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Smitty77 · 03-14-2016, 02:53 PM

So, I did a 'Walk off!' today. And this is after seeing a small segment on NBC news on how Women's brains use more energy during the day. As they [I]can[I] multitask, where mere Man is more of a dedicated thought thinker. And thus, Women require about 20 minutes more sleep per night then Men.

So, I was topping off the water today, pretty dang good pressure at the place where at too. Was already at 3/4 when I started, but going to get an updated four corner weight, and they wanted me to top off the water tank. And - Now, where was I? - Oh yeah, and referencing the ability of Men apparently doing better with a dedicated single focus train of thought - I blew it

! Yep, I tried to do a 2nd thing.

Flash forward 10 minutes, and I'm in the coach. Dear Wife asks me if I hear that noise. Oh yeah, 'It's only the window awning making noises.'. Now, the DW is doing at least three things, and still is able to process the noise into a response of 'I don't think so.'. A few minutes go by, and DW says 'Dear, is water supposed to be shooting out of the side to the coach?'.

ALWAYS ASTUTE, the Man instantly shifts to problem solving protector of the universe! Out of the door with a flash, water turned off at the hose bib. A quick rush around to the side to see the water still shooting a good 5-6' out of the small overflow hole. With a real small stream shooting 10-12' out of the cap of the water fill. Quickly deducing that 'THE TANK HAS TOO MUCH WATER!, I rapidly spring into the coach, turn on the water pump, and the bathroom and kitchen faucets! (And amazing blur of activity, that the DW claims she last saw from me when a 2003 Silver Oak was uncorked while I was outside, prompting a Hunter Gather response of running rapidly back into the house. (I don't recall that instance, as I doubt I'd let a bottle of Silver Oak out of my sight!)).

Back outside, looking at the water continuing to shoot out of the tank overflows. Pulled up a chair, and decided to wait it out. The full time, still hearing strange not to nice sounds from that area, and also higher up, of the coach.

3-4 minutes later, the water stops shooting out of the over flow. Took the water pump 15+ minutes to get the water tank down to 3/4 (no FULL green light) levels. Water continued draining from the mysteries of under the tanks area of the coach. And, finally, no more strange sounds from the area.

Yes, it appears the DW was correct. It was NOT the window awning. And yes, I'm sure I will hear this story told at family gatherings for years ahead... (And deserve it, so will grab a glass of my weekday Bota, or if on a weekend, from a real glass bottle of Cab - and smile as the story is retold... I earned it, so I might as well enjoy it!)

-----

So, a few questions:

1) Was the noise I heard from higher up the coach. The water tank air vent filling up with water?
2) Is it true, that other men in at my level of expertise, have actually let the water flow long enough into the water tank - to have it run out of the roof top roof vent?
3) Anything you recommend I check out, to be sure I did not rupture anything more then my pride?

Best to all, and please look for me on the road for the next few days. I'll be the 04 Allure running down the road with a continuous dropping of WATER (The Grey/Black tanks are sound

!).

Sheepishly yours,
Smitty

Larry Young · 03-14-2016, 06:00 PM

Smitty,

I did almost the same thing as you a few years ago. I also have a 40' 2004 Country Coach Allure. When filling the water tank I had the hose attached to the coach water inlet, I had the valve set so it was filling the tank. While doing this I was running around doing other things and wasn't paying attention to the water level. When I returned I saw water streaming out from under the coach, I quickly turned the water of and the water continued to run for another 10 minutes. When it stopped running I checked the tank level which was full, I checked it again 20 minutes later still full. Anyway no apparent damage, several years have passed and the tank still appears to be fine (hopefully). So it would appear these tanks are able to expand a great deal without damage.

Arch Hoagland · 03-14-2016, 07:07 PM

Oh no I've never filled the water tank and let it run over. Nope. Never. Not me. No sir.

Don't listen to my wife...she hallucinates.

smlranger · 03-14-2016, 07:35 PM

Well, yes, sure have. I actually did it today but I intended to have the fresh water tank overflow tell me when the tank was full. I put the valve on tank fill, sat on the patio and waited for the sound of water coming out of the overflow under the coach. It did, I shut off the valve, water drained out the overflow for about another minute then stopped.

I've done this a number of times and never had water shoot out of the fresh water fill cap. I would be checking to make sure there is not something partially blocking the overflow.

I have intended to install a second See Level display in the wet bay. I did that on my previous coach but just haven't gotten to it.

JohnBoyToo · 03-14-2016, 08:53 PM

Next time (because there will be - I promise

)
open the fresh water tank drain...

Mr_D · 03-14-2016, 09:00 PM

Nope, never done it. And the present rig has an electrically controlled auto shut off on the inlet valve set to shut off at 90% fill. But you know if I depend on it and walk away that's the time it'll fail!

deandec · 03-14-2016, 11:13 PM

Now I know why I repaired my Fresh Water Automatic Shut Off PCB several years ago!

No overfilling on my rig.

Smitty77 · 04-30-2016, 09:31 AM

I wanted to close the loop back on this post. It may not have been connected, but the timing is pretty coincidental.

Within a few days, we noted water flow to the toilet was reduced. Very noticeable when on the 12V water pump.

We're having maintenance done on many items, one of which is to replace the full flapper electric mechanism in the toilet. I asked the tech to look to see if he could find in restriction to the water supply. (Was thinking it might have been hard water build up.)

