Fresh Water Filling Problem

We have a 2011 Symbol with the Whale water filling system. On our last trip out we noticed that the rate of water uptake from a tap into the fresh water tank was significantly slower i.e. over 25 minutes to half fill the tank, and over 10 minutes to put in 10 litres from a water container using the external pump. Has anyone any ideas as to what the problem may be, or experienced a similar problem? Many thanks.

Lancslad wrote:We have a 2011 Symbol with the Whale water filling system. On our last trip out we noticed that the rate of water uptake from a tap into the fresh water tank was significantly slower i.e. over 25 minutes to half fill the tank, and over 10 minutes to put in 10 litres from a water container using the external pump. Has anyone any ideas as to what the problem may be, or experienced a similar problem? Many thanks.

Hi there,

Only just noticed that no-one has replied to this thread; sorry.

I don't own a Symbol but I would never spend "over 25 minutes to half fill" a water tank! There has to be a restriction somewhere in the system and this can be anywhere from the source (i.e. the tap being used to fill the tank) all the way to the filler pipe on the tank itself.

However, as the Whale Pump system also seems to be criminally slow, I would suspect that the filling line is kinked or otherwise blocked and restricting the flow. (The "otherwise blocked" may be anything. I once discovered that the vent line on one of the water tanks in our boat had been plugged by some toe-rag amusing himself by pushing bread into it!)

Enjoy the search!

Best regards,

Just in case anyone else has this problem it was a faulty solenoid switch which was not opening fully and was restricting the water flow. The problem was solved by Dave Shaw of Chatsworth Motorhome and Caravan Servicing Approved Mobile Engineer who I can highly recommend ([You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] This is a very unusual fault for this system. Thanks, Lancslad

Thanks Dutto for your reply. Regards, Lancslad

Had a similar issue to this a week or so ago only in our case the water would not fill at all. The problem was that the solenoid was not operating at all, its connection supply comes from the level sensor which is in the tank under the van. In our case a connection had come loose therefore breaking the connection and the solenoid failed to operate.
The level sensor shuts down the valve at 100% full so no further water can be added to the tank. The solenoid on the cotswold is located at the bottom of the cooker (pan drawer) remove the wooden panel behind it to gain access to the solenoid.

Hi there,

Let me get this right. There is a solenoid valve on the fill pipe to a water tank on a motorhome. Correct?

If so, may I ask "Why?" as for forty-five years on boats, caravans and now a motorhome I have:
1. Removed a filler cap, stuck a hose in t'ole, turned on the water and waited for the tank to overflow.
2. Shut off the water, removed the hose and replaced the cap.

Why does anyone now suddenly need a solenoid valve in the system?

The mind boggles. Is this another "improvement too far"?

Best regards,

Dutto wrote:
Why does anyone now suddenly need a solenoid valve in the system?

I was wondering the same thing!

The only thing that occurred to me is that they are attempting to remove the need for an open pipe to the outside air (the overflow) under the vehicle. It's never really bothered me because I don't use the tank water for drinking or cooking, but if you look around the floor vents for gas appliances such as the water heater, you find a huge amount of crud gets thrown up under the vehicle - particularly in road spray.

But that's just speculation - I've no idea wether this new(ish) system actually does remove the need for the overflow pipe on the tank.

Hi there,

Unless the tank is completely flexible (like a balloon) here has to be a vent to the outside environment somewhere!!

Best regards,

Ian

Part of the reason is that the filler is not much higher than the tank there when the solenoid is closed no water can exit through the filler pipe during transit. Also as the system is designed for permanent hook up while on site it removes pressure or overflow on the tank as the solenolid cuts of when the tank is full stopping the tank overflowing ( There is an overflow) or unwanted pressure being applied to the water tank.

,,,,,,,,,,,, I didnt say its a good system only what it does lol, cant beat a good old hose that u shove down a filler hole and when the water overflows u turn of the tap

Hi there,

We had a "pressurised" system on the van we hired in the USA.

In that instance they relied on two check-valves; one on the "hook-up" going into the van and a second one on the outlet to the pump from the tank.

"Simple! Eeeeek!" as that Meerkat on TV says!

Best regards,

Ian