Pressurized water system doesn't work (1973 Brave D18)

perlgurl · April 12, 2016, 04:49 PM

Short story, bought an RV sort of "on a whim" late last summer, had the brakes fixed then parked it for the winter. Just getting around to finally trying to figure out how everything works since I've never even been a passenger in a RV, much less the person responsible for getting everything working.

I got the other major systems running, now I am just trying to get water flowing, then I'll look at the water heater.....

I've put water in the water tank (photo below, I've only got one and I'm not clear how much it holds) until water drained out the bottom, so I think that means it's full. It didn't take very long though (as compared to filling the 5 gallon Aqua-tainers I usually take camping, this process seemed really fast) so I'm wondering if it had water in it that sat all winter and might still be frozen?

I've turned on the compressor and waited at least 10 minutes for it to build pressure. Nothing is coming out of the sinks, although I can see that there is some water in the tubes that come from the water tank. I also see SOMETHING (hopefully not ice, but the idea of anything else seems even worse) in the tube right under the oven (the line between the kitchen sink and the back of the coach) which makes me think it is plugged and I'll need to pull it apart to get that stuff out (photo below).

I'm also thinking I need to bleach my system, but I'm not sure how to get the bleach into the system since I filled it with a hose (pressure fill, I think this is called). Is the cap above it that seems to be a (most likely non-functional) pressure gauge supposed to come off for filling with a bucket (gravity fed)? It's on there super tight and I'm having trouble unscrewing it. It could be stuck on from age but I want to be sure before I break it trying to get it off....

perlgurl · April 12, 2016, 04:56 PM

"..... some water in the tubes that come from the water tank. I also see SOMETHING (hopefully not ice, but the idea of anything else seems even worse) in the tube right under the oven (the line between the kitchen sink and the back of the coach) which makes me think it is plugged and I'll need to pull it apart to get that stuff out (photo below). "

Rickf1985 · April 12, 2016, 05:57 PM

You have copper lines so if you had water in them then you are going to have broken pipes. I suggest following the pipes as best you can and wherever there is a low spot look for a blowout in the pipe. best to find it now before pressurizing and getting water everywhere. And that does NOT look like ice in that line. N:( W% W% W% I am not am expert on the compressor water system but from what I have read they usually do not work and are converted to an inline electric pump.

Rickf1985 · April 12, 2016, 06:01 PM

I'll bet that if you wanted to modernize and get rid of that heavy and probably just slightly contaminated metal tank you could get a new plastic tank that would fit right in there. That and a electric pump and a gravity fill and you would be in business. I have pressure only fill on my 89 and it is a pain when you are out in the middle of nowhere and you want to add water, can't just pour it in from cans. N:(

M & J · April 12, 2016, 06:23 PM

I searched the forum using "air pressure water system" and a large number of existing threads were returned on the system you have. (Remember grasshopper - one should use the search feature

). The one I pasted below is from a member who had a 76 model, but it seemed very similiar to yours.

http://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/index.php/topic,2383.msg4132.html#msg4132

LJ-TJ · April 12, 2016, 07:03 PM

I'm with Rick. You can pull that old galvanized tank out and replace it with a plastic tank and then us a 12 shurflo water pump. Make life a hole lot simpler.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR5.TRC2.A0.H0.TRS0&_nkw=shurflo+water+pump&_sacat=0

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=shurflo+water+pump&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.XRV+water+tank.TRS0&_nkw=RV+water+tank&_sacat=0

perlgurl · April 12, 2016, 07:11 PM

Quote from: M & J on April 12, 2016, 06:23 PM
I searched the forum using "air pressure water system" and a large number of existing threads were returned on the system you have. (Remember grasshopper - one should use the search feature ). The one I pasted below is from a member who had a 76 model, but it seemed very similiar to yours.

http://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/index.php/topic,2383.msg4132.html#msg4132

I went back three pages of threads in this area (plumbing) to try to find a solution work out my issue. I did find a couple that seemed pertinent and one said to try to fill the tank with the the hose and leave one or both of the sinks on to see if the water comes though. I've tried that successfully and the good news is that I don't seem to have any leaks.

My compressor doesn't seem to do ANYTHING besides make a lot of noise, so I might just table this project and use aqua-tainers for water until I can budget for the a new water tank and pump. I've got about $400-500 other in other things I still need to buy before taking it out (another battery, two new propane bottles and fill them), plus a tune-up estimated at $1k and since I can get by with aqua-tainers, I think I'll do that.

Thanks for all the help. Time to go pack up the RV and get ready to take it out in couple weeks!

perlgurl · April 12, 2016, 07:11 PM

Quote from: LJ-TJ on April 12, 2016, 07:03 PM
I'm with Rick. You can pull that old galvanized tank out and replace it with a plastic tank and then us a 12 shurflo water pump. Make life a hole lot simpler.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR5.TRC2.A0.H0.TRS0&_nkw=shurflo+water+pump&_sacat=0

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=shurflo+water+pump&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.XRV+water+tank.TRS0&_nkw=RV+water+tank&_sacat=0

Thanks for the links!

Rickf1985 · April 12, 2016, 07:20 PM

You could get a different compressor, go to amazon and type in automotive air compressor. Or Viair compressor. If all you need is air pressure. My main concern is what is inside of that tank after 43 years! Somebody could have put anything in there and you have no way of knowing and chlorine does not kill everything. Doesn't get rid of heavy metals like mercury or lead. Both of which would be involved in mining and if that unit is from Alaska I would bet it has been there, done that. Just sayin'.

