Problem with tank losing water

[Jose Garcia]

Hi I'm a new owner of a Dethleffs van and am having a problem whenever I fill the tank and switch a tap on, the water level drops really quickly. Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

 

[Figaro]

Check that the frost protection valve on the boiler is closed.
Can you see water running out underneath ?

 

[Spriddler]

A Figaro said above, plus are you going by the tank gauge? Many are notoriously inaccurate.
Are you sure you're filling the tank completely full?

 

[Jose Garcia]

Hi there thanks for replying, the frost protection valve is closed and no I can't see any water underneath. It's so puzzling.

 

[Jose Garcia]

We've checked in the actual tank and lost loads.

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[Boris7]

I’m assuming your talking about the level on the onboard display?

If so and if it’s like ours it displays in blocks of 25%

So if you started with 100 litres and took out 5 litres it will show 75% suggesting you’ve used 25 litres, but you actually have 95 litres Still

 

[PeteH]

Gravity, will ensure that any real leak is eventually visible as a Pool under the van. No sign of leakage suggest there is an issue somewhere with the installed equipment? Damp patches in carpets and floors that feel soft?, are warnings of more severe "infestation".

It`s very rare but I heard of an R-V, which had a weeping control valve on the Toilet. Every time a pump ran and the pipework pressurised the toilet filled?.

 

[Paul and Kate]

Do you fill the tanks until water comes out of the overfill pipe or until it says 100% on the gauge

 

[cmcardle75]

Hi there thanks for replying, the frost protection valve is closed and no I can't see any water underneath. It's so puzzling.

Well, water doesn't just disappear. Either your flow rate is higher than expected, the tank is smaller than expected, the means used to measure tank level is flawed, or the water is running away somewhere (which you would usually expect to find by looking underneath the van, or in your grey tank). Just work through all the possibilities and you should find the solution!

 

[Jose Garcia]

Hi thanks everyone but nothing seems damp underneath and the water level indicator suggests I've used 50 litres today when all I've used is maybe 10 litres when testing for the leak. Can't see or feel anything wet inside, though I don't have carpets.

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[Swifter]

Have a look at the physical level of water in the tank if possible ?

 

[gus-lopez]

Fill the tanks until the water comes out of the filler cap or over flow. That way you know that it is definitely full.

 

[Spriddler]

I'd doubt the indicator. Refill the tank and judge how much you're having to put in. Fill from a container if you want total accuracy. Some gauges have a 'zeroing' function which you can set when the tank has been filled.
I don't know your m/h but if it's a pressurised system (it probably isn't but...) and there's a there's a leak you'll hear the pump running when you're not drawing any water.

 

[cmcardle75]

Fill the tanks until the water comes out of the filler cap or over flow. That way you know that it is definitely full.

Then do your tests and measure how much water it takes to refill.

 

[Graham of Madrid]

Fill the tanks until the water comes out of the filler cap or over flow.

The ONLY way to know if your tank is full

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[Figaro]

Ignore the level indicator, they can be useless, go old school and use a dip stick
Welcome to the forum too

 

[Off da Grid]

Are you draining the system after each outing?
Just to fill the electric and gas water heaters on ours takes 20litres before you start filling the system

 

[Jose Garcia]

Thanks for all your comments and help. We'll keep trying to solve it.

 

[WillH]

Ignore the indicator! You know when the tank is full, it overflows, you know when it's empty, nothing comes out the taps.