How to sanatize fresh tank if you don't have a gravity water fill (2010+ Models)

gdbontly · 09-06-2010, 11:10 AM

After nearly 3 months of taking delivery of our new coach, I finally sanitized the fresh water system (we've been using bottled water for drinking thus far). I read the threads about how to fill the fresh tank on the newer models after PI stopped installing the gravity feed fill. This also made me wonder how I was going to introduce bleach into the fresh water system to sanitize it. What I have in my basement (near the water pump) does not match what's shown in my Owner's Manual! The Owner's Manual shows three valves on page 41, under the discussion on Winterizing Your Coach. I only have two valves.

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So after looking at it for a while, I simply sucked in the bleach solution by opening the winterizing valve and turning on the water pump. In fact, after I started the suction using the water pump, I turned it off for a minute to go check on something else. When I returned, I found that it created a suction and drained the rest of the solution with the pump off. The suction seemed to be almost as fast as using the pump. It couldn't have been easier. The only valve I had to use was the winterizing valve.

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rockintom · 09-06-2010, 11:41 AM

Mr. Glenn,

Grrrrrrreat post!! I think we have another SKIA on hand!!!

We just use our fresh water tank for all but drinking. When we're on the pump....I just drink my whiskey straight...

As fulltimers, we run about a half a tank of water and when parked, we keep the water for 1 month or city water or 2 weeks on well water, to keep things fresh. To avoid waste, when it getting close to time to drain the water we run the pump, both to exercise the pump and use the water. Works for us. rockin'

Jim & Bona · 09-06-2010, 12:13 PM

Me? I'm still having real difficulty understanding why PI would build a coach intended for fulltiming, knowing that at least a few of us love the boondocks, without a traditional side gravity fill for fresh water.

From what I read here on this subject the current design is far too complex for the average owner to easily figure out. And it sure doesn't sound like something I'd want to do every time I filled my fresh water tank. This wouldn't be much fun when taking on fresh water with a couple of RVs in line behind you, waiting to get at the faucet.

I sure hope that PI reverts to the traditional water door on the side before it's time to replace our trailer. Or at least offer it as an option. This might be a deciding factor in our next selection.

Or am I all wet on this?

Jim

Jim & Bona · 09-06-2010, 12:22 PM

I moved this post to the Off Topic thread so as to not hijack Glenn's thread.

Jim

davydee · 09-07-2010, 06:51 AM

Just throwing this out to see if others believe the same thing. We have the older version. If we fill from the city water connection, ours acts as if the water flows through the water filter into the tank. Anyone disagree with that? I'm hoping it reduces the need to sanitize as often. David

rockintom · 09-07-2010, 08:34 AM

Water from the fresh tank is filtered on the pressure side of the pump. It is not filtered when you add water into the fresh water fill......HTH rockin'

wa8yxm · 09-07-2010, 09:16 AM

That is one way.. Another way is to use your city water hose.. Here is how I do it not because I don't have a gravity fill but because this gets the hose as well

Fill tank about 1/2 full with water

Blow out hose (I used an air compressor because I have one but heck, you can just disconnect both ends and walk the hose and let gravity do it then hook back up at the RV)

Pour the proper amount of bleach into the house using a funnel,

Hook back up to city water and blast it into the tank.

Very easy.

A winterizing valve or a winterizing hand pump .. Also work well but do nothing for the city water hose.

gdbontly · 09-07-2010, 09:22 AM

Using the instructions in my Owner's Manual, it took me several hours and a LOT of water to sanitize the system. Isn't there chlorine introduced into most municipal water systems? Would it work if I just added a small amount of bleach (or other sanitizing agent) to the fresh tank everytime I filled it? Would that keep it sanitized so that I don't have to go through this process again?

OneRVer · 09-07-2010, 09:35 AM

You said it Wa8yxm. That is how I do it. Pretty simple. Just make sure the hose inlet is higher then the hose outlet.

davydee · 09-07-2010, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom

Water from the fresh tank is filtered on the pressure side of the pump. It is not filtered when you add water into the fresh water fill......HTH rockin'

That's what I thought. Been using a portable water filter when I use the side fill door. Fills faster! Thanks, Rockin'!

Ray,IN · 09-13-2010, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdbontly

Using the instructions in my Owner's Manual, it took me several hours and a LOT of water to sanitize the system. Isn't there chlorine introduced into most municipal water systems? Would it work if I just added a small amount of bleach (or other sanitizing agent) to the fresh tank everytime I filled it? Would that keep it sanitized so that I don't have to go through this process again?

Yes it will, just follow this chart!http://ndep.nv.gov/bsdw/docs/disinfe...king_water.pdf