Do we have a Fresh / Gray Water Issue?

PictureTheSouth · 04-21-2018, 01:44 PM

We're taking our "new to us" 2015 Windsport on it's maiden voyage next weekend down to the Keys. In order to earn that vacation, will have to work from dawn to dusk this week, so -

Filled up the fresh water tank for the first time since we'll boondock one night enroute. Well water, Culligan treated, plus run through a new in-line filter, and added about 3 oz of bleach per other posters recommendations. Took longer than expected, but so far so good.

Tested to make sure all in working order - water pump, toilet, both sinks. Probably ran about a gallon, more or less. First observation - water seemed "soapier" with more of a chlorine odor than that small amount of bleach should have made. Thought maybe need to run for a while longer to clear the lines, but then made second observation.

Second observation - indicator panel now shows the Gray Water tank at 3/4 full. (showed empty prior) Pretty sure that tank should hold more than two gallons, so what is the communities thoughts?

Do we have a bad tank sensor?

Or in light of the other issues (soapy, chlorine, fill time, etc) - do we have something more serious, like some sort of "cross-fill" between fresh and gray tanks?

Where we're parked, we won't have an opportunity to hose up and test by draining gray tank until we're actually on the road next Saturday - so if anyone has seen a similar issue, all thoughts and ideas appreciated!

PictureTheSouth · 04-21-2018, 01:57 PM

And probably a really stupid newbie follow up question...
Where exactly IS the fresh water tank drain on this model?

Obviously right in front of my face, since I can't find it anywhere.

gmc · 04-24-2018, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PictureTheSouth

And probably a really stupid newbie follow up question...
Where exactly IS the fresh water tank drain on this model?

Obviously right in front of my face, since I can't find it anywhere.

The fresh water drain is typically between the tank and the water pump... and these are generally very close together.

On my 2014 Hurricane (cousin of Windsport) - the tank is 'mid ship' just forward of bathroom - and water pump is under the bathroom sink - along with the fresh water drain.

gmc · 04-24-2018, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PictureTheSouth

...

Filled up the fresh water tank for the first time since we'll boondock one night enroute. Well water, Culligan treated, plus run through a new in-line filter, and added about 3 oz of bleach per other posters recommendations. Took longer than expected, but so far so good.

Tested to make sure all in working order - water pump, toilet, both sinks. Probably ran about a gallon, more or less. First observation - water seemed "soapier" with more of a chlorine odor than that small amount of bleach should have made. Thought maybe need to run for a while longer to clear the lines, but then made second observation.

Second observation - indicator panel now shows the Gray Water tank at 3/4 full. (showed empty prior) Pretty sure that tank should hold more than two gallons, so what is the communities thoughts?

Do we have a bad tank sensor?

...

Tank sensors are notoriously 'bad'... Won't say defective - they just don't work well... You will learn how long you can go between dumping.

Did you flush the system completely after adding bleach? It takes a bit to get that out.

No connections between fresh water and gray tank... water must leave a faucet and enter a drain to get there.

jeeepz · 04-24-2018, 02:23 AM

Reading your post it sounds like you added chlorine and left it in the fresh tank.the chlorine is to sanitize but you need to flush it out of the tank by running water through all faucets and refill with fresh water.
Is it possible you already had a 3/4 full grey tank and now your sensor is reading correct?. You need to empty all tanks and start from scratch.
My 15 Windsor has the fresh tank inside under the bed.easy to inspect.black and grey are underneath.near waste output bay.

PictureTheSouth · 04-24-2018, 07:20 PM

Thanks! As soon as rain stops, I'll go check that!

PictureTheSouth · 04-24-2018, 07:23 PM

All tanks "should" have been empty, as nothing added since pickup from dealer a few weeks ago. The amount of chlorine I added also "should" have been just enough for treatment rather than sanitization. Of course, I've been known to be wrong before. Will be at full service hookup this weekend, so can flush at that time, and refill if need be prior to departure. Thanks for the advice!

PictureTheSouth · 04-24-2018, 07:25 PM

Thanks for advice! Thought I added just enough chlorine for treatment, rather than sanitize. I will flush and refill, then check again.

jeeepz · 04-24-2018, 11:04 PM

I guess I'm confused by your terms of treatment and sanitize.i am under the impression that before you use the water you flush out all bleach or chlorine and add fresh water.no additives.just filtered water.

PictureTheSouth · 04-24-2018, 11:25 PM

Confusion very likely is on my part. Reading through the forum (and on Amazon) saw several references to using 3oz of bleach instead of commercial additives for maintaining potability. Knowing water would be in tank for several days prior to use, was planning to be safe (and cheap). At this point, figure we'll use bottled water for everything but flushing on our one boondock night down to the Keys, then flush and refill on arrival. Still confused on the gray water indicator though. Will get that one figured out on site as well, I guess.

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