Camco ½" RV Water Heater Replacement Drain Valve - Replace Your RV Water Heater Drain Valve | Simple and Easy Installation | Durable Brass Construction - (11703)

Good product. I really wish it was made of stainless steal. My RV water heater is very small (6gallons) and it’s plug is very hard to get to. Consequently, I can’t get the best grip on the wrench used to tighten. I had read the reviews about using plumber tape so I used it in both joints. I actually was going to return this and install a different plug that would have been better with no joints and one ball valve latch similar to the low point drain valve under the trailer but made of high quality stainless steel. Alas, the ball valve drain plug was just a tad too big. So I ended up using this one after all. Design could be improved (to the ball valve style with only one joint and made of stainless steal, with a bigger drain hole for faster draining) but it works and doesn’t leak as long as you tighten it real good with plumbing tape (will definitely leak without it). If it was stainless it would hold up better to imperfect wrench tightening. You can see in the pic how rigged up it is just from one tightening because it is brass. Just took it camping last week and man was it great to not have to just turn the switch and walk away. Takes a good 15 minutes to drain fully.

Finally a plug that doesn’t leak!

Sweet

My Dometic has a tight little space for the drain plug. I wanted to replace the original plastic plug with something that would be easier to use. This fits the bill, but it didn't work out as well as I had in my mind. The drain plug was difficult to get in due to space available. I could have disconnected the gas line for more space, but I didn't want the hassle. I had to put in the 1/2" plug first, then the smaller unit with the T plug screwed all the way in to make enough room to twist it. Brass is a little marked up but no critical wounds. The drain is very slow. Opening a hot water faucet allows air in so the tank doesn't hold the water (removes vacuum). Even with the drain open, what took 30 seconds before took 15 minutes for a 6 gallon tank that was not full.Overall initial impressions it does the job and I'm satisfied. I can drain the tank without tools, without possibly breaking other things trying to fit a wrench in there or cutting my hands on sheet metal (heat deflector). It just takes more time.

The original plastic plugs leaked and failed totally. This one has not leaked. The test will be after going through a winterization cycle...

So far I really like the convenience of having this valve installed. Yes, it will drain slower than having a 1/2 in drain hole, After all it's 3/8 inch hole, You cant get as much water through a smaller hole. A little pre-planning and that is not an issue for me. The second aspect is a lot of people are having leak issues with this product. I did not, Could be I got lucky but I can tell you how I deal with water and threads. First I use the thread tape, (the white tape you buy at any hardware store.) I put the tape on both sets of threads and tightened the two brass threads back together. Second I installed the drain valve into the water tank tightening as much as I thought it needed to be. Filled the tank and put it under pressure. Immediately I had a leak between the tank and the 1/2 inch threads. I took my open end wrench and started tightening just until the leak stopped and then added about a 1/4 turn. Wiped it all down, left it under pressure for about 30 minutes, came back out and still no drips. Maybe I got lucky maybe it will leak in time? So far so good. As far as emptying the tank, I left it under pressure, turned off my water pump and opened the valve, Be careful as it will shoot straight out as long as its under pressure, once the pressure starts subsiding open the relief valve on the top of the tank and let it finish. Hope this helps.

I picked this up a few months ago to expedite draining my water heater after each use. Like others have mentioned, I just can't seem to eliminate the small leak around the wing nut area. I've tried it all. I would be very satisfied if I didn't have a constant leak because it does work great and is simple and easy to drain the water heater, but that constant small leak is pushing me to just go back to the plastic plug.

Works great, no need to go find a wrench to drain your heater...