[AuRavelling79]

Well the old two man set up is going well - but occasionally I get airlocks when the tank gets to the last third.

Any cures? Thanks in advance.

I have tank outlet - tap - filter - T joint to the two pumps then off to the reels.

It is always the first pump after the T joint that gets the prob.


Modified to add: ooops wrong section - reporting myself to Toshiwinkle to get it moved!  

[Tom White]

I suspect what's causing the problem is that when you get low down in your tank and you're driving on those cobbly Bristol roads, air is getting into your outlet and into the pipes that feed your pump; maybe into your pump too?

You can solve this in one of three ways:

1.  Install a tap at your outlet, and when you get low, before you drive off from a job, turn the tap off so the outlet pipe water is effectively cut off, keeping the water in your outlet pipe and pumps.  Remember to turn it on at the next job. 

2.  Or, at your next job, disconnect the hoses that lead to your reel and let the water pump through them for a few seconds, then reconnect.  (We do this, 'cos I'm too lazy to spend the five minutes in connecting a tap.)

3.  Wait for a better answer.

[Smudger]

I suspect what's causing the problem is that when you get low down in your tank and you're driving on those cobbly Bristol roads, air is getting into your outlet and into the pipes that feed your pump; maybe into your pump too?

You can solve this in one of three ways:

1.  Install a tap at your outlet, and when you get low, before you drive off from a job, turn the tap off so the outlet pipe water is effectively cut off, keeping the water in your outlet pipe and pumps.  Remember to turn it on at the next job.  

2.  Or, at your next job, disconnect the hoses that lead to your reel and let the water pump through them for a few seconds, then reconnect.  (We do this, 'cos I'm too lazy to spend the five minutes in connecting a tap.)

3.  Wait for a better answer.

thats your best bet

opion 2 good as well - for ther lazy - thats me included on previous system

or fit non return valve or look at hthe plumming for better routing

Darran

[AuRavelling79]

Thanks chaps!

[Tom White]

Thanks chaps!

The master is now the student!

[AuRavelling79]

Thanks chaps!

The master is now the student!

Ah Glass-hopper! 

[stuart mc]

I learned something tonight yeh, most nights I don't, and it is obvious

[JUST GUTTERS]

I had this problem a while back....pressure was dropping with about 1/4 of the tank to go...
I had changed some of my fittings and put a new pump box in...
When i took it out i found that i had tightened a jubilee clip to much and it had crushed the plastic fitting going into the pump which was restricting my flow..
maybe you would have done something the same when you put the 2 man system in...

[bad trippy]

I always install my pumps on the floor, any higher i find they air lock, when the water gets low. Hope this helps, btw Gold have you an upright or layflat?

[AuRavelling79]

Layflat - so better lower point of gravity - but more sloshing is the downside.

[Spruce]

Layflat - so better lower point of gravity - but more sloshing is the downside.

The trouble with a layflat tank is that it has a large footprint. I had 3 x 125l tanks on a trailer all jointed by a 1/2" hose. I found that the system at low level prefers to suck air rather than water.  When the water got low the best way of stopping the system sucking air was to unhitch the trailer and rest the towbar on the road so all the remaining water was collected over the tank outlets and this solved the problem.

Even if you are parked in level ground the water needs to be a bit above the tank outlet to prevent it sucking air. So if you are low on water you will have to park your van on the kerb in such a way that the water accumulates at the outlet.

One of the local lads used to run to Vauhall combo vans, one with a upright tank and one with a layflat tank. They always had problems with sucking of air with the layflat when it was about a 1/3rd full and would have to park accordingly.

Personally, I would change the tank to an upright at you first opportunity - it will save you a lot of frustration in the long run, especially as you are using it as a 2 man setup.

Spruce

[bad trippy]

When i had a layflat, i had it on 3 pieces of 3 x2 timber,so it was 2 inches off the van bed, and the pump lower than the water table, ie installed on the floor, this stopped all air being sucked in.
It was a nightmare before i done this, always causing air problems when the water was low

[matthewprice]

i have a similar problem but it is due to having a flat tank ,i have a problem with the camber of the roads when my water level is low.soon i am going to get a 400l upright tank to solve this 

[Mike #1]

Why not park partially on footpath so water is covering outlet when getting low on water thats what i do . It save u the money buying a new tank .  Mike

[Tom White]

And once you're in the swing of things, I even plan the way I work my round so that I can park on a hill when my water is running low, so it's all backed up by the outlet.

A flat tank isn't a problem.

[Dave Willis]

Mine always gave me problems - a non return valve would probably help - it's all that sloshing that lets the water return to the tank and lets the pump gulp in air particularly if the controller and pump is left on between jobs. If you don't move the van then you'll probably not have a problem.

[Steve CM]

Park on a hill. For tge last few houses. This method has served me well over the years 

[best]

I have a two man trailer setup with a flat tank

the first pump works off the bottom rear outlet and i am always getting airlocks. the pump is on the floor with non return valve

the second pump is drawing water up from a hole in the top of the tank using 5mm (pole) hose and i hardly ever gets an airlock. the pump is on top of the tank and does not have a non return valve

[Window Washers]

Park on a hill. For tge last few houses. This method has served me well over the years 

always a bugger when there are no hills on the last to jobs though