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Water Fill Question

I am unable to fill fresh water - and we no city water available in our 2002 42' U320 (build no. 5919).

I can understand how a failed diverter could send water to only one source, but It seems strange, to me, that the diverter will not supply water to either source.

Anyhow, do I just order and replace the solenoid and diverter?  Or has someone encountered a different cause?  I asked the RV repairman who frequents the campground, but he was baffled.

The 3 fill-valve switch buttons appear to function since they turn green and orange.

I can use Barry's work-around of filling fresh water through the drain line.  I've also seen others (on the forum) drill a hole near the top of the tank and use a uni-seal.  I'd like to try a 'fix' before I attempt to improvise, but don't want to spend unnecessarily for a solenoid and diverter valve if that isn't the culprit.

Larry

Re: Water Fill Question

Reply #1 –
Quote from: U295 Owner –
I am unable to fill fresh water - and we no city water available in our 2002 42' U320 (build no. 5919).

Can you reword that - are you saying that

#1 you cannot get water to flow into the fresh water tank when you have an exterior source connected to the fresh water hose and the water fill switch on?

and

#2 you cannot get water to flow into the coach at all when you have an exterior source connected to the coach and the water fill switch is off?

If both, have you looked for a failed/clogged check valve?  On a 2002 I *think* it is located on or near the bottom of the Manabloc (you have to take the grey face cover off)  On a 2003 it is behind the wet bay back wall.

ETA - Jeff and Carol's 2002 had it on the Manabloc.  I see that Bill and Kim's had it where our 2003 did  No Water!!
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: Water Fill Question

Reply #2 –
We have a manual fill valve in our coach, so no direct knowledge of your system.  But Foretravel has a certain way of doing things.

You say you have power at the fill valve switch cuz the light comes on.  It may be when you operate the switch (whichever one) that you are only sending a signal to a relay located elsewhere.  Sorta like the water pump switches work.  If so, next thing to check is if the relay is working.

When you operate a tank fill switch inside the coach, did you check to see if you are actually getting power at the solenoid/diverter?  If you are getting power to the solenoid, but the solenoid is not moving the valve (one way or the other), then your next step is clear: either take the diverter valve apart and clean/repair it, or buy a new one.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Surely, no age has been more fraught with insecurity than our own present time."

Re: Water Fill Question

Reply #3 –
I'll try to reword.

When I'm connected to the hydrant, there is NO water available in the coach.

With the hydrant still on, the fresh water tank will not fill.

Larry

Re: Water Fill Question

Reply #4 –
Never mind...go with Michelle's suggestion.  8)
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Surely, no age has been more fraught with insecurity than our own present time."

Re: Water Fill Question

Reply #5 –
Quote from: U295 Owner –
I'll try to reword.

When I'm connected to the hydrant, there is NO water available in the coach.

With the hydrant still on, the fresh water tank will not fill.

Larry

Definitely sounds like the check valve failed/jammed and is not allowing water to flow past your hose reel.  These, if I recall, are a brass fitting with a plastic shuttle inside.  Cross your fingers that it's on the Manabloc and easy to find/replace.  If not there, you might have to pull the back wall of the wet bay off and look for it lower left where the water line comes in from the hose reel.  It's the short brass fitting between the block and the main piping on the lower left in this photo.  Will have a 1-way-flow symbol on it  The selected media item is not currently available.
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: Water Fill Question

Reply #6 –
Quote from: U295 Owner –
I am unable to fill fresh water - and we no city water available in our 2002 42' U320 (build no. 5919).

I can understand how a failed diverter could send water to only one source, but It seems strange, to me, that the diverter will not supply water to either source.

Anyhow, do I just order and replace the solenoid and diverter?  Or has someone encountered a different cause?  I asked the RV repairman who frequents the campground, but he was baffled.

Larry

I have a different, simpler system that yours, but I think we have a check valve in common.

My check valve failed open so as a work around I installed a 1/4 turn garden hose shut off.  I need to fix this the right way because if the water main goes down my water flows back down the line unless I close the 1/4 turn shut off.

I say this because this might be a short term fix for you until you can purchase the correct check valve.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Water Fill Question

Reply #7 –
If the check valve is connected to the manabloc, how would that interfere with filling the fresh water tank?

Re: Water Fill Question

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Old Toolmaker –
My check valve failed open so as a work around I installed a 1/4 turn garden hose shut off.  I need to fix this the right way because if the water main goes down my water flows back down the line unless I close the 1/4 turn shut off.
Fill your water tank, shut the 1/4 turn valve, and use your water pump.  No worries about water main going down.  Also safer!  :thumbsup:
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Surely, no age has been more fraught with insecurity than our own present time."

Re: Water Fill Question

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
Fill your water tank, shut the 1/4 turn valve, and use your water pump.  No worries about water main going down.  Also safer!  :thumbsup:
I would turn off the city water if we were away overnight, oh, wait, we do.  But we take the house with us.

Living in a motorhome increases our daily rate of advance.  I can disconnect from park services in less time than it takes to load a car, I know where my meds are and Duke, the dog is welcome everywhere.

Now as far as automatic battery disconnect relays or automatic.  As much as I'm intrigued by a voltage sensing bi-directional relay disconnect, I've decided to add a second Progressive dynamics 60 AMP charger, either a 9160 top match the one I have or a 9260 because they cost less than the 9160 new. Even though you need to purchase the $60 Charge Wizard to receive all of the benefits from the 9160 that are built into the 9260.  Go figure.

Oh.  On topic.  If the check valve sticks closed, you can't fill the fresh water tank or pressurize the house water system directly because they share the same entry point.  The check valve.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Water Fill Question

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Old Toolmaker –
I need to fix this the right way because if the water main goes down my water flows back down the line unless I close the 1/4 turn shut off.

Most RV parks have a hose bib vacuum breaker to prevent backflow of water to the fresh water main, code requirement.

Re: Water Fill Question

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Travelin' Man –
Most RV parks have a hose bib vacuum breaker to prevent backflow of water to the fresh water main, code requirement.


Most?  But all should. We just got back from a three month trip that included Canada and Alaska (Motorcade). A vacuum breaker on the hose bib was an extreme rarity. Actually surprised me the few times water squirted out after I closed the valve.

Another unfortunate rarity was a user accessible circuit breaker on the power pedestal.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer
 

Re: Water Fill Question

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Travelin' Man –
Apparently Old Toolmaker's doesn't.
Not only do building codes not exist in rural Georgia, when the city of Savannah implemented a building code requiring steel for certain buildings, the State said "Nope, wood only." 

So yeah, there is no back flow preventer.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.