Water box overflow

[Bryce C]

I read an old thread somewhere about Hydramaster CDS water boxes overflowing when the float valve fails and it can flood the van and destroy the floor. Newer CDS 4.8 models have an overflow built in from the factory, I included a pic below.

Some have installed these themselves and plumbed it through the floor so excess water will just go out through that. But some say the overflow tube doesn't drain fast enough and water just overflows through the water box lid, or the pressure just blows the overflow off the side off the water box and it floods the van that way.

Have any of you experienced this and done a successful mod to prevent catastrophe? I'm thinking of installing an overflow with a sort of compression fitting that threads together from each side of the water box (sorry I don't know what it is called), with a larger diameter drain tube that I may have a local shop crimp together or something. So hopefully it doesn't blow the fitting off the side, and the water can drain out of the tube fast enough to keep up with the input from the garden hose...

 

[Dwain Ray]

I read an old thread somewhere about Hydramaster CDS water boxes overflowing when the float valve fails and it can flood the van and destroy the floor. Newer CDS 4.8 models have an overflow built in from the factory, I included a pic below.

Some have installed these themselves and plumbed it through the floor so excess water will just go out through that. But some say the overflow tube doesn't drain fast enough and water just overflows through the water box lid, or the pressure just blows the overflow off the side off the water box and it floods the van that way.

Have any of you experienced this and done a successful mod to prevent catastrophe? I'm thinking of installing an overflow with a sort of compression fitting that threads together from each side of the water box (sorry I don't know what it is called), with a larger diameter drain tube that I may have a local shop crimp together or something. So hopefully it doesn't blow the fitting off the side, and the water can drain out of the tube fast enough to keep up with the input from the garden hose...

View attachment 131986

Their called bulkhead fitting but you can find them sold as tank or water tank fittings also. As far as rotting your van floor out. I would say this i hate leaks! I check for um faithfully every 100 hours and every time in-between that i have my covers off, and repair/ replace any thing that looks like it has started/will start/ or is worn and may start leaking before the next 100 hour check. But even with that i will have catastrophic failure of components sooner or later. Its not the end of the world and won't really damage the floor of the van. Take a look at other carpet cleaning vans. Notice the condition of the floors then take a look at the equipment installed the one thing that the equipment and van will have in common is they are probably in the same condition . If you maintain your machine a leak here or there repaired in a timely manner probably won't effect your vans condition but leaks that go un checked, and allowed to remain for weeks/ months/years/ decades well they cause the structural problems. Don't get me wrong a small leak in just the right spot can and will raise Havoc on equipment and van for instance on my van Frankenstein there's a large fuse box under the driver's seat. It is off the floor so water running out the door won't be a problem but if it took a large direct hit maybe problem! A n overflow drain is not a bad idea i put one in my waterbox when i bulid the machine. And will help if the fill valve starts to leak. And because I'm (and you should be too)used to checking under the van i spot that problem by the puddle it made thus avoiding further damage. . Now that ive rambled on i recommend a ¾×½ or if space allows 1"×¾ brass or stainless bulk head fitting. You can get um on Amazon or better if you have a West Marine or similar boating supply and if possible a 90° fitting with hose barb woll make a professional installation

 

[Nate The Great]

Also you would benefit with a water inlet pressure regulator.. Helps to regulate the incoming water pressure as you have no control over it from job to job..

Amazon product
View: https://www.amazon.com/RVGUARD-Pressure-Regulator-Lead-Free-Adjustable/dp/B083HSQMHX/ref=sr_1_6?crid=37AYPD2JCXZZ6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Tn0gim7AfIL4W1NL8zMGDimSS142wQGBxjVObrVUWaYGTxHWGv-t3tpbMc2EiXP8_HOdQLaZLS-cvwliRFar9pLVQ6P0ksLmPM6DX1jLHSxSk-VeHlC3PJY9Ufe04INC2l5JSay7-5lQJSYs1hALxcD6rdsBLrQN_xePLuQfbgGfhfwfPDJGGAoSd4DwmlnbTyzk7JdAChbkXTkQ1LxPjURW78Cqw3dANtWxyYDBJk11kwaou3SatGAMHp8KJcVKG04O0g9Pbk8Q5iyAxBoDKhJeHOY-3fX3aOeJNwqMspM.czLFkpBSbT0R4MbQQhCttERB4xwDgXFpdISTEwav8wY&dib_tag=se&keywords=water+pressure+regulator&qid=1754246855&sprefix=water+pressure+%2Caps%2C354&sr=8-6



