This morning I switched on my water pump to use the water in my van tanks after disconnecting my mains water connection. Instead of the water coming out of my sink tap when I turned the tap on, water started to come out of the mains inlet pipe where I connect my mains water hose. There was still a very low pressure trickle out of the sink tap but normal pump pressure out of the mains inlet pipe. I have been using my online hose link filter as usual so I wasn't expecting any issues with the water I was using from mains. When I reconnect the mains hose and use the van sites main water supply all the taps inside the van have mains pressure water. If I leave the mains pressure water on and the taps in the van closed and then switch on the pump, the pump doesn't start.
I assume that the reason the water is coming out the mains water inlet pipe is due to a faulty reduction valve. Would this be correct?
Also I assume that the water pump doesn't start when I switch it on with mains water pressure still attached to the van as the pump would be trying to push water back against the incoming mains pressure.
Anyway am I correct in assuming my problem is being caused by a faulty or blocked pressure reduction valve and it is causing water to exit by another route, in this case my mains water inlet pipe.
Any assistance or advice would be greatly appreciated. My van is a 2013 Jayco StarCraft with ensuite 19'6". The reduction valve was replaced a couple of years ago and I have been using an inline filter at the van site tap since this installation.
Steve, What you have reported is quite common with Jayco vans. Rather than 'play around' with that non-return valve that is integral with the mains inlet many folk just insert a John Guest NRV (non return valve - available at most caravan accessory outlets for about $25) in the mains line just inboard of the mains inlet. An easy mod. where the line is accessible under the floor.
-- Edited by BaldEd on Sunday 3rd of July 2022 08:19:34 AM
Many thanks Traway and Balded. I will look into the perm option with the Guest NRV when we get back to civilisation. Short term I'll try the thumb option. May give a temp fix while free camping. Cheers Guys. Great forum for help.
Just make a very short length of hose with a snap on for your van and the other end with one of those snap on fittings with the valve in it.
Click it on when you are using the water pump. When on town water then just use the standard hose or if you must use a connector to connect to your short piece of hose.
Just ensure you dont reverse the short hose,,,,,,the one with the valve has to be on the outer end away from the van connection.
The hose only has to be long enough to fit the two snap on connectors.
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Welcome to Biggs Country many may know it as Australia
Thanks for all the assistance. This did the trick (see image) and allowed me to use water from the tanks with pump on. When I removed it and tried the pump I found the problem had resolved itself, for now anyway. For $5 not a bad backup to carry for Jayco van owners perhaps. Cheers. Steve
