Air Tank Release Valves

[Lin]

I wanted to buy some the lanyard type air release valves.  I came up with two manufacturers, Haldex and Velvac.  Is there any difference between then except for the 2 bucks in price?

[Joe Camper]

Lin it has been my experience that these type valves although make it very easy to bleed the moisture from the tanks  unfortunately tend to leak due to the location at the bottom of the tank and the dirt and grit that is also in those tanks ends up in the seat of the bleeder.

Sub freezing temps create another set of issues

[Lin]

Interesting.  I have read threads in the past where people have recommended them and did not mention this drawback.  Did these failures occur early on?  I noticed that on of my twist drain valves has a slow leak and have to replace that anyway.

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Lin, i got the Haldex from Napa 2 years ago and haven't had any problems with them,.......but then again i stay away from freezing weather.   Don't know what the Velvac's are like.  I figure that if i start having any problems with mine i can pull them out and clean them or just buy a replacement. Seem like i paid 12-14 bucks for each one?  Sure is a heck of a lot easier to drain my tanks now.

[oldmansax]

I have whatever NAPA sells (Haldex?) & have had no problems. Never spent the winter in a warm place but I'm still hoping..... 

TOM

[Busted Knuckle]

I think the package & the part # are different if I remember correctly.
  BK 

[gus]

My experience is the same as Ed's, never had any problem and they are so cheap they are easy to replace.

Running the cable is the hardest part and once that is done that part is finished forever, easy to install the new valve and cable.

When it is freezing I don't use the drain until the tank feels warm. Even if it is frozen you can always unscrew it from the tank. Be sure to use antiseize on the threads.

[bevans6]

I have the Haldex.  On my tanks on my MC-5C, the wet tank and the emergency/parking tank are the ones under the bus, in between the front wheels.  that's where I use the cable pulls, routing the cables inside the fuel tank space and I reach them by opening the fuel tank door.  On these MCI tanks the drain is not at the bottom, but up about 2" on the front side of the tank, so there is no possibility of pooling scum and dirty water plugging them by sitting for a long time.  Also if you open them while there is a full pressure of air inside the condensation, etc, if blown out forcefully, self cleaning the valve.  What I have found is that the valves sometimes don't seat closed properly if you close them with no air pressure, but popping them open and shut as you are building air pressure seals them.  I have one on the bottom of the accessory tank, but it is the driest and cleanest of the tanks, and I still use the simple screw valve on the dry tank, which is in the back of the rear  luggage bay and easy to reach by hand.

Brian

[luvrbus]

I never used the pull type drains for me it always the Bendix DV2 they don't give problems and you can get those in heated or non heated,they do cost a little more than 6 bucks

good luck