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Auto fill fresh water valve

May 19, 2012, 07:15:54 pm

I can't tell if my auto fill fresh water valve on my 95 U320 is working or if my fresh water gauge on my monitor is not working.

Where is the location of the fresh water auto fill valve?
Is there a manual way to operate the valve.

Also, my water pump will not shut down. It worked last season, but now that I'm trying to get the water system up and running ( and checking for leaks after the winter and new plumbing additions) I find it no longer working as it did last fall. I don't detect any leaks.

Thanks for your advice.

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Re: Auto fill fresh water valve

Reply #1 – May 19, 2012, 10:11:46 pm

Fill valve is located in the same compartment as the water pump and is electrically operated. There is no manual bypass. Valve is normally located just behind the water pump.

If the fill valve is open (solenoid energized or stuck) the pump will run continuously, water just circulates from the tank through the pump and back to the tank. You may have some water pressure in the coach but it will be very low.

Normally the LED on the fill switch is illuminated if the fill valve is open however the LED's can fail.

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Re: Auto fill fresh water valve

Reply #2 – May 19, 2012, 11:16:04 pm

Thanks, The LED lights when I switch on the fill valve from either the bathroom or kitchen switch.

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Re: Auto fill fresh water valve

Reply #3 – May 20, 2012, 10:05:16 am

The replacement electric fill valve has a manual bypass on it.  The old ones do not. 

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Re: Auto fill fresh water valve

Reply #4 – May 20, 2012, 02:13:02 pm

I replaced the electric fill valve in my U320 with a manual globe valve because:

1. A globe valve can adjust the water flow - slow or fast.
2. The "water fill switches" are very close to the "water pump switches" and accidently turning on water fill could overfill the water tank.
3. When I fill the water tank, I monitor the water level using a clear tube which I installed beside the water heater which is close to the fill valve.

I reused the electric fill valve and switches for a hot water bypass at the kitchen taps so that I can get hot water at the kitchen without running water down the drain.

I am also make other plumbing changes and will post photos when done.

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Re: Auto fill fresh water valve

Reply #5 – May 20, 2012, 02:22:27 pm

I installed a float switch in the fresh water take as part of the installation of a "whole house" RO system. I don't recommend the "whole house" RO system, but I do recommend the float switch. It is accurate and reliable. It could be wired to control a valve, sound an alarm, turn on a light, etc.

If you must make any changes to an electric fill valve, you might want to add a shut off system triggered by a mechanical float switch in the fresh water tank.

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Re: Auto fill fresh water valve

Reply #6 – May 21, 2012, 03:30:57 am

Thanks for the advice.
I like the idea of a hands on approach to filling the tank. Not sure I trust a led light telling me something is happening.

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