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U320 water fill issues

Does anyone have a diagram of the water system on a U320? Here is the problem I'm having. There is some water in the tank....enough to to use it. I cannot fill the tank from the retractable hose. Tried for 2 hours and nothing ever came out of the overflow and the gauge did not move.
When I use the pump, the hose becomes pressurized.i have a valve at the end of the hose and if I open it water will come gushing out. I'm not sure how this system is supposed to work. The auto fill switch does work and lights up. My precious rvs has a simple gravity fill tank. This system seems overly complicated and with too many mechanical parts. I see there is some sort of valve with a diaphragm and what appears to be a solenoid on it. Is this the auto fill valve? Are there valves in the tank as well? Any check valves in the system?
Jody and Juli
1997 U320 40ft. Cummins M11 400hp
Build #5028
Master Mariner Unlimited Tonnage
USNR Lt. Commander (ret)
Texas A&M Maritime (me)
Baylor (wife)

Re: U320 water fill issues

Reply #1 –
There is a fill valve - should be just a simple handle.  In my 1999 it is found under the sink on the ground.  Not sure about 1997.

1. Make sure the air pressure switch inside is turned OFF
2. Attach hose from water source to tank.
3. Turn on water source.
4. Open the fill valve.  This valve essentially directs the water source into your fresh water tank.
5. Let fill.
6. Turn off fill valve.
7. Turn off water source.
8. Detach hose.
9. Turn on water pressure switch.

If the hose is attached to the system from a city water source, and you leave the fill valve closed, your sinks/faucets etc. will use that city water pressure, straight from the water source, just like a sink in your house does.  Some people avoid doing that, and only connect the hose to fill the tank - as they feel always using city water is too much constant pressure on the connections, and will eventually cause a leak.  Others use the city water pressure.

One rule of thumb though, is make sure you don't turn on the water pressure switch while the city water is hooked up.  That is one of the reasons why you are experiencing high back-pressure in the hose.  Although you'll generally get at least a little back-pressure after filling.
James
w/ DW Erin, sons Gideon and Tobias, cats Oscar & Oliver
Fulltime 1999 U270 34' #5508

Re: U320 water fill issues

Reply #2 –
It could be your fill valve isn't actually opening.  If it's like our 02 the solanoid was working fine but there was a tiny piece of pipe tape that had broken loose somewhere and was covering the small hole that releases the diaphragm in the electric valve.  Took me forever to find out what was happening.

If you take the cover off in the bay you may be able to visualize what is going on. 

On the U320 there is a "full" switch that turns off the flow before the tank overflows.    It's actually a pretty sweet system when it is all working. 

I just remembered we also have a manual shut off valve that appears to be factory so it may be closed.  It is the compartment by the water pump on our 02. 
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: U320 water fill issues

Reply #3 –
Pictures also help if you are trying to ID mystery switches / solonoids!
James
w/ DW Erin, sons Gideon and Tobias, cats Oscar & Oliver
Fulltime 1999 U270 34' #5508

Re: U320 water fill issues

Reply #4 –
There is a brass check valve where the hose reel hooks to the pex pipe. I it sticks open you will have pressure when you turn the pump on. Also sounds like you have an issue with the electric fill valve.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: U320 water fill issues

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Blinded04 –
6. Turn off fill valve.
7. Turn off water source.
8. Detach hose.
You will not skip step seven more than once!
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: U320 water fill issues

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Johnstons –
It could be your fill valve isn't actually opening.  If it's like our 02 the solanoid was working fine but there was a tiny piece of pipe tape that had broken loose somewhere and was covering the small hole that releases the diaphragm in the electric valve.  Took me forever to find out what was happening.

If you take the cover off in the bay you may be able to visualize what is going on. 

On the U320 there is a "full" switch that turns off the flow before the tank overflows.    It's actually a pretty sweet system when it is all working. 

I just remembered we also have a manual shut off valve that appears to be factory so it may be closed.  It is the compartment by the water pump on our 02. 
Do you have a pic of this shutoff? after de-winterizing cannot get fresh water tank to fill.
thnx
red
'02 40' U320t  4010WTFS Build 6036 1 slide
Motorcade # 17841
SKP 151920
Retired truck driver
 5 million miler
Still have itchy feet for travel

Re: U320 water fill issues

Reply #7 –
Red - Try "Searching" for:  Water Fill Solenoid - in the Search function.  Lot's of stuff there.  :)
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: U320 water fill issues

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Carol & Scott –
Red - Try "Searching" for:  Water Fill Solenoid - in the Search function.  Lot's of stuff there.  :)
thnx
'02 40' U320t  4010WTFS Build 6036 1 slide
Motorcade # 17841
SKP 151920
Retired truck driver
 5 million miler
Still have itchy feet for travel

Re: U320 water fill issues

Reply #9 –
Haven't found the check valve....is it usually mounted close to the reel? Or is it behind a bulkhead?
The remote switches are working and the relay "clicks" when I turn the switch on. There is no manual valve. Just a pump and the autofill valve and pressure tank. Solenoid on top of the the auto fill valve gets warm when the switch is on. Haven't checked voltage to  it  but appears to be getting power. I will pull the autofill valve next.

Getting new tires installed right now. Will update as I progress.
Jody and Juli
1997 U320 40ft. Cummins M11 400hp
Build #5028
Master Mariner Unlimited Tonnage
USNR Lt. Commander (ret)
Texas A&M Maritime (me)
Baylor (wife)

Re: U320 water fill issues

Reply #10 –
We spent a VERY frustrating 2 months looking for a check valve on our '02 U320. Busted knuckles taking off the utility panel, thinking it might be right after the water fill hose  and reel.  Mr. Triana pulled up the specs for us and could not see it. Finally found it by accident behind the plumbing panel on the curbside of the coach ... where all the individual blue and red shut off/on valves are located.  Good luck to you!  Oh ... and this all took place AFTER we spent a lot of money replacing the considerably more expensive water fill valve/solenoid.
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: U320 water fill issues

Reply #11 –
Here is what the check valve looks like on my 99 295 it's in the water line close to where it connects to the hose reel.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country