Country Coach Owners Forum Country Coach Motorcoach Forum

Debris in the coaches water lines

April 30, 2016, 11:51:58 am

Yahoo Message Number: 105833

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I posted a similar post on IRV2 too, but wanted to tap into the knowledge here that may not read the IRV2 CC board too.

I have been told that I have some sort of black or dark debris in our coaches waterlines. Had the electric flapper mechanism of the toilet being replaced, and asked them to check the water supply line, as we'd noticed recent lost of water flow. They found the crud in this hose line.

They also said the removed the screen of the lavatory's sinks faucet, and it too had the crud in it.

I'm going to go the shop on Monday, and see if I tell what it is. We'll then figure out how bad it is in the overall system, and come up with a cleaning process to get things OK again. (Water Pump, Pressure Regulator, Inlet piping to the coaches filtering system, as well as to the ice makers filter too, etc. - could al have this debris in it.

What the heck the debris is, and how it got passed the full coaches water filter, very commonly used by CC Hydrolife C2063 cartridge is confusing to me.

I did have three recent water events, will share these, in case any of you think they could have been the cause.

1) It is a newer cartridge in the coaches water filter system. Installed about two weeks prior to me noticing water flow restriction tot he toilet.

2) I did a walk off while filling the water tank. Using the manifold form shore power to divert water to the water tank. No automatic shut off in our Allure. I walked off, and next thing we knew water was shooting outside of the overflow, and I was hearing a hammering like sour from time to time, it was very full, probably on it's way up the vents to the roof, though it never did get that far up to run off of the roof top.

3) We also started to use a water softener for the first time, also about two weeks before we started to see the water flow restricted in the toilet. Very noticeable while on the 12V water pump.

So, any thoughts? Could I have had a bad/defective water cartridge? Or, could I have ruptured it with the water flow overfill event? (Though i do not believe the C0263 is charcoal, perhaps the debris is part of a ruptured cartridge)

If the cartridge is sound, should not this had backed up and blocked any debris from getting into the coach water supply lines? As I understand it, both shore water and water consumed from the water tank, are then routed thru this filter, so all the water going downstream into the coaches water pipes, should have had filtered water(?).

Could the water softener usage for the fist time, shook loose 'junk' built up the water tanks, or in the water lines?

OK - enough background.

TIA for any thoughts and recommendations for flushing things out!

Smitty

04 Allure 31017

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Re: Debris in the coaches water lines

Reply #1 – April 30, 2016, 02:07:44 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 105836

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I've had a few PM's as well as responses on the IRV2 CC post too. Suggesting I look to see if the 'debris' is actually 'mold/algae'.

I do usually do a yearly sanitization of our tanks, over Thanksgiving time, but this year I just drained, rinsed, and refilled the tank. We'd been traveling and on so many water supplies with colorization, along with frequent water tank turnover, I thought would be OK.

Two comments form others, pointed out that the overfilling of the tank may have shook loose some algae, either in the tanks or perhaps up the vent piping. And, that yes sometime softened water will act as a cleanser too.

So Monday when I get up to the shop where the coach is, we'll look things over to see if it is algae mold, vs debris.

Just sharing those two main tips to consider, as I thought they had me nodding my head. Very possible my skipping the yearly sanitation of the tank and water lines, prior to filter change out - may have been my undoing:)!

We will see! And I'll update what I find on Monday.

Still welcome other thoughts Especially wondering if possibly the water supply line to the toilet is 'non filtered' as it is the one with the majority of the crud build up. (The stuff from the faucets screens, could easily have been just dried up hard water build up. Should be able to see a difference between that and the toilet supply gunk.) I suppose another comment is if it is algae/mold shook loose, that the new house filter should be fully coated with it, and it 'should' have prevented it from going into the in coach water lines. The C2063 does a good job of filtering out bacteria.)

