Sanitizing

DPC · April 1

Hi folks I’m newish here and could use your thoughts. I’m de-winterizing and getting no response from the pump at the Nautilus. It’s a 2023 320s with the P3 Nautilus. I’m trying this off battery power. They appear to have juice and fan, fridge and radio work so power seems there. Does this need to be done on A/C? Inside pump switch had no response either. What am I missing? Thanks.

Gomers2 · April 1

It should be fine doing it on 12 volt only, assuming your battery is not depleted. Obviously plugging it in would eliminate one variable, but the pump still runs from 12 volt power from the converter. When you flip the exterior switch for the pump does the red light come on next to the switch? Have you checked the fuses? Are you saying it is not working because you don't hear it, or because it's not drawing water in? (I'm assuming you are doing a bucket fill and have the Nautilus set to sanitize position.) I have had issues with the check valve located at the intake for the Nautilus. Spring loaded pin can get sticky. The pump may not be strong enough to overcome that valve when drawing from a bucket. If you think there's a chance the pump might actually be working try this: turn the pump off and open the taps to depressurize the plumbing system, gently exercise that check valve with your finger and/or remove the intake filter screen from that threaded Nautilus input and install it backwards, inverted so that the cone of it opens the check valve. Then run the pump and lift your bucket up to the level of the Nautilus. (All this assumes your pump is working, which I understand according to your original post it may not be.)

DPC · April 1

Thanks. I am doing the bucket fill and am configured in the sanitize position on the Nautilus. Red light comes on and inside panel reads charged batteries. Thought about fuses but was running out of time so didn’t check, breakers were on. I would assume if it were a pressure issue or even the check valve I would at least hear the pump give it a crank but nothing. Not drawing water. I will look at the fuses tomorrow. Thanks.

DPC · April 1

Just FYI I checked fuses and they appeared okay but in the course of simply pulling them out and putting back the pump started working. So a fussy fuse on that I guess. But it still won’t draw out of the bucket. Maybe that check valve being stubborn or just an oomph issue.

Bill&Suze · April 2

If you haven't already, try pre-filling the feed hose full and hold it high above the bucket, then turn on the pump to take in what's in the hose and be ready to quickly put the hose back in the bucket when it's obvious that the pump is drawing solution.

Gomers2 · April 4

Yes, you can try everything @Bill&Suzesays, and if possible you should use a really short hose. I cut an older one to about 30" and that works much better (and I can store it in the camper in case I need to bucket fill.) Glad you got it working. * Also make sure the system drains are closed.

mx4789 · April 4

FWIW, I had to jack with mine quite a few times before it finally started working. Switch on, switch off, change the knobs, change them back, lift the hose, put the hose back, unscrew the hose, screw it back, flip the check valve, flip it back.

Eventually it started siphoning from the bucket, albeit very slowly.

westernstates · April 4

"FWIW, I had to jack with mine quite a few times before it finally started working. Switch on, switch off, change the knobs, change them back, lift the hose, put the hose back, unscrew the hose, screw it back, flip the check valve, flip it back."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF0y9KKznGI mx4789

Binghi · April 4

Elevate the bucket above the level of the Nautilus water intake. Gravity will help push the fluid in and the trailer pump will engage better.

Binghi · April 4

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/k5/nlrh6bvuo58z.jpeg

To be more accurate, gravity helps when you elevate the bucket and draw the fluid from the bottom of the bucket

pthomas745 · April 4

Since this has come up eleventy billion times, it is quite obvious the Nautilus and the Tab pump is inadequate to this simple task. My thought is that an ordinary pump of some type connected directly to the city water connection would drive water into the plumbing and faucets quickly and easily. A submersible pump, some sort of inline pump, or even an ordinary pump sprayer with the proper fittings would be much easier than having to to through this frustrating process of Tab Yoga Olympics.

This owner shows an extremely simple spray pump mod that will simply work. I made one of my own, and in my 2017 it works just fine.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/2035/winterizing-sanitizing-pump-made-simple#latest

That thread was from Pop-Tab, one of the famous Tab Geniuses.

I found some YouTube instructions to make a "better" pump sprayer. With 1/4 inch diameter tubing, an on-off valve, and a standard hose fitting, it is easy to control the flow of the fluid into the trailer. I'm also betting this would be one way to pump glycol into the glycol loop in a simple way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWOLm3nV0Xc&t=1s

DPC · April 11

Thanks! Guess it’s not just me.

Sanitizing

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