Water Pressure / Air bags

brevin66 · 07-26-2010, 07:21 AM

2011 BH has very sporadic water pressure. When running off the tanks it is steady out of the faucets and a little better when hooked up to city water. Is there any way to boost the overall water pressure. It's fine for the bathroom and showers, but in the kitchen sink it seems very weak. Not a huge problem, I've got bigger fish to fry, but it would be nice to beef it up a little.

Also, Air bags will not inflate if jacks aren't fully retracted. We've had to cycle them a couple times to make sure. It's pretty simple to figure out if the bags don't inflate, I promise there is nothing quite like it. There must be a trigger switch when they are fully up and if just 1 isn't, you just sit there with flat bags. I offer this because I was about 15 minutes away from a big tow when I cycled the jacks again and the problem corrected.

grandpaofthree · 07-26-2010, 08:45 AM

In your kitchen sink, you may have something clogging up the screen where the water comes out. Try taking it out, clean it, and replace. Since other faucets have better pressure it seems likely this will help.

brevin66 · 07-26-2010, 08:57 AM

Thanks, I'll check it. Probably going to be a little cheaper than buying a new, stronger pump too.

**Herk7769** · 07-26-2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandpaofthree

In your kitchen sink, you may have something clogging up the screen where the water comes out. Try taking it out, clean it, and replace. Since other faucets have better pressure it seems likely this will help.

The aeration screens in both my faucets were clogged by debris right from the factory. Clearing them help A LOT.

tmmar · 07-26-2010, 09:12 AM

I have the same problems. I removed the water restricter in the kitchen faucet and it didn't help so I am thinking about getting one of those adjustable water pressure regulators so that I can increase the incoming pressure a bit. I think the water pressure regulator that came with the unit is probably a cheap one and is really dampening the pressure.

I also have the same problem with the jacks/air bags that you are having. Have had the problem since the coach was new and have just learned to live with it.

brevin66 · 07-26-2010, 09:16 AM

Have you ever taken it to Freightliner or do you just cycle the jacks if they don't inflate? I don't mind doing it, but if they can fix it, I may get it looked at

NWJeeper · 07-26-2010, 10:03 AM

Which water pump do you have? Ours was just a standard Shurflow 2.5gpm pump which is common in most RVs and doesn't provide much pressure. Combined with the whole house filter on these rigs the water pressure was really poor. I replaced the stock pump with a Shurflow 5.7gpm smart sensor pump. The difference is amazing and we can actually use the shower now while dry camping. I didn't find the pump to be as quiet as they advertise but it is better than the stock one. It has been in and working for 1.5 years now and so far so good.

There also should be a sediment filter right at the output of the pump. Check to see if maybe debris from initial construction may be clogging that and clean it.

brevin66 · 07-26-2010, 10:40 AM

Is the installation relatively easy? Based on the fact that my icemaker was disconnected and flooding the cabin, I can't wait to see the water pump. Hopefully it's a clog or simple pump replacement, but I expect to find McDonald straws and rubber bands used in it somehow. (Rubber bands appear to be what holds the A/C particle filter into the grate overhead) Any feedback on that filter would be appreciated, maybe the rubber is supposed to be there, but when I removed the grate I found 2 office rubber bands connected together holding the foam to the A/C so it wouldn't get sucked up into the ductwork.

RoamingEngineer · 07-26-2010, 01:02 PM

I read a post on here sometime in the past that said the Berkshire comes with the 5.7 pump and the pump has a screw on it that adjusts the pressure.

Perhaps you just need to do an adjustment?

found the thread:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...html#post25699

brevin66 · 07-26-2010, 01:27 PM

Thanks, I have to now find the pump which shouldn't be too tough I don't think

tmmar · 07-26-2010, 01:49 PM

Pump should be on the passenger side in a compartment just in front of the rear wheels. There are 2 spring pins that are on the under side of the door that need to be pulled then you can open the 2 latches. Pump is on the lower left in the compartment.

06nighttrain · 07-27-2010, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brevin66

Also, Air bags will not inflate if jacks aren't fully retracted. We've had to cycle them a couple times to make sure. It's pretty simple to figure out if the bags don't inflate, I promise there is nothing quite like it. There must be a trigger switch when they are fully up and if just 1 isn't, you just sit there with flat bags. I offer this because I was about 15 minutes away from a big tow when I cycled the jacks again and the problem corrected.

