Water pressure question

[Chitown AirStreamers]

We're slowly getting around to taking our AS on her first trip. My question- Once we fill the freash water tank up- what gives the system pressure for the water to go thru the pipes? I hope thats not a dumb question- I just don't know? Since this system & camper have not been taken out in years- should I run some type of bleach thru the system once or twice to clean any bacteria out? Thanks

[Pahaska]

Yes on the bleach. Do a forum search on the word "bleach" and you should find many posts regarding cleaning out the tanks.

On what moves the water, it depends somewhat on the vintage of your trailer. Some years had pressurized water tanks while most trailers have electric pumps on the outlet of the tank. Pressure tanks can be converted to electric pump susyems.

[thenewkid64]

You should have a demand pump. It will pressurize the system and draw water from the tank. The switch may be on the cabinet over the refer. It looks like a home light switch. The pump is in the rear compartment to the left of the toilet base. It will require a 12 volt source. Either a battery or being plugged in to make the pump run.

As to the sanatizing it depends. If you are going to drink the water from your tank I would do it. If you are ging to use it for bathing, and dishes I would not. It is up to you given the time available, you only have a 30 gallon tank, so it should not take long.

[85MH325]

my '70 safari used a Par diaphragm pump. The pump was driven by an electric motor with a rubber belt. I presume that yours undoubtedly used a similar pump. The diaphragms do rupture, and there used to be rebuild kits available. I don't know if you can still find them or not. I would recommend using one of the current water pumps available at any RV dealer to replace the Par if it isn't working. They're faster, quieter, and probably use less electricity which is easier on your batteries.

Roger

[thenewkid64]

The rebuild kits are available, but the cost is equal to the new pumps, so I would just replace it if it acts up.

[Kajtek1]

Amazingly the belt-driven pumps are still sold new and have much higher prices, than those multi-diaphragm ones. Using both types on different coaches, I can tell that the high pitch noise from new pumps is more annoying.
Than 21 Century brought variable speeds electronic pumps. They are nice for holding constant pressure, but costly and you will not hear when you have small water leak.
Does anybody knows the tank capacity of those trailers? I see fresh water is 30 gallons, but how about black water? Do I have gray water tank in my "new" trailer?

[davidz71]

Originally Posted by Kajtek1

Amazingly the belt-driven pumps are still sold new and have much higher prices, than those multi-diaphragm ones. Using both types on different coaches, I can tell that the high pitch noise from new pumps is more annoying.
Than 21 Century brought variable speeds electronic pumps. They are nice for holding constant pressure, but costly and you will not hear when you have small water leak.
Does anybody knows the tank capacity of those trailers? I see fresh water is 30 gallons, but how about black water? Do I have gray water tank in my "new" trailer?

Doubtful that you have a gray water tank in your '65 Safari unless it was added by the PO. Airstream added gray water tanks around the '73-'74 model years.