Hot water heater drain cap

[jjradtech]

I just bought like 5 feet of hose from McMaster Carr. The two barbed fittings and ball valve came from Home Depot.

FYI - I first tried some braid reinforced hose from HD but when the water heater got hot it started to balloon up a bit. I didn't like that so I found some higher pressure/temperature rated hose on McMaster. If you're interested I can get you the part number when I get home later today.

Would appreciate the part#.
Thank you

[TyeeMan]

Will do, I'll make a note of it.

[TyeeMan]

The tubing you need is a high pressure EVA tubing, McMaster Carr P/N 5632K34.
The ball valve you want is a brass ball valve, 1/4 NPT female thread. Hose barbed fittings should be brass as well. Take the plastic drain plug with you when you buy your fittings, I'm not sure what thread size is on the water heater. I think it's 1/2 NPT but not sure.
For install I used thread sealant with PTFE on all threaded fittings. Size the the tubing length such that the ball valve is about an inch away from the right side of the water heater compartment.
Oh, get the nice wide hose clamps for better sealing.
Going on 3 years without issue.
Let me know if you have any more questions.

[cnuech]

We had the same problem. Bought a new plastic plug and it works great.

[upinarms247365]

Had the same issue. Replace the cap.

[trailrydr]

+1....... and keep extras on board for future replacements. Camco selles a kit with wrench, caps and tape.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Water-H...21313644&psc=1

[Cchapin100]

Hooked water hose to TT today. Water dripping from the hot water heater drain cap. The cap is plastic. Tried plumbers tape. Helped but still small
Drip. Anybody replace this plastic with something metal?
Camper is Imagine RBE.
Tia

I had the same problem and tried the different solutions. I finally used a socket (I think 1-1/4 inch) for better purchase, and tightened the plastic cap down more. Problem solved.

[James Callahan]

Hooked water hose to TT today. Water dripping from the hot water heater drain cap. The cap is plastic. Tried plumbers tape. Helped but still small
Drip. Anybody replace this plastic with something metal?
Camper is Imagine RBE.
Tia

Switch plastic plug out to a Brass One

[dkayak]

I found a brass ball valve at Menard’s, as well as a threaded/barbed fitting to which I attached a couple feet of hose. I use that fitting/hose only to drain it after each trip. I just loosely attach it to the ball valve, direct the hose under the bumper, and open the valve and the vent for a few minutes.

I’m not worried about corrosion since it spends most of its life empty and cold. Continuous use for many years might be another matter, especially since temperature greatly accelerates this sort of corrosion. Keep in mind also that your water heater tank is connected to every brass fixture in your rig via the water itself, a good reason for draining it between uses. Another helpful factor is that the surface area of the brass ball valve that’s in contact with water is tiny compared to that of the aluminum tank.

[Bungy]

Umm, it's not corrosion that you have to worry about, the galvanic action between the brass and aluminum could make the plug impossible to remove.