R-pod Owners Forum : Any tricks regarding using fresh-water tank? http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : I need HELP!!! : Any tricks regarding using fresh-water tank? Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 20 May 2026 23:16:03 +0000 Tue, 22 Aug 2023 16:10:22 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=15721 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Any tricks regarding using fresh-water tank? : That happened to me also when... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=152623#152623 Author: StephenH
Subject: 15721
Posted: 22 Aug 2023 at 4:10pm

That happened to me also when we first got the RP-179. Frustrated me to no end until I got that figured out.]]> Tue, 22 Aug 2023 16:10:22 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=152623#152623 Any tricks regarding using fresh-water tank? : One last story: So we filled the... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=152622#152622 Author: Pod_Geek
Subject: 15721
Posted: 22 Aug 2023 at 4:08pm

One last story:  So we filled the FW tank, and with the pump on all we got was a lot of air and a trickle of water.  Pump stayed running too.  Well, FR had winterized with antifreeze before delivery and didn't bother closing the valve to the short intake hose that one uses to suck antifreeze into the system Censored

Closed that valve and the fresh-water system worked great.  Thanks all for the comments and suggestions.
]]> Tue, 22 Aug 2023 16:08:53 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=152622#152622 Any tricks regarding using fresh-water tank? : There was no plug in the fresh... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=152063#152063 Author: Pod_Geek
Subject: 15721
Posted: 13 Jun 2023 at 9:12am

There was no plug in the fresh water tank drain.  I bought a 3/8" and 1/2" plug; the 1/2" screwed in to the fitting.  Pretty sure that was the issue.

Before adding plug:
 


]]> Tue, 13 Jun 2023 09:12:06 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=152063#152063 Any tricks regarding using fresh-water tank? : Post a picture of what you have... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=152009#152009 Author: StephenH
Subject: 15721
Posted: 08 Jun 2023 at 4:52pm

Post a picture of what you have please. Our Grey Wolf has valves so I can't post one.]]> Thu, 08 Jun 2023 16:52:06 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=152009#152009 Any tricks regarding using fresh-water tank? : I probably need a picture of what... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=152008#152008 Author: Pod_Geek
Subject: 15721
Posted: 08 Jun 2023 at 4:29pm

I probably need a picture of what the assembly on the bottom of the tank drain is supposed to look like. I suspect mine is not complete.]]> Thu, 08 Jun 2023 16:29:14 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=152008#152008 Any tricks regarding using fresh-water tank? : Do you have a hexagon shaped place... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=152007#152007 Author: StephenH
Subject: 15721
Posted: 08 Jun 2023 at 12:38pm

Do you have a hexagon shaped place above the cap on the pipe? If so, you may need to hold that with a wrench while trying to remove/tighten the cap. Also, there should be a little gasket inside the cap that helps seal it.]]> Thu, 08 Jun 2023 12:38:06 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=152007#152007 Any tricks regarding using fresh-water tank? : So I'm trying to fill the... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=152005#152005 Author: Pod_Geek
Subject: 15721
Posted: 08 Jun 2023 at 10:47am

So I'm trying to fill the tank and water just pours out the drain at the bottom.The black cap on the drain just spins. This ain't working. Grrrr.]]> Thu, 08 Jun 2023 10:47:50 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=152005#152005 Any tricks regarding using fresh-water tank? : If you have a compressor with... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151991#151991 Author: jato
Subject: 15721
Posted: 06 Jun 2023 at 4:55pm

If you have a compressor with high volume you may be surprised to find no water in the strainer bowl, but check it regardless after doing the air method.  For 11 years I have used 80-90 psi to blow out our 177.  One line is always kept open while blowing out, takes about 2 minutes to go through everything twice.  Did a check on both strainer bowl and low point drains after doing this method for the first 2 years, result was that the bowl was totally dry and each low point drain had about 2-3 drops of water in it so since then bowl and lpd's havent' been checked after blowing out.  Happy to report - no freeze damage ever and this is in the cold northern Michigan area where winters can get pretty 'nippy.'
]]> Tue, 06 Jun 2023 16:55:02 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151991#151991 Any tricks regarding using fresh-water tank? : Just run the pump after emptying... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151990#151990 Author: StephenH
Subject: 15721
Posted: 06 Jun 2023 at 4:22pm

