Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
DIY - gray water drain enhancement
Forum Index -> Vanagon Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
climberjohn
Samba Member


Joined: January 11, 2005
Posts: 1840
Location: Portland Orygun
climberjohn is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:28 pm    Post subject: DIY - gray water drain enhancement Reply with quote

Today I made a very simple modification/enhancement to the gray water drain in the underside of the van. I'm sure I'm not the first person to do this, but I did a search and did not find anything.

When I pull into a campsite, I regularly forget the “setup the camp” chore of unscrewing the gray water drain plug. The sink gets used for a minute or so, and then the water backs up into the sink. “Oh, fiddlesticks,” I say, and then go outside to hunker down and unscrew the drain plug . . . and receive a gush of skanky water running from my wrist to my elbow, no matter how deftly you try to remove the plug.

This was getting very tiresome. Because the threads on the drain water plug on the same as a common garden hose, I hit the hose accessory section of the local hardware store for solution. I bought a simple female fitting with an on/off valve that just threads onto the existing drain plug. Now, no more skunk water runs down your arm, because you open the valve 90° and drain out your water, as opposed to unthreading the cap. Best of all, the existing drain plug cap screws on the other end of the new fitting, protecting the threads from road grime.

If you are camping in a popular area, good etiquette is to catch your gray water in a bucket/tub of some sort and properly dispose of it. Or, if you wanted to attach a short hose and run it off into the bushes, this fitting should accommodate that too. This project was just a few dollars and about 30 seconds installation time, and I think it's well worth it.

The fitting you need looks something like this:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


In place, it looks like this (sorry about the lame image from my lousy camera)
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often.


Last edited by climberjohn on Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:09 am; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
GWTWTLW
Samba Member


Joined: April 22, 2008
Posts: 2174
Location: Portland, OR
GWTWTLW is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's awesome John! I think we actually have a couple of those lying around. I can try it out this weekend!
_________________
89 Syncro Westy - GW 2.5, now with a double knob job
@gwtwtlw
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
j8
Samba Member


Joined: August 13, 2003
Posts: 575
Location: Minneapolis, MN
j8 is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

thanks for that tip, climberjohn!
_________________
Julia
'89 2WD Westy (No end to names...)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Facebook Twitter Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Vanagon Nut
Samba Member


Joined: February 08, 2008
Posts: 10333
Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
Vanagon Nut is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

neat fix man!

Personally I've never put the cap on. (it may even be missing.... I can't recall)

Anyone know of issues with just leaving the drain uncapped all the time?

Mice?

Neil.
_________________
1981 Westy, 15º ABA

1988 West, 50º ABA

Vanagon VAG GAS engine swap Google Group:
https://tinyurl.com/2f24rmh

VE7TBN
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
hiram6
Samba Member


Joined: September 29, 2006
Posts: 1880
Location: Beautiful South
hiram6 is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Vanagon Nut wrote:
neat fix man!

Personally I've never put the cap on. (it may even be missing.... I can't recall)

Anyone know of issues with just leaving the drain uncapped all the time?

Mice?

Neil.


more likely a spider highway. Or cock-a-roaches!
_________________
1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited

You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Vanagon Nut
Samba Member


Joined: February 08, 2008
Posts: 10333
Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
Vanagon Nut is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well so far so good. But all I need to do is some long term camping and maybe I'll get some unwanted passengers coming up the drain.

Ack!

Neil.
_________________
1981 Westy, 15º ABA

1988 West, 50º ABA

Vanagon VAG GAS engine swap Google Group:
https://tinyurl.com/2f24rmh

VE7TBN
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Wolfie
Samba Member


Joined: June 25, 2005
Posts: 11
Location: Coilorado Springs Colorado
Wolfie is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:36 am    Post subject: Sink Drain Reply with quote

Fantastic! Thanks for the tip!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
candyman
Samba Trout Slayer


Joined: December 20, 2003
Posts: 2694
Location: Missoula MT
candyman is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Vanagon Nut wrote:
neat fix man!

Personally I've never put the cap on. (it may even be missing.... I can't recall)

Anyone know of issues with just leaving the drain uncapped all the time?

Mice?

Neil.

i have never capped mine in ten years. no problems. mice and spiders will find easier ways to get in, trust me! can't say about the cockroaches though, we dont have them here in montana, hobo spiders on the other hand...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
MootPoint
Samba Member


Joined: September 16, 2006
Posts: 862
Location: ABQ, NM
MootPoint is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I actually took it one step further and added a short hose extension from Lowes or HD that's designed, I guess, to make attaching a hose to a residential hose bib a little easier. Then I put the little valve on the bottom, thus:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

It makes it easier to reach and since it flexes, it will only bend if you smack it on a rock. I did use the metal valve piece instead of the plastic for that same smack-a-rock reason.

It's been on for a couple of years now and still works great.
_________________
1984 Westy with tencentlife power!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
climberjohn
Samba Member


Joined: January 11, 2005
Posts: 1840
Location: Portland Orygun
climberjohn is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

A note on unwanted critter entry . . .
Most all the time, the little valve is closed. Thus, no way for microfauna to enter the van. You only open it when you are using the sink.

