Keeping the Tank Drain Pulls Operating Smoothly

[Jimmer]

At 9 months old, the tank drain cable pull for my kitchen sink grey tank became extremely hard to operate. Thankfully, Grand Design paid to have this fixed under warranty. The tech informed me that the original valve was operating smoothly and easily, but the cable pull had become extremely hard to operate. I'm guessing that water and/or dirt got into the cable which caused the problem. I decided to try to prevent further water/dirt from getting into the cables which operate the tank drains.

My solution is to make a weather-proof box to surround the ends of the cables/pulls in order to keep the elements out of the cables. The project is easy. One challenge I faced which was easily overcome with a die-grinder was to flatten the center ridge inside of the weather-proof box so that the area of the center pull was flat. The other challenge was making sure the holes were drilled in the right place (My rig has the holes spaced apart exactly 3 inches). The drilled holes in the box are around 9/16 in diameter. I will use clear silicone caulking to keep the holes drilled into the box water-resistant. (Haven't done that yet). I'm taking a short trip to the Shenandoah National Park this weekend, so I'll see how the box hold up to the bouncing around of the RV. Nothing is supporting the box besides the three cable pulls.

Hopefully, this solution will solve the issue and keep the cables working smoothly.

Note that the box I used was purchased off of Amazon (QILIPSU Clear Hinged Cover Stainless Steel Latch 285x195x130mm Junction Box with Mounting Plate, Universal IP67 Project Box Waterproof DIY Electrical Enclosure, ABS Plastic Grey (11.2"x7.7"x5.1" CC)).

[RPAspey]

Great solution to your problem. Looks good too. That could keep some prankster from pulling your valves. Preventing you from getting a nasty bath when taking a sewer cap off to hook up a hose.

[howson]

Jimmer -- that's a creative and new approach to a very old problem. I hope you'll post an update a year from now with whether it worked or not. As owners go and get their campers out of storage, I'd wager there will be a LOT of posts about hard (or impossible)-to-pull cables.

Howard

P.S This is going in the Mod channel!

[NoPeeking]

Jimmer - I can't see from your photos, but how are your tank handles braced? Do they come through the frame? A secondary plate? I would like to replicate your mod in some fashion, but my handles are held in place with individual strips of ~2" banding.

Mike

[Dan Kooienga]

Looks very nice! I have had 3 GD 5r's. One thing I found is the cable shaft that attaches to the handle will get rusty. I put waterproof grease on them and worked them in and out while adding a little more grease. Problem solved and moisture is repelled also.

[Jimmer]

Jimmer - I can't see from your photos, but how are your tank handles braced? Do they come through the frame? A secondary plate? I would like to replicate your mod in some fashion, but my handles are held in place with individual strips of ~2" banding.

Mike

NoPeeking Mike, I have three tabs welded onto the frame which hold the pull handles in place. Here is a picture from the back of two of them. You don't have the same type of tabs welded to your frame?

[NoPeeking]

NoPeeking Mike, I have three tabs welded onto the frame which hold the pull handles in place. Here is a picture from the back of two of them. You don't have the same type of tabs welded to your frame?

Many thanks for the reply and pic. My valve handles are tab-supported, as well. Unfortunately, my handles are not nicely grouped together (as yours are). I have the black and one grey situated on either side of the sewer outlet and the second grey fore of the slide. Any containment I use would likely have to be supported by that single tab. I'll keep noodling on it...

Mike

[Jlawles2]

NoPeeking Mike, you could possibly install a couple of pieces of angle iron to the bottom flange of the frame to assist in supporting the boxes.

[NoPeeking]

Jlawles2 Joseph, thank you...fashioning angle iron supports will work, but growing into a little bigger mod than willing to take on and suspect I would be above my tool/skill limits. It would be ideal to enclose the handle hardware, but I'm thinking maybe not the most practical in my setup. For now, I will continue to lube the bejeebers out of them for smooth(er) operation.

Mike

[Jlawles2]

NoPeeking I was thinking self tapping screws or bolt with locknut not welding the brackets. I do not have a welding machine at this time, so i am limited to bolting everything.