How do I lengthen a Valterra sewer valve control shaft?

Stu Rasmussen

Stu Rasmussen

New member
Jan 29, 2019
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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
 
Sir, mine is 1/4x20 from memory?
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showfull.php?photo=63702

> 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
 
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 <

> Sir, mine is 1/4x20 from memory?
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showfull.php?photo=63702
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

> > 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
>
 
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 <

> Sir, mine is 1/4x20 from memory?
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showfull.php?photo=63702
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

> > 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
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
 
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

> 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

--
Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
 
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.
 
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

> 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 <

>
>> Sir, mine is 1/4x20 from memory?
>> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showfull.php?photo=63702
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>

>> > 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
>>
 
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-PlkrsjA8WWMOdfUdSNBvPT3mCziOEZsDxoCQ00QAvD_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/
 
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 <

> 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-PlkrsjA8WWMOdfUdSNBvPT3mCziOEZsDxoCQ00QAvD_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
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
 
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