City water connection problem

[Martin R]

We have a 2012 Airstream International 30. Having hooked up to city water at the campground this afternoon we have experienced a poor flow of water from a the faucets and shower head which has now diminished to nothing. The flow from the city connection, whilst not outstanding is reasonable. The water system using the pump/on board tank works fine.
I guess it is likely to be a regulator or filter issue. I have a chrome surrounded shut-flo fitting where the city water hose connects. This appears to be held in place by four screws. Can I do anything helpful unscrewing this and investigating further or should i leave to experienced hands with access to parts?

[Al - K4GLU]

Are you sure you're not hooked up to the tank flush inlet instead of city water?

[daveswenson]

Originally Posted by Al - K4GLU

Are you sure you're not hooked up to the tank flush inlet instead of city water?

If that was the case he would have overfilled the black tank. I think he'd know if that had happened.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, your chrome water inlet already has a built in pressure regulator, are you using an additional pressure regulator? Is your inlet screen full of dirt/rocks Etc? Are you using an inline water filter? Is it clogged?

When ever I connect my water hose to my trailer, I always let water run through it first before connecting it to my inlet to flush out any dirt that could clog my screen.

[Martin R]

I have made a few mistakes since owning the Airstream but hooking up to the black tank flusher instead of the city water inlet is not amongst them. Actually the problem is solved. I know there is an onboard pressure regulator and no, I do not use an additional external regulator. As far as I could see the filter looked unobstructed. Unbeknownst to me, the campground was having a water supply problem and had been operating at a pressure that I can only guess, was below that necessary to get efficiently past the onboard regulator. They then cut off the water without notice which explains the trickle to zero, They restored full pressure late in the evening and all seems to be working properly. I had, probably wrongly, assumed that a low pressure city delivery would be the same inside the trailer rather than what appeared to be a diminished flow.

[LOGRIDER]

Originally Posted by Al - K4GLU

Are you sure you're not hooked up to the tank flush inlet instead of city water?

I did that once! Kind of embarrassing...

[Ibenoverland]

Is there a way to bypass the tank when on city water. I have to fill the tank full and even with good pressure coming in the pump still runs. Any sugestions?


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[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

When ever I connect my water hose to my trailer, I always let water run through it first before connecting it to my inlet to flush out any dirt that could clog my screen.

Good practice! In addition to that, i always store my hose with the ends connected.
After I sold my 34', I got a call from the person who purchased it telling me the city water supply was not working. After some trouble shooting, they found out that an ant colony build a nest inside their water hose.

[truxpin]

Originally Posted by Ibenoverland

Is there a way to bypass the tank when on city water. I have to fill the tank full and even with good pressure coming in the pump still runs. Any sugestions?


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When you're hooked up to city water your onboard water pump should be in the "off" position.

Another FYI..... For anyone with a black tank flush...... Put some type of pre-filter on the hose your using to feed the flush inlet. Speaking from experience, it takes very little to clog up the "business" end of the flush head. If you travel, this could come in the form of bugs working their way into your hose during travel, to dirt and sediment in the seldomly used water hookups in various camp spots. Suprisingly, there is no protection from foreign debris making it's way to the flush head and to make a long story short.... access to the flush head is a major project(even for an RV shop mechanic) Those of us with a black tank flush don't realize the "luxury" of the feature until it fails on us. Do yourself a huge favor and invest in a cheap in-line hose filter for your dedicated black tank flush hose.

[kry226]

I know i am late to this and the problem may already be cured, but check all the screens/aerators at the inlet and inside faucets for sediment. At our property where we camp, the co-op water lines have some sand in them which clog the inlet from time to time and the trailer lines pull sediment from the hot water heater and lines as well. Unscrew the aerators from the faucets to clean the debris.

[Ibenoverland]

Thanks I am still working on it and I am pretty sure it is exactly what you said

[HowieE]

If you have reasonable flow with the pump your water system, faucets and screens, within the rig is fine.

The problem is either the input connection, it has a screen that you can see, or the regulator within the connection. Check the screen.

I always connect the ends of my city water hose together while traveling. This keeps any leftover water from dripping into the storage area and keeps any and all crawlers from getting into the hose. I also flow water through the hose before connecting to the trailer, a second precaution.

[HowieE]

Originally Posted by Ibenoverland

Is there a way to bypass the tank when on city water. I have to fill the tank full and even with good pressure coming in the pump still runs. Any sugestions?

If the pump runs while you are connected to city water that says the city pressure is below the set point of the off switch in the pump.

I commonly leave my pump on, I carry a 1/4 tank of water while traveling, while connected to potential low pressure or in a daisy chain connection. That way as soon as the city pressure drops below my pump setting it comes on and I have normal flow while everyone is trying to showering or making coffee.

[xrvr]

Didn't know it worked that way. Thanks for the heads up.