Fresh Water....where's it gone ! (1 Viewer)

[Crispy]

Hi,
Im a newbie to motorhoming, purchased my Elddis Sunseeker 120 in December and had my first venture at the weekend just to try everything out. (Im a lone female traveller with dog !). I had a problem with my fresh water in that when filling, my gauge showed full but I quickly ran out. I realise the van has a capacity of 45L which I now realise is not alot ! but in two days I had to fill up twice (no use of shower on board so only cuppas and washing up). Im wondering if I have a faulty gauge showing the tank as full when it isnt. Ive asked a friend who states I should be able to take a lid off my tank and see the water level. I cant even find my tank !!!!!!!!!! Anyone any ideas ? Im sure I will look back on my silly questions one day and smile.....but not just yet !

 

[John & Joan]

Hi,
Im a newbie to motorhoming, purchased my Elddis Sunseeker 120 in December and had my first venture at the weekend just to try everything out. (Im a lone female traveller with dog !). I had a problem with my fresh water in that when filling, my gauge showed full but I quickly ran out. I realise the van has a capacity of 45L which I now realise is not alot ! but in two days I had to fill up twice (no use of shower on board so only cuppas and washing up). Im wondering if I have a faulty gauge showing the tank as full when it isnt. Ive asked a friend who states I should be able to take a lid off my tank and see the water level. I cant even find my tank !!!!!!!!!! Anyone any ideas ? Im sure I will look back on my silly questions one day and smile.....but not just yet !

Gauges are only a guide and cannot be fully relied upon. I fill my tank until it overflows the gauge then read ¾ however next time i read it it will slowly rise to full and stay there for ages while drawing water.

Most tanks have an overflow so when water come out of the overflow it is as full as you are going to get it.

45 litres is much smaller than the 120 litres in my tank which lasts us about 3 days.

You do not say what your vehicle is. There are so many different types it is difficult to give a general answer that fits all.

John

 

[gozomike]

Hi
Does not sound a silly question.
Cannot help with looking into the tank but gauges are not very accurate (that’s putting it mildly). I fill my tank, which is around 45 litres, up to the brim and it then lasts 3 to 4 days. The gauge does go up to full but quickly drops to around a quarter, where it stops for a while and then it drops to empty. I can usually get another days water from the tank after the gauge shows empty.

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[GJH]

First of all welcome to Fun.

Second, don't be afraid to ask silly questions as we were all beginners once and all asked them

Third, don't trust the water gauge as all we Elddis/Compass owners have the same problem - they don't work

The layout of our van (dinette) is different from yours but I would expect that (like ours) your water tank is just inboard of the filler inlet, either under a seat or in the bottom of the wardrobe.

I don't rely on the gauge but normally fill the tank until water just starts to drip from the external overflow - which is a reliable indicator of a full tank. The tank is only really empty if water no longer comes out of the taps (though there may be water below pump level which will only drain away through the external drain.

You'll soon get used to how much water you use and how often you need to fill up.

 

[Jim]

Hi Crispy, that is a lot of tea! I bet your cassette loo fills up as fast as your water dissapears That is nearly ten gallons (I think) and should last a little longer than you describe. Make sure that you do not have a leak in your tank, or that your overflow is not siphoning out your water as you travel,

Meanwhile, welcome to the fun:thumb:

 

[Theonlysue]

Fresh water... where's it gone

Hi,
I have filled my tank to overflowing and the gauge has read empty!!!

Fill it till it pours out of the spout that you are filling it form and check that nothing is dripping out from somewhere else.

As a solo traveller, I use about 50 Litres for a fri to sunday weekend with all washing up, drinking, 2 showers and all loo flushes!!! :Blush:

Where did you get the van from? maybe they can advise size of tank?

Keep us posted, Sue :thumb:

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[Reallyretired]

Even the best gauges are not very accurate as they usually work with a series of wires of different lengths dipping in the tank which gives a reading due to the conductivity of the water, thus one that is spot on will read full when only 3/4. Fill until it comes out the overflow if it has one, otherwise till it comes back out of the filler (stand back)

 

[Chris]

Ours takes about a 1/4 tank (according to the guage) to fill up the heating system when we first switch on - so my wife tells me - things technical are her department.

I concentrate on the more mundane elements of set up - awning erection for one

 

[Dalek]

You do not say what your vehicle is

Oh but she does - a Elddis Sunseeker 120


Hi and Welcome, hope you solve your water problem.

Dale

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[activecampers]

45L should last for 3-4 days for a single person with ease - including quick showers.

All good advice above, but also remember to run water through cold and hot taps as you are filling (if from empty) - as otherwise your boiler may be empty - and so when you first turn a hot tap on you "lose" 13L of water filling the boiler?