Show me your water flow meter setup!

[Tom Traveler]

I completely agree, I do the same, but the risk is there that you'll get distracted, and an overflow can result. It simply depends on your risk assessment.

I set my phone timer so I don't forget. At our last campground, one of the wifi network handles was "Traveling Sh:t Show". I don't want to be that person in reality.

[Oldcow]

This has been an interesting read.

I've decided to get a flow meter for the fresh and black tank.

As for pressure gauge, I've never had an issue with it frankly never gave it much thought. I mean, could the pressure be so high that it would damage something?

In my current trailer, I fill the black tank with the flush and my wife sits in there and tells me when its full in the toilet. This system should work on a 397? Now it's 7 minutes of wasted time but it takes out the chance of an accident. At times I will run the toilet flush until the tank is full but seing the 397 has a bigger tank that probably does not make sense.

I will search but if someone can point me to a tank capacity and diagram for a 2021 397th that would be great.

Oldcow

[Second Chance]

This has been an interesting read.

I've decided to get a flow meter for the fresh and black tank.

As for pressure gauge, I've never had an issue with it frankly never gave it much thought. I mean, could the pressure be so high that it would damage something?

In my current trailer, I fill the black tank with the flush and my wife sits in there and tells me when its full in the toilet. This system should work on a 397? Now it's 7 minutes of wasted time but it takes out the chance of an accident. At times I will run the toilet flush until the tank is full but seing the 397 has a bigger tank that probably does not make sense.

I will search but if someone can point me to a tank capacity and diagram for a 2021 397th that would be great.

Oldcow

In general, there are no plumbing schematics for RVs. Depending on the info source, your fresh water tank is either 140 or 155 gallons. The gray and black tanks are 104 gallons each. @huntr70 may have more accurate information for your model year...

High water pressure can damage a LOT of things in an RV, but I've never had a problem with it damaging the black tank flush system. I don't use a flow meter, though, I time the fill based on the time it takes to fill it 1/3 full. Here is my utility bay setup:



Rob

[dryfly]

I mean, could the pressure be so high that it would damage something?

Yes, it could. There may not be a need to keep a gauge inline at all times, but you should at least have pressure regulator and know that it is working within the specified range.

[ajg617]

I mean, could the pressure be so high that it would damage something?

Oldcow

We've stayed at several campgrounds where upon check-in we were told we needed a water pressure regulator by the staff - over 100psi.

[Oldcow]

In general, there are no plumbing schematics for RVs. Depending on the info source, your fresh water tank is either 140 or 155 gallons. The gray and black tanks are 104 gallons each. @huntr70 may have more accurate information for your model year...

High water pressure can damage a LOT of things in an RV, but I've never had a problem with it damaging the black tank flush system. I don't use a flow meter, though, I time the fill based on the time it takes to fill it 1/3 full. Here is my utility bay setup:



Rob

Nice set up

Yes, it could. There may not be a need to keep a gauge inline at all times, but you should at least have pressure regulator and know that it is working within the specified range.

Makes sense.

We've stayed at several campgrounds where upon check-in we were told we needed a water pressure regulator by the staff - over 100psi.

Good to know. I m convinced now I need this inexpensive insurance tool.

Oldcow

[jjbbrewer]

Call me squeamish, but I still don't like the idea of connecting the black tank flush fitting to the fresh water line. Ball valves, check valves, whatever - I just would rather keep my fresh and black systems separate.

Bought a separate (black colored) hose to connect to the black tank flush so I can use the non-potable water at the dump stations. I never have the fresh water lines connected to the same fitting as the non-potable lines.

I guess I *am* squeamish.

[huntindog]

Call me squeamish, but I still don't like the idea of connecting the black tank flush fitting to the fresh water line. Ball valves, check valves, whatever - I just would rather keep my fresh and black systems separate.

Bought a separate (black colored) hose to connect to the black tank flush so I can use the non-potable water at the dump stations. I never have the fresh water lines connected to the same fitting as the non-potable lines.

I guess I *am* squeamish.

So am I. Brain farts happen to everyone. I try to minimize their damage by my version of best practices

[huntindog]

I know what it does, but let me adjust my question a bit. What’s the advantage of measuring the amount going in? With fresh water, I seldom fill to capacity but when I have a need to do so, I generally fill till it runs out the overflow. When I flush my black tank I usually time it to avoid overflowing.

So I’m curious if folks were doing it out of need or advantage?

I like to know how much water is going in. If it goes over capacity, I will know there is a problem that needs fixing.

[huntindog]

Understood, thanks. I know the time to 1/3 and 2/3 full. I would not attempt to fill the black tank to capacity either by timing or by using a flow meter. Just not comfortable pushing my luck.

That time can vary with different wate sources. A flow meter will always be accurate.