I am seeking advice from the lateral thinkers on the forum who just may be able to have some wild-ish idea that I haven't thought of that could be the cause of my problem.
I apologise if this gets a bit long-winded, but I need to give some background. The van is almost seven years old. This is the Shurflo Pressure Reducer that is installed in the van.
About six months into ownership a patch of water developed on the floor from under the seats. Under the seat is where the Shurflo pressure reducer is mounted and connects to the internal piping. I cleaned up all the mess and checked the four screws (arrowed in the photo) and they were just the very slightest bit loose. They each only moved about 1/16th of an inch to be quite tight. I hate to tighten metal screws into plastic too much with a fear of cracking the plastic.
No more leak for a few weeks. After the second leak event, I re-tightened the screws and decided to check the pressure reducer each morning and it continued to leak about a teaspoon full for about the next seven or eight days. Then it stopped leaking for about a month.
Then the leak continued to be intermittent - leak each day for some time .. then not leak for some time. When it does leak, the water seems to only be moisture around the bottom right screw - and each time I decide to tighten the screws (all of them) they only move less than 1/16th of an inch.
After about a year of this, I lashed out and had a brand new replacement fitted.
This new one was great for about six or so months ... and then for the past three years is just like the first one. Will leak anywhere near a teaspoon full to half a medicine glass full per day for some days on end ... and then without any remedy by me will stop leaking. I have silasticed a clean plastic container to the floor under the reducer to catch any leak and my routine is now that every morning I check and dry that out as required.
It does not matter if I am connected to a 'mains' tap in a van park for a day or a month ... it does not matter whether the 'mains' tap is on very slight pressure or turned up to higher pressure.
Sometimes, I connect to 'main's pressure and there is no leak for the duration of my stay ... sometimes no leak first day but leak on second and subsequent days ... sometimes leaks first day, second day and then nothing for the fourth day.
My logic has been exhausted as to the reason/cause of this 'leaking trait' of now two Shurflo Pressure Reducers hence I seek the 'logic' of other minds on the forum.
Cheers - John
Footprints said
10:33 AM Sep 8, 2015
I would consider eliminating that reducer altogether and replacing it with a normal household plumbing reducer. On my van i have a normal household brass pressure reducer available from any Plumbing Supplies store positioned on the drawbar attached to the drawbar tap and where the Mains inlet nipple is, no issues and they will withstand high mains pressure. Hope this is of some help.
Cheers Allen
Bravehearts said
02:02 PM Sep 8, 2015
Hi John, I have recently replaced a unit that was less than two years old. It appears they are subject to cracking/splitting if the external water pressure is too great. I now carry a replacement spare and also have a small plastic container blue tacked to the floor just in case, however we have had no further trouble. Incidentally the price for these units varies greatly and I bought one unit from an online caravan sales outlet and one from Camec. Trust this helps.
David.
iana said
06:03 PM Sep 8, 2015
Just wondering is that housing made of plastic?
Can the sun heat it up, i.e. mounted on the wall of the van, with the sun streaming down on the side of the van?
Would by any chance the leaking coincide with say a day of hot weather, or cold weather and no water usage?
rockylizard said
07:25 PM Sep 8, 2015
Gday...
I had asked for advice at another source as well ... and this is one of the responses.
Appeals to my logic I must admit ...
I had exactly the same issue, after replacing with a new one I was told by the supplier to fit a John Guest back-flow preventer in the hose behind the Shurflo unit. Pressure in the caravan system can rise, caused by the hot water system, yes, water expands as it gets hot and builds up a back pressure ... ever had a drip from the expansion valve on the Suburban ?
Anyway I did this mod 2 years ago now and never had the issue again. Sounds silly but it worked for me.
Gday...
I am seeking advice from the lateral thinkers on the forum who just may be able to have some wild-ish idea that I haven't thought of that could be the cause of my problem.
I apologise if this gets a bit long-winded, but I need to give some background. The van is almost seven years old. This is the Shurflo Pressure Reducer that is installed in the van.
About six months into ownership a patch of water developed on the floor from under the seats. Under the seat is where the Shurflo pressure reducer is mounted and connects to the internal piping. I cleaned up all the mess and checked the four screws (arrowed in the photo) and they were just the very slightest bit loose. They each only moved about 1/16th of an inch to be quite tight. I hate to tighten metal screws into plastic too much with a fear of cracking the plastic.
No more leak for a few weeks. After the second leak event, I re-tightened the screws and decided to check the pressure reducer each morning and it continued to leak about a teaspoon full for about the next seven or eight days. Then it stopped leaking for about a month.
Then the leak continued to be intermittent - leak each day for some time .. then not leak for some time. When it does leak, the water seems to only be moisture around the bottom right screw - and each time I decide to tighten the screws (all of them) they only move less than 1/16th of an inch.
After about a year of this, I lashed out and had a brand new replacement fitted.
This new one was great for about six or so months ... and then for the past three years is just like the first one. Will leak anywhere near a teaspoon full to half a medicine glass full per day for some days on end ... and then without any remedy by me will stop leaking. I have silasticed a clean plastic container to the floor under the reducer to catch any leak and my routine is now that every morning I check and dry that out as required.
It does not matter if I am connected to a 'mains' tap in a van park for a day or a month ... it does not matter whether the 'mains' tap is on very slight pressure or turned up to higher pressure.
Sometimes, I connect to 'main's pressure and there is no leak for the duration of my stay ... sometimes no leak first day but leak on second and subsequent days ... sometimes leaks first day, second day and then nothing for the fourth day.
My logic has been exhausted as to the reason/cause of this 'leaking trait' of now two Shurflo Pressure Reducers hence I seek the 'logic' of other minds on the forum.
Cheers - John
I would consider eliminating that reducer altogether and replacing it with a normal household plumbing reducer. On my van i have a normal household brass pressure reducer available from any Plumbing Supplies store positioned on the drawbar attached to the drawbar tap and where the Mains inlet nipple is, no issues and they will withstand high mains pressure. Hope this is of some help.
Cheers Allen
Can the sun heat it up, i.e. mounted on the wall of the van, with the sun streaming down on the side of the van?
Would by any chance the leaking coincide with say a day of hot weather, or cold weather and no water usage?
Gday...
I had asked for advice at another source as well ... and this is one of the responses.
Appeals to my logic I must admit ...
I had exactly the same issue, after replacing with a new one I was told by the supplier to fit a John Guest back-flow preventer in the hose behind the Shurflo unit. Pressure in the caravan system can rise, caused by the hot water system, yes, water expands as it gets hot and builds up a back pressure ... ever had a drip from the expansion valve on the Suburban ?
Anyway I did this mod 2 years ago now and never had the issue again. Sounds silly but it worked for me.
What do youse lot think ??
Cheers - John