Has anyone on this forum converted a normal caravan to be self sufficient as regards fitting a holding tank system for grey water?
Can you buy factory fitted grey water systems for Caravans?
(By 'grey water' I mean used showering and washing up water).
I suppose that it would involve
. Installing a separate water holding tank. (Weight distribution of the van may be an issue).
. An appropriate solids filter/trap & a large mouth outlet.
. An 'S' trap to stop smells etc
. An inlet low enough to enable good gravity feed from the waste pipes. (I think perhaps that this may be the most difficult issue to overcome).
. A change over system to bypass the holding tank.
. A easy method of cleaning out the system.
The more that I mentally design it, the more issues I think of. Maybe the first step might be to look at a motorhome set up.
Perhaps all that is really needed is a good filter system into a free standing drum or bladder & no fixed holding tank.
All ideas or views welcomed
-- Edited by Cupie on Sunday 3rd of March 2013 06:19:34 PM
Baz421 said
09:27 PM Mar 3, 2013
We dragged our caravan manufacturer kicking and screaming into fitting a grey water tank when our van was built in 2007,,, one of the best moves we made.
We fitted ours across the rear under the back of the chassis,, can easily bolt in OR just make a simple sub frame from steel and Ubolt to chassis. With the tank at rear as we use the water from the FRONT of the axles we deposit it to the REAR of the axles ie better balance.
It's only 60 litres (60 kg max) so realistically in van with ATM of 3000 kg it doesn't upset the dynamic stability of the van.
We can stay in many more places now being self contained IF required.
So what do you need,,,, as you say,, S trap (u bend in the pipe will suffice as long it traps the water to seal it),,, we use 25 mm ball valve outlet (you can buy a 25mm waste hose anywhere),,,, gravity does the rest if it's under the chassis. Suggest you use 20 or 25 mm hose from sink, shower and hand basin to the tank to avoid blockages (ie hair from shower or food bits) and the black convoluted poly is easy to bend - same stuff as you see in bunnings or caravan shops.
So if you need to "hold" the grey water the outlet ball valve is closed,, to empty connect hose and drain either in CP or deep in bush as most do anyway with grey water.
OH forgot 1 thing make sure you have a breather pipe on top of tank ie inverted u tube of say 12 mm tube OR the smell will regurgitate back up the line,,,lol.
Good luck
-- Edited by Baz421 on Sunday 3rd of March 2013 09:29:24 PM
Peter_n_Margaret said
05:11 AM Mar 4, 2013
Many more caravans are getting grey tanks than ever before. They are not difficult issues and many DIYers can manage it.
Cheers, Peter
Cupie said
05:55 PM Mar 5, 2013
Thanks Peter & Baz,
Looks like it is a goer.
As soon as the rain stops for a bit I'll look under the van for a place to fit another tank.
If one can go near the current waste pipes outlets, I might just put the holding tank inlet near them & use short lengths of hose via an S bend & a solids filter trap to connect the outlet to the storage tank. Only issue then is conveniently locating the empting outlet with a ball valve as suggested.
I'll see what bits my plumber son can supply.
Thanks again .. G
Baz421 said
06:26 PM Mar 5, 2013
We face our ball valve to the rear of van and use 90 bend to direct hose to ground to avoid kinks in convoluted hose.
Good idea to connect existing hoses into tank.
Peter_n_Margaret said
06:26 PM Mar 5, 2013
Have it fitted as close to the axles as possible to minimise the effect on stability and ball weight.
Has anyone on this forum converted a normal caravan to be self sufficient as regards fitting a holding tank system for grey water?
Can you buy factory fitted grey water systems for Caravans?
(By 'grey water' I mean used showering and washing up water).
I suppose that it would involve
. Installing a separate water holding tank. (Weight distribution of the van may be an issue).
. An appropriate solids filter/trap & a large mouth outlet.
. An 'S' trap to stop smells etc
. An inlet low enough to enable good gravity feed from the waste pipes. (I think perhaps that this may be the most difficult issue to overcome).
. A change over system to bypass the holding tank.
. A easy method of cleaning out the system.
The more that I mentally design it, the more issues I think of. Maybe the first step might be to look at a motorhome set up.
Perhaps all that is really needed is a good filter system into a free standing drum or bladder & no fixed holding tank.
All ideas or views welcomed
-- Edited by Cupie on Sunday 3rd of March 2013 06:19:34 PM
We dragged our caravan manufacturer kicking and screaming into fitting a grey water tank when our van was built in 2007,,, one of the best moves we made.
We fitted ours across the rear under the back of the chassis,, can easily bolt in OR just make a simple sub frame from steel and Ubolt to chassis. With the tank at rear as we use the water from the FRONT of the axles we deposit it to the REAR of the axles ie better balance.
It's only 60 litres (60 kg max) so realistically in van with ATM of 3000 kg it doesn't upset the dynamic stability of the van.
We can stay in many more places now being self contained IF required.
So what do you need,,,, as you say,, S trap (u bend in the pipe will suffice as long it traps the water to seal it),,, we use 25 mm ball valve outlet (you can buy a 25mm waste hose anywhere),,,, gravity does the rest if it's under the chassis. Suggest you use 20 or 25 mm hose from sink, shower and hand basin to the tank to avoid blockages (ie hair from shower or food bits) and the black convoluted poly is easy to bend - same stuff as you see in bunnings or caravan shops.
So if you need to "hold" the grey water the outlet ball valve is closed,, to empty connect hose and drain either in CP or deep in bush as most do anyway with grey water.
OH forgot 1 thing make sure you have a breather pipe on top of tank ie inverted u tube of say 12 mm tube OR the smell will regurgitate back up the line,,,lol.
Good luck
-- Edited by Baz421 on Sunday 3rd of March 2013 09:29:24 PM
They are not difficult issues and many DIYers can manage it.
Cheers,
Peter
Thanks Peter & Baz,
Looks like it is a goer.
As soon as the rain stops for a bit I'll look under the van for a place to fit another tank.
If one can go near the current waste pipes outlets, I might just put the holding tank inlet near them & use short lengths of hose via an S bend & a solids filter trap to connect the outlet to the storage tank. Only issue then is conveniently locating the empting outlet with a ball valve as suggested.
I'll see what bits my plumber son can supply.
Thanks again .. G
We face our ball valve to the rear of van and use 90 bend to direct hose to ground to avoid kinks in convoluted hose.
Good idea to connect existing hoses into tank.
Cheers,
Peter
Thanks again guys ... G