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James Schmidt · 05-12-2004, 08:18 AM

I have a problem that I have not been able to find a thread on. All of a sudden a noise has developed when I rinse the black water tank through the rinse connection. The noise souds like a loud vibration-rattle and seems to be coming for the vacuum break and or check valve location behind the slide out pantry. This noise started when I took the airstream out of winter storage and filled with water. The noise varies with the volume of water I put into the rinse connection. I removed the check valve and it looks ok. The vacuum break is a rather large brass contraption. My question to all of you experts is this: Can the vacuum break fail and cause this noise and do I really need this thing or can it be bypassed. The unit is a 93 Excello 1000.
Thanks,

john hd · 05-12-2004, 06:59 PM

james

mine makes the same noise, i assumed it was some sort of sprinkler attachment in the tank.

let me know what you find....

john

maxandgeorgia · 05-12-2004, 07:01 PM

We used ours this past weekend, and it made noise also: '95 Limited. Maybe it's just the nature of the contraption since we all seem to have a similar experience.

pjlingl · 05-12-2004, 07:32 PM

James
I have a '93 Excella and it makes the same type of noise when the rinse is working. Jeff

James Schmidt · 05-13-2004, 08:38 AM

Thanks guys for the fast response. This thing just started with my unit--it has been relatively quiet up to now. I could hear the water in the tank but not this loud vibration. It would be interesting to know if you have experienced the noise from day one. Also wonder what Andy has to say about this. I am still considering by passing the siphon break since it has a check valve too.

MW64OVERLANDER · 05-13-2004, 10:37 AM

You will need to leave the backflow preventer in the system. The check valve is not considered to be a backflow preventer and since the tank wash system is a direct cross connection between your potable water and your black water tank, only a PVB will serve the purpose.

silver suz · 05-13-2004, 07:48 PM

What is a PVB?

James Schmidt · 05-14-2004, 01:13 PM

Mark,
I see that you are a plumbing contractor and knowledgable about these things. How is this thing constructed and how does it work. The only time I am cross connected to fresh water is during the actual rinsing process. Otherwise there is no connection present. If I am rinsing it should not siphon back should it?

James

James Schmidt · 05-15-2004, 05:36 AM

An update on my blackwater rinse noise problem--I was able to disassemble the valve and inspect the inside- It is a very simple device with plastic and rubber innards and all looked ok except for some crud. I cleaned it and sprayed it with silicone and put it all back together and will test it later today.
Andy, at Inland RV, advised that I check with the factory before by-passing it. Will let you know what happens with the test.
ps---getting to the valve is not easy but doable. I will post how I did it if any one is interested.

James Schmidt · 05-17-2004, 06:45 AM

Further update on the noise problem. All my work did not silence the noise. It definitely is coming from either the vacuum break or the check valve. After looking at the inside of the vb I cannot see how the noise could be coming from there. The check valve looked ok when I removed it, but it could be the culprit. Everything seems to be working so I might just put up with the noise for a while. The check valve is cheap(about $5) so I might buy one and replace it later.
Thanks again for your response.

MW64OVERLANDER · 05-17-2004, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Schmidt

Mark,
I see that you are a plumbing contractor and knowledgable about these things. How is this thing constructed and how does it work. The only time I am cross connected to fresh water is during the actual rinsing process. Otherwise there is no connection present. If I am rinsing it should not siphon back should it?

James

James,
Sorry I was so long in getting back to you. You are absolutely correct, the only time you are cross connected is when you are rinsing the tank. Although I can't be sure without seeing the problem, I would suspect the noise to be originating with the VB. It will seat when water pressure is applied to it and open to break the siphon when the water is shut off. Sometimes the VB will chatter as it tries to seat or if the incoming water pressure is not great enough to properly close it.

Hope this was of some help
Mark

WayWard Wind · 05-17-2004, 11:16 PM

I'm somewhat confused, which for me is common, however I can not figure out how using the BWF can be interconnected with the fresh water supply. Our unit ---04 ---has a BWF & the outside connection is a seperate connection, which runs directly into the spray system in the BWT. Is this system different than on other units or am I as usual missing something? BTW I REALLY

like the flush system. It should be a regular part on every unit.
Best,

James Schmidt · 05-19-2004, 05:22 AM

Mark,
Thanks for the advise. I don't think that the vb is having a problem closing. It is not vented to the outside and any leak would be inside the coach. Since I don't have a leak, I assume the valve is closing properly. The noise increases with water pressure(I am on a city system and have very good pressure) and almost goes away when the pressure is reduced to nearly a trickle. Do you think the check valve could be chattering? It is good to have a plumber to ask.
thanks,

BillTex · 05-19-2007, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayWard Wind

I'm somewhat confused, which for me is common, however I can not figure out how using the BWF can be interconnected with the fresh water supply. Our unit ---04 ---has a BWF & the outside connection is a seperate connection, which runs directly into the spray system in the BWT. Is this system different than on other units or am I as usual missing something? BTW I REALLY

like the flush system. It should be a regular part on every unit.
Best,

I have been searching for our black tank rinse since we bought or 89. PO says there is none, the manual states that all Excella models for these years had them. Looked in the wheel well, looked all over???

Also found something else; I have a bypass for the water heat in the closet, and another accessable through the outside rear storage directly next to the water heater...hard to tell where all the pex tubing runs to???

Does this outside bypass have anything to do with black tank rinse?
It is between my city water connection and the hot water tank...is this a mod the PO might have done?
Why 2 bypasses for hot water heater (if this is one?)

Thanx, Bill

Silvertwinkie · 05-19-2007, 06:47 PM

FWIW, our black rinse system also makes a fair amount of noise when it is in operation.

thecatsandi · 05-19-2007, 07:13 PM

PVB Positive Vacuum Break. I Think

My black tank rinse quit working. It was too slow anyway. Ice cubes and a Flush king do the job.

BillTex · 05-19-2007, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillTex

I have been searching for our black tank rinse since we bought or 89. PO says there is none, the manual states that all Excella models for these years had them. Looked in the wheel well, looked all over???

Also found something else; I have a bypass for the water heat in the closet, and another accessable through the outside rear storage directly next to the water heater...hard to tell where all the pex tubing runs to???

Does this outside bypass have anything to do with black tank rinse?
It is between my city water connection and the hot water tank...is this a mod the PO might have done?
Why 2 bypasses for hot water heater (if this is one?)

Thanx, Bill

Anyone else with 80's 25' Excella find a black tank rinse hose connection?

Or 2 water heater bypasses (passi?)

Thanx, Bill