Improving Grey waste pipe emptying

[barryd]

The grey waste pipe on my van is a right PIA. On the old van it was kind of hanging down on a chain below the height of the tank but on this one as you can see from the pictures its got a curve and where its clipped into a rather naff jubilee type clip thing and then held in place with a chain you have to wrap around it and its higher than the outlet on the tank so it never just drains without getting down on your (very dodgy) knees unravelling it all and dumping it on the floor before opening the tap.

They are not very good photos as the van is on the drive so I cant get to it but you get the idea.

I could do what the old van had and just leave it swinging low on a chain or bungee but I think on this one it will be too low and will get clattered by something.

I know some vans have a switch inside to just dump the lot but I am guessing thats a big modification.

Any thoughts on making it easier or maybe just a better clip that does not involve the chain to keep it in place?

 

[r4dent]

The switch is to 12v open / close valve (make sure it is "normally closed" i.e. no power = closed, power = open) on the drain pipe.
Unless you want clever stuff like not being able to open the valve if ignition is on a simple job.

BTW fit a fuse!

 

[Canalsman]

What a stupid design.

Who thought it was a good idea to have the pipe rise on exit from the tank?

 

[r4dent]

To secure the existing pipe and be able to drop the pipe more easily .

a)Fix a carabiner to the van Floor or other fixed point and put the existing chain on / off the carabiner to hold or release the pipe.
or
b) Fit a couple (in case hose comes out of one) of tool clips onto floor and push the pipe into place

 

[Robmac]

I'd be tempted to put a ball valve on the pipe just where it comes out on the chassis, in other words shorten the existing pipe by about a foot. You could then carry a push on pipe to extend it for emptying.

 

[barryd]

Thanks. The carabiner idea might be worth investigating. On the old van the pipe was shorter and it hung down from that bracket on a chain and that worked. It just feels like it would be too low on this one of it was hung down permanently to the level at which it comes out of the tank. But then again perhaps not as if it was the same level as the tank if anything hit then it would hit the tank also. Maybe shorten the hose and hang it down directly below that bracket?

There are no electrics involved but I kind of wish there were so I could just press a button and release it all.

 

[guerdeval]

So, if that’s 35mm flexible pipe could you not just put a 35mm clip on the chassis where there are 2 holes on the chassis and just use the clip to retain the end of the solid/ flexible pipe, it’’s higher than the top of the tank so won’t run out until you pull it out of the retaining clip or use the same principle but attach the retaining clip to the body skirt roughly where it is at the moment and just unclip it to empty it??

 

[merl]

Oh c'mon Barry.....think Cava cork mate surely

 

[barryd]

So, if that’s 35mm flexible pipe could you not just put a 35mm clip on the chassis where there are 2 holes on the chassis and just use the clip to retain the end of the solid/ flexible pipe, it’’s higher than the top of the tank so won’t run out until you pull it out of the retaining clip or use the same principle but attach the retaining clip to the body skirt roughly where it is at the moment and just unclip it to empty it??

There is a plastic clip that the pipe shoves into. The chain I think is primarily there to drop it down to the right height but the clip on its own without the chain wrapped around it is not enough to keep the pipe in place I don't think if its a bumpy ride. I should have took some better pics before I put the van away and its not moving for at least a week now. I maybe just need to find a more secure clip or turn it round so its upright so you have to life the pipe upwards to release it rather than sideways.

 

[Fisherman]

Barry our van has no pipe there’s simply an opening in the bottom of the tank.
The only problem is due to the opening being well away from the side it’s a bit more difficult to judge driving over a grey waste disposal grill. Possibly the previous owner added this pipe due to this, it looks Heath Robinson to me, unlikely professionally done. Why not simply remove the pipe and revert back to how it may have been originally.
I am assuming you have a lever to pull to open the valve as we do.

Hope you had a great time on Arran mate.

 

[maingate]

There is a plastic clip that the pipe shoves into. The chain I think is primarily there to drop it down to the right height but the clip on its own without the chain wrapped around it is not enough to keep the pipe in place I don't think if its a bumpy ride. I should have took some better pics before I put the van away and its not moving for at least a week now. I maybe just need to find a more secure clip or turn it round so its upright so you have to life the pipe upwards to release it rather than sideways.

What's all this "I" stuff Barry?

There is more chance of me winning the London Marathon than you doing any kind of physical work on your motorhome. I bet you that you will get "a little man in" to do it for you.

 

[colinm]

Barry our van has no pipe there’s simply an opening in the bottom of the tank.
The only problem is due to the opening being well away from the side it’s a bit more difficult to judge driving over a grey waste disposal grill. Possibly the previous owner added this pipe due to this, it looks Heath Robinson to me, unlikely professionally done. Why not simply remove the pipe and revert back to how it may have been originally.
I am assuming you have a lever to pull to open the valve as we do.

Hope you had a great time on Arran mate.

Similar here, outlet is similar position to Barry's on tank, but with a short elbow to direct waste downwards. We have a square rod at skirt which goes to valve, and a loose lever to undo valve. After years of use am fairly proficient with getting the van positioned widthwise if the drain is square, but gf usually guides me fore and aft, or if on own drive roughly in position jump out and if needed roll back or forward a bit. A have read of someone installing a reversing camera to do it single handed!
I see the latest Kontiki's all have remote electric switch for valve

 

[barryd]

Thanks. I think the pipe is pretty standard on Swift vans and as far as I am aware there is no lever to empty the tank. Certainly was the same on my old Kontiki.

It certainly would be better if it was though.

 

[barryd]

What's all this "I" stuff Barry?

There is more chance of me winning the London Marathon than you doing any kind of physical work on your motorhome. I bet you that you will get "a little man in" to do it for you.

 

[caledonia]

Wherever you be let the grey run free! Just bash a hole in the bottom of tank with a blunt axe

 

[barryd]

Wherever you be let the grey run free! Just bash a hole in the bottom of tank with a blunt axe

Actually joking apart that pipe is quite useful for that. If we are somewhere with long grass I have been known to just sling it underneath and leave it open. We have a policy that no food goes down it so its just shower water. Anything from the kitchen sink gets chucked in the hedge. You can tell its pretty clean as it never smells when you empty it.

 

[Boris7]

Be a good idea to share a picture of the chassis running from the rear axle to the back of the van Barry.

Looks like you may have 2 options here but a picture to the rear would be helpfull.

One issue I had with my van was if the grey didn't get emptied it back up into the shower, that can't happen anymore I made a a mod that in effect gives a "let the grey run free" when needed but also allows you to control where and when.

 

[barryd]

Be a good idea to share a picture of the chassis running from the rear axle to the back of the van Barry.

Looks like you may have 2 options here but a picture to the rear would be helpfull.

One issue I had with my van was if the grey didn't get emptied it back up into the shower, that can't happen anymore I made a a mod that in effect gives a "let the grey run free" when needed but also allows you to control where and when.

I Should have taken the photos when the van was out on the front really not on the drive. It will have to wait until I move it again now.

Not tested this one but I assumed it had an overflow like our old one and wont back up to the shower.

 

[yeoblade]

Fit one off these on the drain pipe wired up 'Press to Dump'

https://amzn.eu/d/fipV03y

 

[barryd]

Fit one off these on the drain pipe wired up 'Press to Dump'

https://amzn.eu/d/fipV03y

I do like the idea of an auto system with a switch in the van as long as there is a way to override it manually when it breaks.