Can’t build up pressure using Floë drain down kit

[AnastieByte]

Hi all. Total newbie this year and loving it! Bought a floe drain down kit and closed all taps and drain valve. Connected floe to whale and connected air pump. No matter how long I left pump switched on pressure never moved. I checked for leaks and could find none. Air was going through the floe.
Do you need to turn caravan pump on?
I’m getting no where so advice appreciated

 

[Burn]

Welcome,if you have checked the floe is properly put together and air is passing through it then have a look at the rubber O rings on the pump inlet to make sure there is no damage,i have found that sometimes the Floe can catch on them as it`s connected(i always lube the Floe with Olive oil),how did you check your water system for leaks if it`s not pressurising?,the air goes into the hot water tank and that`s how it`s pressurised so try again and see if there is any air going in then release the dump valve on the tank,if not then you have to start at point of entry for problems,it`s such a straight forward piece of kit sorting the problem should be easy,good luck.

 

[audiorob]

If you have manually drained the system first have you remembered to close the yellow drain tap? Then ensure all the taps are closed before operating the floe and then opening one tap at a time. The system is then 'emptied' of residual water, but still leave the taps and drain tube open while not in use.

 

[AnastieByte]

Hi and thanks for taking the time to reply. The system was fine under usual water pressure when I left site. Caravan is brand new and only done two trips. When we left last site we drained hot water tank and drove home with taps and drain valve open.
So pressure under water was fine.
However floe won’t build pressure and I’ve tried two different pumps.

 

[Craigyoung]

Our caravan only a year old , and all we ever do is open the drain valve dump the water and then whilst travelling back , open all the taps en route and let gravity do the rest , we've never had any problems with our water system and never felt the need for a drain down kit .

Craig .

 

[camel]

The only bit of kit you need to drain down the system is a tyre vale and a foot pump, looks like you have a faulty Floe valve, method is with a tyre valve is to connect to the inlet pipe of whatever system you have to the end of the inlet pipe, close all tapd drain valve and shower, pump up to one bar and go round the taps leaving the drain down valve to last , if you have had the pump running you could have caused a eak and that is why you are not showing any pressure, by the way I did my system the other week and one and a half lites of water from the pipe work,

 

[Boff]

Not convinced that you need to get obsessive about draining down. We simply open all the drain points open the taps so that they set between hot and cold. We have never had a problem ( tempting fate ?). But my theory is if any residual amount of water does freeze there is enough space to expand. Our system doesn’t have a filter. If it did then I would certainly remove it, if there was a risk of freezing. I wouldn’t put it back in but that’s another story!

 

[Dustydog]

Never used a drain down kit in my life.
Like Craig I open all taps, three way valves and the two yellow hot water heater taps. I can see in some cases water may get trapped in the pipework. However the usual problem are the taps freezing when left closed.

 

[CustardAvenger]

If you have manually drained the system first have you remembered to close the yellow drain tap? Then ensure all the taps are closed before operating the floe and then opening one tap at a time. The system is then 'emptied' of residual water, but still leave the taps and drain tube open while not in use.

That was my first thought.

Hi and thanks for taking the time to reply. The system was fine under usual water pressure when I left site. Caravan is brand new and only done two trips. When we left last site we drained hot water tank and drove home with taps and drain valve open.
So pressure under water was fine.
However floe won’t build pressure and I’ve tried two different pumps.

OP: Just to confirm; have you closed the yellow valve prior to trying the Floe?

 

[AnastieByte]

If you have manually drained the system first have you remembered to close the yellow drain tap? Then ensure all the taps are closed before operating the floe and then opening one tap at a time. The system is then 'emptied' of residual water, but still leave the taps and drain tube open while not in use.

That was my first thought.

Hi and thanks for taking the time to reply. The system was fine under usual water pressure when I left site. Caravan is brand new and only done two trips. When we left last site we drained hot water tank and drove home with taps and drain valve open.
So pressure under water was fine.
However floe won’t build pressure and I’ve tried two different pumps.

OP: Just to confirm; have you closed the yellow valve prior to trying the Floe?

Yes all taps were closed as was yellow drain valve before I tried to get pressure into the system via floe

 

[Hutch]

As i had a spare Truma water connector, I went up to the van today and made a quick connector with my electric tyre inflator, As I normally drain down the system with the taps and drain valves, no water from the main sink, but about a litre plus from the rear bathroom sink and shower, this is the first time in Over 10 years That I have done this, but will make a habit of it in future after each trip out in winter.

