Hepvo waterless trap

[jam49]

Good morning to all.

Is it possible/advisable to replace the p trap with the Hepvo waterless trap part 89-8151 in the Oliver?

The instructions/information was posted on the Casita forum and it sounds like a good idea. Any and all

pros/cons/etc. are appreciated. jam49

[andrew]

Without much research other than having seen the Oliver's shower trap in person, and then pictures of the HepVo.

 

I think, the main benefit would be the ability to then get rid of the valve that opens and closes the shower drain. Our valve has always been difficult to use and not having to have it would be a big improvement.

 

In the Oliver, the air vent to outside doesn't go through the shower connection, so the venting trouble they seemed to be trying to work around on the Casita forum would not be a problem in the Oliver.

[jam49]

Andrew,

I have a very hard time pushing or pulling the handle. If installing the hepvo valve means no more handle I want to install it yesterday My limited understanding of the use of the hepa valve is that with this valve the water flows freely to the gray water tank and no more water being trapped in the u shaped valve. With the way the Oliver rvs are constructed is it possible to make this modification? Where would a person find a hepvo valve for rv's and are all hepo valves the same size?

[andrew]

It might be possible to install the HepVo from under the seat next to the shower. I don't know that there is enough room though. If there is not, you would need to pull out the shower pan. Pulling the shower pan SHOULD be just cutting out the caulk around the edge and lifting it out, but as I have not done it, I don't know for sure.

[jam49]

Andrew,

I have the electric reel for the power cord under the seat by the shower. I appreciate the suggestion about possibly removing the shower pan temporarily. Even though this looks like a good mod to get rid of the pull handle and not have the u shaped fitting, how long would the soft material inside the hepvo valve itself last before needing to be replaced? The hepvo valve seems like a good idea but now I am undecided because it looks like it may take big bucks to make this mod since I couldn't do this one myself. As always, thanks for the comments, info, etc. Jam49

[SeaDawg]

Hi, Jam49,

Great to hear from you!

Probably, some of this discussion needs to be tempered by a few things:

1. You said the handle (to the grey tank drain, in the shower) is hard for you to pull. Ours is not. Perhaps it need lubrication?

2. How often do you use the indoor shower. We rarely use ours. We use public facilities, and the outdoor shower, more than the indoor shower. Probably, because we have so much stuff stored in the bathroom that's hard to move.

For us, it wouldn't make sense to do the mod Perhaps it would for you.

Sherry

[jam49]

Hi Sherry,

Even though for now I have removed all the stuff from the bathroom that I think I have to have to go camping, I also use the campground shower facilities, but when I give the bathroom (walls, floor, etc.) a good cleaning, I let the water go down the drain. I have wondered about lubricating the handle but am not sure whether to use graphite or wd40. Maybe I should try something simple like lubricating the handle.

 

What I am understanding so far is with the hepvo valve there is no standing water like in the u-shaped pipe.

Somewhere I read that winterization wouldn't be necessary if there was no water trapped.

 

I am in the beginning stages of research for this mod to see if it is right for Revilo.

 

Hope all is well with you and your family. Maybe someday our paths will cross. My greatest joy of all in owning a small, fiberglass travel trailer has been meeting and sharing with my neighbors just a little further apart.

 

Mod outcome to be determined.

Hi Jam49,

 

The suggestion Sherry made - lubricate - the handle mechanism - helped a lot for us. Ours was very difficult to pull. Without Karen challenging my manhood, I couldn't pull it. Now it is much better, Karen can pull it ok. Not sure if I can or not.

 

By the way, our current plans are to be at the Miller Creek campground about a week starting around April 14. There's a dance we want to go to at Anhalt Hall on the 16th. We'll be on our way back to the Bob Wills festival in Turkey, TX again. We were too late to get into the state parks in the area. Bluebonnets I guess.

 

Tom

[jam49]

Hi Meanderthal,

 

What did you use to lubricate the handle?

 

That would be too much fun if we could get the 4 Oliver owners that I know of that live in Texas to show up again when yall are here. Jam49

[bugeyedriver]

Without Karen challenging my manhood, I couldn't pull it.

Tom

 

Whoa girl, put away that whip!!

 

Jenn,

 

Have you made sure your cable pathway is not crimped?

 

I'd love to join you all at Miller Creek, but I'll be up at Jugfest III tossing out bait traps for the big catfish slaughter ...

[jam49]

I wouldn't have known to think about a crimped cable. I will investigate tomorrow when it is light outside.

Hopefully, this latest challenge will have a happy ending.

 

Now on to the next topic ------

[SeaDawg]

I'd start with spraying a lubricant and working the handle in and out. Spray, and work again. Repeat as necessary.

 

In all likelihood, it's simply binding up a little, since you don't use the handle very often... Graphite probably smells a little less than wd40 in the confined area. Either way, point the little nozzle, and turn your face to the open air as you spray. Close your eyes, or wear goggles. Leave the shower door open.

 

If you have graphite, try that first. And you should have it anyway, because it works on the window tracks, too.

 

A bound cable is a more complex issue. Hope that isn't it. Spray, work and repeat. It may clear it all up without a lot of work.

 

Sherry

 

PS Never force anything. I know you don't think you're really strong, but you"re stronger than you think, in most cases. Work a little at a time.

S.

[jam49]

Hello to all,

I checked the path of the handle cable. It seems to be in a rather rigid tube that bends back towards at about 10 degrees towards the apparatus that opens and closes the drain??? With this rigid tube it seems impossible to kink but then I am not a plumber to know the difference. I used some squirts of WD40 to oil the handle because that is what I had available. I guess it worked ok. I intend to add a little bit more. Maybe I don't need the hepvo mod for now since I also use the campground shower.

 

Question for another topic? Is there anything related to our travel trailers that hasn't been discussed somewhere on the forum????? Guess I will start a new topic

[ScubaRx]

I have just finished removing the shower pan for repairs which also involved undoing the drain from the shower floor. I would like to get rid of the u-shaped trap under the floor because it is compressed to half closed against the bottom hull, but it looks as if it would be next to impossible unless you could remove the drain from the gray tank and get it out into the open. If you could, it would be a simple matter of sliding the flexible tube further up onto the elbows. I'll take some pictures and post them in another thread devoted to shower pan repair/replacement.

[jam49]

Hi Steve,

I am looking forward to seeing the pictures. Have you heard if the hepvo valve rubber diaphragm???? will eventually wear out so that it would have to be replaced? I have seen the picture of the valve and that is the question that came to mind.

 

 

Hope good health is with you and Tali.

 

Take care, Jennifer