Red Plug : What's it for.

[Rubix]

I have posted this again as the other post was getting side-tracked ?

"Can anyone tell me what the exact purpose of the red drain plug ?

That is assuming it is the same for all 'vans.

When I leave a pitch, I make sure all taps have been opened, I drain the water heater by using the drain plug (on the bottom left of the water heater). I also take out the water filter.

I was told when I bought the van, I didn't need to bother with this red plug until winter.

If I undertsnd the water system correctly the water comes from the fresh water container through the pump, then the water filter into the heater "assembly". The water then bypasses the heater if a cold water tap has been opened straight out of the taps (via the non-return valve). If a hot water tap is opened the water then passes through the water heater, then out the tap.

I thought that there was no reseviour for cold water (with no on board tank), but if I have drained the water heater what is this plug for ? I have removed it after I have drained the heater and a very small amount of water (seemd cold/luke warm, not cold) cam out.

Would it also drain the water heater if I took this red plug out first ?"

My appologies for the repeat, but I wasn't the only one who asked this and it seems to have been missed.

Thanks

 

[colin-yorkshire]

good question rubix I have wondered about this red plug my self

because I cannot find one??

It is supprising just how much information is missing from the caravan pack supplied with new vans and how much contradictory information is given out by dealers.

it was only last week while in cornwall that I found out that the elctrolux fridge fitted in the van had winter covers (never removed) by the guy in the next pitch who asked why mine were still on?? (I always wondered why the fridge had to be on full and the cupboard got hot!!)

so come on whats the red plug for and where is it ???

colin

 

[GrahamPonty]

Hi Rubix/Colin,

I have two red plugs on my van (2004 Swift Challenger 500se) the one plug is to drain the cold water pipes and the other is on the outlet pipe from the hot water drain tap.

I didn't find mine until I looked under the van near to where the hot water tank is situated in the van, the reason being I could not drain the hot water tank so went exploring and found these two red plugs in the outlet pipes.

All works fine now.

Hope this helps

Graham (Ponty)

 

[MikeJE]

Indeed things were getting sidetracked.

To go back to the red plug; I often found myself groping under the 'van to locate the red plug and having to kneel just where there was a puddle or sharp gravel or both which is why I replaced it with an in-line tap. Now I just crouch down, reach under, locate tap and turn it. No hassle.

But just when or how often I drain down . . . . I'm not going there again !

 

[Cockovan]

The other possibility is if you have the Alde wet central heating (you don't say what van you have). If you do have it is the system drain for that which you do not need to touch at all, even over winter, as it should have antifreeze in it.

However I suspect graham's explanation is far more likely.

Alan

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi all

I have been and looked under the van, no red plugs just a small bore grey pipe hanging down which is connected to the yellow dump valve inside the van

colin

 

[GrahamPonty]

Hi Colin,

You did not say what van you had and year, I bought a 1999 Lunar Solor 524 brand new and that didn't have any plugs on that but my 2004 Swift Challanger 500se has.

I think it must be part of the assembly finishing process of some manufactures, I don't need to keep the one in the hot water outlet, but I must replace the one in the cold water system otherwise the cold water will just run out.

Regards

Graham (Ponty)

 

[Les_5040898]

Rubix, What's the red plug for ? Simple: It's to ensure that all water is completely drained from your taps & pipes, which is especially important if you lay your van up for the winter. All vans are different, but on my sterling there is a yellow drain tap/lever to drain the water heater, plus two red plugs under the van immediately below the kitchen sink taps on the nearside. Having experienced a cracked shower head caused by a very small bit of water left in it freezing, I now drain everything completely, so my advice is to do the same !

Les

 

[GrahamSouthBrum]

I am sure every one knows that when water freezes it expands & that is what damages the pipes & fittings.

When I had a Swift group van I was told to remove the red plug after each outing in winter or at the end of the season try to get rid of all the water from the pipework & tanks.

Advice given to me was to open all the taps to let the pipes drain & if posible remove the shower head & blow down the flexy pipe to try and dislodge water from its lowest point in the pipework.

I never got a tune out of it, but being more of a percusionist I do bang on a bit !!!!!!! )

That is what the red plug is for if you dont want to use it that is not my problem.

Graham W.

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi graham

the vans a 2001 bailey ranger 380-2 fitted with the truma hot water heater and van hot air system .

and I have looked all over the vans under side and in cupboards

NO RED PLUGS anywhere

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi all

on closer examination of the water system it appears that the yellow dump valve is connected to the cold water blue inlet pipe before it goes into the heater so I am assuming that when the valve and the taps are opened the whole of the system is drained cold as well as hot.

colin

 

[GrahamPonty]

Hi Colin,

That sounds about right and explaines why you have no red plugs perhaps. I don't know if it make any differance with the water heaters as I have the Truma Ultrastore water heater. Again I think different caravan manufactures produce things differently.

Regards

Graham (Ponty)

 

[Val & Frank]

Hi Graham,

We have a Bessacarr 645.

The hot water drain is a yellow valve, which I believe also acts as a safety valve for the hot water system. The cold water tank is just a drain valve on the tank. The Alde system never needs draining as because already stated it is 50/50 with antifreeze.

I don't have any red plugs !!!!.

Frank

 

[Val & Frank]

Hi Graham,

We have a Bessacarr 645.

The hot water drain is a yellow valve, which I believe also acts as a safety valve for the hot water system. The cold water tank is just a drain valve on the tank. The Alde system never needs draining as because already stated it is 50/50 with antifreeze.

I don't have any red plugs !!!!.

Frank

 

[Sean_374320459]

Sorry for this being very verbose

Red plug is simply a drain feed out of your hot water tank. My system takes its water supply from external whale pump and aqua roll to fill the on-board hot-water heater.

When you open the red water **** you simply drain out all of the water in the system to the point closest to the pump. (The pump will try to refill the onbaord cold water system and hot water tank if you fail to isolote it or remove it from a water source first).

When you open the red drain plug you need isolate your water pump and then open a tap in your kitchen or shower room at the point furthest away from your drain **** to fully drain the hot water tank (This will prevent air locks forming which may create a partial vacuum).

Then open the red water drain ****. Otherwise the hot water tank will not fully drain due to the creation of a partial vacumn within the hot water tank or pipework (which in turn would explain why you only get a small amount of luke warm water being released when you try to drain the system - i.e a small amount of warm/hot water being drawn out of the hot water tank by a Venturi effect when the remaining cold water pipework empties).

Removing the water filter should not affect the draining process as a water filter is only designed to catch paticulate matter and not slow the flow or pressure of water. It is advisable to remove the filter if you intend to leave your van unused for any length of time.

Hope this helps..