-way valve? Maybe venting is routed through that and having to run the pump is a feature, not a problem..

Never even tried to drain mine...

No winterizing here.

Sorry for lack of 'hands on' advice.

Logged

""You want to save money on travel, drive a Prius and stay at motel 6"" Forum Member Joseph

WORD.

dogyard

Re: Fresh water tank drain on 2350

« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2019, 11:41:38 am »

Quote from: Volkemon

That does seem odd, especially having to run the pump.

Opening the faucets shouldn't vent the tank, as they are on the other side of the check valve in/on the pump.

Maybe try opening the tank fill cap? (if you have one... ***) If opening the fill cap allows draining, then take the tank cover off below the bed and see if the vent line is pinched. Mine (a 2006) has a separate vent line next to the fill cap, I forget where it vents to.

Thanks for the input, tried with fill cap open and each of the 4way valve settings but no luck. I don't "think" the tank vent line is plugged as water does come out the vent at fill spigot when I intentionally overfill. Guess I'll keep using the pump to drain for now? The Thetford cleaner/sanitizer seems to be a good product but requires multiple fill/flush cycles to purge it from the system, these 10 minute periods of pump constantly running are a good stress test......

Logged

Ron Dittmer

5647
Ron and Irene
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: June 2007
Model: 2350 Ford
ModelYear: 2007
Slide: No
IntColor: Cherry Green&Gray
ExtColor: Full Body Gray
Location: N/E Illinois

Re: Fresh water tank drain on 2350

« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2019, 12:28:44 pm »

Hi dogyard,

I deal with the same condition with on our 2007 2350. The tank drain is drilled real close to the bottom of the tank, but not enough for a full draining. I think if Phoenix drilled the hole lower yet, water might leak out from an irregular sealing surface.

I never thought of running the pump to get the rest out. I do have a very steep driveway so I back our PC on the driveway to drain the rest. Even then something still remains so after my chlorine bleach disinfection process, I run more fresh water through the tank for an extra flushing. Even after all that, when I am all good and ready for a trip, our water still smells of chlorine during a week of daily use. Needless to say, we don't drink the on-board water. We carry bottled water and a 2.5 gallon carry-on jug for consumption. I am comfortable drinking on-board water after the chlorine smell is gone, but Irene is not...so we don't.

Ron Dittmer

« Last Edit: April 30, 2019, 01:45:29 pm by Ron Dittmer »

Logged

Ron (& Irene) Dittmer

donc13

1358
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: 03/2015
Model: 2551
ModelYear: 2015
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Nightscape/Hickory
ExtColor: White/Nightscape
Location: Colorado

Re: Fresh water tank drain on 2350

« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2019, 07:06:53 pm »

Quote from: dogyard on April 29, 2019, 10:30:59 pm

Dewinterizing with fresh water tank cleaner and sanitizer (Thetford's 2 part system) I found that low point drains didn't really work unless I turned the pump on. Without the pump all 3 drains would start with a fairly good steam and then quickly decrease to a trickle. I tried opening all faucets thinking they may need venting but that didn't produce any flow. I then turned on the pump and the tank emptied (through all 3 drains) within 5- 10 minutes.
Is this normal?

You don't use the low point drain, you used the tank drain which will be located on the water tank, beside the hose that goes into the pump. That tank drain then goes down. Under the RV where the water drains. There should be a 1/4 turn valve on it. Turn the valve to be in line with the pipe and your tank will drain.

On my 2551,the drain valve is under the bed and there's a cutout on the bed support you lift out to reach the tank valve. No idea where it is on a 2350.

Logged

---
Don and Patti

dogyard

Re: Fresh water tank drain on 2350

« Reply #5 on: May 01, 2019, 08:11:30 pm »

Thanks Don, unfortunately my 2014 doesn't have the separate tank drain. I removed the bed platform entirely (not an insignificant task) since there wasn't any sort of access panel and found only a line running to the pump a few inches off the bottom of tank and another hose at the bottom that is routed directly to the low point drain. Different day, different crew is what I've come to realize about RV construction.

