Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Dick S on August 30, 2014, 07:57:17 pm

Title: Fresh water tank overflow - gurgle
Post by: Dick S on August 30, 2014, 07:57:17 pm
Is the 1 1/2" overflow the only vent for the fresh water tank?
The reason I ask is because whenever we use water from the tank, which we always do, or add water into the tank; it makes a gurgling noise.
That overflow hose drops down (see photo) and I think it always has water in the lowest part. I wanted to change that, but thought maybe it is there by design to prevent anything foreign from getting into the fresh water.
Dave, when you routed the hose over those tanks and across, did that eliminate that water trap? Or did you never have a trap like that?
Does it make sense to have that trap? It also occurs to me that could get stagnant. We push air back and forth through there, but I doubt if the water ever changes much.
Better to keep it that way or not?
Title: Re: Fresh water tank overflow - gurgle
Post by: Dave and Nancy Abel on August 30, 2014, 09:37:37 pm
Is the 1 1/2" overflow the only vent for the fresh water tank?
The reason I ask is because whenever we use water from the tank, which we always do, or add water into the tank; it makes a gurgling noise.
That overflow hose drops down (see photo) and I think it always has water in the lowest part. I wanted to change that, but thought maybe it is there by design to prevent anything foreign from getting into the fresh water.
Dave, when you routed the hose over those tanks and across, did that eliminate that water trap? Or did you never have a trap like that?
Does it make sense to have that trap? It also occurs to me that could get stagnant. We push air back and forth through there, but I doubt if the water ever changes much.
Better to keep it that way or not?
Howdy Dick, 
I believe that green/white tubing is the only overflow.  My guess is you are right on, with the thought the drop in the hose is acting as a "p" trap.  Probably is the gurgling.  I don't believe our overflow had that drop.  Anyway, I re-routed the overflow several years ago, and so far (knock on wood) no problems.
Good Luck, Dave A
Title: Re: Fresh water tank overflow - gurgle
Post by: Bill B on September 03, 2014, 06:18:19 pm
Hey Dick,
When I removed the panel to replace the dump cables, I noticed the same drop (trap) that you mentioned.  It appears to have been installed that way and my system also gurgles when filling the fresh water tank.  When the tank is full, the gurgling stops.  Let me know should you find out, if the dip in the hose is correct.  Thanks
Title: Re: Fresh water tank overflow - gurgle
Post by: John Haygarth on September 03, 2014, 07:24:34 pm
When I re-routed the tank vent line I did not see any "Ptrap" as you show Dick, and frankly do not see a need for it. I never put more than 3/4 fill of water so do not have any worry of overfill. I would think if FT wanted  for this trap to be there they would have put some kind of check valve in that line so no back feed happens. I guess you should email FT to see if it was or was not intended.
JohnH
Title: Re: Fresh water tank overflow - gurgle
Post by: krush on September 03, 2014, 07:37:59 pm
As best I can recall, my does not hang low like yours....it's an almost level (or downhill) run from the tank to the overflow.
Title: Re: Fresh water tank overflow - gurgle
Post by: Barry & Cindy on September 03, 2014, 08:22:49 pm
Don't you think that the photo of the virtual P trap is just a saging unsupported vent hose that should be straight?
Title: Re: Fresh water tank overflow - gurgle
Post by: Don & Tys on September 03, 2014, 08:24:35 pm
Ours did not have a noticeable dip... the fresh tank on our floor plan is adjacent to the bulkhead and the overflow hose was very short. A check valve would not let the tank vent which is its other purpose. It must be the vent function letting in air that has to pass through the trapped water that causes the gurgling... without the vent, the tank would collapse on itself.
Don
When I re-routed the tank vent line I did not see any "Ptrap" as you show Dick, and frankly do not see a need for it. I never put more than 3/4 fill of water so do not have any worry of overfill. I would think if FT wanted  for this trap to be there they would have put some kind of check valve in that line so no back feed happens. I guess you should email FT to see if it was or was not intended.
JohnH
Title: Re: Fresh water tank overflow - gurgle
Post by: John Haygarth on September 03, 2014, 08:27:33 pm
Don, you are correct-Dumb me for writing before putting brain in gear!
JohnH