Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Lance Camper on February 12, 2016, 01:36:50 pm

Title: What "size" back flow preventer
Post by: Lance Camper on February 12, 2016, 01:36:50 pm
I borrowed TulsaTrent's photo from an earlier post, I hope you don't mind Trent. I found it while doing a search for my problem.

My "back flow preventer" is not preventing the flow from going back. (I have a leak). Does anyone know off hand what size 1/2inch or 3/4 inch do I need to purchase? This is the fresh water intake behind the hose reel.
I'm guessing the moment I remove the old preventer the fresh water tank is going to empty through the hole. Do I need to dump the fresh water tank?

Thanks
Ed
Title: Re: What "size" back flow preventer
Post by: fouroureye on February 12, 2016, 02:29:14 pm
Ed, unless your fresh water tank is under pressure or the  Water level is above the inlet.. shouldn't have water pour out.
Title: Re: What "size" back flow preventer
Post by: bobnkathy on February 12, 2016, 02:34:07 pm
I borrowed TulsaTrent's photo from an earlier post, I hope you don't mind Trent. I found it while doing a search for my problem.

My "back flow preventer" is not preventing the flow from going back. (I have a leak). Does anyone know off hand what size 1/2inch or 3/4 inch do I need to purchase? This is the fresh water intake behind the hose reel.
I'm guessing the moment I remove the old preventer the fresh water tank is going to empty through the hole. Do I need to dump the fresh water tank?

Thanks
Ed

Ed, I would surely dump the fresh water to be safe. Then I would take the unit off and go to either Home Depot or Lowes to match up the unit to a new one. My preference is always Home Depot. The preventer will surely look different but you are matching up the ends of the new unit to what you have already.
Bob
Title: Re: What "size" back flow preventer
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on February 12, 2016, 02:57:19 pm
If your BF preventer is located in a always (easily) accessible location (i.e. not normally hidden behind a panel), you might consider substituting (or adding) a simple quarter-turn valve.  That is what I did when I could never get ours to stop dribbling water out the fill hose.  Open the valve, fill the tank, close the valve.  No more leaks.  Simple.

Photo:  Original BF preventer is partially visible behind black wood block at top of photo.  New white SharkBite valve is above the hose reel.
Title: Re: What "size" back flow preventer
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on February 12, 2016, 02:58:07 pm
Most of those devices are "el cheapo". If you replace them with "brand X", see if you have room to put unions on both ends, so it can be easily replaced. I know these things!  ^.^d
Title: Re: What "size" back flow preventer
Post by: Lance Camper on February 14, 2016, 08:19:12 pm
It's 1/2 inch. Local Lowes only had 3/4 inch so it was back to FT to purchase. I dumped the fresh water tank to be safe. Used existing fittings to reattach. No more leak.

Chuck love your valve suggestion. Eliminate the BFP all together. I would do the mod in conjunction with a new fresh water fill.

Thanks all
Ed

Title: Re: What "size" back flow preventer
Post by: Dave Cobb on February 14, 2016, 08:34:18 pm
When I went to buy my new replacement valve, before tearing into the wall, I had a choice of either male or female on the hidden coach side.  I bought one of each.  I used one of them on my 98, and Bill Chaplin needed and used the other one on his 93 U300, go figure.

I also always install a male plug to seal the valve whenever a hose is not hooked up.  I also bleed off coach pressure before removing the hose when disconnecting my hose.