Drain plug in water heater

[rudyhehn]

As above. I bought a 7/8 deep socket wrench and attached a short extension to it. Duct taped the extension it so it stays in place and I store it in the unit so its handy. Otherwise almost impossible to get to the plug. Fortunately the plug does not have to be super tight, just snug so easy to loosen.

[pstandiford]

I used a 9” faucet braided faucet tubing to a 1/4 turn valve. Swings out when I drain it so no water splashing around in the electronics.

[Budman]

Originally Posted by Brakeman48

Need to vent. Just finished winterizing my 2016 Hurricane 35C.
I really like to meet with the engineer that decided the best place for the water heater nylon drain plug was directly behind the propane gas piping.
PS: In a dark alley. There will be blood but most of that from the cuts on my hand from the exhaust flanges. 🤬🤬🤬

I've got a 2014 34e and must be a little different setup. Propane feed tube is directly in found of drain plug but I use a socket w a long extension. Wiggle a little goes right in and on, attach socket wrench handle, comes loose easily. But w a handle I am careful not to over torque whtighteninging. Hope you figure something out. Thx, Dennis.

[pstandiford]

I was not able to post the pictures from my phone when I posted earlier but will try to post them from my computer.

[Cdduncan29]

I agree! It was a booger to get off!

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by Cdduncan29

I agree! It was a booger to get off!

You can buy a super cheap stamped sheet metal wrench they market for this specific purpose. It is offset to make this easy. See my earlier post. Or even better, though more expensive is a flexible head box wrench for about $20. Since the drain hole is not at the bottom of the tank it doesn’t ever drain fully and I believe it is useful to flush the old stale water and sediment out every once in a while using a flush wand sold for the purpose. You might be surprised how much sediment comes out.

[knucklehead]

Originally Posted by pstandiford

I was not able to post the pictures from my phone when I posted earlier but will try to post them from my computer.

Very nice work. I used a plug with a pex nipple and about a 3" length of pipe then a valve just like yours. Wish I had thought of getting the same kind of hose. I like that look better but mine works just fine! It was hard to get to so removing the gas line was necessary...

[pstandiford]

Originally Posted by knucklehead

Very nice work. I used a plug with a pex nipple and about a 3" length of pipe then a valve just like yours. Wish I had thought of getting the same kind of hose. I like that look better but mine works just fine! It was hard to get to so removing the gas line was necessary...

Thanks. I was lucky. I was able to remove the plug with a socket and extension. Put the socket on and then put the extension on.

[KarenMN]

Originally Posted by rudyhehn

As above. I bought a 7/8 deep socket wrench and attached a short extension to it. Duct taped the extension it so it stays in place and I store it in the unit so its handy. Otherwise almost impossible to get to the plug. Fortunately the plug does not have to be super tight, just snug so easy to loosen.

So does this mean I can just finger tighten it an not use a wrench? I was able to get it in there and tighten it but is that good enough?