Elddis Crusader Storm water problem

[donaldn]

Hi All,

I have just purchased a 1999 Elddis Crusader Storm, and as I'm totally new to the world of caravans, I have come unstuck whilst trying to get the fresh water system up and running.

I have filled the external water barrel, and inserted the submersible pump, and plugged the other end into the external Carver socket. When I turn the tap on at the kitchen or bathroom, water flows okay, but water also gushes from the Truma external pump connection/ filter. So much water is coming out of here that the water barrel is emptied within the space of about 3 minutes.

I'm assuming that this is caused by something silly that I'm doing wrong. Has anyone else ever come across this problem?

Any help or advice greatfully received.

Best Regards
Donald

 

[swpostie]

Does the water come out of the pump connection or the filter or both?

Or is it leaking from the pump?

I've had a pipe from the pump split where it fits into the connection that plugs into the van so that when the tap is on water sprays here, there and everywhere!

Worth checking the o-rings on the pump connection too.

 

[donaldn]

Hi, thanks for the advice. I probably didn't explain the problem very well. I am plugging the pump in to the inlet with no filter, but when the pump comes on, water is gushing out the inlet at the filter. To be totally honest I'm not even sure which inlet I should be using but I tried the one at the filter and there didn't seem to be any leaks, but there was just a dribble from the taps.

I hope this sheds more light on the problem!

 

[donaldn]

I had assumed it was some sort of overflow or drain issue, could this be possible?

 

[swpostie]

If you don't have a filter fitted then what is sealing the aperture where the filter should live?

As far as I remember the Carver filter is housed in a plastic cassette which seals in the housing with an o-ring.

Have a search on eBay to see what I mean.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

If your filter is one of these then you still need the clear plastic part with the o-ring to screw into the filter socket to stop it leaking. Find an old one and carefully hacksaw the white plastic away. DO NOT screw it in too tight or the housing will split and leak profusely. Been there - got the T-shirt.

 

[donaldn]

Sorry, what I mean is I have two external flaps for plugging the pump in. I'm using the one that does not have a filter above it (i had assumed that the inlet with the filter was for if you planned to drink the water from the taps)

When the water comes out it is coming from the inlet hole that the water would normally be going in through, no water seems to be coming from the filter.

I'll put up a picture as I'm aware that my novice explanation is probably quite confusing!!

 

[Damian]

A picture would be very helpful as it is most unusual to have two water inlet points on a caravan.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

One flap (with the filter) is probably the inlet and the other an outlet for an external shower connection to wash the dog.

 

[Raywood]

. If this is an external connection there should be a tap or valve somewhere possibly inside the caravan by where the pipe exits the wall if it is not on the outside conection.

 

[donaldn]

I will attach a picture shortly, there definately seem to be two input points for water, plus a flap with a shower head type thing to wash the dog!

 

[swpostie]

Sorry, what I mean is I have two external flaps for plugging the pump in. I'm using the one that does not have a filter above it (i had assumed that the inlet with the filter was for if you planned to drink the water from the taps)

When the water comes out it is coming from the inlet hole that the water would normally be going in through, no water seems to be coming from the filter.

I'll put up a picture as I'm aware that my novice explanation is probably quite confusing!!

Am I right in thinking you have one flap which opens to reveal a pump inlet and filter housing, one flap which opens to reveal just a pump inlet, and a third flap that opens to reveal an external shower output?

If so, what happens when you plug the pump into the inlet with the filter - which is the one I'd assume you'd use?

 

[donaldn]

You are exactly right. One with filter, one without filter, and one outlet with a showerhead type thing on it.

I tried putting the water in at the filter flap, it seemed to work ok but there was just a tiny dribble coming from the taps.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Is the one without a filter a mains pressure inlet with a pressure reducing valve inside, hence with only pump pressure it cannot overcome the reducing valve? But DON'T take my word for it and put mains pressure there without checking the handbook.

Download from here.

 

[swpostie]

Assuming you'd allowed a few minutes for the air to be forced out of the pipes or the hot water tank to fill, have you checked the tap heads for limescale?

My 2000 Elddis has little gauze filters on the tap heads which tend to collect limescale over a period of time, resulting in poor flow.

I simply unscrew the tap head and rinse the filter.

I think you should have your pump plugged in here.

 

[donaldn]

The one without the filter seems to give reasonably good pressure to the taps, its just that water is gushing out the other inlet at the same :-(

There is literally just a dribble coming out the taps if i use the inlet at the filter, so it would be plausible if that one was for mains pressure. I have taken a picture of the setup, but haven't managed to figure out how to attach it to a post yet!

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

The one with the filter should have a non-return valve built in to the housing to stop the system draining when the pump is unplugged. Seems like it may be faulty. If so, and you don't want to replace the whole housing, you can obtain separate in-line non-return valves and add to the plumbing just after the housing.

 

[Damian]

The one without the filter seems to give reasonably good pressure to the taps, its just that water is gushing out the other inlet at the same :-(

There is literally just a dribble coming out the taps if i use the inlet at the filter, so it would be plausible if that one was for mains pressure. I have taken a picture of the setup, but haven't managed to figure out how to attach it to a post yet!

No it is NOT possible to put mains water pressure through a caravan water system without blowing every join apart and causing severe damage and flooding of the van.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

The one without the filter seems to give reasonably good pressure to the taps, its just that water is gushing out the other inlet at the same :-(

There is literally just a dribble coming out the taps if i use the inlet at the filter, so it would be plausible if that one was for mains pressure. I have taken a picture of the setup, but haven't managed to figure out how to attach it to a post yet!

No it is NOT possible to put mains water pressure through a caravan water system without blowing every join apart and causing severe damage and flooding of the van.

Damian - nobody was implying they were putting mains pressure through the internal water system, as earlier in the thread it was said that one of the inlets may be for a mains pressure connection IF a pressure reducing valve was part of the connector socket.

 

[Mel]

Donald. Can't help with your pump problem but to post a picture you need to do it via photo bucket. There is a sticky at the start of the "Our Website" section telling you how to do it. Can someone cleverer than me put a link in the next post please.
Mel

 

[Gagakev]

How to post photo's. Click Here

I thought there was one from Sprocket giving more images, ??? Cant find it.

 

[donaldn]

Thanks for all the advice. A faulty non-return valve seems like a pretty plausable reason for water coming out of the inlet. Its strange though as I tested the water last weekend when I bought the caravan and it all seemed to work ok, maybe 400 miles of bumpy roads back up to the Isle of Lewis have taken their toll!!