RV Trax Panama City

Category: Fresh Water System

  • Fresh Water Pump Noise

    RV Fresh Water Pump Noise

    Most RV’s are equipped with a fresh water storage tank and a on demand fresh Water Pump , which provides satisfactory service for most RV’ers. A common complaint is the noise and vibrations associated with the pump usage. Newer recreational vehicles are very susceptible to this problem, because most newer RV fresh water supply plumbing is manufactured with Pex Tubing. This tubing has many advantages, but this tubing is very rigid and tends to chatter, because it cannot absorb the on demand pump pulsations and vibrations, resulting in a “hammering” type sound emitting throughout the RV.

    Installing flexible Braided Hose at the water pump inlet and outlet will reduce these noises considerably. Installing a inline Accumulator Tank at the pump outlet pressure port is very effective at reducing pulsating noise and eliminates short cycling of the pump.

    The best alternative is to replace the old style pressure activated pump with variable speed Flojet Pump. This modern pump utilizes a water flow sensor instead of a pressure switch. The flow sensor enables a variable water pump motor speed for precise water flow control determined by the water demand required. This pump is very efficient and requires lower battery amperage draw.

  • Drinking Water Filters

    Filtering Drinking Water

    There are many health reasons to be concerned about the water we drink, especially with an Recreational Vehicle. You and your RV travel and stop at many destinations, that will have many water quality issues. There is not any way to know the health risks that may be encountered from the local water supply, or especially the contaminants introduced from the campground. Freshwater sanitation of your RV is equally important to maintain a clean water system. I recommend installing the best water filtration systems available. A dedicated filtered water drinking tap and ice maker line run from the water filter is very important.

    Most water filtration systems only filter contaminants by physically straining the water. A much better system is called the Metal Trap Ultra Dual Filtration system by Hydropure Technologies. This system works for city water and well water systems. This system works on the principal of chemical oxidation, absorption and ion exchange, whereas it removes and traps the unwanted contaminants. This is a two stage system, whereas the first stage filters iron, copper, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell) from most well water systems. It also removes chlorine, chlorinated organic compounds, herbicides, pesticides and residual pharmaceuticals

    As water enters the second stage, activated carbon filters down to one micron. The activated carbon filters out the foul tasting and potentially harmful chemicals and contaminants. This one micron sediment filter will remove dissolved calcium particles, oxidized metals, viruses, bacteria and fine silt.

    These water filtration systems have good installation instructions, quite easy to install and work . exceptionally well. The RV system is rated for 6000 gallons and a larger version is available for your home rated at 14,000 Gallons.

  • De-Winterizing Fresh Water Supply

    Removing Antifreeze from Fresh Water System after Winterizing

    When putting your Recreational Vehicle back into service after winterizing, it is important to flush the fresh water system of all the Anti freeze used to winterize and protect the fresh water system from freezing, Following a few steps will assure you of a clean fresh water system.

    1. Drain the fresh water holding tank of any antifreeze that was added. During the winterizing process. Shut the fresh water tank low point drain valve.
    2. Remove the drain plug from the water heater and allow it to drain. Re-install the plug. .
    3. Put several gallons of fresh water into the fresh water holding tank. Open the low point fresh water tank drain and allow the water to drain completely. Close the low point drain valve..
    4. Refill the fresh water tank with several gallons of fresh water..
    5. Turn the fresh water pump on
    6. Open all the cold water faucets one by one and allow the water to flow for several minutes.
    7. Turn the fresh water pump off.
    8. Connect the city water inlet to the fresh water hose and turn the city water supply on.
    9. Open all the hot and cold water faucets and allow water to flow for several minutes. Flush the toilet a few times. If you have a washer machine, operate in in a warm cycle to allow anti freeze to be flushed out. Open the outdoor shower faucets if equipped.
    10. If equipped with a water heater bypass, turn the valves back to the normal position. And open all the hot water faucets, one by one allowing the air to escape. Allow all hot water faucets to flow for a few minutes.
    11. A great option at this time would be to perform the fresh water sanitation procedure outlined in the Fresh Water Sanitation article to have a clean fresh water system.
    12. It would be recommended to shut the fresh water supply off and relieve the pressure bu opening a hot water spigot. Remove the hot water heater drain plug and allow it to drain again. Re-install the plug and refill the tank.

    Your fresh water system is now ready for safe use.

