2016 Nuevo external Whale filler

select EXT or BOTH pumps on the EC328 - I always use both.  Switch on the EC328 control panel then, when the external pump is connected to the van, the pump should operate and the solenoid (motorised valve or tap) just inside the filler point will stay open and pass water until the ball valve in the fresh water tank operates the relay that closes the solenoid and stops water flow.

In the casing of the solenoid unit is a water filter that is easily blocked and prevents water flow irrespective - remove the solenoid unit and clean the filter.

As you can see from the Whale autofill diagram, there is only the one valve as standard, could the system have been modified?

In many cases the gravity fill point was fitted after sale so its possible that the Whale fill connection to the fresh water tank was disconnected during that process?

Because of the relatively high current taken by the solenoid, their is a relay to operate it, the relay being controlled by the ball valve.  There will be one stand alone relay in a base somewhere near the fill plumbing.

I think this is a picture of one:

I've just taken these in my Broadway, the relay is at the other side of the combi to the solenoid.

Peter in his initial post said "until the ball valve in the fresh water tank operates the relay that closes the solenoid and stops water flow."

This is correct when the Whale inlet socket is connected to a mains water supply that is constantly on.  The ball valve switch operates the relay which stops power going to the Whale inlet socket and therefore, even though the Whale inlet socket pressure switch is closed due to the mains water pressure, power to the solenoid valve is cut which causes the valve to shut thus stopping the flow of mains water.  

When a Whale pump is connected, the ball valve switch operates the relay which stops power going to the Whale inlet socket which stops the pump pumping and it is this that stops the water flow.  The solenoid valve will close because there is no power going to the Whale inlet socket but that's almost incidental when the pump is connected.

As has been mentioned, the gauze filter which protects the solenoid valve is notorious for clogging up but if the Whale inlet socket has never been used, the filter shouldn't be clogged.  As the solenoid has now been removed and water still won't flow into the tank, it suggests there is a kink or major blockage in the pipe going to the fresh water tank.  Rather than run the Whale pump against this resistance which may damage it, it might be better to use the Whale mains water hose and plug to see if that will clear the blockage.

There is another theory worth examining and that is the pressure switch on the Whale inlet socket.  With care it can be dismantled from the outside of the Whale socket to check it is clean.  It can also be adjusted with the screw adjuster on its back which is shown in one of Peter's photos.  Although it says - do not adjust - the screw can safely be removed causing the pressure switch to close at the lowest pressure which should be beneficial for the Whale pump.  If the pressure is set too high or the Whale pump is old, the pump may run but not be able to generate enough pressure to close the pressure switch and therefore open the solenoid valve.

Goodness me, I'm glad I took the advice of the dealer when I ordered my Nuevo, and had a filling hole added at the side of the van. I simply stick the hosepipe in it, and that's it. Of course, it doesn't have the convenience of the Whale system when at a serviced pitch; indeed I still have the unused Whale kit in the garage. But it does strike me that it's almost an unnecessary development, given its potential for problems.

I also carry a plastic watering can!

All that aside, I hope you manage to sort out yours, Alfa_scud.

Cymro

You're right Cymro.  The Autofill is surprisingly complex but its not rocket science.  I've not used mine to permanently connect to a mains water supply on a serviced pitch and never would so I have removed the solenoid valve.  I can still fill the tank with the mains water hose through the Whale inlet socket (just as I can through the gravity filling hole) but when the tank is full, mains water will be forced out of the tank's breather.  I think it was Monty-Plym who warned that this can cause the fresh water tank to over-pressurise and cause one of the level sensors to pop out but this hasn't happened to me yet.  Filling through the gravity filling hole shouldn't have this problem as water will back up the filler pipe.  Removing the solenoid valve helps the external Whale pump when using a water barrel which I prefer to walking to and fro with a watering can or driving to a motorhome service point if one exists.

Molly3 wrote:I find the filler very temperamental I have to jiggle the pump up and down in the water container then  starts  pumping

This temperamental behaviour is caused by an airlock in the pump which is exacerbated in Whale's autofill system because before the water can flow and release the airlock, the pump has to generate enough water pressure in the Whale inlet socket to close its pressure switch so the solenoid valve opens.  Jiggling the pump up and down helps as does removing the solenoid valve, especially if the valve's gauze filter is partially blocked and reducing flow.