Overflowing fresh water tank (1 Viewer)

[Folkranger]

Do I need to type more slowly, then?

Red Inspection Bung in Fresh water tank mounted vertically. Even when water level below the bung, the bottom section of the coarse, deep thread collects water from the previous higher water levels and when the Bung is released, the water accumulation escapes and runs down into the refill cupboard, so the trick is to grab the sponge and wash leather quickly to catch the spillage/leakage before it has a chance to settle under the water tank itself, potentially causing future problems with damp.

Steve

Sorry. No offence meant. I think it was Brunhilda and bum otching that threw me.

 

[Folkranger]

I find if I overfill it pours out of the filler. I normally fill to 100% then leave it about another 30 sec maybe a bit longer before turning off the hose, depends on the pressure.

Mine's a constant backflow when filling. I can make it more or less by juggling the filling hose or turning the tap down a bit. Next I'll try feeding the hose down its throat, see if that stops it. Edit: "along its throat" as this one is horizontal.

 

[Brains]

I fill until the water pours out of the filler pipe

And then turn on the kitchen tap to run out about 5 liters so that the water level is to the top of the tank, not the top of the higher filler point.

If we drive with a full tank then we get some leakage around the access panel for the pump.
I normally travel with only 20 liters, but if needed I'll travel with upto 75% full.

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[marchie]

On Hymers it's a clear or blue one in the top of the tank, I don't think the thread is quite as coarse.

Thanks, Lenny. Is it t only the 'cheap' Burstners that have the cavernous vertical Inspection/Cleaning hatch, then? Great for access, but the coarse thread allows a tidy accumulation of water, and, as soon as the Bung is loosened, water begins to drip quite quickly, and it's about 5 seconds of unscrewing later before the seepage stops. The sponge/wash leather is now just part of the refill routine, and, if that's all Brunhilde has to offer by way of problems/disappointments, I can live with that.

Steve

 

[Petersbees]

When I filled my van the first time water flooded everywher, but the tank only showed 1/4 full. Problem was holes in the inlet pipe to the tank, replaced no further problem

 

[marchie]

Sorry. No offence meant. I think it was Brunhilda and bum otching that threw me.

None taken. I said when I joined the Forum that I only take life seriously when I absolutely have to, and there is so much about motorhoming where laughing at the bizarre installations, processes etc is better than crying! The 'bum otching' is a great example; the drop down bed finishes about 20cm beyond the raised habitation floor, so there is a 12cm drop in floor levels. 1st night away, we couldn't [despite 1 inch inside leg] otch the bum onto the mattress so had to resort to very unsafe use of the Hymer ladder which has only fixed hooks positioned at near ceiling height!

So next morning involved a trip to the Caravan Shop to buy a metal step to allow safe access to the bed ... Of course, most nights we lock the Hab Door, then curse quietly when we remember that we've forgotten to retrieve the step from outside, so it's unlock time and kneel down, poking around to locate the dew laden step whilst presenting the neighbours with an image of the moon coming over the mountains, before cursing again whilst digging out a cloth to dry the step ... These are the joys that we look forward to so enthusiastically ...

Steve

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[Folkranger]

None taken. I said when I joined the Forum that I only take life seriously when I absolutely have to, and there is so much about motorhoming where laughing at the bizarre installations, processes etc is better than crying! The 'bum otching' is a great example; the drop down bed finishes about 20cm beyond the raised habitation floor, so there is a 12cm drop in floor levels. 1st night away, we couldn't [despite 1 inch inside leg] otch the bum onto the mattress so had to resort to very unsafe use of the Hymer ladder which has only fixed hooks positioned at near ceiling height!

So next morning involved a trip to the Caravan Shop to buy a metal step to allow safe access to the bed ... Of course, most nights we lock the Hab Door, then curse quietly when we remember that we've forgotten to retrieve the step from outside, so it's unlock time and kneel down, poking around to locate the dew laden step whilst presenting the neighbours with an image of the moon coming over the mountains, before cursing again whilst digging out a cloth to dry the step ... These are the joys that we look forward to so enthusiastically ...

