Water tanks won't fill

Filling with water has been a challenge from the start, but this weekend I couldn't get any water into the system, thought this might be because I was suing the outside whale pump but just tried connecting to the mains and that wouldn't work either.

Anyone any ideas, everything seems to be on in the van

Is the external pump selected on the control panel (or both selected) It will not let water in even from a hose if not selected on the control panel (I think)
I assume that the tank is not full already as a full  tank will also shut off the whale system inlet valve. 
Someone else will be along I am sure with much more knowledge than me.
In an emergency I have known a friend back fill the fresh water tank from the fresh water outlet drain with a hose. He taped the hose to the inlet to prevent too much water escaping. Have not tried it myself.

I have got the Whale system and it works fine. It is convenient when on a fully serviced pitch as I can leave the hose connected and turned on at the tap and the tanks will fill as and when necessary. Having said that I did hear of problems with the system so I had a conventional 'hole in the wall' filler fitted at Auto Sleepers factory. Now I have a choice
but have not used the latter to date. Did I waste my money I wonder.

Thanks for the responses. Chudders I don't think you wasted your money I wish I had the option!!

Everything turned on several times in different orders with and without connections frustrated or what!!!!!!

Ploughlin  can you guess?


I am pleased for those for whom the whale system works

If the pump/inlet valve is selected on the control panel I understand that a problem can occur with the filter in the inlet which gets blocked and prevents water entering and gradually gets worse from slow filling to not filling at all. I have never removed the filter but those that have have found them badly blocked on occasions. I have also heard that removal of the filter is an option that some have undertaken. I did hear on a forum that even A/S sometimes discard the filter. I,m not sure why there needs to be a filter after all there is no filter on the hole in the wall' system. If I have a problem with the Whale system, that will be my first investigation and removal.

Have you connected the Whale filler and pulled the wee flap down so it clicks into the filler at the top and holds it in place ? If not give it a try.

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Have a look at the thread linked above.

How old is van? Has it suddenly happened? If so probably not filter. I have pumped over 2500 litres and still ok. You make it sound like nothing is happening not just slow?
Presume whale pump runs? If not possibly no power getting to solenoid valve.
Have a look to check a spade connector has not come off the solenoid and if you have a meter check there is power to the solenoid. Not sure if you would hear the solenoid operating if the control panel is switched on and off as never had a problem 'yet'  . If there is no power to the solenoid with the master panel switched on then you will have to work back starting with fuse (wherever that is ). If there is power then duff valve or blockage. Good luck.

I had the same problem, If you undo the filler cap you will see In the neck there is a small breather hole poke a thin piece of wire down it to release the air. if this gets blocked it will have caused a air lock in the tank. I had to do mine several times, in the end I crawled under and replaced the breather pipe from the tank to the filler neck, Since then i've had no trouble at all. Hope this helps, Deka

deka wrote:I had the same problem, If you undo the filler cap you will see In the neck there is a small breather hole poke a thin piece of wire down it to release the air. if this gets blocked it will have caused a air lock in the tank. I had to do mine several times, in the end I crawled under and replaced the breather pipe from the tank to the filler neck, Since then i've had no trouble at all. Hope this helps, Deka

The Whale system does not have a filler cap!

Thanks for letting me know. But surely air has to be released from somewhere when filling??, Deka

deka wrote:Thanks for letting me know. But surely air has to be released from somewhere when filling??, Deka

There is a breather on the top of the tank = hole with short pipe clipped to underneath of floor.

its one thing i keep on doing drive into a site connect up to water supply and wonder why nothing works and its always because i have not switched the panel on inside the van because it goes of when you are moving. but then it works very well so long as you have clipped the hatch down on the filling plug.  no worry about filling up with diesel!

How are you getting in Crisp?

Thanks for all the responses. I have booked the van in at Marquis today so I hope they will solve the problem under warranty. 

I have had more issues with this van in two years than I had with the previous one in 10, suppose that's progress:smile!:

Will update the thread when I have news.

crisp wrote:Thanks for all the responses. I have booked the van in at Marquis today so I hope they will solve the problem under warranty. 

I have had more issues with this van in two years than I had with the previous one in 10, suppose that's progress:smile!:

Will update the thread when I have news.

Yep, I am not sure progress always means better 

Hope it is sorted quickly for you. Will be interesting what they find wrong.

And so the answer is…… a blocked filter!
All done under warranty and I now know how to clean it myself.

Thanks to everyone who contributed, especially those who had seen it before and still bothered to reply.

Good result  Time to get my filter opened up and cleaned me thinks.

Wee bit late coming into this discussion but similar to the problem crisp had, I also have a related problem of filling the water tank, when using the Whale Aqua Source hook-up system. My MH Kemerton is only 5 months old but from day one if I didn’t push the end of the hose tight into filler entrance it would take for ever to fill. The advice from the forum however has provided me with many possible solutions and I am grateful for your input. Fortunately I am booked for a service soon with Marquis on a separate issue but will nevertheless have the opportunity to raise this long standing problem of mine. If a fault is identified by Marquis I will of course pass it on to the forum-that’s if the fault has not been discussed previously by the forum.
Mel

Hi,we have the same van you have to make sure the power is switched on or it won't fill,takes awhile but it allows you to get other jobs done.Good luck  Jubejube

Thanks jube,... will do..
Mel