Logged

Ron Dittmer

5647
Ron and Irene
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: June 2007
Model: 2350 Ford
ModelYear: 2007
Slide: No
IntColor: Cherry Green&Gray
ExtColor: Full Body Gray
Location: N/E Illinois

Re: Fresh water tank drain on 2350

« Reply #6 on: May 02, 2019, 01:35:43 pm »

Quote from: dogyard on May 01, 2019, 08:11:30 pm

.......unfortunately my 2014 doesn't have the separate tank drain. I removed the bed platform entirely (not an insignificant task) since there wasn't any sort of access panel and found only a line running to the pump a few inches off the bottom of tank and another hose at the bottom that is routed directly to the low point drain. Different day, different crew is what I've come to realize about RV construction.

Hi again dogyard,

Interesting difference in the setup for draining your fresh water tank. I am not familiar with that one.

I would have shared the setup of our 2007 2350 in greater detail except that Phoenix reconfigured the 2350 fresh water system around 2010. Our fresh water tank is against the back wall of the motor home. Yours is turned 90 degrees and located more forward which is better for overall weight distribution. When the slide out was increased to accommodated the fridge sometime around 2010, the furnace was relocated under the 2350 bed. As with everything "RV", there are trade-offs. Our outdoor storage compartment is quite large, maybe the largest of all PCs....so big that Irene and I just might both fit inside it. We don't have a slide out so our only disadvantage is matter of weight distribution.

Our fresh water tank has the 1/4 turn drain valve mentioned by donc13. It is easily accessed from inside the outdoor storage compartment by the opening, very easy to reach. The 1/4 turn valve is the exact same one on our 2.5 gallon water jug. If it ever broke, I carry a spare all the time.

« Last Edit: May 02, 2019, 01:38:21 pm by Ron Dittmer »

Logged

Ron (& Irene) Dittmer

donc13

1358
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: 03/2015
Model: 2551
ModelYear: 2015
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Nightscape/Hickory
ExtColor: White/Nightscape
Location: Colorado

Re: Fresh water tank drain on 2350

« Reply #7 on: May 03, 2019, 10:08:59 am »

Quote from: dogyard on May 01, 2019, 08:11:30 pm

Thanks Don, unfortunately my 2014 doesn't have the separate tank drain. I removed the bed platform entirely (not an insignificant task) since there wasn't any sort of access panel and found only a line running to the pump a few inches off the bottom of tank and another hose at the bottom that is routed directly to the low point drain. Different day, different crew is what I've come to realize about RV construction.

Hummm, that doesn't make sense. If the tank is direct connected to the low point drain.... Then turning on the pump, water would go from the pump, into the water system, and then back up that hose from the tank to the low point drain... Which would put the water back into the tank. End result.. The water pump would continously run.

Either that, or what you are calling the low point drain is the tank drain. Like I said, I am not familiar with the layout of the 2350 or where the specific drain valves are in it. From Ron's description, sounds like the 1/4 turn valve for the tank is accessed from the outside.

Logged

---
Don and Patti

BlueBlaze

158
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: Used
PurchDate: 06/2016
Model: 2350 Ford
ModelYear: 2008
Slide: No
IntColor: birch
ExtColor: white
Location: Florida

Re: Fresh water tank drain on 2350

« Reply #8 on: May 04, 2019, 08:47:41 am »

Ron, is there a "low point drain" on our older 2350's? I haven't been able to find any drain other than the one you mention on the tank. I have wondered how I would drain it for winterizing if I didn't live in Houston.

Logged

donc13

1358
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: 03/2015
Model: 2551
ModelYear: 2015
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Nightscape/Hickory
ExtColor: White/Nightscape
Location: Colorado

Re: Fresh water tank drain on 2350

« Reply #9 on: May 04, 2019, 03:00:37 pm »

Quote from: BlueBlaze on May 04, 2019, 08:47:41 am

Ron, is there a "low point drain" on our older 2350's? I haven't been able to find any drain other than the one you mention on the tank. I have wondered how I would drain it for winterizing if I didn't live in Houston.

Jon,

On my 2015-2551, the low point drains for both hot and cold are in the lines that go to (cold) /from (hot) the hot water tank. In my particular case, you have to remove the bottom center drawer in the kitchen. The two low point drains are pull-up valves. That's also where in my unit, the hot water heater bypass valves are.

