Lighting and Plumbing questions.

Aha, thanks for that Bob.
I thought of a simple way overnight to prove the theory one way or another by emptying the water tanks and leaving the drain plugs out and seeing if anything flows out while mains pressure is attached.

The van does have an inverter that is part of the original package but is mounted in a not so easy to get to spot in the van which got me wondering. I would be concerned if it was the only means of powering up the outlets. I will do some more investigation over the weekend.

Ian

Thanks for that info Peter,
Last time I was in a van was 40 odd years ago and it had dual globes in each fitting. Makes sense to simply have lights as a 12V only circuit.

Hi all,

My Jayco Eagle Outback has the standard (for Jayco) battery charger/power supply with a separate switch near the 12 volt fuse array to change between them. When connected to 240 volts, it allows all 12 volt electrics (lights, piezo gas igniter and cigarette-lighter type outlets) and 240 volt systems (electric hotplate on the stove, power points) to work - in one position it will also charge the on-board batteries, but in the other it doesn't.

There is no inverter - 240 volt outlets don't work without the van being plugged in to a 15 amp power circuit. That would be the obvious test to undertake once you've collected the van.

My water system may be a bit different from yours, but my hose connection from mains water runs direct from the hose to a tap over the sink - the line that carries that water goes nowhere near our water tank and pressure is adjusted by the simple expedient of reducing the flow from the mains tap (i.e. by turning the tap off a bit) if you really don't want to experience an indoor shower you didn't need. The tank itself is filled through a separate, capped filler right next to, and under the same coverplate as, the hose connection on the outside of the van and water is drawn from the tank by a hand pump next to the abovementioned tap, also over the sink. I've recently bought an inline, 12 volt electric pump to ease the pumping effort for my wife, even if it will complicate tank-water delivery a bit, after reading an earlier article on this forum about a camper trailer set up that way, but haven't yet had the time to fit it.

We don't have a HWS in our van, so that's something I can't help with, but as others have said, saline water can be detrimental, as can water with high calcium levels but you CAN get quite saline water through the mains depending on where you are. Here in SA the water is almost hard enough to crack rocks, but we all still use hot water services at home :-)

Regards,

Charlie

Thanks for that Charlie,
I probably should have indicated earlier that this van has only one tap inside the van. Interestingly my brothers coromal built in the same year has two, one being a pump it yourself style and the other for the mains pressure. In his case it appears the two are completely seperate as it appears yours is.

Cheers for that Alan,
Just out of interest, is your inverter integrated into the vans GPO circuit or is it powering a stand alone Outlet?

Re the plumbing, I wasnt thinking of using the van pump to pump from an outside source but to use an external portable pump hooked in where the town water would go.

I will confirm there is a pressure reducer although I would be surprised if there wasnt one fitted.

Are you aware of any problems running filtered creek or river water for use in the gas hot water and shower system?

Only thing I could think of was checking with HW manufacturers re minimum filtering requirements in terms of microns.

hi mazdan
using creek or river water through your HWS without first testing it to see if the water has any salinity level
could cause premature corrosion and failure of the system
a lot of natures water has none to a small percentage of salinity at varying stages depending on flow rates and I don't think a filter would remove it so be aware of this
I notice you went very close to duplicating my handle
cheers

hi mazdan
before someone jumps in to point out many of natures water sources are saltier than the sea
my comment was in respect to salinity levels in regards to creeks and rivers that are visually and taste wise ok drinkable quality
just thought I clarify that one
cheers

Good thoughts mate re the salinity side of things and I will include that in my discussions with HW manufacturers and also look at the existing filtration system.
haha actually I have been a member here for Im guessing about 10 years so not sure who nearly duplicated who but fun to see someone so close in spelling. (In my case the joining of a nickname and a name to form the online name.)

Ian

My van has the inverter (1800w) connected to all 240 circuits and points except the air con.

My plumbing is setup to use the van pump to get water from the outside. If water is fresh and not bore water it should be ok for showering. Keep an eye on the sacrificial anode in the hot water system (surburban) if you have one. I change mine every 12 months and it needs it.

I know some collect water in large tub and then pump out of it with the van. Would not be too keen to pump directly into the van with an outside pump unless you know the pressure. (seen Tanks blown and distorted this way)

Alan

Thanks for that info Alan,
That being the case with the inverter, Im guessing you have a changeover switch that allows you to select either inverted power or direct 240?
Good tip re the anode and something I had added to my notes earlier today while researching various HW systems and how they are made. Its one of the first things I will be looking at this weekend because sure as pigs dont fly it will never have been changed.

Ian

Only have a switch to switch the inverter on when required. Not switched on when plugged into 240V.

All items in the van (lights,TV,fridge,heater-hot water-stove ignition, toilet flush.etc) operate on 12v. Inverter allows others items eg hairdryer to be used. It was sized to run a microwave.

Plugged in to 240v allows the aircon to run and of course don't need inverter as all 240v points are also live including the battery charger. Have 4 solar panels and 4 batteries and don't need a generator.

Alan

hi mazdan
interesting about your handle haven't noticed it on here until recently
I have been using the nickname for 17 years for the mazda bravo as I found it can go most places hence
maz can
but I have had certain 4x4 owners think that I called it that because they think its not what they would be seen dead in and was incapable of keeping up with their bigger rigs
but after they found I was still right behind them on some difficult trips it has changed their opinions somewhat
it might not be the greatest 4wd ever made but it always gets me there and back and is a very easy vehicle to service and maintain
and it was paid for in full the day I picked it up from the dealer
so until it has a major failure I will keep the mazcan going
no electronics or computers under the bonnet just basic electrics and injection system
cheers