Water tank overflow lines .... syphoning!

[PeterFTH]

I have a 2002 Travel Supreme DS40 RV and on a few occasions while filling the water tank water will come out two overflow tubes that arc up and then down. Most of the time I don't have the problem, but a few days ago I came out of storage and drained and refilled the 100 gallon tank and there was the water pouring out these (stupid) overflows. I have thought about drilling a hole at the high point of each one as a syphon break, IF I could get a drill anywhere near there ... has anyone else had this issue and perhaps found the cause? Thanks for any thoughts on this subject.

PS - does anyone know why one can attach a video but not a .jpg photo to these posts? Seems odd to me.

[Bigd9]

Just a general comment or two since I have a different coach. The way I see it, there should not be any syphon action going on if it is a vent tube. Once the water level drops below the location of the vent, there shouldn't be any water left to come out. On my coach, if I fill the tank too full, water will trickle out the overflow tube for a long while, but it will evidently stop.

What problem are you seeing when you try to post a JPG? I just click on the paperclip icon, select the location and actual picture I want to attach and presto, it's there. One trick I use after I upload a picture, I click on "Preview Post" button along the bottom, and then I can see the picture actually show up.

[brobox]

I also had a TS 2002 DS01. I watched my water tank fill from the wet bay side and never let it over flow...never had the problem. I used my phone timer to get an idea when it was close to being full.

Many MH's will have the siphoning overflow problem. It's a plastic tank that expands when full. Once the siphoning starts the pressure in the tank forces water out of the overflows until the pressure is revealed. There are a couple of posts in the search function that others have posted, but I don't member the solution. Should be able to drain some water off to stop it.

[anneb]

I had the same problem. Solved it by buying enough plastic tubing and 2 45 degree fittings, Stuck one over the tubing, ran it up to the top of the ladder- 1 rt angle, over the ladder, another right angle and down maybe a foot. Fill tank til it flows out overflow, run sink 1 minute, problem solved. Running over flow flushed dust out.

[Bigd9]

It's a plastic tank that expands when full. Once the siphoning starts the pressure in the tank forces water out of the overflows until the pressure is revealed.

Interesting thought. Makes sense.

I used my phone timer to get an idea when it was close to being full.

Another good idea. Now if I could just remember to carry my phone with me.

[757driver]

To get a completely full tank I fill til it overflows and then shut off the water. After a couple of minutes it will stop siphoning. Then I fill again for 1 min 45 sec and stop. Completely full tank. Any longer than this and it starts overflowing again and I have to start all over.

[wmpbauer]

My overflow has two tubes. I suspect the higher one will break the siphon.


Pat Bauer, President
Entegra Coach Owners Association
2013 Aspire DEQ
Ford Edge

[Ann n Gene]

2016s have dual overflow risers hat should prevent the siphon effect rather quickly. JMHO


2016 44 B Topaz Cornerstone
2014 MKT towed

[PeterFTH]

Originally Posted by wmpbauer

My overflow has two tubes. I suspect the higher one will break the siphon. Attachment 120337


Pat Bauer, President
Entegra Coach Owners Association
2013 Aspire DEQ
Ford Edge

Boy, I wish my overflows were so accessable - easiest fix I can think of is a syphon break at the top of each tube ... touble is I'd have to remove the water heater to gain sufficient access to alter the overflows. They are the same height on mine - guessing two to provide adequate venting while filling. Thought about trying to reach in there with a drill and just put a small 1/4" hole in the top of each loop to break the syphon but not even sure I can do that. I want to hear lots of opinions ... this forum has returned lots of good ideas. Thanks.

[PeterFTH]

Originally Posted by 757driver

To get a completely full tank I fill til it overflows and then shut off the water. After a couple of minutes it will stop siphoning. Then I fill again for 1 min 45 sec and stop. Completely full tank. Any longer than this and it starts overflowing again and I have to start all over.

I've run into so many quirks with RV plumbing - I've filled my tank many many times and the syphoning has happened just 3 or 4 times. The overflows must be the only vent for the fresh water tank - the waste tanks vent to the roof of course. Got several replies so at least I know I'm not the only one! LOL. Peter

[PeterFTH]

Originally Posted by Bigd9

Just a general comment or two since I have a different coach. The way I see it, there should not be any syphon action going on if it is a vent tube. Once the water level drops below the location of the vent, there shouldn't be any water left to come out. On my coach, if I fill the tank too full, water will trickle out the overflow tube for a long while, but it will evidently stop.

What problem are you seeing when you try to post a JPG? I just click on the paperclip icon, select the location and actual picture I want to attach and presto, it's there. One trick I use after I upload a picture, I click on "Preview Post" button along the bottom, and then I can see the picture actually show up.

I sometimes feel like I cheated Ithaca College out of a degree ... to my eye, there is an "add video" clearly marked. If there is a paperclip icon, from a logical point, why would I know that meant attach a photo? Of course I'm remarking on the site design, not you ... it's one of the reasons I don't like my Mac ... there are so many buried menus and icons I have not idea they are there. If I were designing the site, to me more people would post .jpg photos than videos - I'd make the photo option the clearly marked one. Anyway, I did get many helpful suggestions about the syphoning ... if they were easier to get to I'd put anti-siphon valves on the tops of the two tubes and that would fix it, but I'd have to remove the water heater to get in there. Might drill a small hole in the tops of the tubes IF I can get a drill in there. Tight quarters. Anyway, thanks for replying. Peter

[MRUSA14]

I used to have the siphing problem on my Beaver. I found that I could stop the siphoning if I opened and closed the drain valve while running a few quarts of water out of the tank using the water pump.

[brobox]

On a Travel Supreme the siphoning will not stop until the pressure is off of the tank. Open the wet bay door and see how the sides have bulged out when over filled. That pressure will push the water somewhere...out the overflow tube until it equalizes.

Don gave the perfect solution to fill the tank without exceeding the pressure that causes the overflow to continue to run. The overflow is designed that way so water tanks are not split from over pressurization.

[loisjop]

Originally Posted by brobox

On a Travel Supreme the siphoning will not stop until the pressure is off of the tank. Open the wet bay door and see how the sides have bulged out when over filled. That pressure will push the water somewhere...out the overflow tube until it equalizes.

Don gave the perfect solution to fill the tank without exceeding the pressure that causes the overflow to continue to run. The overflow is designed that way so water tanks are not split from over pressurization.

Chuck, do you think they actually put that much though into the design? Noel