City Water Inlet problem: cold water pulses

[The Tree Top Inn II]

Will a device like a Shurflo Accumulator stop the pulsing water (air in the line) that we get in our cold water line when using the city water (NOT boondocking on the 12V pump).  Of course we use a water pressure regulator on the city water hose, but at every state park we get pulsing cold water for days.  One would think the air bubbles would work out after a day or two.  We have a 2002 Coleman by Fleetwood Folding Trailers, Destiny Series, Fairlake Model with both inside & outside showers and hot/cold mixer faucet/white sink.

[JUST4FUN]

where the city water goes in to the trailer there is a check valve
this might be the problem. When the 12 volt pump is running the
pressure is pushing the valve in the closed position when you hook up to city water the xalve is in the open position. if the spring is broken it might cause a fluttering condition... Larry

[The Tree Top Inn II]

where the city water goes in to the trailer there is a check valve
this might be the problem. When the 12 volt pump is running the
pressure is pushing the valve in the closed position when you hook up to city water the xalve is in the open position. if the spring is broken it might cause a fluttering condition... Larry

Larry:  Tnx for that suggestion.  I'll check it out myself tomorrow.  If I can't find or fix it, I'll call the nice folks at PECO Campers in Atlanta where I bought my trailer.  Scott

[JUST4FUN]

use a small scew driver to take the rubber hose gasket off, then
take off the screen , use your finger to push the check valve in it should go in and pop back out if not replace the unit its not that hard to do
 you should beable to do it from thr outside of the trailer.

[The Tree Top Inn II]

use a small scew driver to take the rubber hose gasket off, then
take off the screen , use your finger to push the check valve in it should go in and pop back out if not replace the unit its not that hard to do
 you should beable to do it from thr outside of the trailer.

Tnx agn, Larry!  I'm going to check it out this afternoon.  Scott

[The Tree Top Inn II]

Tnx agn, Larry!  I'm going to check it out this afternoon.  Scott

Well, I pulled out the rubber gasket and the filter screen on the city water inlet and set them aside.  Then, with one finger, I depressed the little white plunger in/on the check valve . . . and it popped right back out.  It has light pressure on it just like the top of a small fire extinguisher.  If you depress it, it pops back out.  So, my pulsing city water must be some problem other than the check valve.  Any more ideas?  Thanks, Scott

[mike4947]

It may sound obvious, but are you shutting off the pump when hooked up to city water?
Another "trick" is if you have an outside shower open it up to let the system completely fill without the annoying back splash you get from air when using the sink faucet.

[JUST4FUN]

there is also another check valve that stops the water from filling the tank bettween the pump and the city connection , but i dont think
it would be the problem. check for any kinked water lines in the p-up
make sure the water heater by-pass is in the correct settings

[The Tree Top Inn II]

It may sound obvious, but are you shutting off the pump when hooked up to city water?
Another "trick" is if you have an outside shower open it up to let the system completely fill without the annoying back splash you get from air when using the sink faucet.

Mike, thanks for trying to help troubleshoot, but yes, we always have the 12V pump off when connected to city water.  And, I'm one of those weirdo checkers/double-checkers--the kind of person who labels all the switches.  So that's not the problem.  But . . . your idea of filling the outside shower lines might help get more air out of the system.  We never use the outside shower.  That's a good idea to try.  Tnx, Scott

[The Tree Top Inn II]

there is also another check valve that stops the water from filling the tank bettween the pump and the city connection , but i dont think
it would be the problem. check for any kinked water lines in the p-up
make sure the water heater by-pass is in the correct settings

Larry, tnx for another couple of good suggestions.  I have checked for kinked lines under and through the rig and found none.  The water heater works great, and we never have air in the hot water line.  We only have the air issue in the cold water line when using city water (which is most of the time).  We've only boondocked twice in three years.  I'll look for another check valve this weekend.  I appreciate y'all's help, Scott

[mike4947]

Since the problem is only with the cold water, then I doubt it's the check valve. Hot water draw comes through the check valve as well to refill the water heater. It's volume might be acting as an a accumulator, but I'd concentrate on cold water lines after where the hot water draws off the city water inlet.

[The Tree Top Inn II]

Since the problem is only with the cold water, then I doubt it's the check valve. Hot water draw comes through the check valve as well to refill the water heater. It's volume might be acting as an a accumulator, but I'd concentrate on cold water lines after where the hot water draws off the city water inlet.

Thanks, Mike.  I may be able make time to check for a second "check valve" this weekend.  Scott