water pressure failure

[Alan]

The last few times I have filled my aft water tank without filling the forward water tank, I have run into problems maintaining water pressure when I open a faucet.   So while I may have a full tank of water in my aft water tank, the faucet spurts out water and air like I am low on water.   If I fill the forward tank I don't have this problem.  The pressure is fine and the water comes out of the faucet without spurting air/water mixture.  Anyone else encountered this phenomenon?

Alan

s/v Plan B

[Arne Opperud]

Alan

Have you checked that the valve that close/open the pipe to the fwd tank on the manifold is closed? The manifold wthe the valves is located in the space next to the water boiler (in the sofa)

Arne

[Alan]

Arne,

Are you suggesting that in order for the water tank in the aft cabin to work properly the forward tank valve located on the manifold must be closed when the forward tank is empty?  I thought the system was designed to send water to the manifold no matter what tank was full or empty.

[Tevfik]

You have two options: either fill both tanks and keep both valves open or use one tank at a time and close the valve of the other. Otherwise you are pumping air to the empty tank and naturally lowering the pressure. I used bothe options over the years. It is easier to control water consu potion when you open one valve at a time even when both tanks have water in it..

[Arne Opperud]

Alan

Correct. Tevfik has got it right. I am always running the system with only one valve open in order to keep track on consumption. It also helps me keep track on the state of freshness of the water. I prefer to empty one tank before it is filled up again. 

Arne

[Bruce Bogdanoff]

I have a 2011 Ben 40. When I use my water tanks I alway close the valve to the tank I am not using. My valves are located under the starboard seat just forward of the head. You may be drawing air into the pump from the empty forward tank. I always draw down the forward tank first to increase sailing performance and then turn its valve off and the aft valve on. 

Just a thought.

Bruce