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Topic: how to fill water tanks  (Read 846 times) previous topic - next topic

how to fill water tanks

I have recently bought a 1986 foretravel grand villa and can not work out  how to fill water tanks turn on pump and it just runs constantly 

Re: how to fill water tanks

Reply #1 –
Unless you have a broken water pipe or a drain valve open, your water pump is probably running continuously because the fresh water tank fill valve is open.  The trick is finding the fill valve so you can close it.  Two possibilities - not sure how your '86 model is set up.

You might find the valve under the bathroom sink.  There will be a hole cut in the bottom shelf (floor) of the cabinet, and the valve will be reached through the hole.  It might be covered up with a piece of carpet.  Valve is OPEN when the handle is aligned with the pipe.  Valve is CLOSED when the handle is turned 90 degrees to the pipe.

If you don't find the fill valve there, then it is probably under the floor between the driver and passenger seats.  There will be some kind of panel or lift-up floor section that will allow access to the valve.  You may find two (or more) valves there.  One will be the fill valve for the fresh water tank, and the other(s) will be drain valve(s).  You'll have to figure out which is which by close inspection or trial and error.

Once you locate the fill valve you can fill the tank.  With your water hose connected to the (turned on) city water supply, you should have water pressure at all the faucets in the coach.  If you open the water tank fill valve, the city water pressure will be diverted into the water tank, and there will be little or no pressure at your water faucets.  Once the tank is full, you can close the fill valve and disconnect from the city water supply.  When you want to use water you will have to turn on the water pump to supply pressure.

If you are disconnected from city water and using your water pump, a open or partially open fill valve will cause the pump to run constantly.  The pump is pumping the water out of the water tank and then back into the water tank in a closed loop.  You will have little or no water pressure in this condition.

NOTE:  A constantly running water pump could also be a sign of a bad water leak or a defective pump.  ALWAYS make it a priority to figure out WHY the pump is running constantly and fix the problem.  Water leaks anywhere in your coach should NOT be tolerated!

The safest way to operate your water system is to fill your tank, close the fill valve, disconnect from city water, and use the water pump to supply pressure.  Turn the pump OFF when you are not using water.  ALWAYS turn the pump OFF at night and when you leave the coach unattended.  That way, if a pipe breaks you will not flood the coach with a whole tank full of water before you discover the break.
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: how to fill water tanks

Reply #2 –
Fred,

By the way, Welcome to the Forum!

I see you are located Down Under.  We have two other Forum members (that I know of) in Australia.  They both own Grand Villas and could be a big help to you as you figure out your coach.  Follow the link below to a thread where you will see posts by both these members.  Clicking on the member's Forum "name" will take you to their profile page where you can send them a PM (private message).

My 86 Model grand villa i had a very bad oil leak fr0m the left rear jack
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: how to fill water tanks

Reply #3 –
Consider also that what turns the pump off is the pressure switch on the discharge side of the pump.  The pump could be OK  and the pressure switch could be bad.  Have a great day.  ----  Fritz
Fritz & Kathy Johnson
1991 36'

Re: how to fill water tanks

Reply #4 –
Most likely, though, is the water fill valve. And most likely that valve is between the front seats usually tagged by Foretravel. I have also heard of that valve being under the couch on some of those years.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: how to fill water tanks

Reply #5 –
Best is to look at some direct fill modifications that have been done. It speeds up the process, filters the water on the way in and you don't have to make two trips into the coach.

My daughter lives is Brisbane and has citizenship. It's the cleanest city I have ever seen. Not a scratch in a phone booth or bus and if you see graffiti on a public building, you take a photo, send it to the city and they send a crew immediately out to clean/paint plus you send your bank # and you get a reward. Free propane BBQs at public parks. Incredible.

Bummer about the weather and fires.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: how to fill water tanks

Reply #6 –
If you have no water in the tank the pump might run until it wears out unless you turn it off.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: how to fill water tanks

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Dakota Slim –
If you have no water in the tank the pump might run until it wears out unless you turn it off.

Same if the fill valve is open-- the pump will run and water will just circulate from tank through pump and back through the fill valve to the potable water tank.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: how to fill water tanks

Reply #8 –
The fill valve is under the front dash , between the seats under the wooden cover . Two little pull rings should be on it. Lift it up . There may be 3 valves. The far right is tank drain. The center is tank fill.

 I fill mine through the vent line, in the nose.  You have to vent the vent, to allow water to flow or it air locks.
 
For an older GV; The tank is mounted to the bodywork, in fibreglass and wood. Eventually gravity wins and the tank may start to fall out the bottom.    I cut out the tank mounting system and added chassis mounted tubing across the frame to support the tank.