On showers, pump failures, and body odors

[Pskhaat]

I'll be interested to know how it work out, please! Are you doing hot and cold?

Was in-progress this winter but got delayed. Pretty basic, I am planning on a water tank (like Mark said, only for showers, washing, cleaning) in either the spare tire area of my 80 or along the two bottom side rails plumbed together with a one-way valve on the low rear end, then with a spiggot off the rear bumper. Hot would be via a 12v water heater element, but that will be after I put up some more solar. I have only this in concept and will see how much volume I can actually get. It may be worth seeing about CO2 as the feed air.

 

[RoundOut]

It may be worth seeing about CO2 as the feed air.

That would be good for portable expedition breweries, too!

Sorry, couldn't resist. :costumed-smiley-007

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[ujoint]

Great thread, I'm in the process of installing my own water system. I'm also using the Sureflo 2.8 pump, and my custom 12 gallon tank will be here later this week. (i hope) It will be used as a gray water tank only. I will add some more protection to keep the dust down..

off subject..... Are you satisfied with the 15 gallon capacity?

 

[articulate]

off subject..... Are you satisfied with the 15 gallon capacity?

Interesting question . . . let me 'splain: Based on where the supply line enters my tank (picture: horizontally in a lower corner) we'd never get every last drop without creative use of the hi-lift jack on the front bumper or parking on a hill. It gips me out of 2 gallons or so.

Funny, I took the tank to an RV service place last week to get a supply fitting welded to the bottom side of the tank so I stand a better chance at getting all the water out.

Anyway, that amount is fine - with modest, yet adequate use - for about 3 days. Everyone consumes the washing water a little differently.

 

[michaelgroves]

Even if your air compressor failed, you could still pressurize your water with a bicycle pump. Or am I in left field?

Yes you could, provided you didn't have full tanks (else you'd need to have one person pump while the other showers!). I can't imagine it being that satisfactory though.

If your air system includes a holding tank, then it would work ok to fill it at any service station's air line, or, for that matter, a 12V cigar-lighter compressor or a good footpump!

 

[TeriAnn]

off subject..... Are you satisfied with the 15 gallon capacity?

Sometimes I wish I had placed a second 15 gallon tank (or at least a 6 gallon tank) where I put the propane tank (opposite side as the water tank) but then I would not have a protected place to mount the propane tank. I would prefer to carry 20 to 25 gallons. 15 gallons gives me a reliable 5 day supply. For the way I like to travel a reliable 7 day supply would be optimum.


How long 15 gallons of water will last depends upon how you use it, which in turn depends upon how you camp and how many people you have. Dishes is a trade off between generating waste with disposable plates & utensils or using extra water to wash dishes. I fall into the minimize waste camp so use water for dishes.

I usually get 5 days out of my 15 gallon water tank. One person, one large dog. I wash dishes once a day, and take a sponge bath each morning when I do not have the shower set up. I use water to cook with. I usually clean the dust out of my rear interior each evening with a damp sponge, ringing it out frequently. I figure a quart of water a day to keep the interior dust level down (The back of my vehicle is my living room, kitchen, bathroom & bedroom) For the way I camp, about 3 gallons of water per day.

My shower set up takes just under 3 gallons to get a good shower and shampoo and condition my hair. So I tend not to set up the shower unless I'm camped near a water source.

Here's how I calculate water usage (US gallons):
Absolute minimum: 1 gallon per person per day + 1 quart/day for camp use
Conserving water: 1-1/2 gallon per person per day + 1/2 gallon/day for camp use
Normal use including sponge bath: 2 gallon per day per person + 1 gallon/day for camp use

With my shower set up:
shower, no hair wash, 1 gallon
shower, hair wash & condition, 2-1/2 gallons, 3 gallons to zone out under a hot shower.



One thing no one has mentioned is a black coloured water bladder strapped across the bonnet. They perform brilliantly to allow you to take a warm shower at the end of the driving day. The sun and the heat from the engine heats the water in the bladder. If you have a ready water source and don't carry your spare on the bonnet, it is a good way to get a hot shower in the evening.

 

[michaelgroves]

One thing no one has mentioned is a black water bladder strapped to the bonnet. They perform brilliantly to allow you to take a warm shower at the end of the driving day. The sun and the heat from the engine heats the water in the bladder. If you have a ready water source and don't carry your spare on the bonnet, it is a good way to get a hot shower in the evening.

Yes, that's a terrific way to get warm water! (Though for a second there I read it as a black water bladder as in, "I carry out all my black water and solid waste"!)

Likewise the old canvas water bag hung on the outside of the truck does still provide a cheap and cheerful way of getting cold drinking water.

 

[ujoint]

I was hoping to get 15 gallons, but had to settle for 12. Most of my trips are 2-4 days, and I usually bring 10 gallons. I've only used up all 10 once. Time will tell!!!

 

[Antichrist]

Not sure if I missed if you found the problem, but I have a sureflow pump, not exactly like that, but close. If you remove the 4 screws marked in red and pull off the cover plate I think you'll see the impeller. I've seen them get jammed by small debris. Removed the debris, put the cover plate back on and all was well.

 

[mrbishi]

One very real case for multiple water containers on trip is what happens if you puncture your main under body tank. Currently I carry 3 x 20lt jerry cans that fit perfectly across the back storage where the rear seat upright used to be.

An under body tank is a good idea and I am investigating this but it will have a substantial guard protecting it and in addition I will carry jerrys of water too on expeditions.

 

[eugene]

Does the bed of your truck have empty space in front of and behind the fenders between the bed side and outside of the body? Most do and there is a cover at the bed floor level which can be removed, you may be able to slide the pump up in there to protect it better.
If not, go to a large hardware store / electrical supply and look in the section with all the grey plastic couduit, they have some large water tight boxes there. You can mix and match some plumbing fittings with the electrical conduit for a non electrical app to seal your hoses and wiring going in and out.

 

[Brian McVickers]

"Shurflo states that use in marine environments will void the warranty." :smileeek:
What!!! Sureflo is one of the main 12v pump brands in the marine industry, how does that work?

I suggest giving your new pump a good coat of Corrosion Block spray.
You may also consider using waterproof electrical connections such as the marine shrinkwrap kind or using the grease capsules used in landscape irrigation systems.

Brian

 

[articulate]

Solutions

What!!! Sureflo is one of the main 12v pump brands in the marine industry, how does that work?

I had the same reaction, but it was right on the box. Come to think of it, I suspect that the pump I have is not a marine version, as it's from their RV line of products. I think it's called a "classic" or some junk like that.

I suggest giving your new pump a good coat of Corrosion Block spray.
You may also consider using waterproof electrical connections such as the marine shrinkwrap kind or using the grease capsules used in landscape irrigation systems.

Brian

Not familiar with corrosion block spray. What's the downside to this stuff? And the shrink wrap you're talking about is that crazy stuff they wrap the boats in? I presume I could locate the same material somewhere that's not in a $400-sized roll?

Great ideas.

Does the bed of your truck have empty space in front of and behind the fenders between the bed side and outside of the body? . . .
If not, go to a large hardware store / electrical supply and look in the section with all the grey plastic couduit, they have some large water tight boxes there.

And another great idea. Thanks!

 

[ntsqd]

I suspect by "shrinkwrap" that he means heat shrink. Though through experience I do not consider heat shrink to be water proof unless it is the adhesive lined version. Anchor Marine offers terminals with this fitted instead of the typical nylon insulator.

The other option for water proofing electrical connections is to wrap it in the 3M self-fusing tape. Just don't expect to easily access anything wrapped in that stuff.

 

[mrbishi]

another option is "Liquid Electrical Tape"