Buccaneer schooner poor water pressure

[David S]

Have acquired (from a friend- purchased new) a 2016 model Buccaneer Schooner. Wether connected by mains or water barrel we are experiencing low water pressure at all internal taps (kitchen, bathroom basin and shower).

My 'friend', on his own admittance, is not very practical and is unable to put his finger on what we are doing wrong. The supplied manuals, to my mind, are poorly edited and provide little insight. We are relatively experienced caravaners but are at a loss how to procede further, so any ideas that you good people may have would be VERY gratefully received. Thank you in advance.

If it helps:

The pressure at the 'dog shower' outlet (adjoining the incoming port) is good - which suggests to me it is not some sort of pressure regulator problem at the incoming port.
Both drain plugs are closed.
Same low pressure hot or cold feeds.
Cannot see any inline pressure regulators or semi-closed shutoffs (in fact there are no inline shut offs that I can see).
The van is also fitted with an inboard tank which (I think) we are not using - there is a small electric control panel at the door entrance which provides three options to off, int or ext. I believe (but defintely could be wrong) that 'int' fills the inboard tank. I have tried all three options but with no perceived improvement in water pressure.
There are no 'pinched' internal pipes or leaks.
As the problem affects all taps I don't think it is a problem at the taps - in any case my friend says they did previously work well.

Sorry to go on so long, but if anyone can provide guidance in form of diagram/narrative on how this model of van water system is set up and supposed to work I would be very grateful.
Kind regards

 

[RogerL]

Many caravan taps have filter built into the outlet - they're prone to blocking with limescale - they can be unscrewed and cleaned.

 

[David S]

Addendum.
Am on mains pressure (ie. not barrel). Have filled the in board tank and it appears to improve the pressure. The electric panel three options appear not affect in any position - other than the 'int' to fill the inboard ?!

 

[David S]

Many caravan taps have filter built into the outlet - they're prone to blocking with limescale - they can be unscrewed and cleaned.

Yes understand. As it is a problem with all outlets not so sure. Thanks anyway

 

[Jcloughie]

There may be an in-line filter which has been neglected. If so, they are a waste of time, remove it and be pass.

Addendum.
Am on mains pressure (ie. not barrel). Have filled the in board tank and it appears to improve the pressure. The electric panel three options appear not affect in any position - other than the 'int' to fill the inboard ?!

Are you on mains via a pressure reducer or is your mains just topping up your tank? Does your van have an inboard pump?

John

 

[Mel]

Yes understand. As it is a problem with all outlets not so sure. Thanks anyway

Still worth checking. We had a van where kitchen, bathroom and internal shower were down to a dribble and it was scaled up tap filters and shower head. Easy fix that is quickly ticked off the possible causes list.

 

[IanB1485]

Point to note about the strainers/aerators fitted on the end of taps , some do unscrew - these types have two flats on them to aid unscrewing. Some Reich taps are a press fit type - at the the back of the filter housing there is a small rectangular hole , which you put a flat blade screwdriver to ease the fitting out which is held in by an O ring. I've seen allsorts in these from really small grit , hair,bits of plastic and even the chrome plating found on the inside of the plastic taps.

 

[Buckman]

We had a 2016 Buccaneer. We would always fill the onboard tank and use that all the time. As suggested make sure that the main filter has been removed. It is located behind the set of drawers by the kitchen sink and no need for it.

 

[David S]

There may be an in-line filter which has been neglected. If so, they are a waste of time, remove it and be pass.


Are you on mains via a pressure reducer or is your mains just topping up your tank? Does your van have an inboard pump?

John

Hi John
My understanding is that the inboard tank (at the rear of the van under the static bed) has a pump, and the standard 'outside barrel' utilises the normal sub pump . From YouTube presentations of the system I believe there is no need to use either - but I am very much open to suggestions.
I have tried both the barrel (sub pump outside) and mains. Currently we are on mains as we are at a serviced pitch in the Pyrenees. I really can't understand what is restricting the mains pressure within the van.
As per my 'addendum' - with the inboard filled (but the afore mentioned electric switches at neutral - i.e. off) the pressure at the shower is marginally improved. I was hoping someone conversant with the actual system could point me in a particular direction - e.g. perhaps the inboard is fighting against the incoming mains in some way????
I am going to remove the inline filter under the kitchen sink, as someone kindly suggested, when I can get the parts. Although am not entirely convinced of the fix as it is only on the cold water side as it enters the kitchen sink - worth a try me thinks.
Regards David

 

[Buckman]

I would not worry too much about a higher pressure as we found the pump from the onboard was more than adequate for a decent pressure all round.