Fresh Water Tank Cracked

Chappy133 · February 03, 2022, 08:27:17 PM

Yikes! On our way to Florida today. Filling up the water tank @ 1/4 for water to use while traveling once we got to above freezing temperatures
and when we stopped at a rest area in South Carolina noticed water running out from under the camper. Turns out the front of the fresh water tank is cracked. A rock or tire tread must of damaged the tank. Cracked along the front facing vertical face. Tank was drain and the drain valve was left open until I closed it this morning to fill. So is this a job I can do or take it to an RV repair shop? Really messing up the plans of dry camping in Key West. We bought a brand new 21 gallon blue boy and the plan is snake a hose down to the fresh water blue boy using the existing water pump so we have water for everything but drinking and cooking. The old improvise, adapt and overcome.

Merlin · February 03, 2022, 10:50:04 PM

Bummer. If it were me, I'd clean it up and use something like Eternabond waterproofing tape on the crack. Though probably not for potable use, it seems like that would hold non-drinking water for your trip and you can drink bottled water. Then when you get back you can arrange for tank replacement. The problem with finding a RV repair place for a fix is that I've heard most places are scheduling weeks or months out. Using a permanent tape like Eternabond may preclude future crack repair, so that's why I suggest tank replacement (unless of course the tape really is eternal).

gibby · February 07, 2022, 09:36:48 AM

I had the same issue that you did. I just got a repair kit designed for just this purpose from the local RV shop, and patched it myself. 15 min job and it was about $20 for the kit.

Chappy133 · February 07, 2022, 11:25:28 AM

Gibby, Not a single crack. Like a starburst with over 12" in length. Can you provide a product name or link for the kit you used?

gibby · February 08, 2022, 09:16:31 AM

I don't know the brand (it was 2 years ago) but I know I got it at out Canadian Tire, it came with epoxy resin and fiberglass mesh. it was about $25 cdn.

Mine was a star as well, but about 6" in size. The kit covered it no problem.

There are many kits available from many places, and given the other option is to replace the tank, start with the repair option, if it doesn't work, you are not out much.

PS, take a visit to YouTube, lots of videos on tank repair, they should give you an idea.

Chris

Popup2012 · February 08, 2022, 09:28:14 PM

I saw on a utube video a guy said you could use this.
Chicago Electric 80 watt Iron plastic welding at habor freight 16.99
It has the metal mesh and a plastic rod.

Chappy133 · February 09, 2022, 11:47:45 AM

Thanks, I will check out the Electric Iron plastic welder. This may be a good interim solution. My search of You Tube did not return many fresh water tank repair hits.

Merlin · February 09, 2022, 07:55:48 PM

Quote from: Popup2012 on February 08, 2022, 09:28:14 PM
I saw on a utube video a guy said you could use this.
Chicago Electric 80 watt Iron plastic welding at habor freight 16.99
It has the metal mesh and a plastic rod.

Interesting. This might even be a permanent solution for cracks.

Chappy133 · February 09, 2022, 08:45:28 PM

The plastic welding didn't work. I could not get a good bond with the white tank plastic. My local RV dealership back home is working on getting me a replacement tank. They have done work for me in the past and are trust worthy. For $16.00 it was worth the effort. I can still use the plastic welder for the repair projects.

Chappy133 · February 14, 2022, 11:39:14 AM

The trip that keeps on giving. Camped on NAS Key West beachside and the wind and rain kicked up and knocked our solar panel over and filled the back side up with water. Now it will not charge. All the fuses were checked and good but I think the controller is shot.

Merlin · February 14, 2022, 01:43:31 PM

Probably no saving a controller that's been soaked. Was this a suitcase type panel setup with the controller mounted on the back of a panel?

Powder Hounds · February 14, 2022, 02:48:21 PM

Hey at least you didn't break your panel!

I know they are a bit pricey, but I have put my Zamp unit through some extreme conditions for years. Eventually it started to accumulate moisture inside the unit. Took a picture and sent it to their service department. Had a new one sent the next day.

Well, just one more thing to go wrong and you will be in the clear!

Chappy133 · February 15, 2022, 11:28:45 AM

I ordered a waterproof controller on Amazon for a replacement. Yes Merlin the controller on the back of the panel. Luckily no cracks on the panel. The guy next to me had his placed on his roof and it was shattered. He wasn't using a controller cause I thought about salvaging that from him.

Chappy133 · February 20, 2022, 10:03:41 PM

Found an Amazon waterproof controller. Got it delivered and installed, charging and working as needed. A $20.00 fix.

Chappy133 · March 31, 2022, 03:06:06 PM

The replacement water tank from Icon Direct arrived last Saturday. Now waiting for the RV repair shop to schedule me in to replace the tank. What was interesting is the RV shop took six weeks to let me know they could not source a replacement tank through KZ or his distributor. Turns out the ICON replacement tank is a stock Jaycee water tank for the 16 TBS <https://www.icondirect.com/jayco-fresh-water-tank-wt3594-38-gal-0240515/>. I called ICON and reviewed the purchase to make sure it was what I needed and got the tank in 3 or 4 days. If they had to make one then it would have been over 30 days til shipping. First camping trip is scheduled in late April. Now as a retiree I camp during the week and come home for the weekend.