Steve

My solution to bum otching. better than the Hymer ladder, foam added to treads and it folds to under 2 inches thickness so stays in the bed with the duvet and pillows.

 

[Scotch mist]

it Can be difficult to tighten the cap as the rubber seal binds SO what I do is smear the rubber seal with silicon grease or petroleum jelly , this allows easy & accurate tightening ( old plumbing trick )

had to do it to my brand new leaking cap on my deathless

 

[marchie]

My solution to bum otching. better than the Hymer ladder, foam added to treads and it folds to under 2 inches thickness so stays in the bed with the duvet and pillows.
View attachment 534016

Nice solution! Not sure that we could replicate this because the step is inboard, so we can only just fit the caravan step in which goes at right angles to the inboard step. Shame, because a padded step would be comfortable and practical. A 5.99m Van offers a number of advantages, but also carries compromises!

Steve

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[Lenny HB]

Thanks, Lenny. Is it t only the 'cheap' Burstners that have the cavernous vertical Inspection/Cleaning hatch,

Seen it on a lot of Adria's and the odd Carthago.

 

[Lenny HB]

it Can be difficult to tighten the cap as the rubber seal binds SO what I do is smear the rubber seal with silicon grease or petroleum jelly , this allows easy & accurate tightening ( old plumbing trick )

Nooo, petroleum jelly/vaseline will rot the seal.

 

[Lenny HB]

Not sure I'm prepared to stand watching a wholly inaccurate gauge. Especially when the site is a slow filler.

Always found the fresh water gauge quite accurate on all the Hymer's we have had, waste water gauge a different story.

Mine's a constant backflow when filling. I can make it more or less by juggling the filling hose or turning the tap down a bit. Next I'll try feeding the hose down its throat, see if that stops it. Edit: "along its throat" as this one is horizontal.

I always poke the hose in about 6 to 10", your tank and filler are the same as mine I've never had a problem filling.

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[Folkranger]

Nice solution! Not sure that we could replicate this because the step is inboard, so we can only just fit the caravan step in which goes at right angles to the inboard step. Shame, because a padded step would be comfortable and practical. A 5.99m Van offers a number of advantages, but also carries compromises!

Steve

Got these steps for my first 5.99m hymer. Since then we've had all fixed beds. But now changed to this hymer 6.99m as it has loads of space but no fixed bed. The extensions make the drop down bed a great place to sleep. The steps have gained another life.

 

[Folkranger]

Always found the fresh water gauge quite accurate on all the Hymer's we have had, waste water gauge a different story.

I was wondering if I have a waste water gauge. It's on the panel but no show.

I always poke the hose in about 6 to 10", your tank and filler are the same as mine I've never had a problem filling.

Ah. I've always used the hose with a connector on the end so it stays in place without holding. Guess its time to change the habit of a lifetime.

 

[KnolePark]

We had this problem when our van was new. Discovered that the dealer had not tightened the inspection cap on the tank so when I filled it the water flowed out of the inspection hole. Once tightened up it's never happened again. I did curse them!

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[Lenny HB]

I was wondering if I have a waste water gauge. It's on the panel but no show.

Mine doesn't register anything until it's about 50% full.

Ah. I've always used the hose with a connector on the end so it stays in place without holding. Guess its time to change the habit of a lifetime.

That's what I do I just push it in the pipe a bit so it doesn't fly out if the water pressure is high.

 

[Essgeebee]

Inspection cap? Didn’t know there was one on my Autotrail Tracker. I’ve had a look and can’t see one anywhere. Any hints?
The tank overflows onto the ground when full.

 

[cmcardle75]

Why hasn't someone come up with a shut off valve that detects the water pressure in the inlet pipe?

I fitted a toilet style float valve to mine. It is filled using a hoselock type connector. I can just plug in and come back 30 minutes later and remove the hose. Alternatively, I can bypass the valve and get another 20 litres in (it is a 210 litre tank), but then you have to watch closely. It would be hard for any gravity overflow to keep up with a pressurised water supply.

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[Lenny HB]

Inspection cap? Didn’t know there was one on my Autotrail Tracker. I’ve had a look and can’t see one anywhere. Any hints?
The tank overflows onto the ground when full.