No idea if they existed like that in 2008 and/or the 2350.

Don

Logged

---
Don and Patti

TNcanuck

72
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: Used
PurchDate: April/2018
Model: 2350 Ford
ModelYear: 2004
Slide: Yes
Location: TN

Re: Fresh water tank drain on 2350

« Reply #10 on: May 04, 2019, 04:48:44 pm »

In my 2004 2350, the low point drains are accessed from the outside storage area on the right side. The fresh water tank is to the left, right over the rear bumper. There is a tank drain at the bottom of the tank as Ron has already mentioned. The valves under the sink are the water heater bypass valves. I have to remove a shelf to get at those.

Logged

“Vandor”
John & Cheryl

2 Frazzled

1434
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: May 2013
Model: 2552
ModelYear: 2013
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Sunlit & Cherry
ExtColor: Sunlit
Location: On the road full time (prev. Maryland)

Re: Fresh water tank drain on 2350

« Reply #11 on: May 05, 2019, 08:55:45 am »

2013 2552 - pull out lower drawer in kitchen you'll see an "H" of pipes. The three oval turn-valves on top are the water heater bypass. The "feet" of the "H" turn down through the floor - those are our low point water drain valves (pull up to open).

Our fresh water tank is under the passenger bed and has its own tap style drain on the side that goes out through a hole in the floor.

Logged

John, Holly, and sometimes Chloe.
Travel Blog: Spiritofthewoods.net

dogyard

Re: Fresh water tank drain on 2350

« Reply #12 on: May 05, 2019, 09:04:21 pm »

Don, it's possible I'm incorrectly calling the water tank drain a low point drain, it's situated right next to the cold and hot water drains. The fresh water tank has only 2 outlets, 1 to the pump and the other goes to this drain. Thinking I might install a 3rd outlet with a regular valve to make draining the tank quicker.

Logged

donc13

1358
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: 03/2015
Model: 2551
ModelYear: 2015
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Nightscape/Hickory
ExtColor: White/Nightscape
Location: Colorado

Re: Fresh water tank drain on 2350

« Reply #13 on: May 05, 2019, 09:54:08 pm »

Quote from: dogyard on May 05, 2019, 09:04:21 pm

Don, it's possible I'm incorrectly calling the water tank drain a low point drain, it's situated right next to the cold and hot water drains. The fresh water tank has only 2 outlets, 1 to the pump and the other goes to this drain. Thinking I might install a 3rd outlet with a regular valve to make draining the tank quicker.

Cold and hot water line drains, yes, they would be effected by turning the pump on since they are on the output side of the pump. The tank drain is pure gravity fed so the pump would (should) have zero effect on the flow rate. Obviously (i hope) the amount of water in the tank will effect the flow rate.

Again, no idea on 2350's what I am seeing in your photo and what you are saying match my experience with my 2551 except the flow from the tank drain changing if the pump is on or off.

My water tank can take 10 or 15 minutes to drain depending on how full it is.

Don

Logged

---
Don and Patti

Ron Dittmer

5647
Ron and Irene
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: June 2007
Model: 2350 Ford
ModelYear: 2007
Slide: No
IntColor: Cherry Green&Gray
ExtColor: Full Body Gray
Location: N/E Illinois

Re: Fresh water tank drain on 2350

« Reply #14 on: May 06, 2019, 01:10:00 pm »

Quote from: dogyard on May 05, 2019, 09:04:21 pm

Don, it's possible I'm incorrectly calling the water tank drain a low point drain, it's situated right next to the cold and hot water drains. The fresh water tank has only 2 outlets, 1 to the pump and the other goes to this drain. Thinking I might install a 3rd outlet with a regular valve to make draining the tank quicker.

Nice setup!

Our low-point drains are on the floor of the storage compartment.....not exactly ideal for utilizing our storage. Look close and you will see them on the far right side. Also our drains require lots of turns using tiny bent metal handles that are hard on my fingers.

Not seen in this picture....
Our tank drain is nicely located on the left side, real close to the storage door opening.

Logged

Ron (& Irene) Dittmer