Barker 24130 3" Auto Drain

This purchase was the second auto valve I have purchased. The first one was damaged in a tire blowout. I was happily able to use the same connector as the previous install. These thing are great. I Installed them because I have an injured back and bad knees. This was a very difficult chore as the location of the drain valves required me to bend and lean forward under the Travel Trailer to release them. No longer have to do this. This chore is now quick, easy and clean. However my one complaint, not product related, is the advertisement of the product. The ad and indeed the box it comes in is deceptive. It shows the product with a drain valve attached as if it comes as a complete unit. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. YOU STILL, NEED TO HAVE THE ORIGINAL VALVE OR A REPLACEMENT INSTALLED IN ORDER TO USE THESE ACTUATOR AS INTENDED. So just be aware of this requirement and ignore the pictures.

Pretty simple upgrade for rv tank dump. No more broken cables and unsanitary conditions involved with broken dump cables. Best upgrade ever for stubborn pull cables.

If your planning on mounting the switches right next to the valves then it comes with everything you need. If you have a larger trailer or toy hauler with multiple tank locations and a covered underbelly, them plan on 1 to 2 days for install and an additional 50 to 75 feet of wire and connectors. I installed 3 valves and located my switches in my water management cabinet. Had to splice in extra wires on all 3 valves and switches. Took me 2 days, removing and installing the underbelly was the hardest part. Hopefully I don't have any issues with them.

I've replaced three failed Drain Master electric valves in the past five years. One lasted just 17 months of full-time RV use. Time will tell if the Barker Auto Drain will be more reliable. The Barker Auto Drain can be user-serviced, and all parts are available from Barker. The Barker switch and wiring are beefier than necessary. The switch should last forever: It is rated for 200x the amp draw of the motor! I haven't had it apart, but if the rest of the Barker Auto Drain is built this strongly, I'll be very happy. The Drain Master valves that failed are glued together, and the unit can't be serviced in any fashion! Although the Barker is usually pictured atop a standard gate valve, the Auto Drain does not include a valve at all. Instead, the Auto Drain mounts on the valve flange, and operates the existing valve (install a new valve at the same time - they're cheap). While the Drain Master valves opened or closed in about two seconds, the Barker valves claim 7 seconds. I haven't dragged-out my stopwatch, but seven seconds seems about right. The longer operating time should be better, as the differently-geared Barker motor should provide more torque, and work done over a greater time means less stress on moving parts. If you want proof, walk up a long hill, then try running up the same hill as fast as you can. The same work is done (getting to the top of the hill), but you'll be exhausted by having done the work more quickly.

I ended up with this unit after looking at the motorized competition along with the mechanical cable operated type. These units turned out to be easiest to install for me, mostly because the overall installation is most compact. This unit is also great as you can install it on existing valves without ripping apart your plumbing. You can't put enough value on not having to open up your sewage system plumbing! My Baker valves have been in for 6 months so far and they always work reliably (I'm a full time RV-er so they get some use). Thanks to the other reviewers who pointed out that the valve was NOT included.... those reviews helped me better understand the product and as such I didn't feel disappointed or misled upon receiving the product. But I can understand why the product packaging and website photos show the unit installed on a valve -- it would be pretty hard to understand how it worked if you just saw the Baker mechanical part. I also understand why people felt misled when they opened it up too. They should try to present the product more clearly somehow. The product itself is great in any case. Note that some of the other reviewers are complaining about wiring and included switches that were not necessary. These folks are apparently judging the product on it's ability to be swapped into a previous Barker installation. These reviews have no bearing on a new installation as of course you'll need a switch. Everything that comes in the box is very easy to install and wire up.

Make sure you order new valves if you do not have the correct ones. This kit does not include them. Install was tedious but if you’re patient you can get it done. Well worth it in the end.

I bought this to replace a ballast gate in my 2006 Calabria ProV2 boat... It was a direct replacement even though some of the wiring was slightly different. To use, I was able to open up plastic case on both the new and old unit... And determined that I didn't need the white or yellow wires on the new gate (the old one only had two wires). I first snipped the bullet connector off the main wiring harness on the new gate, then I snipped white and yellow wires inside and tucked them into the case. When done, all I had were two wires protruding through the case. I then cut the leads going into the old gate, removed the three screws holding it in place and removed it entirely. I soft-connected the two old wires to the new leads from the new gate and switched on the battery to test. I determined they were backwards so I switched them and then crimped them to make a firm connection. Tested. I was able to reuse all the old mounting brackets. Tip, transfer all the brackets onto your new gate, then remove the nut from just one side. The entire assembly should slip over your existing valve gate, allowing you to position it then tighten and connect the remaining hardware. NOTE: I did not use any aspect of the button rocker switch... Or it's wiring, including the fuse. This is because my boat already has a ballast fuse inline in the fuse block under the drivers helm. It took me about an hour to do the first one. The next one (I'm replacing tomorrow) should only be 30min or so.

Not for the 3 inch drain. The shaft is way two short to u open the 3 inch drain as this shaft is longer than the 1.5" drain. Also the sensor that locks off the light when the drain is closed doesn't function properly. Definitely not a good buy.