Black tank valve

[Rainsmik]

Just wondering how common is it for black tank cable link to come loose? Last time out I went to dump black tank and it started draining and then clogged. Shut the tank. Used a back-pressure attachment to try to clear but with no luck. (Yes, I opened the tank) I was wondering if perhaps the cable/wire came loose at the tank and it is remaining closed. I have been letting it soak with paper eater but I not sure what to do if it is the cable. Tank is super full since I added water to try to force what i hope is paper out the tank.

[Dave W]

That cable, if it's a Valterra Bladex valve as mine were, the cable can break at the valve. Instead of having a set screw to hold the cable on the valve operator rod like the replacement Valterras, is simply bent over in the rod. This bend is a very sharp 90 plus degree bend which will put a breaking point on that cable. Also, the way the outer housing is held is suspect in that it is a nut device that squeezes the outer valve body tight against the housing. The pull handle will tell you if yours are Valterra



I installed new Valterra valves and cables* last week


https://www.amazon.com/Valterra-TC37...e%2C228&sr=1-6



I'm guessing that you will need to drop the belly cover and operate the valve manually, using a pair of Vise Grips. You can run a hose back from the outlet end but if indeed it's a clog, you will have a mess on your hands. If you do give that a try, I suggest a Valterra twist on waste valve** on the end of the line so if you do break a clog loose, you can limit the mess


**https://www.amazon.com/Valterra-T58-.../dp/B000BGHYJS


Good luck - and let us know what you find

[beeje]

Originally Posted by Rainsmik

Just wondering how common is it for black tank cable link to come loose? Last time out I went to dump black tank and it started draining and then clogged. Shut the tank. Used a back-pressure attachment to try to clear but with no luck. (Yes, I opened the tank) I was wondering if perhaps the cable/wire came loose at the tank and it is remaining closed. I have been letting it soak with paper eater but I not sure what to do if it is the cable. Tank is super full since I added water to try to force what i hope is paper out the tank.

If you can move the handle, I would think the valve is opening. If the cable came loose you would feel no resistance and it would simply pull out way too far.

As far as being clogged with TP, this is the exact reason there is a sign behind my toilet telling everyone that if it did not come out of your body it does not belong in my toilet. Put that stuff in the waste can next to the toilet. No worries, its emptied every day or so.