water tanks

trouto · Senior Member

water tanks

Treecrest · Veteran Member

Answers would depend on how the tanks are plumbed

A) but normally the tanks are not used when mains water connected.

B) no

C) yes

D ) no

Glen

Radar · Guru

Normally

I agree with Treecrest.

No

Yes

No

Only question dumb question is the one that don't get asked. Ralph.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

I would never connect mains to an RV water tank system.
Too many pressure control valves leak or fail causing all sorts of grief.
Just fill the tanks when they get low and use the pump. No dramas.
Cheers,
Peter

Nurzo · Member

It seems the trend is moving, on some of the latest vans, to only have water tanks only. No mains at all just like on practically all motorhomes.
Here's a story, out bush with a mate. He has 240 L capacity and I have 180 L, we both run out at the same time but he has still got 60 L tank full.
Upon investigation it is found the 60 L tank only and solely feeds the washing machine, how stupid is that.
With a bit of plastic tubing I linked the drain of the 60 L to 1 of the 90 L drains therefore giving a true capacity of 240 L .
When going bush camping always carry at lest 100 L in transportable carboys Jerry cans, then you can refill them and not have to move the van.

Steve

PeterD · Guru

Daryl, open this link - Design Your Own RV or Caravan Plumbing System - scroll down to near the bottom and you will see a heading - "4. Adding mains pressure and hot water" - This will give you an idea of how caravan plumbing systems are installed. Below the diagram there is a description of what each component does.

A word of warning, many manufacturers do not include the non-return valve between the pump and the point where the tank system joins the rest of the system. Many of the manufacturers rely upon the valves in the pump to prevent the high pressure water leaking back and filling the tank. If your van does not have this non-return valve I suggest you have one fitted at the first service you have done. There are too many forum members reporting that their pump valves have been failing. The tanks have been filling from the mains water and overflowing.

As regards to whether to have the pump switched on whilst mains water is available, there are many places, particularly outback that have low mains pressure. If the local mains pressure is lower than the pressure supplied by your pump, the pump will supply your water needs instead of the mains water supply. I suggest you switch the pump off at all the times you do not need it. Doing that will prevent your tank being drained if the plumbing is damaged whilst in transit or fails at other times.

trouto · Senior Member

Thanks everyone
PeterD very interesting article
I went down to visit the van today and would you believe it
The same make and model came in 3 sites up
So once I saw the bloke starting to run him water hose I pounced on him
Very helpful
There is a switch to go from mains to tank
And back from tank to mains
I know at hand over we didn't talk about this switch ( so my fault ) for not asking
So thank you all for your input but it's all good now
And Ted and his wife are coming up for dinner tomorrow night ( the other caravan owner)
Nice people ,I'm sure we will have a lot to talk about
Trouto