Plus a rectangular tank would hold more water.

perlgurl · April 12, 2016, 07:26 PM

Yeah, given it's age I was not planning on drinking anything I put in there, just using it for washing dishes, toilet flushing (hopefully) and hand washing. I was planning on using my aquatainers for drinking H20 and cooking anyway, so now I'll just need to buy a few more for my week-long trip to Denali.

Rickf1985 · April 12, 2016, 07:31 PM

Just keep in mind weight distribution when you pack your containers. I would put them sort of both sides in the center. If you are not going to use the tank rip it out and store some of them there. The tank alone is probably 75 lbs.!

LJ-TJ · April 12, 2016, 07:44 PM

Ok now I'm not 100& on this but I believe there is a little butter fly fitting just above and to the left of your pressure gauge. If there is one try and open it. I think it allows air to come out of your tank as it fills. When the tank is full water should come out of that fitting. Once it does keep putting the water in and and close off that valve. That should fill the tank. Make sure all your taps are close and turn on your pump/compressor and go out side and look at your pressure gauge and see if it's coming up.

perlgurl · April 12, 2016, 08:27 PM

Quote from: LJ-TJ on April 12, 2016, 07:44 PM
Ok now I'm not 100& on this but I believe there is a little butter fly fitting just above and to the left of your pressure gauge. If there is one try and open it. I think it allows air to come out of your tank as it fills. When the tank is full water should come out of that fitting. Once it does keep putting the water in and and close off that valve. That should fill the tank. Make sure all your taps are close and turn on your pump/compressor and go out side and look at your pressure gauge and see if it's coming up.

Yes, I have that, but it's rusted shut. I even tried (gently) to use a pair of pliers on it. I think replacing the whole system, including valuves and tubes and whatnot, might just be the thing I will plan to do. Maybe not this year....

LJ-TJ · April 12, 2016, 09:17 PM

Yep! That's it. Maybe try spraying it with some good penetrating oil every couple of days and then maybe in at week or two take a pair of good Linesman's pliers (that's the fat ones) and as you say gently work the butterfly back and forth a little each day. What's that old saying? Nothing ventured, nothing gained. And Boy are you on an adventure and doing a great job.

Jonbbrew · May 15, 2016, 12:11 AM

my PO replaced all the lines with plastic and added an inline pump. Works great. Tank has not been replaced but cleaned many times best i could. With my mileage and registered location this rig was not used much. Lucky me...But sitting is never good either.

Anyhow, i too wish i could get the original water pressure gauge/filler hole would come off for me. Aluminum corrosion has it stuck firm. I tred to muscle it but is just damaging the fins uses to turn it. Although mine is slightly different than yours, i wish i could keep it for the original outside look. Also would like to use it for filling instead of hose connection.

perlgurl · May 15, 2016, 02:56 PM

While the RV was the shop this weekend I asked them about water tanks and I'm now the owner of 42 gallon tank,, plus a 12V Shurflow water pump.

I'm going to have to modify my couch-bed to make it deeper in order to accommodate the tank since that space is only 13.5" by 14" and the tank is 14" x 18", but there is plenty of length room though! All the tanks I looked at were like this, so unless I get a custom tank at a price I was not willing to pay, a little bit of construction work is something I can do to make the tank fit.

I'm hoping to figure out how to install the tank this week since I'm heading out next weekend.....

Jonbbrew · May 15, 2016, 03:01 PM

how much did the new tank run you?

perlgurl · May 15, 2016, 03:10 PM

I bought a 42 gallon from the RV dealer for $129. On ebay a 46gallon (same dimension issue, 14" x 18") it was $109 but most won't ship to Alaska and those that will I would anticipate a fee of well over $10 so I grabbed the one the RV place had!

Jonbbrew · May 15, 2016, 03:59 PM

Seems worth it to ensure your water tank is clean...especially mine since 73'...not to mention the weight savings..

perlgurl · May 16, 2016, 08:25 PM

Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way and item for replacing the intake "thing" for the RV city water? Can I just buy a standard one or is this also going to be an OEM part I have to try to source?

I'm hoping to install my new water tank and Surflow pump this week and though this intake "thing" works (the names of the parts are a weak point for me), it is also not in the greatest shape and so I'm thinking I'll want to replace it....

perlgurl · May 16, 2016, 08:47 PM

I suppose I can always just pull it off and then go to the RV store and HOPE they have something that will fit in its place. I've have mixed results with doing things in that manner though

DaveVA78Chieftain · May 16, 2016, 08:52 PM

I am fairly sure you will need to install a new access assembly.

Rickf1985 · May 16, 2016, 09:36 PM

You can get those gravity fills like Dave shows in many different sizes so I am sure you can get one to cover the hole you have. They are much nicer since you can fill it with water cans when boondocking.

Jonbbrew · May 16, 2016, 10:02 PM

Agreed....I just like the original version

xerofall · May 17, 2016, 12:21 PM

Quote from: Rickf1985 on May 16, 2016, 09:36 PM
You can get those gravity fills like Dave shows in many different sizes so I am sure you can get one to cover the hole you have. They are much nicer since you can fill it with water cans when boondocking.

That's what I have. Too bad you can't come down from Alaska to see my rig, it's very similar to yours and already had all the upgrades you're attempting to make.