No water from tap.

[joels]

Hi, I'm after some advice from you lovely people on troubleshooting. I thought I'd rinse through the water tank (underslung) as I don't know how long the water has been in there (van was new to me in Dec) so I filled it up and now can't empty it as the tap seems to have stopped working.

It definitely did work as I'd tested it previously and although only a dribble it was working last week - I just assumed the tank was empty.

When I hit the water pump button on the control panel I can hear "something" and if I remove the water pump fuse I no longer hear it so don't think it's the fuse.

Any ideas on where to look next?
Thanks...

 

[Gàirnealair]

Airlock?
Maybe just needs longer than you are waiting for pump to fill/prime?
What have your overnight temps been? Any possibility of frost damage?

 

[joels]

Airlock?
Maybe just needs longer than you are waiting for pump to fill/prime?
What have your overnight temps been? Any possibility of frost damage?

I have waited yes, but only a minute or two, would that be enough?

It was definitely cold (minus 2/3) last week but the tank was nearly empty - possible I suppose....

 

[oldiebut goodie]

You have an air lock - operate the the pump whilst sucking the tap to draw the air out and allow the water to reach the pump.

 

[joels]

You have an air lock - operate the the pump whilst sucking the tap to draw the air out and allow the water to reach the pump.

Sucking the tap?!

 

[Pete C]

Yes, it helps the pump.

 

[oldiebut goodie]

Yes - I have had a couple of systems where I had to do that to clear the air.

 

[DXX]

Pretty sure it will be ice damage, I just changed mine. Fitting a programmer with an immersion heater now.

 

[joels]

Yes - I have had a couple of systems where I had to do that to clear the air.

It worked! I sucked and sucked like my life depended on it, heard some gargling and sucked some more - with a combo of sucking and closing the tap it finally came out - thanks!!

 

[DXX]

It worked! I sucked and sucked like my life depended on it, heard some gargling and sucked some more - with a combo of sucking and closing the tap it finally came out - thanks!!

Not a submersible pump then. I would think it would be possible to fit a non-return valve (NRV) in the end of the suction hose to prevent the pump and suction line draining when the tank is emptied. This would only work if the pump wasn’t operated with an empty tank.

 

[oldiebut goodie]

Most tanks are drained by running the tap dry, mine is.