Bailey Unicorn 3 Onboard Water Tank

[PaulT]

I should take delivery of my new S3 Cartegena in late September but wonder if an existing owner of a T/A S3 could answer a question?

I've noticed that a 40 litre onboard tank is now included in the new model and also that the water pump is now a submersible one in the Aquaroll. I assume that the onboard tank is filled from the Aquaroll and that water is used from either the onboard tank or the Aquaroll. I also assume that switching between the 2 sources, and filling, is controlled by a system of manual valves as it was in our S5 Senator. Is this correct? Also, if the pump is in the Aquaroll, how is water pumped from the onboard tank? Is a different system used on twin axle Unicorn?

Thanks for any help given, I live in France so can't just visit a dealer plus I think Bailey may be holiday now.

 

[Dustydog]

Paul
The Unicorn 3 on line manual says it has an opportunity board pump like my S
Wyoming . The brochure confirms your own statement.Pass??
I'll stand to be educated but am surprised a submersible pump may be considered better than a free standing on board one.
Sorry mate. I think the dealer or Bailey will have to answer this question.

 

[PaulT]

The link from the Bailey website, for both the service manual and the owners manual, shows (on the cover page) an S2 Unicorn. Also, the title of the pdf document appears to indicate that it dates from 2013. Bailey appear not to keep their website up to date!

TBH I really can't see how it can be a submersible with an onboard tank. The whole idea of an onboard tank (surely) is that you don't need to have an Aquaroll outside. If you've got no Aquaroll then you've nothing to dunk the pump in!

 

[Sproket]

Paul.
My 2000 hymer has got a on board tank and a aqua roll and both use a submersible pump, the tank is filled via a water filler cap on the side of the van into the on board tank that has it's own submersible pump, if we just wanted to use the aqua roll we would just connect the aqua roll pump up to the van as normal. We use the aqua roll pump to pump water from the aqua roll into the on board tank via the filler cap, to be honest we always use the on board tank as it has go a electronic water level fitted making it easy to check what's left, ours does not have any change over valves just pump switches, the only valves that are fitted are two non return valves, one to stop the water from the aqua roll diverting back into the tank when the aqua roll is being used and the other is to stop water trying to divert back to the aqua roll, it's a very simple system and the non return valves only cost about a fiver to change
It looks like bailey are re-inventing the wheel again :lol:
if we are on a super pitch we just use a hose to top the tank up ....

 

[PaulT]

Hi Sprocket,

I'm not sure that a system that uses two pumps and a filler cap needs to be reinvented. My Bailey Senator S5 had a perfectly adequate onboard tank that used an onboard pump and a system of manual valves to fill the tank direct from the Aquaroll. I subsequently modified it to remove the manual valves and replaced them with electronic valves which meant that at the touch of a switch I could fill the onboard tank and use either this or the Aquaroll for the water supply. I've fitted a similar system to my S2 Unicorn and if, as I suspect, the twin axle Unicorns have an onboard pump and not a submersible, then I'll do the same with my new 'van (that is, of course, unless Bailey have decided to use electronic valves instead of the manual type.

I just hope they haven't gone back to the ridiculous removable onboard tank that they had on the Series 1 Unicorns!

 

[PaulT]

I take it back!! It seems that the Bailey does have 2 pumps! One in the tank and the submersible in the Aquaroll. Apologies Sprocket but they haven't gone so far as to have an external filler for the onboard tank.

 

[Chrisjkerr]

Hi Paul.

I have the S3 Cartagena 2015 and it does indeed have 2 pumps. One is the Whale submersible and there's one inside the on board tank at the front right. Under the front right sofa, there's a manual bypass filling valve. To fill the on-board tank, open the filling valve and on the control panel, select (Ext) . The external Whale pump now fills the on-board tank. Once it's full, close the valve and select (INT) on the control panel, when you open a tab, the water is drawn from the On-Board tank. I've ordered off an auction site a 12v solenoid valve and 2 bsp fittings. I intend to connect a switch to allow me to open and close the valve easily without lifting cushions etc.

Hope this helps,,,

 

[PaulT]

Thanks Chrisjkerr, it sounds like you're going to do exactly what I intend doing when I get mine i.e. replace the manual valve with a solenoid one.

