No water from tap.

[joels]

Hi, I'm after some advice from you lovely people on troubleshooting. I thought I'd rinse through the water tank (underslung) as I don't know how long the water has been in there (van was new to me in Dec) so I filled it up and now can't empty it as the tap seems to have stopped working.

It definitely did work as I'd tested it previously and although only a dribble it was working last week - I just assumed the tank was empty.

When I hit the water pump button on the control panel I can hear "something" and if I remove the water pump fuse I no longer hear it so don't think it's the fuse.

Any ideas on where to look next?
Thanks...

 

[Gàirnealair]

Airlock?
Maybe just needs longer than you are waiting for pump to fill/prime?
What have your overnight temps been? Any possibility of frost damage?

 

[joels]

Airlock?
Maybe just needs longer than you are waiting for pump to fill/prime?
What have your overnight temps been? Any possibility of frost damage?

I have waited yes, but only a minute or two, would that be enough?

It was definitely cold (minus 2/3) last week but the tank was nearly empty - possible I suppose....

 

[oldiebut goodie]

You have an air lock - operate the the pump whilst sucking the tap to draw the air out and allow the water to reach the pump.

 

[joels]

You have an air lock - operate the the pump whilst sucking the tap to draw the air out and allow the water to reach the pump.

Sucking the tap?!

 

[Pete C]

Yes, it helps the pump.

 

[oldiebut goodie]

Yes - I have had a couple of systems where I had to do that to clear the air.

 

[DXX]

Pretty sure it will be ice damage, I just changed mine. Fitting a programmer with an immersion heater now.

 

[joels]

Yes - I have had a couple of systems where I had to do that to clear the air.

It worked! I sucked and sucked like my life depended on it, heard some gargling and sucked some more - with a combo of sucking and closing the tap it finally came out - thanks!!

 

[DXX]

It worked! I sucked and sucked like my life depended on it, heard some gargling and sucked some more - with a combo of sucking and closing the tap it finally came out - thanks!!

Not a submersible pump then. I would think it would be possible to fit a non-return valve (NRV) in the end of the suction hose to prevent the pump and suction line draining when the tank is emptied. This would only work if the pump wasn’t operated with an empty tank.

 

[oldiebut goodie]

Most tanks are drained by running the tap dry, mine is.

 

[T6 Deeks]

Ok Now that I have managed to get into my tank to be able to fill it I now have no water coming through. I've done the above 'sucking' technique and get a mouthful of water however nothing when operating the tap. Thank fully I've only put water in the tank and hadn't started sterilising yet (being sure I could drain was front of my mind) so the tank is about 75% full according to the panel.

Any thoughts? I can't even see where the pump would be.

 

[Dellmassive]

Ok Now that I have managed to get into my tank to be able to fill it I now have no water coming through. I've done the above 'sucking' technique and get a mouthful of water however nothing when operating the tap. Thank fully I've only put water in the tank and hadn't started sterilising yet (being sure I could drain was front of my mind) so the tank is about 75% full according to the panel.

Any thoughts? I can't even see where the pump would be.

switch in the tap not working?

or pump/power not working?

got any pics?

 

[T6 Deeks]

switch in the tap not working?

or pump/power not working?

got any pics?

Can hear the switch in the tap clicking and get nothing when sooking with the tap in off position. Dont hear any sound of a pump working at all. I'll pop out and get some pics.

 

[Dellmassive]

maybe pump fuse?, or sticky pump?

 

[roadtripper]

Can hear the switch in the tap clicking and get nothing when sooking with the tap in off position. Dont hear any sound of a pump working at all. I'll pop out and get some pics.

With microswitches hearing the click is a good first sanity test but not an absolute one - it's still possible that it's mechanically intact but electrically failed - water leaking into them and corroding the contacts or connections.

You need to trace the wiring and get a multimeter across it to check for continuity.

 

[T6 Deeks]

So, after checking the fuse etc. I've called CamperKing (got through eventually as if needs replaced hoping it would be under warranty) who have tentatively diagnosed a faulty tap switch and put me in contact with their Falkirk outfit. Apparently it's a very common fault.

Waiting on a call back so I can go visit and they can confirm it definitely is that and replace it.