Date:         Thu, 11 Aug 2005 07:33:48 -0700
Reply-To:     Shawn Wright <swright@ZUIKO.SLS.BC.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Shawn Wright <swright@ZUIKO.SLS.BC.CA>
Subject:      Re: westy kitchen operation
In-Reply-To:  <42FB1CDB.80600@verizon.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

On 11 Aug 2005 at 5:39, Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET> wrote:

> Katherine,
>
> If you have the stock water spigot ... the round knob is "Center Off".
> Turn it to the right for city water (no electrical contacts needed for
> that position as city water is pressurized) ... to the left of center is
> tank and has electrical contacts to turn on the pump.
>
> If you've never used the city water connection, I would strongly
> recommend that you first remove the 4 screws from the utility port
> outside the van, pull the connection away from the side, then hook up
> the city water.  That way if the internal connection is broken or
> cracked, you won't fill the area behind the kitchen with water (and
> cause much rust there).
>
> The internal connection, the one where the small hose goes from the port
> to the faucet, if not drained properly before winter, can freeze and
> break.  To drain it, remove the city water hose from the outside and
> insert a small rod (like a ballpoint pen) so as to depress the spring
> loaded rubber plug that serves as a check valve when in use.
>
> Another way the internal connector can break is from an
> "Overpressurized" city water source.  Small pressure regulators, that go
> between the city water hose and the utility connector, can be purchased
> cheaply wherever RV products are sold ... including Wal*Mart.
>
> One more thing ... the standard "Garden hose" isn't fit for use as a
> drinking water source and should not be used to connect to the city
> water connector nor should it be used to fill the water tank.  There are
> hoses designed for drinking water which, again, are available wherever
> RV products are sold.

Mike,

Excellent write-up, and I'll add a few things: yes, be very cautious of the city water
hookup, and if you plan to use it, buy the pressure reducer first! I used the city water
exactly once in our '88, and it promptly cracked from over pressure, and filled the
body panel with water. The reducer is a lot cheaper than a new city water hookup
plate!
Also, be careful when turning the tap knob - the one on my '82 has been cracked
from forcing beyond the limits. The range of travel is not very far, and can be stiff.
Turn too far, and the knob can crack, and tear the wire loose from the underside.
The wire can also crack and come loose just from normal wear. BTDT.

Good luck!


Shawn Wright
http://zuiko.sls.bc.ca/~swright
'85 Jetta D
'88 Westy 2.1L, soon to be 1.6TD 5 speed
 (see progress at http://members.shaw.ca/vwdiesels)
'82 Diesel Westy