Just run the pump after emptying the tank. The pump will not be damaged by running dry briefly. In addition, remove the strainer bowl and empty it. It serves two purposes. One is to drain water that could freeze. The other is to empty out all the trash that might be in there.]]> Tue, 06 Jun 2023 16:22:10 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151990#151990 Any tricks regarding using fresh-water tank? : Thanks all.Not sure we need to... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151989#151989 Author: Pod_Geek
Subject: 15721
Posted: 06 Jun 2023 at 2:45pm

Thanks all.

Not sure we need to sanitize since we only drink adult beverages while camping and already use jug water for cooking.  I'll have to figure out how to get all the water out of the pump when winterizing since I always just use compressed air.
]]> Tue, 06 Jun 2023 14:45:53 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151989#151989 Any tricks regarding using fresh-water tank? : Originally posted by john... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151988#151988 Author: StephenH
Subject: 15721
Posted: 06 Jun 2023 at 2:30pm

Originally posted by john in idaho

I still think the best water tank story is one where the owner put Dawn detergent in one of the waste tanks. .... when they were stopped by a foam covered CHP patrol vehicle on I-5.

]]> Tue, 06 Jun 2023 14:30:17 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151988#151988 Any tricks regarding using fresh-water tank? : Originally posted by Pod_GeekShould... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151986#151986 Author: gpokluda
Subject: 15721
Posted: 06 Jun 2023 at 10:54am

Originally posted by Pod_Geek

Should the pump be left on (assuming it works)?

Thanks...

+1 on the sanitization advice. You can also you vinegar if you don't want to use chlorine.

We only use the pump when we are using water. Same goes for city water which remains off when not in use. RV fixtures aren't the best so we limit the risk.
]]> Tue, 06 Jun 2023 10:54:21 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151986#151986 Any tricks regarding using fresh-water tank? : Our well water has relatively... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151985#151985 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 15721
Posted: 06 Jun 2023 at 10:00am

Our well water has relatively high levels of dissolved solids, so we treat it with a bit of vinegar and run it through the pipes to dissolve that. ]]> Tue, 06 Jun 2023 10:00:47 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151985#151985 Any tricks regarding using fresh-water tank? : I still think the best water tank... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151984#151984 Author: john in idaho
Subject: 15721
Posted: 06 Jun 2023 at 9:15am

I still think the best water tank story is one where the owner put Dawn detergent in one of the waste tanks. .... when they were stopped by a foam covered CHP patrol vehicle on I-5.]]> Tue, 06 Jun 2023 09:15:23 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151984#151984 Any tricks regarding using fresh-water tank? : Having experienced algae growth... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151983#151983 Author: StephenH
Subject: 15721
Posted: 06 Jun 2023 at 8:41am

Having experienced algae growth in the fresh water tank more than once, I am strongly in favor of sanitizing the tank at the beginning of the season and, if needed, repeating. Chlorine may not taste good, but a pitcher filter for drinking water will fix that while ensuring that you have safe water. I do agree about turning the pump off while traveling, even though I have not turned it of and have not experienced  problems with the RPod. We have not traveled yet with the Grey Wolf, so I can't say the same for it yet.]]> Tue, 06 Jun 2023 08:41:17 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151983#151983 Any tricks regarding using fresh-water tank? : I completely agree with not using... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151982#151982 Author: mikeyg2347
Subject: 15721
Posted: 06 Jun 2023 at 8:29am

I completely agree with not using bleach. We used a small  amount of bleach in our FW tank a few years ago and that nasty taste was with us all year. I haven't cleaned out the tank since then and our water tastes fine and as far as I can tell there is no mold in the system. 