 

[otherclive]

As i had a spare Truma water connector, I went up to the van today and made a quick connector with my electric tyre inflator, As I normally drain down the system with the taps and drain valves, no water from the main sink, but about a litre plus from the rear bathroom sink and shower, this is the first time in Over 10 years That I have done this, but will make a habit of it in future after each trip out in winter.

Can you provide a link to the type of Truma connector used? Thanks

 

[Hutch]

As i had a spare Truma water connector, I went up to the van today and made a quick connector with my electric tyre inflator, As I normally drain down the system with the taps and drain valves, no water from the main sink, but about a litre plus from the rear bathroom sink and shower, this is the first time in Over 10 years That I have done this, but will make a habit of it in future after each trip out in winter.

Can you provide a link to the type of Truma connector used? Thanks

https://www.caravanaccessoryshop.co.uk/product/truma-ultraflow-pistol-connection-plug/3115[/url]

This one is cheaper as it doesn't have the electrics connectors.

https://www.caravanaccessoryshop.co.uk/product/truma-ultraflow-inlet-water-hose/3775

 

[Hutch]

As i had a spare Truma water connector, I went up to the van today and made a quick connector with my electric tyre inflator, As I normally drain down the system with the taps and drain valves, no water from the main sink, but about a litre plus from the rear bathroom sink and shower, this is the first time in Over 10 years That I have done this, but will make a habit of it in future after each trip out in winter.

Can you provide a link to the type of Truma connector used? Thanks

https://www.caravanaccessoryshop.co.uk/product/truma-ultraflow-pistol-connection-plug/3115[/url]

This one is cheaper as it doesn't have the electrics connectors.

]https://www.caravanaccessoryshop.co.uk/product/truma-ultraflow-inlet-water-hose/3775

https://www.caravanaccessoryshop.co.uk/product/truma-ultraflow-inlet-water-hose/3775[/quote
Just cut the filter off and attach the tyre pump. .

 

[otherclive]

As i had a spare Truma water connector, I went up to the van today and made a quick connector with my electric tyre inflator, As I normally drain down the system with the taps and drain valves, no water from the main sink, but about a litre plus from the rear bathroom sink and shower, this is the first time in Over 10 years That I have done this, but will make a habit of it in future after each trip out in winter.

Can you provide a link to the type of Truma connector used? Thanks

https://www.caravanaccessoryshop.co.uk/product/truma-ultraflow-pistol-connection-plug/3115[/url]

This one is cheaper as it doesn't have the electrics connectors.

]https://www.caravanaccessoryshop.co.uk/product/truma-ultraflow-inlet-water-hose/3775

https://www.caravanaccessoryshop.co.uk/product/truma-ultraflow-inlet-water-hose/3775[/quote
Just cut the filter off and attach the tyre pump. .

Think I may just obtain a bit of pipe and a small click fit connector which will allow me to remove and replace the gauze strainer.

 

[DaveA1]

Think I may just obtain a bit of pipe and a small click fit connector which will allow me to remove and replace the gauze strainer.[/quote]

Now that's a good idea. My strainer is just a push fit, took the clip off couple of years back,it looked as though it was going rusty, never replaced it.
What pressure do you put into the system?

 

[ProfJohnL]

Now that's a good idea. My strainer is just a push fit, took the clip off couple of years back,it looked as though it was going rusty, never replaced it.
What pressure do you put into the system?

Do not exceed 1.3Bar maximum

 

[otherclive]

Now that's a good idea. My strainer is just a push fit, took the clip off couple of years back,it looked as though it was going rusty, never replaced it.
What pressure do you put into the system?

Do not exceed 1.3Bar maximum

Actually I was thinking of giving it a good blow.

 

[DaveA1]

Now that's a good idea. My strainer is just a push fit, took the clip off couple of years back,it looked as though it was going rusty, never replaced it.
What pressure do you put into the system?

Do not exceed 1.3Bar maximum

Actually I was thinking of giving it a good blow.

:lol: :lol: Ho! But you would not need to buy a second pickup pipe.

 

[Hutch]

I just connected up the electric tyre pump with the taps open and the went around closing the hot and cold taps to clear the water. The water to the rear was where it came from, over the axle, to the rear bathroom.