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Topic: Fresh water valve  (Read 964 times) previous topic - next topic

Fresh water valve

I cannot fill my tank. I took a picture of what I think is the fill valve. I tapped it a couple times no joy.
Is this the right one? I see a brass looking one in other threads. I do not see that one, but do see this black plastic one that appears to be in the main line
1998 u320 3600 build 5200

Re: Fresh water valve

Reply #1 –
On my 2000 u320 the water fill valve is behind the water pump, it will be brass. From your picture will probably have to remove the shelf above the pump to get access. Need to make sure you have 12 volts at the valve.
After that may have to remove valve and replace, not a hard job.
Larry
Larry & Debbie Town
2000 U320 4210 
Previous 88 GV

Re: Fresh water valve

Reply #2 –
I would think that black plastic thing is your fill valve. Are there wires going in the top. Make sure you have current there.
Another problem I had was the check valve on the other side wouldn't let water through.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Fresh water valve

Reply #3 –
And as always, recheck for a good ground. 

The black thing looks like your water fill valve.  My '99 has a brass colored valve, which is not to say yours may be different, especially if it has been changed out by a previous owner. 

Richard
Jan & Richard Witt
1999 U-320  36ft WTFE
Build Number: 5478 Motorcade: 16599
2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited w/Air Force One
Jan: NO5U, Richard:KA5RIW
The selected media item is not currently available.

Re: Fresh water valve

Reply #4 –
That's it
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Fresh water valve

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Ldillow –
I cannot fill my tank. I took a picture of what I think is the fill valve. I tapped it a couple times no joy.

Have you ever been able to fill the tank, or is this a new phenomenon?

The cross-shaped handle part is a manual closure valve to override the solenoid part.  If you have never been able to fill the tank, that manual valve may be screwed down closed.

If, however, you have been able to fill the tank in the past, you don't need to disturb the manual part.

If you have multiple switches to turn on the fill, there is likely a relay in the circuit.  If you don't have power at the solenoid on the fill valve, and if you don't hear a "click" somewhere in the coach when you turn on the fill switch, you probably need to look for the relay.
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: Fresh water valve

Reply #6 –
I have not been able to fill it since I bought the coach in October. The pump switch works, but when I push the fill switch I get nothing, no click. I think both lights go on for a moment so small it's hard to see. I think I will see if I have 12 v at the solenoid. I may cut the wire and add 12v to see if it works. If it does, then I'll chase the problem towards the switch. If it doesn't work. I will pull the solenoid/switch
1998 u320 3600 build 5200

Re: Fresh water valve

Reply #7 –
Does the fill valve light come one?  Start at the beginning.  There should be two green wires at the back of the switch.  They cause the latching relay to latch or unlatch.  When latched it provides power to the solenoid.  You probably will not hear the solenoid click but should hear the latching relay.

Do you have 12v at the solenoid valve?
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Fresh water valve

Reply #8 –
The fill latching relay for my coach is in the left front basement under the white fiber glass cover. There are two latching relays
 one for the the fill and the other for the pump. I'm am waiting for a new one as my pump relay is sticking.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Fresh water valve

Reply #9 –
Thx old guy. I tested the valve. It appears to be good.
I will check the relay out. Couldn't find it in the prints. It must be a momentary push button latch on. That holds 12v at valve and light at switch. Next momentary push on button, latch off, 12v removed from solenoid and light.
Is that how it works?
Is it one relay to do this or two?
1998 u320 3600 build 5200

Re: Fresh water valve

Reply #10 –
Roger,
See me notes above.
When I push the button, I think I hear the relay, but no light, or both the fill and pump light lightly flicker, or it could be my imagination.
Will investigate relay more tomorrow.
Happy new year to you all
Larry
1998 u320 3600 build 5200

Re: Fresh water valve

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Ldillow –
Thx old guy. I tested the valve. It appears to be good.
I will check the relay out. Couldn't find it in the prints. It must be a momentary push button latch on. That holds 12v at valve and light at switch. Next momentary push on button, latch off, 12v removed from solenoid and light.
Is that how it works?
Is it one relay to do this or two?
You got it. That's how it works. Yes, one relay.