I was called, and they said they found lots of black 'stuff' in the hose supply. And removing the screen off of the restroom laboratory faucet, they found the same debris accumulated there too.

Good chance I have this crud in all of the water supply lines.
They asked me if I had a charcoal filter, or reverse osmosis system, that may have had parts breaking down off of the filter.

I've been thinking about this since last night, and here are the three things I have thought of:

1) I had replaced the coach water filter system about a week before I did the walk of on the water fill. Normal Hydrolife C2063 cartridge. I do not believe this is charcoal. But, thought maybe the hammering and overfilling may have ruptured this filter somehow?

2) We've also been using a water softener for the first time. Wondering if maybe the softened water is cleaning out possible crud that may have built up on the water lines, and or water storage tank?

3) Maybe the overfill of the water tank event, shook something loose. We hearing a periodic hammer effect. Thus me telling the wife it was the slide topper awning flapping in the wind. Wondering if that pressure of the hammering effect, could have broken down some pieces of black piping. Maybe an air gap, if the water tank has one?

4) I back flushed On The Go water softener for the first time, added the salt, and then flushed as directed. Then tried the unit (Bought of of Craigslist, and it was our first usage of it.). The water was not very soft, so after talking things over with the On The Go gang, we had new god like pellets shipped to us, and I swapped that out, and flushed the system well again. All that being said, I wonder if some how something is getting out of the softener into the water supply?

OK, a comment and question:

I understood that both water coming in from the shore hook up, or being consumed via the pump from the water storage tank, are both routed thru the full house Hydrolife C2063 filter. So that filter should have protected everything flowing into the coaches water supply lines.

All right, I'm done with all that I can think of.

Would appreciate any thoughts on what may have caused the debris, which I will go look at on Monday to see if I can tell what it is. And more important, any tips on how to flush out all of the pipes that may have been debris in them. Like wondering if possibly the water pump itself could also have this crud up. And may be the pressure regulator too. Etc,

TIA for any thoughts and tips, and best to all,
Smitty

deandec · 04-30-2016, 10:16 AM

It might be wise to change out the new water filter or at least inspect it.

Perhaps you could disconnect the fresh water line from the water pump or the water filter. Then open all your water taps. Let the water lines drain. Then perhaps close all but one tap at a time and use compressed air to gently blow out the drained water line.

That might eject some of the black stuff in the fresh water lines.

Smitty77 · 04-30-2016, 11:09 AM

Thanks Dean!

They sent me a picture of the black looking crud built up in the toilet water supply. Some looked like very fine black caviar!

Yes to first step to check and inspect the water filter. Appreciate the tips on flowing water and blowing air thru the air lines. (Can you tell I've never needed to winterize

!)

Best,
Smitty

Chance31ke · 04-30-2016, 11:12 AM

Smitty,

You may have mold growing in your water tank causing the black stuff accumulating in your water lines. If the deposits are slimy rather than gritty, it may mean mold. Over filling the tank could have broken mold loose and into the system. It evidently grows happily in the holding tank. Mold can be treated by sanitizing your water system with bleach. There is a fair amount of information on how by doing a google search or on this forum.

I hope this helps. Great sense of humor and entertaining writing skills by the way, thanks for posting

Chance

Smitty77 · 04-30-2016, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chance31ke

Smitty,

You may have mold growing in your water tank causing the black stuff accumulating in your water lines. If the deposits are slimy rather than gritty, it may mean mold. Over filling the tank could have broken mold loose and into the system. It evidently grows happily in the holding tank. Mold can be treated by sanitizing your water system with bleach. There is a fair amount of information on how by doing a google search or on this forum.

I hope this helps. Great sense of humor and entertaining writing skills by the way, thanks for posting

Chance

Thanks Chance!

I know by now to never say never

! And I will take a close look at the debris/substance on Monday.

I usually do a full water flush and sanitation as part of my yearly maintenance cycle. But this year, over the Thanksgiving Holidays, I elected to only drain, flush, and then partial refill the water tanks.

Over the last year since the last sanitation rinse, we'd been frequently using the water tank supply, so turnover with chlorinated water has been frequent.

But who knows, maybe the tank overfill got water up high enough into the venting tubes to have shaken things out. And or, perhaps we did have a growth in the tanks that the use of Water Softened water acted as a cleanser effect.

If so, then that filter should be coated with 'gunk'.

Still not clear how it would have made it into the water supply lines downstream from the filter.

The primary blockage is in the toilet area water supply, wonder if that line may skip the filtering, as it is going into the black tank?

Thanks again,
Smitty

deandec · 04-30-2016, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smitty77

Thanks Chance!

The primary blockage is in the toilet area water supply, wonder if that line may skip the filtering, as it is going into the black tank?

Thanks again,
Smitty

The plumbing schematic in my owners manual shows only one pipe leading from the filter and it connects with all risers including the toilet.

Yours may be different.

Chance31ke · 05-01-2016, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smitty77

Thanks Chance!

I usually do a full water flush and sanitation as part of my yearly maintenance cycle. But this year, over the Thanksgiving Holidays, I elected to only drain, flush, and then partial refill the water tanks.

Over the last year since the last sanitation rinse, we'd been frequently using the water tank supply, so turnover with chlorinated water has been frequent.

Thanks again,
Smitty

Smitty I would agree, it would seem rather unlikely you have a contamination issue considering your usage and maintenance but it was worth mentioning. Tomorrow will be interesting with respect to what the black stuff looks like.

Whatever it turns out to be, I hope it is an easy fix.

Chance