Potential 4 a Horrible Mess

[Snedwid]

When my FC23FB was brand spankin' new, I made a mistake. We went to a campground as part of the shake down cruise, and I hooked the potable water hose to the black water rinse system by mistake. The 2 inlets are cheek by jowl, so it was very easy to do. End result was an overflow of the black water tank into the bathroom. Thankfully, the black water tank was a virgin so it was only clear water, otherwise the "new coach smell" would have been eliminated rather quickly. A couple of times since then, I have found myself starting to make the same error, fortunately, I've caught it before I "messed up".

Now the big question. Has anyone else had this experience, and what can be done to positively prevent it from happening?

The best answer of course is PAY ATTENTION, but when your an old geezer that doesn't always work.

[DanB]

If I'm remembering correctly on mine,black fitting = black tank. And yes, I've come close!

Not sure if you really would do this twice though. First off, I immediately heard the tank being flushed (i.e the sound of flowing water). Second, you wouldn't have water pressure if your pump is off.

If your still worried, throw a zip lock bag or a rubber glove over the black flush. Better yet, throw a trojan over it! You'll get a good laugh every time you open the compartment. Plus, you will be protected!

[mandolindave]

#1 screw on a pressure regulator to the water inlet...you will be able to tell the difference and they are a good idea anyway

#2 colored tape- blue tape for fresh, black tape for pooh

#3 mark with a sharpee

[robwok]

Wow. That's a killer. I would suggest spray painting the black water inlet with a neon colored spray paint. Just lightly. Cut a hole in cardboard so it just allows that hookup to poke through. A thin coat of spray paint shouldn't damage it or cause a problem with the threads. They sell marker paints in neon colors.

[MrUKToad]

There's a member on here - I think it's ROBERTSUNRUS - who has a nice little engraved plaque with "City Water" over his inlet. His Airstream is immaculate and his little signs only serve to enhance.

[PhilipKS]

Originally Posted by MrUKToad

There's a member on here - I think it's ROBERTSUNRUS - who has a nice little engraved plaque with "City Water" over his inlet. His Airstream is immaculate and his little signs only serve to enhance.

I also did this. The PO had no manuals. As a complete newby at the time, I also barely averted disaster. Afterwards, I used a label maker to make labels for all of my connections and valves.

[ROBERT CROSS]

I leave a 12" section of black garden hose attached, easier to connect and harder to mistake black hose for good water. Capped open end.

Bob

[idroba]

This is a slight hijack of the thread, but on my '14 FC 20 I find it interesting that the fresh water inlet, the black tank flush inlet, and the 30 amp 120 volt power cord inlet are all in a vertical line, with the power cord on the bottom. So, if you have any leaks in your water inlet connection, the drip flows right down over the power inlet and cord.

I know, so does rain, and water can run down the side of the trailer, but it would sure make better sense if the power inlet were not located in the worst possible spot, below the water inlets. That only increases the potential for a problem.

Heads up, Airstream designers. Actually use your product, look at how things work, fix dumb things like this.

[masseyfarm]

I agree that the drive to lower costs sometimes appears to compromise other important factors.

A good design should never have the black and drinking water spigots located together because of the possible cross contamination.

IE: The CLIPPER had the fresh water in a bay separated by the drive axle from the sewer bay.

On later models the fresh and waste systems were all combined within a single bay.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f313...ml#post1052748

I realize on a trailer you have few location choices, but I would think having the fresh water inlet behind a separate locked door might be of value.

Dave

Originally Posted by idroba

This is a slight hijack of the thread, but on my '14 FC 20 I find it interesting that the fresh water inlet, the black tank flush inlet, and the 30 amp 120 volt power cord inlet are all in a vertical line, with the power cord on the bottom. So, if you have any leaks in your water inlet connection, the drip flows right down over the power inlet and cord.

I know, so does rain, and water can run down the side of the trailer, but it would sure make better sense if the power inlet were not located in the worst possible spot, below the water inlets. That only increases the potential for a problem.

Heads up, Airstream designers. Actually use your product, look at how things work, fix dumb things like this.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by masseyfarm

I realize on a trailer you have few location choices, but I would think having the fresh water inlet behind a separate locked door might be of value.

On my Airstream Interstate, it's the other way around, with the black tank flush fitting behind a locked door— the same locked door that has the discharge hose for the macerator pump.

[vswingfield]

How about putting a quick connect on one but not the other?

[Snedwid]

Tnx to everyone who replied for all the ideas,,, I went with the quick connect on the rinse connection. I put it on real tight, so it should not vibrate off, and put the other end on a green flushing hose, so the two can never be hooked up wrong. Well they could be but I'd really have to work on it to do so.