Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: GleamB on March 07, 2023, 06:59:17 pm

Title: Auto Fill Problem
Post by: GleamB on March 07, 2023, 06:59:17 pm
I"m sure this has been tackled before.....
I am hooked up to city water. I have two auto fill switches. One outside in wet bay, one under kitchen sink. They are both "off".
My holding tank was over flowing. So it seems that something is stuck open, and allowing the holding tank to fill. Can someone guide me through the "fix". Thanks.
In the meantime, I am simply running off the tank with my pump. Something a lot of us do, automatically.
thanks
Title: Re: Auto Fill Problem
Post by: dsd on March 07, 2023, 07:27:08 pm
Fill valve stuck open or is bypassing internally. I was able to clean and make mine serviceable. Filled with calcium.
Scott
Title: Re: Auto Fill Problem
Post by: craneman on March 07, 2023, 07:34:58 pm
You do mean fresh water tank not holding tank I hope.
Title: Re: Auto Fill Problem
Post by: GleamB on March 07, 2023, 09:45:05 pm
Yes, I mean fresh water tank
How do I find the valve to clean it or unstuck it??
Title: Re: Auto Fill Problem
Post by: Chris m lang on March 07, 2023, 09:48:48 pm
Glen, mine is on the passenger side behind the water pump
Chris
Title: Re: Auto Fill Problem
Post by: James Bock on March 07, 2023, 09:50:28 pm
Had the same thing with my fill switch, there was debris blocking the "plunger" and would overflow, even if the fill switch light was not on..... I did remove and clean the solenoid switch assembly, reinstalled but even after testing the solenoid it wouldn't open to "fill"
So I replaced it with a manual valve and so far it works great.
Title: Re: Auto Fill Problem
Post by: Chris m lang on March 07, 2023, 09:58:55 pm
Glenn, any air/water 12v solenoid valve that is NC. (normally Closed)will work.  I would get a 3/4"  0r 1" and reduce it down to the 1/2" fitting.  A 1/2" solenoid valve will not have the same flow rate as the 1/2" pex line.  That is why I use the 3/4" or 1" valve.
The slow fill that some owners have is due to the 1/2" valve.
Chris
We are still in Q if you are anywhere close!
Title: Re: Auto Fill Problem
Post by: GleamB on March 11, 2023, 11:22:49 am
Thanks, Chris
Still in Mazatlan for a while. I looked around where my pump is, and have no idea what I'm looking for, and what to do if I am lucky enough to find it. I would do what you suggested, if I knew what I was looking for, and if I can obtain the parts here. Mazatlan is a big city and I should be able to find what you said, above.
I had pulled, and replaced, my pump a few years ago. It looks like I have to dismantle the shelf I have above the pump, in order to get at the solenoid?
Always something new to learn, owning the coach. No complaints, though
Title: Re: Auto Fill Problem
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on March 11, 2023, 11:51:49 am
I looked around where my pump is, and have no idea what I'm looking for, and what to do if I am lucky enough to find it.
See thread linked below for photos of typical solenoid water fill valve and tips on how to clean it out or (if necessary) replace it.

Big thanks to Mike (Pamela & Mike) for his detailed solenoid valve dissection photos and repair instructions.  A very helpful post!

Water Fill Valve Issues (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=32695)

Title: Re: Auto Fill Problem
Post by: Tommy D on March 11, 2023, 04:05:31 pm
Replaced mine with a simple 1/2 pex shutoff valve. Just need to manually open or close when needed. Makes checking the actual water level of the tank easy also.
Title: Re: Auto Fill Problem
Post by: GleamB on March 11, 2023, 10:26:19 pm
Replaced mine with a simple 1/2 pex shutoff valve. Just need to manually open or close when needed. Makes checking the actual water level of the tank easy also.

Do you have any pictures of that installation?
How does it make checking water level easier?
Thanks
Title: Re: Auto Fill Problem
Post by: Barry & Cindy on March 12, 2023, 11:32:36 am
Glen, to check a translucent freshwater tank's level put a light on top of tank and water lever will be visible. Worked for us for 20 years.

BTW, our freshwater fill valve was a ball valve on a large PVC gravity fill pipe.

Both of these mods eliminated a lot of uncertainty over the years.
Title: Re: Auto Fill Problem
Post by: Tommy D on March 12, 2023, 03:36:26 pm
Do you have any pictures of that installation?
How does it make checking water level easier?
Thanks

(https://i.imgur.com/Zan4J4al.jpg)