Question Electric sewer dump valves

[Chuggs]

Does anyone here know if it's possible to add another set of switches to the Barker system (for the wet bay) without interfering with the original controls?

I used the Barker AutoDrain. They come with wiring that basically is basic trailer light 4-conductor. Two leads to the motor, the other is for the red light to illuminate if the valve is not closed.

So, I have the supplied valves mounted. Then I mounted a Sonoff 4-ch wireless switch. It uses WiFi, and also has a rf key fob option....and buttons on the relay housing if you want to use them to activate a relay. And yes, there is an Alexa Skill, so you can even tell Alexa to open and close the valves. You wind up with 2 pairs of motor wires coming from the Barker switches and 2 pairs coming from the sonoff. I ran these to a 3 position ON-OFF-ON switch with four poles... This is an important thing. It keeps one source from shorting out the other...and it safeties your valves in the center OFF position so that no accidental activation can occur. I highly recommend the OFF position at all times that a secure sewer hose connection has not be securely connected. Nobody wants sanitary spills.

So, when I want to dump...I secure the hose, flip the switch to the desired control ... either Barker toggles switches, or Sonoff relay...and activate. Finger press on Barker Toggles...or Sonoff can be activated by buttons on the relay case, or thru a smartphone app EWelink, or if the smartskill has been set up...voice command thru Alexa.

 

[Chuggs]

Not yet wired...just mounted in this photo. The wires to the relay and the switches get connected and tucked away.

Barker uses very little amperage...so I placed a fuse block behind the panel, which taps power off the hose reel circuit...and then the tiny amp fuses for each cicuit for the relay and pump motor power.

 

[Chuggs]

You may also notice the barrel key switch above the selector. I can use a key to disable the power to the system regardless of switch position. I thought useful if having work done and just don't want anyone "experimenting" with the switches when I'm not there.

Nothing more unkind that removing a cap and finding the dump manifold filled unexpectantly.

 

[Chuggs]

In practice...I attach the water and sewer with the slide closed. Open the slide...and from that point on...use the Bluetooth SeeLevel II app in split screen with the ewelink app...and dump tanks in the comfort. No getting rained on, no bonking head on slideout, no kneeling on sharp gravel. I can do it watching TV or laying in bed, whatever. It is probably my most favorite enhancement.

 

[Chuggs]

Channel 1 & 2 are Black Valve Open and Close respectively. 3 & 4 go to the Gray Valve...

 

[Chuggs]

If you decide to use Sonoff...the manual describes motor control practices. And "inching". Inching is a method where the activation will activate the relay, for your setting of time in seconds. I think I used 7 seconds. When hooked up...the center post of each relay goes to a motor. The Normally closed position goes to Ground. The normally open position goes to 12vdc+. So, when nothing is activated...all of the motor wires are grounded. Pressing a relay, switches that relay to 12vdc+ for 7 seconds...which drives the valve motor.

This is why you can't have the manual switches and the sonoff connected at the same instance. The sonoff valve has power on one or the other wire all the tine...which if paralleled with the Sonoff would short the circuits...since every lead is grounded when not actively moving the motor.

Sounds complicated but really not.

You can mock it all up at home...and use a 9v D-cell to check valve activation and circuit wiring before placing it in the coach. Any wiring issues can be ironed out before you install the system.

 

[Chuggs]

Chickpea Salad with Hatch Green Chilis...and my homemade Ghost Pepper Sauce! 🌶 Flavor explosion!!!

 

[lostinfla]

Thanks to Chuggs for his expertise and advice, all items are on order and should be here Thur. Going with the Barkers and Sonoff wireless. Thanks to all for their input! Now I need to find some of those chiles !

 

[lostinfla]

Got the parts in and installed. I was going to put switches in the half bath and wet bay, but thanks to @Chuggs, I went with the wireless Sonoff system. Sure is nice to be able to dump the gray from your phone. Now I'll have to upgrade my see level panel to Bluetooth.... I have to give props to Chuggs. He went out of his way to help out with the install with tips and moral support. Thank you sir! (I would post pics, but it's temporary wiring rats nest would make most here rather ill. )

 

[redbaron]

Love it…we call that proof of concept wiring.

 

[lostinfla]

Finished.

 

[Boat Bum]

Nice looking install.