Anyone know what this is?

[Canyonlight]

Attached is a pic. of our black tank vacuum breaker located behind our shower in the corner and it looks just like the one DMB posted. I suspect if DMB gets a shot of the top of the pipe above the "T" Curtis mentioned, you will see the AAV like in the second picture from our BR sink attached. Our originals installed at build by GDRV were cheap black ones as shown in the third picture (far left AAV) and I replaced with the higher quality brand (white one) Tucson Jim recommended a couple years ago after using a cheaper one (the middle black one.) Lesson learned, listen to Jim.


Dan

[Retread68]

Wanting to congratulate Rob as usual .... he is 100% accurate. I visited Southaven RV today and looked for the breaker/check valve in a new Reflection 337, in a 150 series 295, and a Solitude 374. All of them had the $5.00 AAV that is routinely placed on stack pipes under the kitchen sink and bathroom lavatory. The only one that had the breaker/check valve visible under the lavatory was the 150 series 295.

In short - it is definitely the blank tank flush line check valve and NOT the AAV as I was told by a service rep at a dealership other than Southaven RV.

Now I'm wondering where the check valve is on a 2018 Reflection 337 because I never was able to find it and the salesman didn't even know what it was !!
RK

[Cate&Rob]

Now I'm wondering where the check valve is on a 2018 Reflection 337 because I never was able to find it and the salesman didn't even know what it was !!
RK

Hi Rich - The vacuum break is usually up behind the shower wall. On a 337, I think you can find it behind a closet access panel. In the 303, you have to go in through an access panel in the shower stall . . . and the valve may or may not be close enough to reach. A real PITA.

While we are on this topic . . . there is no reason for these things to be so inaccessible. The RVIA requirement is reportedly that this valve has to be higher than the rim of the toilet bowl. This logic ignores the positive closing ball valve in the toilet flush. Since these vacuum break valves have a reputation for leaking, my plan is to relocate mine to some place more accessible . . . even if I can't get it higher than the toilet rim. If it is above the black tank and above the inlet, it will perform its function and drain in both directions when inlet pressure is removed. This will remove the possibility of any siphon action from the black tank back to the feed hose.

Rob

[Retread68]

Rob - Roger on finding the check valve behind an access panel in the shower on a 303. Thanks for the tip for it being behind a closet wall in a 337. I closed a deal today on a new 337 and will pick it up in about 10 days. The service guys said they will find the check valve before I pick it up. uhhhh yeah, I know they will ! HA! That will be one of the first things I replace with a brass valve instead of the plastic will leak valve. Only in an RV do I look for things to replace before buying it.

Hope you have a great Friday Rob.
Rich

[kengeers]

It is a check valve, vacuum breaker. I found the hose connections leaking on mine and had the black tank smell in the unit after two days.
I traced the problem from the leaking water when I was flushing the black tank. Mine was accessed behind a panel in the kitchen cabinet.
I tightened all the water line connections I could find to prevent anymore leaks. Most of them were loose.

[DaveMatthewsBand]

Wanting to congratulate Rob as usual .... he is 100% accurate. I visited Southaven RV today and looked for the breaker/check valve in a new Reflection 337, in a 150 series 295, and a Solitude 374. All of them had the $5.00 AAV that is routinely placed on stack pipes under the kitchen sink and bathroom lavatory. The only one that had the breaker/check valve visible under the lavatory was the 150 series 295.

In short - it is definitely the blank tank flush line check valve and NOT the AAV as I was told by a service rep at a dealership other than Southaven RV.

Now I'm wondering where the check valve is on a 2018 Reflection 337 because I never was able to find it and the salesman didn't even know what it was !!
RK

Mine is a 150 series 220RK. Should I replace the valve with another brand or type?

[Retread68]

DMB - If yours is located under the lavatory in plain sight, I would not recommend replacing it unless it fails. In our early model Reflection 303's the check valve was/is located behind the shower. It had to be accessed by removing a panel in the shower stall and then we had to hope it had not fallen to the floor, which made retrieval tricky. Here is the info on a better quality valve some folks have replaced their plastic ones with when a leak occurs.

Watts LF288A 1/2" Anti-Siphon Vacuum Breaker plus you may need a couple 1/2" brass nipples (Male threads on both ends)

[JCR GD]

Also, when replacing, keep in mind the OEM part has two components a vacuum break AND a check valve. I have never seen a brass vacuum break with a built in check valve so you will need that also. Some of the after market plastic ones have both components.

[J&G garage]

I've never seen a brass one that didn't spit a little water each time it was called into service either.