 

[SirRogerFFS]

Not sure how you Bailey owners work your water systems I can only speak as I find how our Sterling works.We have a submersible pump in the aquarol that in turn fills the onboard tank. It holds two aquarols full.I like the system as it allows two to shower without running for more water.The water now is pumped round to taps etc from the shureflo pump and when the level in the onboard tank get to a quarter full it calls for water from the aquarol. All in all you have a good water supply. I have only posted this as I thought it might answer as to why the use of an onboard tank and aqurol

 

[PaulT]

Hi Paul.

I have the S3 Cartagena 2015 and it does indeed have 2 pumps. One is the Whale submersible and there's one inside the on board tank at the front right. Under the front right sofa, there's a manual bypass filling valve. To fill the on-board tank, open the filling valve and on the control panel, select (Ext) . The external Whale pump now fills the on-board tank. Once it's full, close the valve and select (INT) on the control panel, when you open a tab, the water is drawn from the On-Board tank. I've ordered off an auction site a 12v solenoid valve and 2 bsp fittings. I intend to connect a switch to allow me to open and close the valve easily without lifting cushions etc.

Hope this helps,,,

Is the existing valve on the U3 a 2 way or a "T" valve? I'd be interested to know which valve you ordered. The problem I had when I installed an onboard tank, with electronic valves, on my U2 was getting a suitable 3 way solenoid valve. All the ones I found needed positive pressure on all the ports in order to work satisfactorily. I got over the problem by using a motorised valve rather than a solenoid one. It takes longer to work (about 4 seconds) but that is the only drawback.

 

[DeliDave_]

Quote from Paul T.
Is the existing valve on the U3 a 2 way or a "T" valve? I'd be interested to know which valve you ordered. The problem I had when I installed an onboard tank, with electronic valves, on my U2 was getting a suitable 3 way solenoid valve. All the ones I found needed positive pressure on all the ports in order to work satisfactorily. I got over the problem by using a motorised valve rather than a solenoid one. It takes longer to work (about 4 seconds) but that is the only drawback.[/quote]

Would you be able to post how you did the conversion and parts,have an Indiana and I would be interested in converting it.

 

[PaulT]

Quote from Paul T.
Is the existing valve on the U3 a 2 way or a "T" valve? I'd be interested to know which valve you ordered. The problem I had when I installed an onboard tank, with electronic valves, on my U2 was getting a suitable 3 way solenoid valve. All the ones I found needed positive pressure on all the ports in order to work satisfactorily. I got over the problem by using a motorised valve rather than a solenoid one. It takes longer to work (about 4 seconds) but that is the only drawback.

Would you be able to post how you did the conversion and parts,have an Indiana and I would be interested in converting it.[/quote]

Ok, will do. I can do the plumbing side quite easily but I didn't make a wiring diagram so will have to work that one out. Give me a few days? The original one I did was on an Indiana so it should be quite straight forward.

 

[DeliDave_]

Thats very good of you,many thanks

 

[PaulT]

I've put the instructions regarding the Indiana on http://www.tylerfamily.co.uk/Electronicvalves

The Indiana was quite a straight forward comversion as it already had an onboard tank and it was a simple replacement of the valves. The Unicorn was a bit more difficult as it didn't have a tank and the plumbing needed changing. I'll be putting these instructions up soon although the parts needed are the same.

 

[PaulT]

Hi Paul.

I have the S3 Cartagena 2015 and it does indeed have 2 pumps. One is the Whale submersible and there's one inside the on board tank at the front right. Under the front right sofa, there's a manual bypass filling valve. To fill the on-board tank, open the filling valve and on the control panel, select (Ext) . The external Whale pump now fills the on-board tank. Once it's full, close the valve and select (INT) on the control panel, when you open a tab, the water is drawn from the On-Board tank. I've ordered off an auction site a 12v solenoid valve and 2 bsp fittings. I intend to connect a switch to allow me to open and close the valve easily without lifting cushions etc.

Hope this helps,,,

Hi, did you get your solenoid valve, does it work ok? Is the existing manual valve a 2 port or a 3 port?