Best to all,

Smitty

04 Allure 31017

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Re: Debris in the coaches water lines

Reply #2 – April 30, 2016, 04:58:32 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 105838

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I had a similar situation last year. Mine turned out to be a ruptured charcoal water filter.
It sounds as though yours is probably not the case.
RJ

2005 Inspire #51264

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Re: Debris in the coaches water lines

Reply #3 – May 01, 2016, 07:44:03 am

Yahoo Message Number: 105842

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If you are using a charcoal filter, it is possible the filter came apart.

Mikee

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Re: Debris in the coaches water lines

Reply #4 – May 01, 2016, 09:37:29 am

Yahoo Message Number: 105843

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If someone happened to use a non potable water hose to fill your fresh water tank, it could be residue from the hose they used!!

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Re: Debris in the coaches water lines

Reply #5 – May 01, 2016, 10:56:35 am

Yahoo Message Number: 105844

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It's the Hydrolife C2063 cartridge:

The Hydro Life C2063 Replacement Cartridge is designed for HL 200 series or virtually any standard 10" housing. This cartridge uses the finest acid washed coconut shell carbon used in conjunction with "bacteriostatic" KDF® media, combine to address many of today's water problems. Contaminants addressed include bacteria, heavy metals, hydrogen sulfide, lime/scale, chlorine, VOC's, taste, and odor.

Very possible I damaged this cartridge. Which should be easy to tell by removing it. That would explain how 'crud' got downstream from the filter housing and into the waterline.

If I did have an algae outbreak, I would have expected the filter to have blocked it's passage downstream into the coaches water lines.

Thanks for the input... Should have a good idea by this time Monday!

Smitty

04 Allure 31017

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Re: Debris in the coaches water lines

Reply #6 – May 01, 2016, 12:23:21 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 105846

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Smitty,

My 2 cents:

Every time I replaced my active carbon cartridge I used to get a load of very small black particles in the water system. For me the solution is to run water trough the carbon cartridge filter for about 3 minutes.
To dump the rinse-water outside the coach's water system I disconnect the hose at the filter that runs the filtered water into the coach and in its place run a temporary hose outside. No more black particles after that.

Hope this makes sense.

Dick Bogaard

AC Heritage '02
80904 SS

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Re: Debris in the coaches water lines

Reply #7 – May 02, 2016, 02:14:58 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 105857

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Got up to the coach early today. Looks like the membrane of the membrane of the C2063 had a seam break. While I had expected to see quite a bit of evidence in the filter, it really took some close looking, as no visible signs of black coconut charcoal was evident.

The owner of Temecula Valley RV and I talked thru the water system in our coach, and our conclusion was that it the only source of the grit black debris in the coaches waterlines, was the filter.

I took my spare C2063, it is now installed. Cleaning the filters to our two water pumps. 1) for the coach water supply; 2) For the pump I had installed from Grey to Black, to get us another 15-20 gallons of Grey capacity while Boon Docking. Removing screens in kitchen, shower head, bath faucet to run water to be sure all is cleared out. Finally, popping the line off of the ice makers filter, going to look for sings of debris, if evident will replace (It was new in Feb.), and either way we'll run some water to be sure the line is also clean.

So, what caused the debris leak of the filter cartridge? It too was new in February. And whenever I change out the filter, the first thing I do is run the sanitation bays water faucet until no more signs of dark water is evident. Here is my thoughts on what may have happened:
1) It could have been a manufacturing defected filter. (Have never had a problem with any of the Hydro Life C2063 filter cartridges. But 'stuff' dos happen.)
2) Could have been the extreme high water pressure we were under. I did not have a regulator on the hose bib. And I did see our old spare white with blue line water hose swelling under the pressure pretty good. We do have a full coach water regulator, but I don't know if this is inline before, or after, the coaches water filter.
3) It could have been when I did the 'walk off' and let the water tank overfill so much that I was shooting water out of the side overflow, and hearing periodic sounds (tapping or thumping) until I became aware of the 'I'm a full tank, please shut off the water supply.' situation.

As their is no way to know which of the three was the root cause, I'm just going to move on and not worry about it. I did go ahead and get a at the bib better quality regulator with gauge, and will use this under all future circumstances.

Sure appreciated all of the tips and thoughts on my debris situation!