Quote from: Ldillow –
Roger,
See me notes above.
When I push the button, I think I hear the relay, but no light, or both the fill and pump light lightly flicker, or it could be my imagination.
Will investigate relay more tomorrow.
Happy new year to you all
Larry

Might be a good idea to verify good ground connections for all items in this circuit.

Greg
Greg & Cathy
2000 U320 4010 DGFE Build #5650
Had: 1999 Tradewinds 7370

Re: Fresh water valve

Reply #12 –
The new latch relay came and is in and it works the way it's supposed to.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Fresh water valve

Reply #13 –

Right after you first posted this our latching relay for the fill valve stuck on.  It was not a ground issue.  So I bought a new latching relay with built in timer functions and will use the existing water pump relay for the fill valve and try the timer latching relay on the water pump.  It will shut the water pump off when the time expires. 

GAEYAELE 1PCS GRT8-M 16A Multifunction Time Relay with 10 Function Choices...

See here for wiring and installation ideas.
Water Pump Latching Relay with Built-in Timer

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

Re: Fresh water valve

Reply #14 –
Roger,
Why do you need the timer?
The
Larry
1998 u320 3600 build 5200

Re: Fresh water valve

Reply #15 –
Good question, Larry. Many of us fill the fresh water tank and then disconnect from the city water supply and then use the pump and tank for water in the coach. The main reason is to minimize the damage from a water leak.  If the leak is in any part of the system after the pump and the pump is off then it is only a few gallons in the lines.  If you forget to turn off the pump then it could be as much water as is in your fresh water tank. If the leak is in the fill line or line to the pump or the tank itself it could be as much water as is in your fresh water tank. For this risk management scheme to work you have to turn off the pump.

But if you are hooked up to city water and there is a leak it just runs until it gets noticed and you shut off the water supply.  Could be hundreds or thousands of gallons of water.  We have seen coaches with water coming out of every basement door and the coach sitting in a lake of leaked water.

So a timer working with the water pump eliminates the forgetting to shut off the water pump problem. The timer starts (or restarts) every time you push the water pump switch which makes the latching relay latch and power is supplied to the pump and the indicator light at the pump switch. When the timer expires the latching rely is released and power to the pump is off and the light is off.  I did this several years ago with smart timing circuits. Now you can do it with a smart latching relay.

I also added a motorized valve to the incoming water line so that if I want to use city water the valve is opened when you push the pump switch, the timer starts, water runs, the timer goes off and the valve closes.  So you have the same risk management scheme in place that you would with a pump and tank only practice. In addition you can keep less water in the tank minimizing that side of the risk as well.  This works with the electric fill solenoid valve as well.

And it is very simple to add a wifi connected Alexa (or Google) enabled switch in momentary mode and a couple Bosch style relays to turn the water off (if it is on) from anywhere.  Same thing works to lock the coach if it is so equipped, from anywhere.

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

Re: Fresh water valve

Reply #16 –
I just changed my latching relay. The timer latching relay sounds like a great idea.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport
 

Re: Fresh water valve

Reply #17 –
My timer circuit is not the easiest thing to adjust, there is a newer version that connects to your phone and you can make timing changes much easier.

Changing the time at the latching relay is appealing because it is simple, no other wiring changes needed.  If you need a new latching relay you might as well try a smart one.

If your latching relay is OK then a wifi settable timer is less $.
Buy Multi Functional Timers online | Timers.shop

The latching relay uses a momentary ground contact to latch or unlatch so you need a basic Bosch style relay to make the ground contact when the timer expires and a short +12 v signal triggers the relay.

The timer shop has sink adapter (+12v closes a path to ground like the Bosch style relay).  Solid state and more money.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN