electric dump valve

[Jim Felton]

Have had to replace electric valve on grey tank twice in the last 3 years. Is a hassle to temporarily drop down service panel and manually operate valve. Has anyone had similar failures with electric valves and/or switches? The recent failure was an intermittent problem of closing. I am considering replacing both grey and black valves with manual valves for dependability, but not sure of aesthetics with replacement. Function seems to be more important than aesthetics as I "mature."
Jim Felton
'05 Patriot Thunder

[Larry Fisk]

We replaced both of ours last year and have had no more problems so far. We had a place in Southern California replace them for us. They had to do a little modification to make the new ones fit and they also replaced the open / close switches with new, updated ones. When they were finished it looked factory. Sorry, I am at work right now and don't have the information with me as to the manufacture of the new ones. I can send it to you if you would like to know when I return to our Beaver in a week. We also have the same coach you have.

[Jim Felton]

Larry, thanks for the info. I assume you replaced electric with manual valves, as much more reliable. We are in route from Bend, OR to the Florida Keys, presently in Vicksburg, MS., so no urgency as to manufacurer. I have service panel easily loosed and manually close the grey tank valve, but a real hassle, especially at 25 degrees and 30 mph winds.  Will probably have Bend  replace on our return in a couple of months. Again, thank you. Was beginning to think only I had faced similar problem. Love our coach, assume you feel similarly.

Jim Felton
2005 Patriot Thunder
Bend, Or

[Larry Fisk]

Absolutely love ours also.  As a matter of fact, we plan to sell the house and live in it full time.  I replaced both with the electric valves instead of manual.  As I said, it took a little modifying to make it work, since the new ones were not the same as the old. That was last spring, and they have given me zero trouble since.  Before that, our grey one hung open all the time, so it is nice to be rid of that hassle. Hope yours gives you many great years of service and enjoyment.  Ours has so far! Also love the CAT 525, even though it loves fuel. Runs great!

[Jim Felton]

Will consider another manufacturer of electric valve, so please share at your convenience.  No hurry, as it will be a couple of months before I address the issue.  Interesting that both had problem with closure of grey tank valve.  Full time should be great. Still some kid in me, so like the CAT 525 to cruise up the hills and pass when desire.  Fuel use is always an issue, so we travel fewer miles and stay longer at locations. This trip is an exception.  Now being 2200 miles from home and still ~1000 to go before heading toward home. Thanks again

Jim Felton
'05 Patriot Thunder

[Richard And Babs Ames]

Our 1997 Patriot has elecric dump valves operated from the bathroom. They were after market and have had no problems since we purchase the motorhome in 1999.  

[Charles Burden]

Our coach is a Patriot Thunder 06.  The electric dump valves that came on the coach malfunctioned while still at the dealership.  They "brushed off" the failure as just a rare event.  This rare event repeated itself over the next year.  When we called Monaco they were willing to send the same brand but not willing to pay for installation of the Valtera brand.  We paid for the Valtera and the installation and have not have one minute of problem since 2008.  The technician at the dealership said that Monaco had a huge inventory they had to rid themselves of.  It's worth the cost to do it right with the best equipment.

[Jim Felton]

Thanks for the info of Valtera brand. This is the second failure of the "monaco" in 2 years and am tiring of gently prying open the service panel to manually operate the valves. Unfortunately have 2-3 months before return to Bend for replacement. Will try Valtera rather than conversion to manual valves.

Jim Felton
05 Patriot Thunder
Bend, OR

[Lorne Brown]

Jim, I have owned my 2006 Beaver Patriot since March of 2009. I have replaced the gray water twice & the black water once. Both of the originals were DrainMaster electrics. I now have a Valterra Electric on the black water and continue with a Drainmaster electric for the gray water. No room to install a Valterra on the gray tank.
Drainmaster changed their business plan following the economic downturn of 2008-9, and many distributors (and RV repair shops) will now tell you they are out of business. Not so, and they now will sell direct to end users, check the website www.drainmaster.com. You may be able to replace w/kit only, 1/2 the cost. They have also changed the internal gear mechanism from aluminum to stainless steel, which should provide improved reliability. When U look at the website U will see a comment on the best position for installing Drainmaster valves. They recommend the entire assembly be on an angle, somwhere between 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, and the motor be on the high side. If possible, the entire assembly should not placed in a horizontal position. In my case it is not possible, both are in horizontal position, no room to change the plumbing to allow for changeing valve positioning.  
Hope this helps a bit.

[Richard Efland]

Electric dump valves are good idea with a lousy engineered solution.  Have '04 Marquis that was all too frequently leaving us either with full tanks or with an empty tank that wouldn't close.  Fed up after much expense and replaced both with manual valves installed in Bend.  Now have peace of mind and enjoy the coach a whole lot more.  The electric valves are a slot machine with no payoff.  Am still a believer in KEEP IT SIMPLE!  Also replaced the auto fill valve and fresh water electric dump valve (stuck open and we were left bone dry)  UGH!  No wonder the RV industry has the reputation for poor engineering that it does........