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Components of
the RV water system
Copyright - 1998 - Les Doll - All rights reserved
- Water storage tank
- Water lines
- Terminal components
- Waste removal
- Demand pump
- Compressed air systems
- City water connection
Most modern RV water systems use
a plastic water storage tank of between 20 to 50 gallons of
potable water with a hose leading to an electrical demand type
water pump. The tank is normally equipped with a valve or plug to
allow the tank to be completely drained for winterizing.
The operation of the demand type
water pump is automatically controlled by a pressure sensitive
switch that shuts off the pump when the system pressure reaches a
preset limit. When a tap is turned on, the resulting water flow
reduces the system pressure causing the pressure switch to turn
on the pump thereby maintaining the system water pressure. When
the tap is turned off, the pump continues to run for a few
seconds until the system pressure is built up to the preset
limit, whereupon the pressure switch again turns the pump off.
All components located beyond the demand pump are part of the
pressure side of the water system.
In most recreational vehicles,
immediately after the water pump, is the "city" water
inlet which is a connection to allow the system to use the water
and pressure from an external water source. (i.e. the faucets
supplied in an RV park etc.)
The pressure side of the water
system consists of the various distribution lines, the hot water
heater (if so equipped) and the terminal points of the system.
(Sinks, shower, toilet etc.)
Beyond these points is the waste
water removal system - all of which must be protected from
freezing and the resulting damages, as will be described later.
In some RV's, especially older
models, an air compressor takes the place of a pump - the
compressor forces air into an air tight water storage tank and it
is this air pressure that forces water through the lines whenever
a tap is opened.
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