There will be one somewhere probably in the top of the tank, I have seen some vans with an underslung tank with them in the top & you have to drop the tank out to get at them.

 

[Busybees]

We also had problems when our m/h was new. We filled the freshwater tank and found water on the floor (tank is under the dinette seat). Lifting the seat revealed the overflow/breather not exiting to the outside of the vehicle.


Looking at the filler hose there is a spigot to take the tube just above it.



Connected the overflow/breather there (jubilee clip added after photo taken).



Then put silicone grease on the inspection bung and retightened.
All ok.

Now the filling procedure is to remove filler cap and replace with the Heos filler with about 18" of polythene pipe connected which is fed into the filler neck. Connect up the hose pipe and fill until the water starts overflowing around the filler, then disconnect the hose. Replace the filler cap with the lockable one. Just to be on the safe side we usually run off a few litres of water to ensure the water level in the tank is just below the lower end of the filler tube.
We usually travel with a full tank on our outward journeys.

 

[63720]

How many who choose to brim their water tank have actually used it all without being able to get more somewhere?
Back in the day I brimmed the tank, but not the hot because it was winter and didn't want to lose it before running the heating. Half way down through France in December we stopped off for lunch and on finishing up there was a huge pool of water under the van. I'd run the tap to wash my hands and because the drain valve was still open all the cold syphoned out through the hot and drained the tank dry. Drove to all the Aires on our route but the water was off for winter. Eventually reaching Poitiers I caved in and went to Aldi and bought 60lts for next to nothing and away we went.

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[Don Campbell]

I completely fail to understand the logic of an inspection/access lid/bung (call it what you like) which is fitted vertically.

 

[Wickenman]

Anybody else get this.
Left the filling hose in a bit too long while i went to the loo. Next time under the floor and carpet was wet, water tank top was flooded. Don't these have an overflow?

Ditto same as others have replied. I only fill mine to 75% if I’m on my own, or to 100% if with my co-pilot, and then it’s a very rapid switch off! I’ve found the water pressure at some sites would put a fireman’s hose to shame so no matter how big an overflow it won’t cope.

 

[Folkranger]

I completely fail to understand the logic of an inspection/access lid/bung (call it what you like) which is fitted vertically.

Allows you to get an arm in for cleaning I suppose.

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[Folkranger]

How many who choose to brim their water tank have actually used it all without being able to get more somewhere?
Back in the day I brimmed the tank, but not the hot because it was winter and didn't want to lose it before running the heating. Half way down through France in December we stopped off for lunch and on finishing up there was a huge pool of water under the van. I'd run the tap to wash my hands and because the drain valve was still open all the cold syphoned out through the hot and drained the tank dry. Drove to all the Aires on our route but the water was off for winter. Eventually reaching Poitiers I caved in and went to Aldi and bought 60lts for next to nothing and away we went.

I tend to fill mine if I'm going to an unspecified site. There have been times when we've been very low and hoping it lasts so we can fill up in a better place.

 

[Scotch mist]

Nooo, petroleum jelly/vaseline will rot the seal.

I think petroleum products will rot natural/ real rubber , but I believe Morden seals/ o rings are man made & do not have rubber in them

 

[Lenny HB]

I think petroleum products will rot natural/ real rubber , but I believe Morden seals/ o rings are man made & do not have rubber in them

It rots neropene which is often used in O ring seals.

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[Folkranger]

Nice solution! Not sure that we could replicate this because the step is inboard, so we can only just fit the caravan step in which goes at right angles to the inboard step. Shame, because a padded step would be comfortable and practical. A 5.99m Van offers a number of advantages, but also carries compromises!

Steve

Can't you cut two legs off so that 2 are on the step and 2 the floor?

 

[Folkranger]

It rots neropene which is often used in O ring seals.

But are they natural rubber? I worked many years ago in a plastic/ rubber industry and many rubbers back then were being diluted or phased out.

 

[Lenny HB]

But are they natural rubber? I worked many years ago in a plastic/ rubber industry and many rubbers back then were being diluted or phased out.

Don't know but not worth taking the risk.

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