WATER
Keeping water in the system in cold weather. It was record cold for November in Michigan - down to 12 degrees. I needed to keep my Alfa wet as we were going to the Frank Lloyd Wright designed house, Fallingwater in Mill Run PA.. I kept the heat on, and if you read the literature from Alfa it says the compartments are heated. I did not believe them as my water pump froze last year on a trip home in January from Florida. So I bought a Radio Shack (Catalogue # 63-1030) wireless sensor thermometer with 3 remote read outs and put the sensors in the compartments. I spent the night keeping the compartments warm enough so the water lines and pump did not freeze. For example, when the outside temp reached 25 degrees the compartments were already at 33 except the one over the LPG tank, which has heat from the inverter. The main cabin was at 60 degrees. I then put light bulbs and heaters in each basement compartment where there are water lines. My experience may be helpful to those with Alfas in freezing temperatures. (David Vaughn) Editor's note: David sent this same message to Alfa and here is Steve Wishek's reply: The main compartment of the See Ya and Gold motor homes have a heat register in the trunk wall. It is shipped closed when using the AC. When using heat the register can be opened to heat the main compartment. (#3, 12/03)
Holding Tanks - The following is rated “R” for Required Reading: From reading letters and e-mails, it seems that some owners are not sure of the best way to manage their holding tanks. I think the following will give satisfactory results. When it is time to dump the black water tank, first close the gray water valve. Make sure the sewer hose is properly attached and that the hose connections haven’t loosened since last used. Open the black water valve, emptying the holding tank. Or so you think! The holding tank in our Alfas is nicely placed and shaped. However, I can guarantee you that simply opening the black water valve and waiting until flow stops will have some very disastrous effects. First, the tank will not be empty by any means. Second, if you use the electric valve to close the line, you will risk getting ‘stuff’ stuck in the valve. This is the probable cause of motor burnouts. And that valve is very difficult to replace. I have a clear plastic angled connector in my line and can assure you that you MUST use the built in tank rinse. I find that an effective method is to leave the water flow for about two minutes, then I close the MANUAL valve, wait a short time (ten seconds) and then pull that valve and let more draining occur. I do this four or five times and then finally see the water flowing clear. At this time it is safe to close the electric valve. I then count to ten to allow the black water tank to take on about three gallons of water. My system is now ready for use.
WARNING!!!!! Do NOT leave the water running and walk away, not even for a moment. In fact, concentrate completely on what you are doing. The result of not following this instruction is not pretty (so I have HEARD!) (Bruce Monte) (#4, 03/04)
Dry Camping - water problems? We recently had to dry camp and when we arrived found that the water flow was very slow from the taps at all the sinks, and the toilet. I thought it might be a blocked screen at the water pump, but fortunately, before taking things apart, remembered a note on the AlfaSeeYa group website on Yahoo that mentioned this very problem, and the easy solution. Just before I left the last park, I used the city water valve to add water to our holding tank. Got distracted, shut the water off at the campground faucet and never shut the valve on my Alfa. Naturally, this allowed air to come in and the pump was not able to work properly. Closing the valve solved the problem. Always nice to fix something easily. Would have hated to pay for a service call to fix this “problem.” While talking about water tanks, you do always have water in your tank when you are at a park, don’t you? Or haven’t you been at a park when they had to close the water system down for half the day due to a leak, or a power failure. (Bruce Monte) (#4, 03/04)
Worried About The Pipes Freezing in Your Home While You Travel During the winter? An RV acquaintance told us of a temperature sensor that works like the electric timers you use in and around your home. We purchased one at ACE Hardware for about $20 and set it for 45 degrees when we leave for the winter. If our house sitter observes a light in a particular window she knows we have a “problem”. (Jim & Kris Huber) (#8, 3/05)
Draining Water Tank - 1) unhook from city water. 2) Turn off water pump. 3) Open faucets inside the coach. 4) Open the three drains under the coach - one at the hot water tank, one on the curbside and one near the water pump. 5) When filling do it slowly or you will get too much air in the tank and it doesn't have space to escape (editor's note - your operator's manual suggests opening the door to your fresh water manual fill and removing the cap to let air escape). Water will bubble out and you will think the tanks are full and they are not. When filling slowly, the air has space to escape. PS: Make sure you close all three valves before filling. (Sue Conant) (#2, 09/03)
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