Best to all, be safe, have fun,

Smitty

04 Allure 31017

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Re: Debris in the coaches water lines

Reply #8 – May 02, 2016, 02:27:40 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 105858

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Smitty,

I had the same problem you have with the charcoal coming out when changing the filter. Turns out the filter was plumbed incorrectly and the water was passing through the filter backwards! Switched the lines around going into and out of the filter and no more charcoal... Might be something to check?

Barney

07 Inspire 52059.

---In Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com,  wrote :

Got up to the coach early today. Looks like the membrane of the membrane of the C2063 had a seam break. While I had expected to see quite a bit of evidence in the filter, it really took some close looking, as no visible signs of black coconut charcoal was evident.

The owner of Temecula Valley RV and I talked thru the water system in our coach, and our conclusion was that it the only source of the grit black debris in the coaches waterlines, was the filter.

I took my spare C2063, it is now installed. Cleaning the filters to our two water pumps. 1) for the coach water supply; 2) For the pump I had installed from Grey to Black, to get us another 15-20 gallons of Grey capacity while Boon Docking. Removing screens in kitchen, shower head, bath faucet to run water to be sure all is cleared out. Finally, popping the line off of the ice makers filter, going to look for sings of debris, if evident will replace (It was new in Feb.), and either way we'll run some water to be sure the line is also clean.

So, what caused the debris leak of the filter cartridge? It too was new in February. And whenever I change out the filter, the first thing I do is run the sanitation bays water faucet until no more signs of dark water is evident. Here is my thoughts on what may have happened:
1) It could have been a manufacturing defected filter. (Have never had a problem with any of the Hydro Life C2063 filter cartridges. But 'stuff' dos happen.)
2) Could have been the extreme high water pressure we were under. I did not have a regulator on the hose bib. And I did see our old spare white with blue line water hose swelling under the pressure pretty good. We do have a full coach water regulator, but I don't know if this is inline before, or after, the coaches water filter.
3) It could have been when I did the 'walk off' and let the water tank overfill so much that I was shooting water out of the side overflow, and hearing periodic sounds (tapping or thumping) until I became aware of the 'I'm a full tank, please shut off the water supply.' situation.

As their is no way to know which of the three was the root cause, I'm just going to move on and not worry about it. I did go ahead and get a at the bib better quality regulator with gauge, and will use this under all future circumstances.

Sure appreciated all of the tips and thoughts on my debris situation!

Best to all, be safe, have fun,
Smitty

04 Allure 31017

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Re: Debris in the coaches water lines

Reply #9 – May 02, 2016, 03:51:05 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 105862

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Thanks Barney,

I've learned as I've burned thru the years - to never say never:)!

But, pretty sure all is plumbed well as far as water direction. Comparing the now two month 2 1/2 month old cartridge, to the replacement one, we could see a difference where it looks like either a seam was bad from the start, and or, blown out from the high water pressure, and or, the 'semi hammering' effect to the tank and connected lines when the water tank was filled up all of the way.

I had two areas where water was coming out when I got outside. Both up where the cap is if you wish to just place a hose into it to fill the tank up.

1) Was the about 3/16" hole for overlook of air and water. This was streaming out pretty good for about 3-4'.

2) On the cap that screws on where a hose can be inserted. The cap had a much smaller pin hole. Water was shooting out of that a good 8-10', in a much finer stream.

As I got out to turn off the water supply, each time I heard the 'tap or soft hammer' like sound, the pulse of the water would fluctuate. I suspect that was setting off and On/Off water attack into the tanks connected water lines, and one of those was the water filter line... Actually, it was the main one going out of the tank, along with various drain lines and venting pipes.

I think I'm going to be all good, once we get everything flushed out. If the tech was not so fast, and had already removed faucet screens in prep of flushing, I would have just told them to forget it, and taken care of it when I get the coach home.

Fingers crossed this is a onetime thing:)! And another good 'Lessons on being burned, in this case by water.' - for around the campfire:)!

Best,

Smitty

04 Allure 31017

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