Manual Tank Fill Conversion
Ever since we got our coach about five years ago, I have hated the way Foretravel set up the tank fill with a ball valve mounted at the inside bottom of the cabinet under the sink. So I have modified the system so I can fill by flipping a switch.
I installed a motorized ball valve in parallel with the original ball valve, with a ball manual ball valve before and after the motorized one so I can easily take it out of the system and go back to the original set up. The motorized ball valve and the inside plumbing is in the space underneath the false bottom of the cabinet that is next to the toilet. I added a piece of plywood that I mounted the valves to so they won't vibrate too much and possibly leak. I like the motorized ball valve because it draws almost no power, is made to stay in the on position for long periods of time, and automatically returns to Off if the power is interrupted.
I then installed a panel with two rocker switches inside the cabinet above where I located the motorized ball valve. One switch opens the motorized ball valve that fills the tank, while the other is for another motorized ball valve that is located outside in the wet bay (more on that in a moment). The switch panel also has two USB-A ports that can operate an automatic cat feeder we keep in the bathroom, and potentially another item if needed. I tapped into the hot line that goes to the pump on/off switch for power.
In the wet bay, I installed the second motorized ball valve in the line just after the hose reel. I again put shut off valves before and after the motorized valve, as well as a bypass valve to turn the water supply on if the motorized valve is out of the system. I had previously installed two filters and a pressure regulator in the wet bay, so if I have the motorized valve off there is no pressure on any plumbing after the hose reel. I ran a two conductor wire from the area where I mounted the switch down to the outside motorized ball valve, although I haven't tied down the wiring yet..
What I like about this set up is that if I am staying somewhere long term, as I have for the last few months, I can have the water turned on at the spigot but no pressure applied to the plumbing, other than the hose reel. I can then turn it on and fill the tank from inside, and then turn it off again without leaving the coach. I can also turn it on again if I am going to shower or wash clothes and don't want to use the tank water, and then shut it off again without leaving the coach. When I am somewhere where I just want to fill the tank, I can do it without having to get down on the floor to open the manual ball valve. I considered putting switches outside as well for filling the tank, but felt it wasn't worth the trouble just to keep from going inside.
The entire cost of the materials was less than $150, not including some Pex pipe, plywood, and wire I already had on hand. It wasn't particularly hard to do the conversion. I spent less than a full day working on it, and to me it is well worth the cost and effort.
Topic: Manual Tank Fill Conversion