What Fresh Water Tank?

[rhinojonson]

I am looking to upgrade the fresh water tank in my van. It currently has a Reliance 7 gallon tank like this one http://www.safetycentral.com/ju7gawastco.html. The tank drips a bit where the hose goes into the cap. I've tried screwing it down tighter and adding teflon tape, but it still leaks water. I have looked at some small (20 gallon) rv fresh water tanks that look like they would be a much better option, but they seem difficult to fill without using a hose. The reliance I can take out and fill in my kitchen sink. I am trying to find a way that I can have a hose run through the cap and to the bottom of the tank. That way I could keep the tank upright and have the pump suck the water out of the tank without having to tip it over and use gravity, but I failed to find such a solution at the hardware store the other day. Any insight from you all would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mwilliamshs]

Submersible pump for your existing tank to allow use in vertical position

http://www.livingoverland.com/p/store.html

http://www.waterpumpsnow.com/whale-gp1352-marine-pump/?gclid=CPmHiqGrk8sCFQmQaQods6QHcg

 

[rhinojonson]

Submersible pump for your existing tank to allow use in vertical position

http://www.livingoverland.com/p/store.html

http://www.waterpumpsnow.com/whale-gp1352-marine-pump/?gclid=CPmHiqGrk8sCFQmQaQods6QHcg

That is headed in the right direction, but I should mention that my van already has a pump and a sink. I just need to figure out how to either create a water tight system with the existing tank so that I don't have to tip it over or change the tank altogether and still keep something that I can take out and fill easily. I'll try and post some pics today of what I have in the van so I don't confuse anyone.

 

[Mwilliamshs]

This system might work for you. You can basically ignore everything but the (light blue) "Fresh" lines and the tank. Allows filling a fixed tank from any source: bucket, pressurized hose, sink, gravity, etc and using a pressurized hose in lieu of the tank even. A good system for endless hot water if you have a heat exchanger. You could modify your current system and keep the portable tank or swap to a fixed tank. Allows using your existing pump, etc.

Side note: how has 7 gallons worked out for you? how do you use the water?

 

[rhinojonson]

Ok. I think I'm getting it. So you would basically pump the water into the tank from an external source like a bucket or even a hose? Maybe I could switch to a bigger tank and use the 7 gallon to transfer water close enough to the holding tank to pump it in. Looks like I would just need a 12v pump and a 5 or 10 foot section of hose. Am I understanding this correctly? 7 gallons is not enough. I just spent 12 days and 2,600 miles on the road. I filled my tank and brought a backup of an extra 6 gallons. I used all of it and ended up buying 2 gallons at the grocery store to get me through the last 2 days. I use the water for washing dishes and drinking water for 2 people and a dog. That includes tea and coffee in the morning.

This is a picture of the current system I am using. There is a coupling in the hose so that I can detach it and take the lid off to fill it up. I keep it in the upright position when not in use, but obviously have to tip it to get the water to feed. My original idea was to try and run an internal hose from the lid to the bottom of the tank so that I could keep it in the upright position, but didn't have any luck finding anything that would work at the hardware store without putting a bunch of toxic glue inside the lid. Maybe the idea of switching to a new tank and pumping water into it is the way to go.

 

[Mwilliamshs]

You can:
a) use your existing tank and add a submersible pump inside it to feed faucet, etc (fixes your leaking cap/tilting the tank problem)
b) replumb your existing system to pump-in from multiple sources and pump-out to the tank, faucet, etc (doesn't fix your leaking cap/tilting the tank problem)
c) replumb your system as shown in the diagram and add a fixed tank (this fixes everything)
d) anything you want, these are just my thoughts. Multiple methods exist for excoriating a feline.


C increases your capacity, has more options for filling the tank, and can use your existing portable tank as extra capacity, portable fill-up, etc.

My trans-american plan is a ~20 gallon fixed tank and swapping out 20L portable tanks (think office water cooler) purchased in local markets. These filtered jugs are the best option for getting good water down south I think.

 

[rhinojonson]

Looks like option "c" is the way to go. I am going to start researching tanks and pumps. I'll keep you posted. I really appreciate the advice/info. This gives me a great foundation to work from. Cheers.

 

[Herbie]

Looks like option "c" is the way to go. I am going to start researching tanks and pumps. I'll keep you posted. I really appreciate the advice/info. This gives me a great foundation to work from. Cheers.

If this will be a DIY job, I highly recommend you look at the Valterra line of ABS water tanks. The nice thing about the Valterra tanks is that you can use their "glue" to weld your fittings onto the tank in any location that fits your needs. (Not DIY doable for Polyethylene tanks).

 

[wagex]

i got my 16 gallon shipped from these guys pretty cheap from their ebay page. http://www.classacustoms.com/ i think i spent like $45 on it.

 

[naterry]

i got my 16 gallon shipped from these guys pretty cheap from their ebay page. http://www.classacustoms.com/ i think i spent like $45 on it.

That's where I got mine too (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007MSK5RQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00).

I used to have a smaller black abs tank and did the bonded fittings mentioned above. The only problem with that tank was that the glue smell never went away. It made it so you would never want to drink the water.

 

[rhinojonson]

If this will be a DIY job, I highly recommend you look at the Valterra line of ABS water tanks. The nice thing about the Valterra tanks is that you can use their "glue" to weld your fittings onto the tank in any location that fits your needs. (Not DIY doable for Polyethylene tanks).

I like the idea of the Valterra tanks because you can customize them however you want, but I haven't read the best things about drinking water that comes in contact with ABS. How safe is the ABS used in the Valterra tanks? The main reason why I like these is because I can put a cap on the top and fill it with another tank that has a pour spout. Is there a poly tank that has this option?