Amazon product
View: https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Pressure-Regulator-High-Pressure-40055/dp/B003BZD08U/ref=sr_1_13_sspa?crid=37AYPD2JCXZZ6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Tn0gim7AfIL4W1NL8zMGDimSS142wQGBxjVObrVUWaZTLeVbLd8tsuTVd-vrBPTFcB_vHQuYCHVW93NmBcKP9zAEWjsjMzH1M7wzStNBfEevlA3QvQSrB6HVPubY_jG05DyzLFl9nb6nx6C2gK4J5BO00ss8L45vwDpzQ9fL25swAdcy-dwWBXrR5iHU6l32nCIKjPnxh4juxvSGUZtNHJYtCSKhzEh8rtz89Bmj-BNV_30AtqON-aQFvQBBYdfm1nprby2PB1kh5culjq9J7augpIH-GfOIMkktJ6nixM8.sjhkuaNKL-W5vDWP1_4zeKvF_98gNSCJGs_K0BzsUog&dib_tag=se&keywords=water%2Bpressure%2Bregulator&qid=1754246928&sprefix=water%2Bpressure%2B%2Caps%2C354&sr=8-13-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1

 

[Bryce C]

Brilliant, thanks guys. I'll order everything asap, I'll go for the larger bulkhead fitting with a 90 degree barb. Good call on the pressure regulator for the water inlet too Nate. I'll incorporate that on the install. I'll let you know how it goes once I get it installed.

 

[Dwain Ray]

Also you would benefit with a water inlet pressure regulator.. Helps to regulate the incoming water pressure as you have no control over it from job to job..

Amazon product
View: https://www.amazon.com/RVGUARD-Pressure-Regulator-Lead-Free-Adjustable/dp/B083HSQMHX/ref=sr_1_6?crid=37AYPD2JCXZZ6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Tn0gim7AfIL4W1NL8zMGDimSS142wQGBxjVObrVUWaYGTxHWGv-t3tpbMc2EiXP8_HOdQLaZLS-cvwliRFar9pLVQ6P0ksLmPM6DX1jLHSxSk-VeHlC3PJY9Ufe04INC2l5JSay7-5lQJSYs1hALxcD6rdsBLrQN_xePLuQfbgGfhfwfPDJGGAoSd4DwmlnbTyzk7JdAChbkXTkQ1LxPjURW78Cqw3dANtWxyYDBJk11kwaou3SatGAMHp8KJcVKG04O0g9Pbk8Q5iyAxBoDKhJeHOY-3fX3aOeJNwqMspM.czLFkpBSbT0R4MbQQhCttERB4xwDgXFpdISTEwav8wY&dib_tag=se&keywords=water+pressure+regulator&qid=1754246855&sprefix=water+pressure+%2Caps%2C354&sr=8-6



Amazon product
View: https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Pressure-Regulator-High-Pressure-40055/dp/B003BZD08U/ref=sr_1_13_sspa?crid=37AYPD2JCXZZ6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Tn0gim7AfIL4W1NL8zMGDimSS142wQGBxjVObrVUWaZTLeVbLd8tsuTVd-vrBPTFcB_vHQuYCHVW93NmBcKP9zAEWjsjMzH1M7wzStNBfEevlA3QvQSrB6HVPubY_jG05DyzLFl9nb6nx6C2gK4J5BO00ss8L45vwDpzQ9fL25swAdcy-dwWBXrR5iHU6l32nCIKjPnxh4juxvSGUZtNHJYtCSKhzEh8rtz89Bmj-BNV_30AtqON-aQFvQBBYdfm1nprby2PB1kh5culjq9J7augpIH-GfOIMkktJ6nixM8.sjhkuaNKL-W5vDWP1_4zeKvF_98gNSCJGs_K0BzsUog&dib_tag=se&keywords=water%2Bpressure%2Bregulator&qid=1754246928&sprefix=water%2Bpressure%2B%2Caps%2C354&sr=8-13-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1

Nate makes a good point. I have an inlet water pressure guage on.my retractable hose reel and monitor inlet water pressure, Although because i work on wells alot i monitor more for too low of pressure than too high however if inlet water pressure exceeds 80 or so psi i add a pressure regulator to my inlet hose to be on the safe side. I got mine from an RV supply store and regulate pressure about 60 psi with it. Be mindful that as you lower the pressure with an external regulator you are also in most cases, lowering the flow simultaneously. With that said unless you're in an area with constant high pressure issues, i would consider not permanently mounting a pressure regulator in the system