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[GMCnet] How do I lengthen a Valterra sewer valve control shaft? [message #357575] Sat, 08 August 2020 09:22 Go to next message
Stu Rasmussen is currently offline  Stu Rasmussen   United States
Messages: 130
Registered: January 2019
Location: Silverton, OR
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Greetings all!

I am midway through a black tank replacement / system upgrade on our
Birchaven and have acquired a couple of Valterra valves that will
eventually be situated under the coach and not quite within reach when I
need to open / close them. So I want to build some valve shaft
extensions to make them accessible.

It appears that the valve handles are threaded onto the valve shafts but
applying a bit of twisting force to the handle while holding the shaft
with pliers didn't unscrew it.

On the plastic handle casting there's a slight indentation that looks
like either a set screw or roll pin may be involved but a deeper visual
inspection doesn't really bear that hypothesis out.

Rather than using the BFH style approach and regretting it - Do these
valve handles actually unscrew or is there a secret code to the process?

Thanks in advance

Stu

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Stu Rasmussen W7QJ Silverton, OR '77 Birchaven
Re: [GMCnet] How do I lengthen a Valterra sewer valve control shaft? [message #357581 is a reply to message #357575] Sat, 08 August 2020 15:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
C Boyd is currently offline  C Boyd   United States
Messages: 2629
Registered: April 2006
Karma: 18
Senior Member
Sir, mine is 1/4x20 from memory?
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showfull.php?photo=63702








Stu Rasmussen wrote on Sat, 08 August 2020 10:22
Greetings all!

I am midway through a black tank replacement / system upgrade on our
Birchaven and have acquired a couple of Valterra valves that will
eventually be situated under the coach and not quite within reach when I
need to open / close them. So I want to build some valve shaft
extensions to make them accessible.

It appears that the valve handles are threaded onto the valve shafts but
applying a bit of twisting force to the handle while holding the shaft
with pliers didn't unscrew it.

On the plastic handle casting there's a slight indentation that looks
like either a set screw or roll pin may be involved but a deeper visual
inspection doesn't really bear that hypothesis out.

Rather than using the BFH style approach and regretting it - Do these
valve handles actually unscrew or is there a secret code to the process?

Thanks in advance

Stu

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C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
Re: [GMCnet] How do I lengthen a Valterra sewer valve control shaft? [message #357583 is a reply to message #357575] Sat, 08 August 2020 16:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Dennis S is currently offline  Dennis S   United States
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
Senior Member
Stu
Valterra offers a number of extension handles.
Here is one at camping world.

https://www.campingworld.com/waste-valve-extension-rod-kit-82147.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4PKG8cKM6wIVkcDACh0KowogEAQYAiABEgIqMPD_ BwE

Stu Rasmussen wrote on Sat, 08 August 2020 09:22
Greetings all!

I am midway through a black tank replacement / system upgrade on our
Birchaven and have acquired a couple of Valterra valves that will
eventually be situated under the coach and not quite within reach when I
need to open / close them. So I want to build some valve shaft
extensions to make them accessible.

It appears that the valve handles are threaded onto the valve shafts but
applying a bit of twisting force to the handle while holding the shaft
with pliers didn't unscrew it.

On the plastic handle casting there's a slight indentation that looks
like either a set screw or roll pin may be involved but a deeper visual
inspection doesn't really bear that hypothesis out.

Rather than using the BFH style approach and regretting it - Do these
valve handles actually unscrew or is there a secret code to the process?

