Airstream REI Co-op Special Edition, Owner'S Manual

Page: 34 / 90

Interior
5-6
2023 REI Special Edition
Draining System
Fresh Water Lines and Tanks
Fresh water drain valves consist of low point water line
drain valves and a fresh water tank drain valve� The
valves are in-line or petcock-type valves; see Fresh
Water Tank and Draining on page 8-11�
Drain and Waste System
Your trailer has a drain and waste system that includes
a combination Black/Gray waste-holding tank made
from corrosion-free molded plastic, with trouble-free
dump valves�
The combination tank enables you to use the toilet
for several days away from disposal facilities� In
combination holding tanks, the wastewater from the
sink, shower, and toilet all drains into a single holding
tank�
The combination tank has a single dump valve� The
system drains through a common outlet, providing
the need for only one sewer hose connection when
hooking up to a dump station�
Almost all campgrounds will have dumping facilities�
Park directories, such as Woodalls and Rand McNally,
also list dumping stations; see Black/Gray Water Tank
and Draining on page 8-13�
Check your monitor panel frequently; see Monitor
Panel on page 5-17 � When the holding tank is
completely full, sewage cannot be emptied from the
toilet bowl. If the holding tank is overfilled, drain water
may back up into the tub and cause an unpleasant
cleaning job� Never drain the tank at any place other
than an approved dumping station�
NOTE
Never put wet strength paper towels or tissues
in your holding tank since they will not dissolve
and can catch in the mechanism of the dump
valve. Colored toilet tissue is slower to dissolve
than white. Most RV-accessory stores offer tissue
designed for RVs that will completely dissolve.
Plumbing
Water System (Self-Contained)
Fill the water tank by opening the exterior access door
and removing the screw cap� A potable water hose
can now be inserted� It is a good idea to let the water
run through the hose for a short time to flush it out.
Experienced RVers usually fill their tanks with “home”
water to avoid strange water that may be distasteful to
them� The amount of water in the tank may be checked
on the Monitor Panel, or you may fill the tank until
water overflows out of the fill.
Open the hot side of the galley faucet and turn on the
water pump switch located on the monitor panel� For
some time, the open faucet may only sputter� This is
because the water heater is being filled and air is being
pushed out through the lines� Once the water heater is
full, a steady stream of water will flow from the faucet.
Now, open a cold faucet� It may sputter for a short time,
but will soon expel a steady stream� All other faucets
can now be opened until all air is expelled� Once the
system is filled with water and the faucets closed, the
water pump will shut off� When a faucet is opened, the
pump will come back on automatically� If the faucet is
just barely open, it is normal for the pump to cycle on
and off rapidly�
Water Pump
The water pump switch operates the pump and it is
mounted on the monitor panel; see Monitor Panel on
page 5-17 � Once the switch is turned on, the pump
will run until the water pressure reaches about 55 PSI�
At this point, an internal pressure switch will shut it off�
When a faucet is opened, the water pressure will drop
and the pump will start to run again�
As a general rule, the water pump should be turned
off while using a city water hookup, however the water
pressure at some campgrounds may be low� The water
pump can be turned on to assist the city water hookup
pressure� Be sure there is some water in the fresh
water tank� The pump will only use the water that is
needed out of the tank to bring the pressure up to the
usual standard of 55 PSI�
Access to the water pump will be necessary for
periodic cleaning of the strainer screen; see Water
Pump Access Locations on page 8-11 and see
Strainer Cleaning on page 8-11�
NOTE
Turn off the water pump while traveling to prevent
water from being pumped in the event a faucet
opens in transit.