I'm fairly new to the forum and have had loads of good info and advice to prepare my new (to me) Adria Twin for a trip to Crete in May. Thought it might be nice to put something back into the forum so I took a few photo's of various modifications. This is the first of a few and is to modify the water tank drain. I decided to do this for three reasons.
1. constant small water leak from the tank inside the van
2. My water tank lid screw thread is a bit knackered
3. The ridiculous design of the manufacturers drain. Having to take the lid off the tank and stick your arm in the tank up to your shoulder (I'm fairly short) and pull a plug out. OK in the summer if you don't have a knackered lid thread, not so good in the winter!
This is not a 'how to' guide, just how I did it. There may be better ways but it gives what I believe to be a fairly inexpensive solution. Photo's are fairly big.
List of parts from
BES and
Marine Scene
1/2" BSP female mini ball valve. BES P/N 8187
Square drive key. BES P/N 20754
Stainless 1/2" BSP hose tail. BES P/N 14558
Brass 1/2" BSP deck fitting. Marine Scene P/N 49011

I haven't included sundries like rubber washers, PTFE tape etc. There is also a 6" length of 9mm inside diameter brass pipe needed to extend the shut off valve key. I used
This to extend the key:
Remove the tank (you can just about see a small fracture around the base of the drain spout which was causing my leak)
and cut off the drain spout flush with the tank. This leaves a hole the right size to take the 1/2" deck fitting.
Cut the deck fitting down so that there is just enough thread protruding from the tank for the ball valve allowing for any washers. I used a big steel washer and JB Waterweld (food safe two part mix putty which sets hard to help strengthen my tank outlet due to the fracture. I got mine
Here but in most cases, a normal rubber washer will be OK.
This is how the parts fit together:
And this is what they look like fitted to the tank (plenty of PTFE tape on threads):
You need to remove the ball valve lever and file the valve operating shaft square to fit the key:
drop the tank back into the van and take a few measurements in order to cut a small hole in the side of the tank housing to take the extended valve key:
It's a bit fiddly to engage the key when everything is back together but it only takes a few seconds and it's better than sticking your arm into a tank of cold water.
Here's a photo of the underside of the van with the modified drain fitted:
While i was at it, I replaced the wimpy foam washer in the tank lid because mine leaked when the tank was filled to overflowing. I used a nitrile 'O' ring:
I have enough bits and pieces left to modify two more tanks (not including the lid 'O' rings and consumables) and I can make the extended valve key if required. The cost is what I paid including a bit of postage and works out at Ģ29 per tank plus postage. If anybody wants a kit just pm me.
Nick.