Gray Valve not opening

[George Frudakis]

My black valve opens but the gray does not. They are both only two years old. I check the inline fuse directly behind the on-off switch and it ok. Does anyone know where the other fuse is located that is dedicated to the valves.? Thanks George

[Bill Lampkin]

If your electric dump valves are like mine, the inline fuse is right next to the valve; ok if you have access to the valve but in my case, the valves are behind the wet bay trim panel. On the Drainmaster valves, there is a small allen socket that you can turn with a 1/8" allen wrench to override the motor and open/ close the valve. I've modified my wet bay and moved the fuses to panel mount fuseholders and I've drilled access holes so I can get to that override without removing the panel. Made up a 14" long allen wrench to get the job done. Good luck!

[Bill Lampkin]

Oh, and I've found that when the valves don't open or close like they should, I can just back off on the 4 mounting bolts a 1/4 turn or so, that has freed up the valves more than once. Its a trick to get access with a 7/16 wrench but it can be done.

[Frank Bergamo]

One other trick is to open valves when engine is running or plugged into shore power. I have found the higher voltage helps the motor open and close the valves easier. Hope this helps.

[David T. Richelderfer]

I have found a few "tricks" that seem to help the electric DrainMaster valves open and close.

1. After draining the two waste tanks, I dump in a quart of cooking oil periodically to help lubricate the surfaces and rubber seals so they will operate with less friction.
2. When not opening or closing properly, I press the switches back and forth between opening and closing the valves.  Usually, after a couple of tries back and forth, the valves will open and close.
3. The higher voltage in the system when the generator is running or when plugged into shore power helps the valves open and close easier... as noted in the prior reply.

Warning from DrainMaster - Don't hold the switches in the open or closed positions for longer than a second or two.  If the valves move, then you can hear them operating.  If the switches are pressed and held in the open or closed position for longer than a second or two, then the motors will overheat and stop functioning, and the valves will need replacing.  When you hear the valves open or close, they will fully open or close in about 1 1/2 seconds.  Just don't continue to press and hold the switches for more than two seconds.

[David Ciotti]

My black tank valve has a 1/8" hex wrench connection but the gray valve has a flat blade screwdriver connection.  When the gray valve is completely open it sticks so after fully opening the gray valve I close it slightly and then it doesn't stick.  I removed the towel dispenser in my wet bay and it gives me just enough access to get at the valves.  I think I am going to replace them this summer.

[Jerry Carr]

clean the vales and add some plumbers grease this worked for me I had one electric and one manual on our 06 PT