Thanks in advance

Stu

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Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
Re: [GMCnet] How do I lengthen a Valterra sewer valve control shaft? [message #357584 is a reply to message #357581] Sat, 08 August 2020 16:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
Senior Member
Why does it matter if it is threaded on or not? If it is moulded onto the
rod, just cut the rod closer to the valve, and thread both of the cut ends.
Then, add a couple of long nuts and locking washers to an extension rod,
(buy a piece of rod at home depot), and streeetttcchhhh the rod as long as
you need to reach the side or end of the coach. Run the rod through an
angle bracket attached to the frame, and there you go.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

On Sat, Aug 8, 2020, 1:40 PM Charles Boyd via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:

> Sir, mine is 1/4x20 from memory?
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showfull.php?photo=63702
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Stu Rasmussen wrote on Sat, 08 August 2020 10:22
>> Greetings all!
>>
>> I am midway through a black tank replacement / system upgrade on our
>> Birchaven and have acquired a couple of Valterra valves that will
>> eventually be situated under the coach and not quite within reach when I
>> need to open / close them. So I want to build some valve shaft
>> extensions to make them accessible.
>>
>> It appears that the valve handles are threaded onto the valve shafts but
>> applying a bit of twisting force to the handle while holding the shaft
>> with pliers didn't unscrew it.
>>
>> On the plastic handle casting there's a slight indentation that looks
>> like either a set screw or roll pin may be involved but a deeper visual
>> inspection doesn't really bear that hypothesis out.
>>
>> Rather than using the BFH style approach and regretting it - Do these
>> valve handles actually unscrew or is there a secret code to the process?
>>
>> Thanks in advance
>>
>> Stu
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> --
> C. Boyd
> 76 Crestmont
> East Tennessee
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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Re: [GMCnet] How do I lengthen a Valterra sewer valve control shaft? [message #357585 is a reply to message #357581] Sat, 08 August 2020 16:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jimk is currently offline  jimk   United States
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
Senior Member
use a Vice grip so it wil not spin, All handles are threaded.


On Sat, Aug 8, 2020 at 1:40 PM Charles Boyd via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:

> Sir, mine is 1/4x20 from memory?
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showfull.php?photo=63702
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Stu Rasmussen wrote on Sat, 08 August 2020 10:22
>> Greetings all!
>>
>> I am midway through a black tank replacement / system upgrade on our
>> Birchaven and have acquired a couple of Valterra valves that will
>> eventually be situated under the coach and not quite within reach when I
>> need to open / close them. So I want to build some valve shaft
>> extensions to make them accessible.
>>
>> It appears that the valve handles are threaded onto the valve shafts but
>> applying a bit of twisting force to the handle while holding the shaft
>> with pliers didn't unscrew it.
>>
>> On the plastic handle casting there's a slight indentation that looks
>> like either a set screw or roll pin may be involved but a deeper visual
>> inspection doesn't really bear that hypothesis out.
>>
>> Rather than using the BFH style approach and regretting it - Do these
>> valve handles actually unscrew or is there a secret code to the process?
>>
>> Thanks in advance
>>
>> Stu
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> --
> C. Boyd
> 76 Crestmont
> East Tennessee
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>


--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
Re: [GMCnet] How do I lengthen a Valterra sewer valve control shaft? [message #357586 is a reply to message #357585] Sat, 08 August 2020 16:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bill Van Vlack is currently offline  Bill Van Vlack   United States
Messages: 419
Registered: September 2015
Location: Guemes Island, Washington
Karma: 14
Senior Member
Here are some photos of valve handle extensions and other details of my mascerator install.



Bill Van Vlack '76 Royale; Guemes Island, Washington; Twin bed, full (DS) side bath, Brazilian Redwood counter and settee tops,455, 6KW generator; new owner a/o mid November 2015.
Re: [GMCnet] How do I lengthen a Valterra sewer valve control shaft? [message #357591 is a reply to message #357585] Sat, 08 August 2020 20:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Stu Rasmussen is currently offline  Stu Rasmussen   United States
Messages: 130
Registered: January 2019
Location: Silverton, OR
Karma: 0
Senior Member

Thanks everyone - worked like a charm once I got the info that the knob
is definitely threaded. Very embarrassing to unscrew a crimped or formed
connection.

BTW, Cutting the valve shaft would be a problem as it would be too short
to go into the valve (or not seat fully in the closed position) and the
shaft is non-magnetic suggesting it is stainless which is a bit of a
bugger to thread cleanly with just HSS tooling. DAMHIKT

Thanks all!

