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Fresh Water Fill Valve

I have recently seen pictures of utility bays with fresh water fill valves. In the two most recent instances, the Foretravel also had a water hose reel. What is the purpose of the fresh water fill valve, if you already have a hose reel to plug into the water source?
 
I assume it is another example of Foretravel redundancy.
 
Assuming I was not already in the process of adding a third valve, what is the benefit to me of disassembling my utility bay to add a fresh water fill valve?
 
Thanks for the information,
 
Trent

Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Fresh Water Fill Valve

Reply #1 –
Are you asking about a fresh water fill Valve or a fresh water fill threaded fixture to attach a street hose to the fresh water tank?

Some have attached a threaded fixture to the fresh water tank that a water hose can be connected to fill the fresh water tank.  This will eliminate the use of the electrical fresh water fill valve/solenoid that is attached to the fresh water line down stream from the hose reel between the water manifold and the water pump.  Ours is located in the bay next to the water pump. 

Some times this solenoid fails and the owner opts to no longer use it so he installs this:  RV CITY WATER FILL WITH CHECK VALVE 3620023.



Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Fresh Water Fill Valve

Reply #2 –
Perhaps the valve goes directly into the tank, and allows quicker filling?  We don't have this feature, but I know some have added a second means of filling tank directly.  I'm never in that much of a hurry - the hose on the reel works fine for us.
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
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Fresh Water Fill Valve

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Carol & Scott –
Are you asking about a fresh water fill Valve or a fresh water fill threaded fixture to attach a street hose to the fresh water tank?

Scott,

I am not sure I am smart enough to answer that question. But I assumed that the valve to which I refer, is one that one could hook a hose to, so water could be added to the fresh water tank, in the absence of a hose reel.

One of the things we acquired with our purchase was a new-looking white hose, which I assumed was an extension for the water hose reel, in case the hose on the reel was not long enough. I have never used it. I am happy plugging my white hose into the water faucet to add water to the water tank. In practice, I turn the FILL switch on to add water to the tank. I then turn the switch and faucet off, but leave it connected, in case I need to add more water.

As far as I know, my Foretravel does not have one of those. Perhaps because the original purchaser paid for the reels (and several other options) at the time he purchased it new. I was just wondering why someone would make the effort to add that capability. Anybody know where it would be on a 2000 U295 if the purchaser did not upgrade to a water hose reel at time of purchase?

Don, thank you and others who take the time to try to educate me, even if it is an uphill struggle,  :)

Trent




Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Fresh Water Fill Valve

Reply #4 –
Trent,

I'd suggest keeping the extra hose on board as sooner than later you'll find yourself in a park where your hose on the reel will not reach the supply.

I'm not 100% sure on terminology but as I understand it "water fill valve" is the valve which controls fresh water into the tank entering through the "water fill" fitting or hose reel.  Over time, the "water fill valve" collects sediment and/or corrodes slowing water flow into the tank or stopping flow altogether.  Mine has also stuck open resulting in continuous operation of the pump yet building no system pressure.    So I'd guess the sometimes finicky operation of the "water fill valve" to be one reason people add "direct water fill" fittings, to eliminate the water fill valve from the system. 


2019 Pleasure Way Lexor

Re: Fresh Water Fill Valve

Reply #5 –
Trent,  I added a direct fill water connection as many have. Mine connects to the fresh water tank as high up as I could get it with a short piece of flexible tubing.  Mine has a check valve (back flow preventer) as part of the end that connects to the hose.

It does two things.  Filling the water tank is faster.  I still use a particulate filter at a minimum when filling either way.  The second is for adding water to the fresh tank when you cannot get to a city water connection.  Since the water goes into the top of the tank there is no back pressure to prevent you from using just gravity to add water.  We have a 5 gal water jug we carry that has a hose connection on the spout. A short hose from the jug and a particulate filter connected to the direct fill connection and water will just flow in.  You cannot do this through the regular city water connection through the check valves and the water fill solenoid valve where new fresh water is pushed under pressure into the bottom of the tank.  Any water in the tank pushes back.