  • Water System Sanitation

    WATER SYSTEM SANITATION
    It is not uncommon for RV owners to complain of bad water. The first sign of contaminated water systems is usually a bad taste, followed by odors emanating from the water supply. Bacteria may have built up in the water tank, especially if the water tanks supply has not been used frequently and
    not been replenished with clean water regularly. When a rig comes out of storage or is being used extensively on a city water connection, the fresh water tank and the entire water system should be sanitized before use. The following steps should be taken to disinfect the entire water system:

    1. Turn off the city water supply. Verify the water heater is turned off. Remove the water heater drain plug.
    2. Drain the fresh water tank and water heater completely.
    3. Close the fresh water valve and reinstall the water heater drain plug.
    4. Refill the fresh water tank about half way with fresh water.
    5. Mix ¼ cup of household bleach for every 15 gallons of the fresh water and water heater tanks total capacity, in a container of one or two gallons of fresh water. Pour this mixture into the fresh water tank and top off the tank with fresh water.
    6. Turn on the fresh water pump and open all the faucets, including the toilet. Allow the air to escape from the hot water supply to fill the water heater tank. This will fill the entire system with the bleach solution.
    7. Top off the water tank again with fresh water.
    8. Drive the vehicle if possible to slosh the solution, then let stand for several hours.
    9. Completely drain the entire fresh water system including the water heater.
    10. Close the fresh water tank valve and reinstall the drain plugs.
    11. To neutralize the bleach odor, mix ½ cup of baking soda with about one gallon of fresh water and pour into the fresh water tank. Refill the tank with fresh water, turn the pump on again and flush this mixture through the entire system.
    12. To drain the baking soda solution, open the fresh water tank valve and remove the water heater drain plug, then proceed to drain the entire system again. Close the fresh water tank valve and reinstall the water heater drain plug.
    13. Refill the fresh water tank with clean water, turn on the pump, then open the hot water and cold water faucets until all of the air has escaped. Turn your hot water heater back on. Now your fresh water system is disinfected and cleaner than new. If you would like a qualified professional to perform this service for you, call (850) 866-6999 or visit https://rvtrax.com.

  • Winterizing The Fresh Water System

    Winterizing the Fresh Water System

    Protecting the RV plumbing system from freezing is important to avoid costly repairs. Below is a list of a few items required and the procedures to perform this service.

    1. Two to three gallons of non-toxic RV/Marine Anti Freeze. Length and layout of the RV determines the amount required.
    2. A Tank Wand or a Built In Flushing System to flush the holding tanks if not already equipped.
    3. A Water Pump Converter Kit or tubing to connect to the Water Pump inlet
    4. A few basic tools to aid in installation and removal of drain plugs.

    Read the RV owners manual to follow proper winterizing procedures for the recreational vehicle.

     

    1. Disconnect water supply.
    2. Remove and bypass any inline water filters.
    3. Drain the fresh water holding tank.
    4. Drain and flush the Gray and Black Water holding tanks.
    5. Verify the water heater is cold and turned off. Remove the drain plug and drain the water heater. Open the relief valve to aid in quicker draining.
    6. Open all hot and cold water faucets including the outside shower and toilet if equipped.
    7. Locate and open the low point water drains.
    8. Turn on the fresh water pump to help flush the remaining water out the lines. Turn it back off when water flow has stopped.
    9. Close all faucets and drains.
    10. Install the Water Heater Bypass Kit (if not equipped) and bypass the water heater. This is required to save many gallons of the non toxic Anti Freeze.
    11. Install the fresh water converter kit to the fresh water pump inlet or tubing as required, if not already equipped.
    12. Install the suction tube from the converter kit to the pump into a gallon jug of the Anti Freeze. Turn on the water pump and allow the fresh water system to pressurize. Periodically replace the antifreeze jug when the solution gets low. Starting at the closest faucet to the pump, slowly open the hot and cold valves until the colored Anti Freeze expels from the fixture. Close the valves. Continue this procedure for each fixture working away from the pump. Do not forget the toilet and outside shower, if equipped. If a washer machine and dish washer is in the unit, turn the units on in the cold and hot water modes to fill the valves with anti freeze.
    13. Consult the owners manual for ice maker winterizing techniques.
    14. Pour a cup of antifreeze down each drain and in the toilet to aid in preventing freezing of the drain lines and holding tank.

     

    The RV is now completely winterized for the cold season.

     

    See the article De-Winterizing to place unit back into service.