Stu

On 2020-08-08 14:12, Jim Kanomata via Gmclist wrote:
> use a Vice grip so it wil not spin, All handles are threaded.
>
>
> On Sat, Aug 8, 2020 at 1:40 PM Charles Boyd via Gmclist gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
>
>> Sir, mine is 1/4x20 from memory?
>> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showfull.php?photo=63702
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Stu Rasmussen wrote on Sat, 08 August 2020 10:22
>>> Greetings all!
>>>
>>> I am midway through a black tank replacement / system upgrade on our
>>> Birchaven and have acquired a couple of Valterra valves that will
>>> eventually be situated under the coach and not quite within reach when I
>>> need to open / close them. So I want to build some valve shaft
>>> extensions to make them accessible.
>>>
>>> It appears that the valve handles are threaded onto the valve shafts but
>>> applying a bit of twisting force to the handle while holding the shaft
>>> with pliers didn't unscrew it.
>>>
>>> On the plastic handle casting there's a slight indentation that looks
>>> like either a set screw or roll pin may be involved but a deeper visual
>>> inspection doesn't really bear that hypothesis out.
>>>
>>> Rather than using the BFH style approach and regretting it - Do these
>>> valve handles actually unscrew or is there a secret code to the process?
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance
>>>
>>> Stu
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> GMCnet mailing list
>>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>> --
>> C. Boyd
>> 76 Crestmont
>> East Tennessee
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>

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Stu Rasmussen W7QJ Silverton, OR '77 Birchaven
Re: [GMCnet] How do I lengthen a Valterra sewer valve control shaft? [message #357592 is a reply to message #357575] Sat, 08 August 2020 20:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
lqqkatjon is currently offline  lqqkatjon   United States
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
Senior Member
Stu-

Here is what I did on my macerator install.

http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/2011/08/macerator-install.html?m=1

But it has been problematic. Too much rod and it will sometimes bend and not work well. Plus
Have to reach too far under
To grab handle. Right now for probably a year it is kinda stuck open, but for my macerator I just leave it open now. I plan on fixing it sometime.


How I plan to fix it is
To install these:

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Valterra/TC372.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwmrn5BRB2EiwAZgL9omJpl0cjlw9kaPZu50H9-PlkrsjA8WWMOdfUdSNBvPT3mCziOEZsD xoCQ00QAvD_BwE

Smoother and can mount in any location.




Jon Roche 75 palm beach EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now. St. Cloud, MN http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
Re: [GMCnet] How do I lengthen a Valterra sewer valve control shaft? [message #357595 is a reply to message #357592] Sat, 08 August 2020 22:28 Go to previous message
jimk is currently offline  jimk   United States
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
Senior Member
Stu,
I can see that you have not had the time to play with these things, but
know ou can outdo me when it comes to brain work.
I struggled in Engineering and was always receiving help from the Brainy
guys.
I feel lucky that I graduated.
At least you know that the plastic handle is threaded. Jim H must ran into
some brand XXX that had molded plastic.

On Sat, Aug 8, 2020 at 6:49 PM Jon Roche via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:

> Stu-
>
> Here is what I did on my macerator install.
>
> http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/2011/08/macerator-install.html?m=1
>
> But it has been problematic. Too much rod and it will sometimes bend and
> not work well. Plus
> Have to reach too far under
> To grab handle. Right now for probably a year it is kinda stuck open,
> but for my macerator I just leave it open now. I plan on fixing it
> sometime.
>
>
>
> How I plan to fix it is
> To install these:
>
>
> https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Valterra/TC372.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwmrn5BRB2EiwAZgL9omJpl0cjlw9kaPZu50H9-PlkrsjA8WWMOdfUdSNBvPT3mCziOEZsD xoCQ00QAvD_BwE
>
> Smoother and can mount in any location.
>
>
>
> --
> Jon Roche
> 75 palm beach
> EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
> St. Cloud, MN
> http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>


--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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