ABSOLUTELY turn your pump off when traveling. I accidently left mine on while driving on a rough road. One of the faucet handles vibrated open, water started flowing, splashed off the cutting board sink cover, flowed onto the floor and saturated everything. While driving I happened to look at my passenger side mirror and saw water leaking out the door. Total disaster. Water had splashed and run everywhere and the entire kitchen/dining area was soaked. We never used the cutting board anyway so I threw it away after that fiasco. Now if I were to space out turning the pump off and a faucet handle vibrated open the water would run down the sink drain.
]]> Tue, 06 Jun 2023 08:29:23 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151982#151982 Any tricks regarding using fresh-water tank? : We went 5 years w/o sanitizing... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151978#151978 Author: jato
Subject: 15721
Posted: 05 Jun 2023 at 6:24pm

We went 5 years w/o sanitizing our FW tank.  I would not recommend that but it basically only had our well water in it (never had city or muni water, and hasn't to this day).  So after sanitizing for the first time in 2016 we had a new problem.  I couldn't stand the taste or smell of the bleach in the FW tank.  After a few different concoctions we came up with one that included white vinegar and concentrated lemon juice that got rid of the nasty smell and funny taste and have done that ever since, now that we sanitize once per year.  Yes, we do use our FW tank for drinking!

Our pump is left on unless we are traveling, then it is turned off.
]]> Mon, 05 Jun 2023 18:24:46 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151978#151978 Any tricks regarding using fresh-water tank? : I agree with all but bypassing... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151977#151977 Author: StephenH
Subject: 15721
Posted: 05 Jun 2023 at 4:47pm

I agree with all but bypassing the water heater tank. Sanitizing it is important also. There are bacteria that don't mind hot water and the chlorine won't hurt the anode rod. ]]> Mon, 05 Jun 2023 16:47:38 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151977#151977 Any tricks regarding using fresh-water tank? : The tank is vented; the vent is... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151975#151975 Author: hank*pod
Subject: 15721
Posted: 05 Jun 2023 at 2:25pm

The tank is vented; the vent is in the same fixture you use to pour water into the tank (assuming the techs at FR connected all of the pipes properly - be cautious the first couple of times...) so it's extremely unlikely that you'll explode anything.

I tend to turn the pump off if I'm going away for more than an hour. I'd hate for a leak to suddenly develop and the pump dutifully empty the tank wherever (I'd also turn off the hydrant if I was connected to a water supply). But no harm in leaving it turned on while you're there. The pump might run a second or two in the night (but more pumping suggests a leak...).

Not a bad idea to sanitize with bleach ahead of first use, and whenever the water system hasn't been used in a few weeks. Bypass the water heater first. Dilute 1/2 to 3/4 cup household bleach in a gallon of water, pour into the fresh water fill, then fill the tank completely with water and run hot and cold taps for a couple of minutes to circulate the water thru the lines. Let sit for 12-24 hours then drain the water system and refill the lines with fresh water and the tank with however much you travel with - I generally add 10 gallons for the road. A little more if I'm boondocking.

Become familiar with the location of the water pump and the associated inlet strainer. It needs to be cleaned out periodically (once a year, maybe).

If you run the pump don't forget it when winterizing. I use antifreeze so it's less critical to get all of the water out of the pump.]]> Mon, 05 Jun 2023 14:25:16 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151975#151975 Any tricks regarding using fresh-water tank? : So we may need to use the fresh-water... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151974#151974 Author: Pod_Geek
Subject: 15721
Posted: 05 Jun 2023 at 11:19am

So we may need to use the fresh-water tank system for the first time.

Any gotchas to watch out for (like overfilling the tank and causing an explosion)?

Should the pump be left on (assuming it works)?

Thanks...
]]> Mon, 05 Jun 2023 11:19:10 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15721&PID=151974#151974