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Auto Fill stuck on

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01-01-2004, 10:23 PM
brandman
Auto Fill stuck on
We left the auto fill on a while back. Now she "autofills" regardless of whether the switch is on or not and the water spills out the outside filler cap. I believe this also may be the reason the water pump stays on. Any one know where this valve is located or how to "unstick it"?

jack !!!
01-01-2004, 11:07 PM
bill h
Mine was very close to the tank and pump. I replaced it with a manual valve for reliability.
01-02-2004, 09:00 AM
Jack
This picture shows my pump setup. The Solenoid valve in the upper right quadrant of the picture is the auto fill valve.



The Control panel with the switch on mine has a relay and a sounder. When tank is full, sensors on the top of the FW tank operate the small relay on the control panel, which sounds the alarm, and shuts off the fill valve.
If you are filling the tank, why would you have the water pump on? It would just be adding pressure to the system, which is being serviced by the external water source.
Check for loose, broken or shorted wires in the control panel, or a fill valve that flows water with no power to it all. (as in stuck open)
Happy New Year to all.


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89 Barth Regal 32
Runs like a Deere
New Hampshire

[This message has been edited by davebowers (edited January 12, 2004).]

[This message has been edited by Jack (edited March 20, 2004).]
01-02-2004, 09:22 AM
brandman
Thanks all. I'll check this out using your ideas and pictures. Jack we never actually had the pump while using the external water source. What i meant was, with the valve stuck open, the sytem is probably de-pressurised causing the pump to keep running. I think.
Thanks for the picture. The solenoid is that gizmo on top of the tank correct ?

jack !!!





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Jack and Daiva
1988 Barth Regal
01-02-2004, 09:22 AM
brandman
Thanks all. I'll check this out using your ideas and pictures. Jack we never actually had the pump while using the external water source. What i meant was, with the valve stuck open, the sytem is probably de-pressurised causing the pump to keep running. I think.
Thanks for the picture. The solenoid is that gizmo on top of the tank correct ?

jack !!!





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Jack and Daiva
1988 Barth Regal
01-02-2004, 09:27 AM
brandman
OOk. I see what you're refering to in the picture Jack. The solenoid is that yellow device/connection that has hte letters UL on it.

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Jack and Daiva
1988 Barth Regal
01-02-2004, 02:17 PM
bill h
Jack, if yours has failed, I'll see if I can find mine. It was working when I took it out and you can have it. My recommendation, however is to put in a manul valve if you like to pressure fill, and let the overflow take care of things. Or just gravity fill and let it run over at the filler.
01-03-2004, 04:37 PM
brandman
Thank you Bill. I really appreciate that. Let me tear into it first to see what I am dealing with. I'll let ya know.
jack !!!

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Jack and Daiva
1988 Barth Regal
01-03-2004, 10:57 PM
Windsor Dalrymple
The auto fill valves are notorious for failure.

They are a convenience, but usually succumb to hard water gumming them up.

Mine failed on our recent trip to Disney, and was the only inconvenience on the entire journey.

From what I understand, they are not cheap to replace, and the replacement is no better than the original for longetivity.

Replace it with a manual valve and forego the convenience. It will cost a fraction of the solenoid, and will be less likely to fail again.
01-12-2004, 10:48 PM
brandman
We think we have discovered the likely problem with our valve. It's not the solenoid itself but the valve not seating shut properly due to corrosion and pitting.
Bill H, which of these components did you say you had available ? If it's the valve portion and yours still works I would pay you for it as well as for shipping. I'll be snooping around locally for a replacement in the meantime.
Thanks
jack !!!


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Jack and Daiva
1988 Barth Regal
01-13-2004, 05:19 AM
bill h
Jack, We're headed for Quartzsite wed nite, and won't have time to look until after we return, so remind me again in Feb.
02-24-2004, 03:49 PM
bill h
OK Jack, despite the absence of a "reminder in February", I found the valve and will send it as soon as I have an address.
02-24-2004, 05:12 PM
Don Scalzo
I have a 33' '93 Breakaway and the valve and pump are both located under the sink and will be a bear to replace or repair.
02-24-2004, 06:57 PM
davebowers
I think the best auto-fill is a hand valve. Even with that I turned it on once and then took my daughter to the doctor. I got home just as the tanks (I have two big ones) were topping off. So now I put on some music and sit on the bed and watch it fill..

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03-02-2004, 12:50 AM
olroy
You can fill it faster by hand from outside, but you better hang around and watch, unless you don't mind overflowing the tank.

My long-unused autofill, filled the tank by itself with the switch off. I drained the tank, and flipped the autofill switch on and off for a dozen cycles, or so. Seems to work ok, so far.