I got my particulate filter from DripWorks Drip Irrigation - DripWorks Drip Irrigation Systems & Supplies.  It is an 80 micron (0.003 inches) filter.  The valve at the bottom opens up so that fresh water will flush the filter to clean it.  This comes with standard 3/4" pipe fittings,  They sell all of the various hose adapters as well. It is less than $20 and prevents incoming crud from getting to everything in your water system.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Fresh Water Fill Valve

Reply #6 –
Roger,
 
That makes sense. Thanks for the detailed explanation.
 
Trent

Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Fresh Water Fill Valve

Reply #7 –
On our 1999 U320 connecting directly to the hose connector above the fawcet flushes the black water tank.  It does not put water nto the fresh water tank.

Connecting to the hose on the reel puts water into the fresh water tank.

best, paul
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: Fresh Water Fill Valve

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Paul Smith –
On our 1999 U320 connecting directly to the hose connector above the fawcet flushes the black water tank.  It does not put water nto the fresh water tank.

Connecting to the hose on the reel puts water into the fresh water tank.

best, paul


Mine as well.
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,

Re: Fresh Water Fill Valve

Reply #9 –
Ditto here😀
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Fresh Water Fill Valve

Reply #10 –
Probably because none of yours came from the factory that way.  If you want a direct fresh water fill connection you have to put it in your self.  "I added a direct fill water connection as many have."

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Fresh Water Fill Valve

Reply #11 –
I guess the question is still - Water fill valve or as Roger correctly identifies as a "direct fill water connection"?

Roger - Do you have a pic of your wet bay that might show your setup?  Just a thought....  ;D
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Fresh Water Fill Valve

Reply #12 –
Correct, a direct fill water connection.  In our 2001 with a slide there is some extra structure at the top of the bays under the slide.  The direct fill water connection with a check valve mounts in that and connects to a short flex hose to a new port in the driver's side end of the fresh water tank mounted as high as I could get it. 

Some coachs in other model years have tank flush water connections.  So far we haven't needed that function. 

I would never use a fresh water filling hose for anything else other than filling the tank.  Ever! 

I repurposed an extra 50' 3/8" air line adding hose fittings on both ends for a utility water hose.  Very compact.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Fresh Water Fill Valve

Reply #13 –
When you drill a hole in your fresh water tank what happens with the piece ? and what did you use to glue it with
Rob Barb & Pyper
2002  U320  40'
2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Re: Fresh Water Fill Valve

Reply #14 –
Roger - Nice pics.      ;D
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320
 

Re: Fresh Water Fill Valve

Reply #15 –

Hi Rob, 

I used an appropriately sized hole saw.  I stopped just before going all the way through and then slowly and carefully finished it.  If the pilot drill extends well beyond the hole saw it will usually catch the cut out piece.

Attaching a fitting to the low density polyethylene water tank is not easy.  You cannot use regular solvent glues.  The following fitting works well with the 3M adhesive meant for this type of plastics.  A barbed fitting for the tubing size you are using is needed here.

Ameri-Kart (53) 0.5" Female Pipe Fitting

Amazon.com: Ameri-Kart (53) 0.5" Female Pipe Fitting: Automotive

3M 4693H Clear Scotch-Weld High Performance Industrial Plastic Adhesive, 5 Ounce

3M 4693H Clear High Performance Industrial Plastic Adhesive, 5 Ounce:...

You put glue on both parts, wait until it is mostly dry and then press the parts together.  I used a piece of wood to press the adapter against the tank.  Give it a couple days to cure up.

This is an alternate (and less expensive) way to connect a 1/2" pipe to your tank.  The Uniseal fittings are a rubber grommet that fits in a hole you drill in the tank and then you slide the pipe through hole in the grommet.  It makes a tight fit with some give for movement.  They come in different sizes.  They need a pretty specific hole size.

1/2'' UNISEAL Flexible Tank Adapter (bulkhead)

1/2'' UNISEAL Flexible Tank Adapter (bulkhead): Pet Care Products: Amazon.com...

Roger

The flexible tubing is much easier to run than PEX.

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN