Water Pressure Tank 2

[mrhappi]

Hi Guys,

We got back from Tassie this week after collecting our new (to us) Jayco Journey 17.55.5SH OB. Trip and handover went great, but more on that in a later post.

We've had some water pressure issues. First one related to mains pressure and the fix mentioned in plenty of other posts (i.e. stretching the spring in the PRV) seemed to fix that one.

The other pressure issue we have is when the pump is running from tank 2 (rear tank). We just cannot produce enough pressure to run the shower. Tank 1 is fine.

I've checked all the pipes and there's no pinch points (well there was one, but I've fixed that) but still cannot get enough pressure from tank 2. I'm wondering if it's a design issue because the tank selector tap/switch sits adjacent to tank 1, so when you draw from tank 1, it seems to come straight from the tank via the selector then down to the pump...no problem.
But when drawing from tank 2 it runs the length of the van to the selector tap then back down to the pump. By the time it gets to the pump the hoses are starting to compress and the system struggles.

Has anyone else struck a similar issue and have a recommended solution?

 

[Bmhdg76]

The run shouldn't matter too much. With you saying the pipes compress it sounds like it is trying to suck, but isn't drawing through. May be worth checking the breather isn't blocked.

BJ.

 

[Where to next]

The other thing to check is to make sure there is no air in the line. The pump is not powerful enough to pump any air out of the line. When there is air in the line it will not drop the pressure so much but more create a spirt of air and then water and so on. As @Bmhdg76 has noted the first thing would be to check the breather.

 

[mrhappi]

Thanks guys. I'll give this a going over tomorrow. Cheers

 

[Drover]

Run pump and lay underneath and look at the line for any air bubbles especially near the valve also I know it sounds obvious but double check that the arrows on the valve knob are lined up correctly as the valve has a tank 1, tank 2 and an off position.

 

[mrhappi]

Hi guys,

Filled both tanks by blocking the inlet until water flowed freely from the breather pipe. I assume this should be enough to a) ensure breathers aren't blocked b) all the air from the system in removed.

Unfortunately nothings changed

Here's a run down of what the flow looks like. Basically Tank 2 starts out ok but then quickly diminishes to a dribble.

Flow from tank 2

Flow from tank 1

Flow from both tanks

Any thoughts on what to try next?

 

[Drover]

I assume this also happens at the sink ???

You will need to start at the tank and check that the outlet hole is clear of any plastic, you may have a flap of plastic which is closing over the hole as you draw water, I would take off the hose, fit a shorter section and see how it flows. If it runs well then remove and blow thru all lines and dismantle the dodgy plastic tank switc valve it may have a bit of plastic in it.
Next I would connect the tank direct to pump and see what happens but I think you will find a poor outlet at the tank as you said the line was compressing earlier.

It is not uncommon to find bits of plastic in the water lines from the tanks if they have never been flushed.

 

[mrhappi]

yeah mate, sink is similar on tank 2. Starts out OK but quickly diminishes to a very low flow.

 

[Crusty181]

Same result on cold only, hot only and mix ... ??

 

[bigman0510]

I will tell you what I found in mine....
Same issue only one tank had good pressure, was driving me nuts, in the end I pulled the selector valve off and tried to blow in each outlet/inlet and found out that there was a bit of plastic swarf stuck in one side. Once removed back to awesome!!

 

[Drover]

Also just be carefull if you dismantle the switch valve the plastic tabs on the cheapo thing can break I replaced mine with 2 garden trickle taps, 2 for $6 at Bunnings in an emergency on the road, they are still working well some 12 mths later.......no intention of changing them.

 

[mrhappi]

Same result on cold only, hot only and mix ... ??

Water pressure from hot is all good regardless of the tank I'm drawing from. But on tank 2 you can hear the pump sruggling to refill the HWS (i.e it runs for a lot longer)

I disconnected the hose from the outlet directly from tank 2 and water seemed to flow easily from it.

I'll hook into that selector valve tomorrow and see if that's the culprit.

As for water pressure on tank 1 does that flow rate seem similar to what others are achieving?

 

[Drover]

Go for the tap it certainly sounds like a bit of plastic is blocking things up, the hot water would probably stop as well but you've 15lts to get thru first........I didn't know you could have both tanks plumbed together though, interesting my tap you can only have 1 tank at a time or both closed off, I'd painted the embossed arrows on the tap so I could see what was what, well thats before it broke.

 

[mrhappi]

Eureka! I found it. Great advice guys, here's the crappy piece of black plastic/silicon material that was stuck in the valve.


Problem solved and the water is flowing strongly. All makes for a nice long shower I can have Friday night - woo hoo. Thanks for the advice everyone

 

[Drover]

We aim to please.......................probably good to pop hoses and give tanks a flush as well as lines including HWS to make sure all the goobers are out..............if your HW plays up there's probably crap in the stupid Tempering Valve filter.

 

[Drover]

Wow !!!!! the pic just appeared on my tablet, that is the biggest bit of swirl I've seen from the lines to date.......

 

[mrhappi]

Wow !!!!! the pic just appeared on my tablet, that is the biggest bit of swirl I've seen from the lines to date.......

I know, it's amazing any water was getting through. Although that is mrshappi's petite little hand, so perspective might be a little off.