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SJ-Chris's avatar
SJ-Chris
Explorer II
May 05, 2023

Fresh water tank taking too long to fill...any suggestions?

I have a 2013 Coachman 210qb Leprechaun 23' Class C. I believe it has a 50 gallon fresh water tank.

The issue I am having is that it takes a VERY long time to fill up the fresh water tank. I have other RVs with similar sized fresh water tanks and they take a "normal" amount of time (5-10 minutes) to fill up the fresh water tank. But for some reason on this 23' RV it takes a very long time. 25-30 minutes or more. It is as if there is something restricting the flow into the tank. Or, could the tank be a closed system and perhaps the air in the tank has no way to escape during filling and therefore it creates a sort of back pressure to limit the amount of water that can enter? I can hear the water flowing. When the fresh water tank is nearly empty I can hear the water flowing in (splashing) when I turn on the hose. But it seems like once the fresh water tank gets to be 1/2 to 2/3rds of the way full the water flow into the fresh water tank is reduced to a trickle.

This RV uses the type of water fill connection where the water hose (when filling the fresh water tank) gets screwed into the connector on the side of the RV. (This is different from some of my other RVs that simply have a ~1.5" opening tube (with a cap) where you slide the hose into the pipe to fill it up). The connection point for the hose does have a screen, but when I have looked at it before it didn't look like it was blocked/clogged. I do have a simple water filter that connects to the end of the hose to filter the water going into the RV fresh water tank, and I have verified that the water easily flows through that filter (it isn't causing the flow restriction).

I haven't taken a close look yet or started taking things apart. Just thought I'd check here to see if anyone had any suggestions.

Thanks!
Chris
Seeking Advice
  • way2roll's avatar
    way2roll
    Navigator II
    May 05, 2023
    The fact that this RV has a "screw in" fill leads me to think that pressure is your problem. You are displacing air with water, that air has to go somewhere. Without the ability to vent air it's building pressure which is slowing your flow down. Aside from your filling issues I wonder how much risk this is inviting with pressure building. That, and I would think there should be a vent somewhere to keep this from happening. I know on most gravity fills there is a small vent hole in the fill housing itself. Maybe try not screwing it in so tight to let some air escape.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    May 05, 2023
    Often that inlet on the "Service" side where you hook onto the hose has a pressure regulator. Or you may have one in the line .. Many of these restrict flow.. I will describe several pressure regulators and test results (prsonally tested)

    The standard cylinderical type about an inch in diamater female hose connector one end male the other.. JUNK restrict flow
    High Flow/High Capacity version of same (Wings or a bright plastic collar on the female end) Same result Junk restrict flow.

    Sur-Flo (A Watts company) this is the unit built into many RV's also you can buy an "in-line" version... Better I give it a 8-9 on a scale of 10

    I have used both Watts and Zurin "Whole house" these are designed to be installed with pipe and have threaded IPT fittings (or copper pipe fitings) and you use hose adapter.. Back when I last bought Around 2012 Around 60 bucks. They have a bell shaped top with an adjustmen screw/bolt where the bell would normally attach to the yoke (Or thehandle of a hand bell would attach)

    Mine were 3/4 Inch models.. NO reduction inpressure from static (50 psi) to Full Flow (2GPM on the shower) When they wear out you can but a rebuild kit too.

    Valterra makes an adjustable. Never tried it. Others say good thigns about it.

    Finally There is a good chance that one of the square Doors (About 8" square) with a key lock... The common key that fits nearly every RV.. There's that gravity fill cap behind it.

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