Plumbing upgrade?
Submitted: Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 15:54
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Member - James N (NSW)
What is involved in fitting a Shurflo or similar pump to my old Viscount van? At present I have the basic
water tank and a
hand pump at the sink so there is no choice other than to have a Brita filter jug in the van fridge rather than a inline filter system.
Some 27 years ago, whilst on exchange in Canada, we had a camper trailer with two taps at the sink. One was a
hand pump from the
water tank, the other was a mains pressure tap which was supplied from a
water inlet in the side of the van that we connected via a suitable hose to a tap at the campground.
Is this possible here - I guess it's possible, but is it the "done thing"? Or do we need to run everything through our
water tank with a pressure pump running off the 12v? If the second option, what sort of tapware and plumbing is needed?
Any advice for a mug plumber would be appreciated.
Jim
Reply By: Motherhen - Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 16:40
Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 16:40
Hi Jim
Where our current van is fitted with two pressure pumps (one for the dedicated
drinking water tank and tap), and has a shower and HWS, if you don't need the pressure for shower and HWS i would question whether you could use a simpler solution.
For your first option, you are looking at plumbing modifications, new taps, as
well as using your electrical system. Would it be possible to fit an external tap a a level equal to the bottom of your
tank, and fill a bucket each time you make
camp? It is as quick or even quicker to bail
water into the sink, kettle, cooking pot or what ever from a bucket, than to turn on an electric pump and run a tap. You would still be able to use the present
hand pump in the sink for a small quantity at say a lunch stop. If needing to filter, I would prefer to keep a
drinking water filter jug in the fridge than filter all of the
water anyway, unless needing to fill from muddy streams.
The using mains pressure supply option sounds fairly simple - a hole in the caravan, piece of pipe through it and tap on the inside, hose fitting on the outside. Brass fittings should be suitable. Appropriate packing and waterproofing of the opening of course.
Motherhen
Keep
camping simple
AnswerID:
340790
Reply By: Member -Dodger - Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 17:14
Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 17:14
Without going to much expense,
May I suggest an in line whale 12v pump placed in line at the
tank outlet then a switch of the momentary type near the sink outlet.
That way you must hold the switch on to get
water.
Plus the pump can be easily primed by the
hand pump if needed.
You can install any type of filter system you like connecting under the sink using this pump.
In my old Viscount I had this system plus I put another line and tap over the sink that was connected to mains pressure when available.
AnswerID:
340795
Follow Up By: Member - James N (NSW) - Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 19:21
Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 19:21
So a Whale pump is a simpler option, then what is the advantage of a Shurflo? I assume that they are self-priming, but I suppose they, too, need to be installed adjacent to the
tank as pumps "push" better than they "pull".
I like the thought that I could get a connection plumbed through the wall of the van to use mains pressure if in van
park, and use a Whale pump through the
hand pump system. Have I got this concept correct?
Jim
FollowupID:
608444
Follow Up By: Member -Dodger - Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 08:51
Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 08:51
The Shurflo type system is an on demand system that would require you replacing the
hand pump with another tap of your own choice then simply connect the pump in line somewhere in a cupboard where you can get 12v power too. These are self priming to approx 2 meters and can run dry. However yu must have a good 12v supply. Also you will need a switch to isolate this pump when travelling. Then you still have to put in your mains pressure line .
The surflo system would cost in the vicinity of $300 for parts etc and the Whale system around $100 for parts.
I considered both when changing the set up in my old van and after consideration went for the whale system as the simplest plus a second tap for mains pressure which I plumbed in via copper pipe and fittings easily available from any hardware store.
Be aware that if you install the whale system that each time you turn on the electric pump the
hand pump will rise then the
water will come out. It's a great party trick.
Hope all this helps.
FollowupID:
608494
Reply By: Member - dieseltojo K (VIC) - Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 22:56
Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 22:56
It is not a smmall job and requires fitting probably bought from a Camec supplier
AnswerID:
340833
Follow Up By: Member - dieseltojo K (VIC) - Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 23:13
Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 at 23:13
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FollowupID:
608473
Follow Up By: Member - James N (NSW) - Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 06:59
Monday, Dec 22, 2008 at 06:59
This would probably cost more than the old van is worth ;-)
Motherhen actually confirmed my earliest thoughts - I'll get the fittings to use mains pressure to a tap on the sink when in a van
park, similar to the set up we had in Canada in 1981.
Thanks, everyone, for the advice.
Jim
FollowupID:
608483