Confused about sanitizing water system

johnchism · 06-20-2018, 05:20 PM

I am trying to find out how to sanitize my freshwater system, and tank. I do know that the knobs can be set to sanitize which is fine. Everyone has said on that setting it will siphon your bleach solution into the fresh water tank. Sounds great but what do I hook up to get the water solution from my bucket into the system.

Help....

NO3putt · 06-20-2018, 05:25 PM

The easiest way is unhook your hose, pour bleach into your hose and connect to your tank fill and put water in your tank. The bleach and water will mix as you fill the tank.

johnchism · 06-20-2018, 05:41 PM

The odd part is that I can not figure out what the knobs do when set to sanitize.

**Mr. Dan** · 06-20-2018, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnchism

The odd part is that I can not figure out what the knobs do when set to sanitize.

Please post a picture of these knobs especially the one that mentions sanitize.

Oaklevel · 06-20-2018, 05:54 PM

Not every trailer has the same or knobs at all. The hose method appears to be the easiest.

**Mr. Dan** · 06-20-2018, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

Please post a picture of these knobs especially the one that mentions sanitize.

Besides a picture, it would help if we knew what kind of unit you have........... Coachmen, Wildcat, Cedar Creek?

Duckogram · 06-20-2018, 07:36 PM

Are you sure that the knobs can be set to sanitize and not winterize? I see the need to get unconfused first, then it will all make sense. So please do post some photos.

johnchism · 06-21-2018, 09:20 AM

I have a 2018 cardinal 5th wheel. model 3850rl.

Reverse_snowbird · 06-21-2018, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnchism

The odd part is that I can not figure out what the knobs do when set to sanitize.

The knobs don't do anything unless you follow the proper procedure. Forest River has some 'how to videos' here. Videos by Dynamax

You might have to do some DIY detecting. You should be able to tell by the amount of water being put into the rig if it is filling your fresh water tank.

johnchism · 06-21-2018, 10:35 AM

Thanks very much I will look at these videos this is not a site I have found

Cold Lake Kid · 06-21-2018, 04:52 PM

I mix bleach and water to the portions recommended, then, using a funnel with a longish flexible hose attached, simply pour the mixture into the reservoir tank and some into the city water connection.
Take the unit for a drive to slosh the water/bleach mixture around then turn on the pump and run the water/bleach mix through the taps.
Just remember to then flush the system with fresh water.

**Mr. Dan** · 06-21-2018, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cold Lake Kid

I mix bleach and water to the portions recommended, then, using a funnel with a longish flexible hose attached, simply pour the mixture into the reservoir tank and some into the city water connection.
Take the unit for a drive to slosh the water/bleach mixture around then turn on the pump and run the water/bleach mix through the taps.
Just remember to then flush the system with fresh water.

We're not sure if the OP has a gravity fill to "pour the mixture into the reservoir tank" since we haven't seen any pics of the fill ports or "sanitization knobs".

johnchism · 06-21-2018, 05:04 PM

I will get a picture tonight. It has been mentioned a couple of times about putting bleach right in the water tank, but I am not aware of where the tank might be and how I would get to it to do that. I have gotten underneath and dont see anything around the water bay etc.

Murbella7 · 06-21-2018, 06:41 PM

That video does give one a sense of comfort that at least one area has been handled professionally.

DouglasReid · 06-22-2018, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnchism

I will get a picture tonight. It has been mentioned a couple of times about putting bleach right in the water tank, but I am not aware of where the tank might be and how I would get to it to do that. I have gotten underneath and dont see anything around the water bay etc.

With the plastic under cover below the camper you wont' see the water tank.

Do you not have a water fill point, covered with a plastic cap?

It would look similar to this, could be black or white:

https://www.campingworld.com/gravity...iABEgIfVfD_BwE

johnchism · 06-22-2018, 09:49 AM

I appreciate your help, I think I did not share my question properly. I do have the city fill which is fine.

What a lot of people seem to be talking about is that they can directly fill their tank by some opening on the tank itself, which allows the bleach water to go right in the tank and not through the rest of the plumbing system.

Other question I have is if you fill it direct through the city water tank fill knobs do you need to take the water filter out before the bleach goes in so the bleach does not get in the filter.

DouglasReid · 06-22-2018, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnchism

I appreciate your help, I think I did not share my question properly. I do have the city fill which is fine.

What a lot of people seem to be talking about is that they can directly fill their tank by some opening on the tank itself, which allows the bleach water to go right in the tank and not through the rest of the plumbing system.

Other question I have is if you fill it direct through the city water tank fill knobs do you need to take the water filter out before the bleach goes in so the bleach does not get in the filter.

Im confused. You either fill your tank through the Fill port I showed you a picture of in an earlier post, or you connect to city water. The city water connection Does Not fill yoru fresh water holding tank.

If you wish to filter the water going into your tank through the Fill Port you can simply pour the bleach into the tank through that port after putting a few gallons in through yoru filtered hose.

5picker · 06-22-2018, 09:59 AM

Some folks have gravity fill ports for the fresh tank that you can pour bleach directly into and use the on-board pump to distribute the water throughout the system.

Other units have a selector valve that diverts the city water connection to be able to fill the fresh tank. they do not have gravity fill ports. with this set up you must put bleach in the hose, fasten it to the city water connection, push the bleach/water into the fresh tank and then use the on-board pump to distribute the water throughout the system.

And yes... it is best to remove the filter first if so equipped.

5picker · 06-22-2018, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DouglasReid

Im confused. You either fill your tank through the Fill port I showed you a picture of in an earlier post, or you connect to city water. The city water connection Does Not fill yoru fresh water holding tank.

If you wish to filter the water going into your tank through the Fill Port you can simply pour the bleach into the tank through that port after putting a few gallons in through yoru filtered hose.

As I mentioned in my post above... some units do not have a gravity fill port.
A selector valve allows you to fill the fresh tank with the city water connection.

In the image above there is an option to 'sanitize'.
In this configuration, the on-board pump would draw water into the fresh tank (via the city connection with a short hose) and having bleach water in a bucket.

In the 'winterize' position the on-board pump would draw antifreeze into the plumbing system (via the city connection with a short hose) keeping it out of the fresh tank and having antifreeze in a bucket/jug.

I have no clue what the OP has... just pointing out various options.

johnchism · 06-22-2018, 10:12 AM

This is awesome you are the first person that has been able to actually have the same water panel. My original question is about that knob setting that says sanitize. Siphon water. I am trying to find out what that means. How do you siphon the bleach water in. I dont see anywhere to hood up something to it.

Is the sanitize mode simply a bypass to not allow the bleach water that I put in the city water hose. HOpe this makes sense dont mean to be a pain.

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