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ericsmith32's avatar
ericsmith32
Explorer
Jul 12, 2013

Filling a hidden fresh water tank

On the past RV's I've filled there's a separate tank filler and city water hookups. On our current Jayco it's all in one just change a few valves and open one of the faucets. The problem is when is it full? The tank is above the axle with no visible indicator anywhere except the control center. With the filler like the gas tank it was fairly easy!

I've only had to fill it three times so still trying to figure it out. The 2nd time I got busy and forgot to open the faucet well it pressurized and I'm guessing there's a pressure release since it shot out all the excess water and air which left 2/3 of tank, the manual says nothing of course. This last time I got it to indicate full but I'm sure it's not completely full. I don't want to split the tank. Anyone else with a hidden tank and how do you handle it?

Eventually I'd like to relocate the tank to tanks but that's another story and project!
  • ericsmith32's avatar
    ericsmith32
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2013
    Filled it again yesterday. There's 3 tubes over the driver's side axle. When the tank got full the overflow was the middle one. Seemed like it let out alot of water based on how quick I turned the water off though. I'm going to try adding some more and see what happens.
  • Harvey51's avatar
    Harvey51
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2013
    Did you mark a level to indicate full?

    No, but I have a good idea where it is with respect to the bumper. When it gets close I slow the water flow and wait for the overflow to happen. I need it dead full to prime the pump.
  • rvten's avatar
    rvten
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2013
    If the tanks did not have an overflow tube. They could not vent the air or water. Would burst or crack.

    I just sit back and watch for it to over flow.
  • Pangaea_Ron's avatar
    Pangaea_Ron
    Explorer
    Jul 19, 2013
    Harvey51 wrote:
    I have a clear plastic tube attached to the freshwater drain. It is long enough so I can hold it up beside the outside wall and see the water level clearly as I fill the tank.


    I like that idea. Did you mark a level to indicate full?

    My gauges are not very accurate, but I can see the tank, so I'll also try to use that as a guide.

    I also can lose a great deal of water when the tank overfills. I've tried opening faucets and exterior shower to stop the flow but without good results.
  • Harvey51's avatar
    Harvey51
    Explorer
    Jul 19, 2013
    I have a clear plastic tube attached to the freshwater drain. It is long enough so I can hold it up beside the outside wall and see the water level clearly as I fill the tank.
  • ericsmith32's avatar
    ericsmith32
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2013
    The tank isn't visible unless you crawl under as it's above the axle, separated by a metal plate. I'd like to locate another water tank under the rear dinette but that'll be a while. It does have a outside shower but all the faucets can run when the tank is filling. I did leave the valve with the clear hose (allows cleaners/antifreeze to be added to the tank) and it seemed to help. Need to take the bottom of the bathroom sink apart as that's where everything is and have a look see. Have three weeks before the next trip so just going to let it fill and see what happens.
  • rock077's avatar
    rock077
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2013
    Do you have an outside shower? Open the cold water, when the water starts coming out, the tank is full.....
  • dcason's avatar
    dcason
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2013
    We also have a jayco (24 foot escapade) with those valves (which was a new thing for us). Is your tank visible under the dinette? Hubby fills it up but watches the actual tank (lift up the dinette top and look in?)and then tops it off.
    We had problems with as much of 1/3 of tank water loss while going up some of the extreme up and downs of Cape Breton and occastionally in Newfoundland. He got some parts of Lowes and fixed that loss.
    Donna
  • bob_and_donna's avatar
    bob_and_donna
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2013
    my old Shasta 23 foot TT had a bad design in the over flow tube. I had to have a piece of tubing to place in the over flow (after removing the bug screen)and blow into or suck out the air that was trapped in the tank or the fill pipe would surge out at least 1/3 rd of the water. Sounds like a plugged vent or a valve to a vent that might need to be opened. Just a thought.
  • Dashonthedash's avatar
    Dashonthedash
    Explorer
    Jul 12, 2013
    When you say it is "hidden", does that mean you can't access it at all, or that it's just not visible from the filler? On my motorhome, the tank is located in the same compartment where the water pump is, on the side opposite the filler. The low-point drains are also in the compartment. When I fill the tank, I always open the water pump compartment and watch the tank level while it's filling. Incidentally, mine does have an overflow tube.

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