First Time Using Fresh Water Tanks

[seakayaker]

If hurricane Irma keeps heading this way I'm going to want to prepare my TT by filling the freshwater tank. Hopefully this will not only add weight but also give a source of freshwater if we lose power, etc.

We've never used the Freshwater tank.

So...few questions.

1) How do I go about filling the tank? Any steps and precautions appreciated.
2) Will it operate off 12 V if shore power is out?
3) Will I notice any difference when using water from the Freshwater tank vs shore water? Will there be less pressure? Will all fixtures operate the same.
4) Anything special to do w.r.t operating the hotwater heater when using water from the Freshwater tank?

[007matman]

Outside of sanitizing the tank before use it should all work the same. You'll likely hear the pump when you use it.

http://rvbasics.com/techtips/sanitiz...er-system.html

The pump is 12v so it shouldn't need shore power

Likely not as much pressure as city water but liveable.

Nothing special with the hot water heater.

[rebeltown]

If you need ballast, when the time comes when you think you may need it, consider filling your black and grey tanks also...

[m35a2]

Depending on your water source, you may want to filter the water you put in your fresh water tank.

For example, I'm on a well at home. Sometimes we get a lot of sediment and you don't want that in your water system/pump.

The water is never cloudy or anything... I'd never have known if I didn't filter the house appliance water just as a precaution.

[seakayaker]

Great advice all around. Thanks for the quick responses! Let's hope Irma stays away from US shores.

[seakayaker]

One more perhaps dumb question...


How will I know when the fresh water tank is full and to stop adding water?

[007matman]

You'll know. LOL.

It'll start coming back at you..

[chaslorr]

When you are not connected to shore power and you need to use the refrigerator and/or water heater....I know you need battery to ignite and start these but do they use battery power to operate after they are lit...just wondering

[banda]

Very little...for the control board.

[Scrapper]

If you have a residential fridge it will use a lot of battery power. A 2 fridge will be fine and use little power from your battery or 3-way fridge will be fine and use little power from your battery if you run it on propane.

[bob213]

Make sure you follow 007matman's first suggestion and sanitize it first.

[mgarland48]

If you lose power, I hope you have a generator to power up the batteries, or solar maybe? Otherwise, your water is going no where without elec to the pump. Your batteries, if you have two, won't last long running water pumps, fridge, lights etc.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by seakayaker

So...few questions.

1) How do I go about filling the tank? Any steps and precautions appreciated.
2) Will it operate off 12 V if shore power is out?
3) Will I notice any difference when using water from the Freshwater tank vs shore water? Will there be less pressure? Will all fixtures operate the same.
4) Anything special to do w.r.t operating the hotwater heater when using water from the Freshwater tank?

1) without pics of your FW tank fill, can't say exactly. I use a spout from CW, that goes on the hose. It has a clear flexible tube that goes in the typical FW fill and has a shutoff valve.
You can sanitize if you want.
2) if you're talking about the water pump, YES. The water pump is 12v.
3) probably slightly less pressure. All fixtures should work the same.
4) No.

Here are some other things to consider:
How do you plan on keeping the batteries charged?
How do you on resupply the water tank?
Do you know how to conserve water?

[Delco Bobby]

Originally Posted by 007matman

Outside of sanitizing the tank before use it should all work the same. You'll likely hear the pump when you use it.

How to Sanitize Your RV Fresh Water System

The pump is 12v so it shouldn't need shore power

Likely not as much pressure as city water but liveable.

Nothing special with the hot water heater.

some may disagree but the first thing I would do is to add some water to the FW tank and then drain it before running anything through your water pipes. There may be construction debris or dust that you don't want clogging your water pump filter and faucet aerators. I did that on my first new RV and stuff came out the drain tube.

[benchmarks]

1/4 cup bleach per 15 gallons. Run. Open faucets until you smell bleach. Turn off faucet. Let sit for 3-12 hrs your call. Drain water. Refill with fresh water drain again. Repeat as necessary til no odor of bleach. Best.

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by mgarland48

If you lose power, I hope you have a generator to power up the batteries, or solar maybe? Otherwise, your water is going no where without elec to the pump. Your batteries, if you have two, won't last long running water pumps, fridge, lights etc.

First thing.

ALL posts will get much better responsive information if you tell us Year Make and Model of your RV.

SECOND, Nice to hear afterwards how your problem came out.

FINALLY,. Good Luck with issues and with that inbound weather.

Tom