Fresh water shunt installed

[Excella CM]

I finally got around to modifying the water system so that I can fill the '78 Excella (center bath) fresh water tank from city water directly without using a hose to the outside filler. I mounted a 1/2" brass gate valve so that the handle is accessible in the clothes closet. This valve when opened shunts city water into the fresh water pick-up for the pump on the tank side of the filter screen. Got to remember close it when I'm done!

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Excella CM

I finally got around to modifying the water system so that I can fill the '78 Excella (center bath) fresh water tank from city water directly without using a hose to the outside filler. I mounted a 1/2" brass gate valve so that the handle is accessible in the clothes closet. This valve when opened shunts city water into the fresh water pick-up for the pump on the tank side of the filter screen. Got to remember close it when I'm done!

If for what ever reason, you allow the water tank to overfill, you will find that the pressure of that tank can buckle the galley floor upwards, about 6 inches, before the water tank ruptures.

Sounds impossible, but it happens.

That's why Airstream did not install that type of valve.

Andy

[thecatsandi]

Make sure you take the outside cap off for venting. The normal vent is not big enough to let out all the air you are displacing with water. You could over pressurize your tank and break the supports.

[Tim A.]

Having followed thecatsandi's lead (http://www.airforums.com/forums/f443...e-36450-2.html) in installing an indoor filling system, I can offer a little advice for someone else who might try this. I did not have Andy's warning at the time, but wanted to avoid pressurizing the freshwater tank in our Bambi. As a result, I put a "T" in the freshwater fill hose and connected there to fill directly from city water. I also made a couple of bleed holes in the outside filler which are under the outside cap but not sealed by it. The cap does not truly seal in any case. If I inadvertently overfill, the excess water gushes out the outside filler. Shocks the neighbors in a RV parks sometimes! I try not to overfill, but it happens on occasion.

Tim

[Jammer]

Trough Valve, Float Valve: Jobe valves

Hudson Valve Company, Inc.

You can mount the valve in the tank or in a piece of, say, 4" PVC above the tank somewhere, with a vent/overflow that is screened and set up in a way to prevent overpressure damage in the event of float failure.

It's important to have a screen or sediment filter upstream of the valve because otherwise they can stick open.

[Excella CM]

The excella fresh water outside fill is basically open to the atmosphere-it doesn't seal. I notice that when I overfill using a hose, the overflow for the tank handles the excess without any back up in the filler. Ergo, I think I am OK with this. We'll see, I reckon.