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Topic: Filling Fresh Water Tank (Read 929 times) previous topic - next topic

Filling Fresh Water Tank

Last spring we purchased a 2003 U320/tag.  To fill the fresh water tank I can activate a solenoid with a switch located under the kitchen sink or in the wet bay and the filling starts.  For a while, when filling, I would hear a "gurgling" in the wet bay and/or axle area; when the "gurgling" stopped, the tank was full.  I figured the sound was from a relief valve of some sort that would let air escape as the tank filled.  A couple of fill ups ago I noticed that I no longer hear that "gurgling" sound when the tank is filling.  I am not noticing any ill affects but was wondering if others with same type fill system hear the "gurgling" or not.  If there is a relief valve, where would it be?  Is this something I should be worried about?  Thanks in advance for any info, comments or advice!

Bill
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: Filling Fresh Water Tank

Reply #1 –
I heard the water coming in but not a gurgling. 
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Filling Fresh Water Tank

Reply #2 –
Bill - We have the same set up.  I do not hear gurgling but can hear the water flowing into the tank.  I watch the Javalina and stop when it is full.  I think there is a solenoid that turns off the water flow when full - not sure. 
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Filling Fresh Water Tank

Reply #3 –
No gurgling but I can also hear the water flowing in. Water flow stops when full.
Rick & Deborah Webster
2002 3610 U320 #5964
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU- 'Copperhead'
Richland Chambers Lake, East Texas

Re: Filling Fresh Water Tank

Reply #4 –
I was visiting with a fellow who has a lot of experience and training on Bluebird motor homes. He said that the fresh water tank on a coach needs to overflow occasionally to keep water in the trap for the air pressure relief vent. It would make sense that a dry trap would not "gurgle," and a full trap would "gurgle."

I don't know how the overflow on a Foretravel is plumbed, but it would make sense that it would have a trap that would require water to be introduced about once a month. I know the sink, shower, and toilet overflow traps on our coach will dry up in about a month if no water is introduced.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Filling Fresh Water Tank

Reply #5 –
Interesting JD did not know that.  :D
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Filling Fresh Water Tank

Reply #6 –
I don't know whether to post to this thread or start a new one.

Today we got here where the coach is parked and turned on the water pump but a short time later had only a trickle and air.  I checked and the tank was completely empty.

I went out and hooked up the hose but the tank wouldn't fill.  The fill valve was working backward.  When the green light was on to fill the tank the fill valve shut off the water.  When the green light was off the valve opened.  Then when the tank got full it just ran over from somewhere over on top of the tank instead of shutting off the water like it normally does.  I have no idea what shuts off the water when the tank fills up.  Is there a switch on the top of the tank that should have told the fill valve to shut off?

Now turning the fill switch off and on doesn't do anything to the solenoid valve.

Next issue is that after filling the tank and taking the hose loose the system won't pressurize.  The pump runs continually and won't build pressure.  It seems as if it is bypassing somehow.  Tonight we will just turn on the pump when we need water because we get a little water that way. 

Seems I remember Barry writing something about resetting a latching relay up there where the breakers are in the front bay.  I suppose if the fill valve is open it would allow the water to just bypass in the loop next to the pump and never pressurize the system. 
 
Am I on the right track?

I had the water system on our other coaches pretty well figured out where you just turned a ball valve under the bathroom sink or up front in the hatch between the seats.  This U320 is plumbed a little differently.

Thanks

Rick


Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

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Re: Filling Fresh Water Tank

Reply #7 –
Your fill valve is behind the water pump.  If it us the old style with just a relay, you will probably have to replace it.  The newer style has a manual bypass that allows you to turn it by hand.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Filling Fresh Water Tank

Reply #8 –
If the fill valve behind the water pump is like our 03 there is a knob like thing on top of the fill valve and you can turn it clockwise and that should stop the flow of water, it probably has a speck of dirt un the valve that is keeping it from stopping the water flow. Mine was like that a couple of years ago and when we got home we have really high water pressure and I filled it there, must have cleaned the valve as it now works like it is supposed to. Also Michelle had posted about there fill valve on their coach. a year or 2 ago
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Filling Fresh Water Tank

Reply #9 –
Mine does not have the manual valve. 

We now have water.  The fill valve is closing when the green light is on and opening when the green light is off.  As long as I leave the green light on which should open the valve, it closes and the water system will pressurize. 

Now the aqua hot isn't coming on for some reason.  We don't have  hot water. 

I don't know when that happened because earlier today it was keeping the coach warm just fine.  Now the water in the aqua hot tank is just luke warm and the burner isn't coming on.  The electric element must not be either because it's fairly warm out and the electric should be keeping up just fine without the diesel.

Perhaps the electric is working because one leg drops a couple of volts when I turn it on.

Guess I'll search the threads for that issue.

Thanks

Rick
Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

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Re: Filling Fresh Water Tank

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Johnstons –
We now have water.  The fill valve is closing when the green light is on and opening when the green light is off.  As long as I leave the green light on which should open the valve, it closes and the water system will pressurize. 

Now the aqua hot isn't coming on for some reason.  We don't have  hot water. 

Rick, it's a longshot, but was anything done to the 12V system right before this happened?  Any other 12V systems behaving oddly?

Even longer shot - everything OK on the powerline monitor with regards to the lights?  No red or amber indicating a problem with neutral or ground? 

Since it's coincident with when you got to the campground, I'm wondering if there's a power/wiring problem.  What happens if you disconnect and run of the generator?

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320
 

Re: Filling Fresh Water Tank

Reply #11 –
No. It was already at the campground where the electric is excellent. All other systems normal. Float charging at 13.4.

I tend to think the aquahot problem is coincidental. This morning I turned the thermostat down because it was too warm in the coach so it was working then.

I will keep checking.
Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

The selected media item is not currently available.