I experienced this situation also. It's not that the jacks aren't fully retracted, the problem lies in the sequence of events that you use when retracting the jacks. When the jacks are extended the dump valve (air) opens, which in turn releases all air pressure. Air pressure has to be above 75 psi before retracting the jacks.
Since I have followed this sequence I haven't had the problem rise again.
1) Start coach and let the air pressure build above 75 psi.
2) Retract jacks.
3) You are ready to roll.

Take care.

amy8194 · 07-28-2010, 09:03 AM

On the Jack issue, get in the habit of starting the unit and letting the air bags fill up after you run the rooms in prior to leaving. Then you can continue to pack up the rig. Doing this will allow the bags to fill and the tank to fill, then when you hit all retract you will be sure to have air in the system to operate the jacks...Equalizer now recommends this procedure.

cfsoistman · 07-28-2010, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NWJeeper

There also should be a sediment filter right at the output of the pump. Check to see if maybe debris from initial construction may be clogging that and clean it.

Sediment filter screen is installed before the pump. It keeps any crude from entering the pump and causing damage. I know I forgot to remove it when winterizing and dump the little remaining water prior to blowing out the lines. It froze, cracked and wouldn't allow the pump to draw water from the tank when I filled the tank in the spring. They don't sell just the cap for the screen just the whole assembly for about $11-$12. I wrote on the black cover to the pump compartment in Silver Sharpee a winterizing reminder to myself to dump the water. I did pick up a spare at Camping World in Myrtle Beach for $5 on a clearance table in case I don't follow my own directions.

wnytaxman · 07-29-2010, 02:42 PM

We also have experienced the low pressure in the kitchen, but only in the kitchen. I'll check out the sediment screen tonight and see if that is a problem. We've not experienced a problem with the air bags at all since we got our Berkshire. We just wait until the pressure builds up past 75 psi and then we go. Haven't had the other issues yet.

amarzano · 10-28-2010, 04:38 PM

We had an issue with the bags not filling on our trip last weekend.

We had set up on a Friday - extended the jacks. Before I retracted them on Sunday - I played with the manual adjustments (it was pouring rain and I was trying to tilt the coach and get some of the water off the slide topers before pulling in the slides) - the ride felt a lot bumpier than it did when we drove in.. :-)

I got about 2 blocks thru the campground and then extended the levelers again - and retracted them. The bags then filled up and we were fine.

Are you suggesting starting the motor letting the air pressure build to 75psi, then shutting off the motor and retracting? On ours - both the jacks and slides can only be used when the key is out of the ignition..

Thank you..

Quote:

Originally Posted by 06nighttrain

I experienced this situation also. It's not that the jacks aren't fully retracted, the problem lies in the sequence of events that you use when retracting the jacks. When the jacks are extended the dump valve (air) opens, which in turn releases all air pressure. Air pressure has to be above 75 psi before retracting the jacks.
Since I have followed this sequence I haven't had the problem rise again.
1) Start coach and let the air pressure build above 75 psi.
2) Retract jacks.
3) You are ready to roll.

Take care.

06nighttrain · 10-29-2010, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amarzano

Are you suggesting starting the motor letting the air pressure build to 75psi, then shutting off the motor and retracting? On ours - both the jacks and slides can only be used when the key is out of the ignition..

Yes that will work also, but you should be able to retract the jacks with the engine running. The interlock will not let you deploy the jacks or operate slide outs with the engine running. I have a "08" & that's how mine operates, not sure if that has changed on the newer models. Try it & let me know.

Take care.

bill and theresa · 10-30-2010, 08:01 AM

I carry a water pressure test gauge to check campground water pressure. If its not over 50 PSI I don't use a regulator. Its available at the Home Depot for less tham $10. Very seldom use a regulator.

amarzano · 10-30-2010, 02:28 PM

I see - the interlock is only on deploying and extending the slides and levelers..

I will try this the next time we are out and post back.

Thank you!

Alex

Quote:

Originally Posted by 06nighttrain

Yes that will work also, but you should be able to retract the jacks with the engine running. The interlock will not let you deploy the jacks or operate slide outs with the engine running. I have a "08" & that's how mine operates, not sure if that has changed on the newer models. Try it & let me know.

Take care.

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