If you are doing long term camping, the cap is likely off anyway so your sink can drain normally, so having this little fitting won't have an affect one way or another.

(Maybe some screen door material and a rubberband to block off the bottom of the hose fitting?)
_________________
'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
madspaniard
Samba Member


Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
madspaniard is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 11:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

this is what I use for the same purpose

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=2554&category_id=128&category_parent_id=
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
iiigoiii
Samba Member


Joined: January 05, 2008
Posts: 307
Location: Bay Area, CA
iiigoiii is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 2:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

a note on critters - the westy that i bought had been in use by a student in santa cruz for a couple of years, probably using the sink pretty often and (i'm guessing) leaving it parked in or near other student housing...where we all know that cockroaches hang out.

there were dead cockroaches in the sink and the drain (also some in and under the cabinets where the sink faucet was leaking - cockroaches follow moisture).

i decided that i'd keep my drain capped.
_________________
1984 Westfalia Wolfsburg Ed. w/ Subaru EJ22 power
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
sbclayton
Samba Member


Joined: October 14, 2003
Posts: 483
Location: A place where owning a VW and enjoying life are synonymous
sbclayton is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
this is what I use for the same purpose

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=2554&category_id=128&category_parent_id=


I guess I don't need to mention that if you get this thing, buy two - one to drain the grey water and one to fill the fresh. As an RV'er, I can't count the times I've seen somebody using his sewer/grey water rinsing hose to fill the fresh water tank. Gross! Seems like typhus was invented for just such folks as that.

Keep them critters separate!
_________________
Steve - Tampa Bay Area
Original Owner (12/1990) of
NavDog, a 91 Carat

Enlightenment came when I realized that any time in my life I was having fun, it was somehow connected with owning a Volkswagen.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Facebook Classifieds Feedback
1621
Samba Member


Joined: May 15, 2006
Posts: 2174

1621 is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

John, that's brilliant! And I mod I haven't done...yet! Let's see if I can get my act together by this weekend!
_________________
'85 Westy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
j_dirge
Samba Member


Joined: August 08, 2007
Posts: 4641
Location: Twain Harte, CA
j_dirge is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sbclayton wrote:
Quote:
this is what I use for the same purpose

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=2554&category_id=128&category_parent_id=


I guess I don't need to mention that if you get this thing, buy two - one to drain the grey water and one to fill the fresh. As an RV'er, I can't count the times I've seen somebody using his sewer/grey water rinsing hose to fill the fresh water tank. Gross! Seems like typhus was invented for just such folks as that.

Keep them critters separate!

Oh but I think you do need to mention it.. Thanks!
in fact I'll say it again

BUY TWO! And mark them very clearly... or paint the gray water one primer gray.

The Gowesty site shows how nifty it is that you can use the same fitting for filling your water tank! Shocked
eek!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
madspaniard
Samba Member


Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
madspaniard is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 11:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

j_dirge wrote:
sbclayton wrote:
Quote:
this is what I use for the same purpose

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=2554&category_id=128&category_parent_id=


I guess I don't need to mention that if you get this thing, buy two - one to drain the grey water and one to fill the fresh. As an RV'er, I can't count the times I've seen somebody using his sewer/grey water rinsing hose to fill the fresh water tank. Gross! Seems like typhus was invented for just such folks as that.

Keep them critters separate!

Oh but I think you do need to mention it.. Thanks!
in fact I'll say it again

BUY TWO! And mark them very clearly... or paint the gray water one primer gray.

The Gowesty site shows how nifty it is that you can use the same fitting for filling your water tank! Shocked
eek!



c'mon, you have to be stoned to use the same thing for both purposes....
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
climberjohn
Samba Member


Joined: January 11, 2005
Posts: 1840
Location: Portland Orygun
climberjohn is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

MootPoint wrote:
I actually took it one step further and added a short hose extension from Lowes or HD that's designed, I guess, to make attaching a hose to a residential hose bib a little easier. Then I put the little valve on the bottom, thus:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

It makes it easier to reach and since it flexes, it will only bend if you smack it on a rock. I did use the metal valve piece instead of the plastic for that same smack-a-rock reason.

It's been on for a couple of years now and still works great.


Mootpoint,

I like your idea a bunch, thanks for posting.
And you have a very clear photo, too!
_________________
'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
j_dirge
Samba Member


Joined: August 08, 2007
Posts: 4641
Location: Twain Harte, CA
j_dirge is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

madspaniard wrote:
j_dirge wrote:

The Gowesty site shows how nifty it is that you can use the same fitting for filling your water tank! Shocked
eek!



c'mon, you have to be stoned to use the same thing for both purposes....

Very Happy
You mean..
"Spill scalding McDonald's coffee in your lap" stoned?
or
"Objects may be closer than they appear" stoned?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
GWTWTLW
Samba Member


Joined: April 22, 2008
Posts: 2174
Location: Portland, OR
GWTWTLW is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Or drive away with your top up stoned...
_________________
89 Syncro Westy - GW 2.5, now with a double knob job
@gwtwtlw
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
madspaniard
Samba Member


Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
madspaniard is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

GWTWTLW wrote:
Or drive away with your top up stoned...


Laughing I think I know who you are talking about
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Vanagon All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.