Adding 1" female fitting to freshwater tank

[stephenb]

Hello Airstream Freaks,

I recently had a leak in my 2011 25fb freshwater tank so I dropped the tank and had a crack in the fitting of my suction side.

I ordered a new tank from an airstream dealer in Oklahoma and had it drop shipped to me in Kansas. I got the part number from the 2011 airstream parts list online.

Well today I got everything organized and began the process of re installing and realized that there was no fitting to re install my water level monitor. Ugh!

Trying to find a remedy but now know this is either going to involve a lengthy discussion with my oklahoma a/s dealer and cost for shipping back, not to mention the time.

Was wondering if anybody has any experience spin welding. I got on vintage airstream supply's website and they have fittings and installation tools to add the proper fitting. youtube even has some how to videos.

Just wondering what others have done.

thanks
Steve

[sheriff1]

Look up plastic welders in your area or call custom plastic shops for a referral of a plastic welder.

[stephenb]

Should have mentioned that in my first post. I'd have to ship it some where. Nobody in Kansas does this kind of work.

[Protagonist]

Maybe it's time to upgrade to external tank sensors, that just get glued to the side of the tank, no fitting required.

[rmkrum]

As in seelevel systems vice the useless Micropulse stuff Airstream insisted on installing for years.

[DaveMc]

We've used SeeLevel II sensors for since early summer, after having them installed with a bigger renovation. Wonderful product. The drag for you would be having to do the other tanks, as access to the black and grey tanks might be tricky. Nobody in Wichita that does this type of stuff? Not sure if there's any aviation application for this type of trade. Good luck!!!

[Red SandS]

Last weekend I was in your shoes. Same exact break at the fitting. I cut out the old fitting the the fix cost less than $10 with a PVC fitting from big box store (sprinkler isle) and the magic...JB Weld Marine putty. Sets in 25 mins and re-assembly in an hour.

No leaks! I'll be keeping a role of this putty in the trailer in case of plumbing emergency!

Good luck. Glad to assist if needed.

Steve

[bibbs]

I can't believe there aren't any plastics supply dealers/welders in Kansas.

[stephenb]

Work it out. The sensor just needs to be sensing water pressure at a low spot in the system. I t'd of the drain lol be and reinstalled the tank. Everything works great again.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by stephenb

Work it out. The sensor just needs to be sensing water pressure at a low spot in the system. I t'd of the drain lol be and reinstalled the tank. Everything works great again.

Not THAT is outside-the-box thinking! Literally!

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by stephenb

Was wondering if anybody has any experience spin welding. I got on vintage airstream supply's website and they have fittings and installation tools to add the proper fitting. youtube even has some how to videos.

Just wondering what others have done.

When I installed a greywater tank in my '71 Cayo, I purchased an ABS tank specifically so that I could cement the bulkhead fittings in place. It is much easier than dealing with polyethylene.

Spin welding is no small thing. There are jigs available but they are expensive, and are usually built around a big router. It is a process you would want to practice a number of times on scrap before using it on a valuable tank.

In your situation, I would use a clamp-on bulkhead fitting, like this:

http://pvcpipesupplies.com/1-pvc-bul...as1010ces.html

[stephenb]

I thought of using that but there was no way possible to put the inside piece in position to tighten them together. And yeah the spin welding thing looked easy but jigs were pricey and it's a one shot deal. You mess it up and tank is ruined. I thought about the marine jb weld but to many folks that have done it say over time it will work. I'm glad the job is done and now ITS OFF TO CAMPING!!!! ��!!!!

[SeymourAC]

I have a 2012 25 ft Flying Cloud and developed the exact same failure in the fresh water tank. Initially, I noticed a leak from a crack in the intake flange. I was able to get some JB Weld Putty on the area but this did not adhere to the polyethylene tank. I then noticed that my tank continued to leak all the way empty. I put a small light into the access space on the curb side of the tank and then used my cell phone to video chat with my wife's phone (my phone when into the hole). I could see water dripping from the suction flange where there appeared to be the exact same crack as seen in the photo at the beginning of this thread. This seems to be a manifacture problem with the tanks. Unfortunately, I am out of warranty. I called the factory and they said the tank will not be availabe for three weeks. Of course this only happens when you are on the road. I plan to stop at the Air Stream dealer in Montana to see if they can fix this problem without replacing the tank. I suspect a tank replacement will be in my future eventually. I keep the forum appraised of my progress.

[SeymourAC]

Originally Posted by stephenb

Hello Airstream Freaks,

I recently had a leak in my 2011 25fb freshwater tank so I dropped the tank and had a crack in the fitting of my suction side.

I ordered a new tank from an airstream dealer in Oklahoma and had it drop shipped to me in Kansas. I got the part number from the 2011 airstream parts list online.

Well today I got everything organized and began the process of re installing and realized that there was no fitting to re install my water level monitor. Ugh!

Trying to find a remedy but now know this is either going to involve a lengthy discussion with my oklahoma a/s dealer and cost for shipping back, not to mention the time.

Was wondering if anybody has any experience spin welding. I got on vintage airstream supply's website and they have fittings and installation tools to add the proper fitting. youtube even has some how to videos.

Just wondering what others have done.

thanks
Steve

I have the same problem on my 2012 25rb freshwater tank. See post below.

[stephenb]

That's too bad Seymour. Those things seem to happen at the most worst times.

I bought my tank from an airstream dealer and had it dropped shipped to me. $219 plus $80 for shipping and I had it in a week. Can't believe yours would take longer.

I don't think that it is a design flaw so much as the threaded water line is over tightened into the tank fitting that causes that fitting to pull away and crack. I learned that from another thread on here and mine was definitely overtightened.
Good luck!

[SeymourAC]

Originally Posted by stephenb

That's too bad Seymour. Those things seem to happen at the most worst times.

I bought my tank from an airstream dealer and had it dropped shipped to me. $219 plus $80 for shipping and I had it in a week. Can't believe yours would take longer.

I don't think that it is a design flaw so much as the threaded water line is over tightened into the tank fitting that causes that fitting to pull away and crack. I learned that from another thread on here and mine was definitely overtightened.
Good luck!

I have a theory on the suction flange failure. Attached to this flange is a 90 degree elbow and about 12 inches of PEX. This is then attached to a 2 foot section of tubing that goes to the water pump. On my unit none of this is secured to any support. The water pump produces a lot of vibration in the water lines and I suspect this is translated to the 12 inch stiff PEX tubing which acts as a lever arm to cause fatigue at the flange. After I get mine fix/repaired I plan to secure the tubing to something to prevent this. Just a thought.

[sheriff1]

Mine was the drain, 3" of tube to valve, straight shot.

[SeymourAC]

Ok, I finally got a temporary fix to my freshwater leak. I stopped my the Airstream Dealer in Spokane, Washington, where they cut an access hole in my tank cover then cut off the supply flange that was cracked. They then put a 1/2 inch rubber expansion plug in the remaining hole. They then dropped the PEX tubbing from the water pump into a new hole drilled in the top of the tank. Everything worked fine for 12 hours then we sprung a new leak in the tank drain flange. We were 400 miles away from the shop so I used a hacksaw blade to cut this flange off as well and bought another 1/2 inch rubber expansion plug and fixed it myself. I must have a lemon of a tank in that I have had failures of the intake, outtake, and drain flanges. I plan to replace the tank when we get back home. I think I could have the whole job myself on the road after seeing what the Airstream Dealer did.