Showing my complete ignorance here BUT when connecting to the water supply in a park, I presume I just fill my tank and use it?
OR is there a switch that allows flow to bypass the tank?
Building this at the moment.
HELP please
Possum3 said
01:09 PM Nov 2, 2021
It is usual to bypass the tank and pump and rely on town water pressure. If you connected town water directly to tank water would back flow and just come back out through the overflow pipe.
There would normally be a valve/**** in the vicinity of town water connection point.
FlyAway said
01:15 PM Nov 2, 2021
So I need to put in a purpose built connection for town water and be able to close off the tank?
FlyAway said
01:37 PM Nov 2, 2021
Thanks for the info.
Back to the drawing board to insert another piece of hardware!
Just when we think the end is coming close for the build and for us to escape!
Possum3 said
01:41 PM Nov 2, 2021
Veronica, I suggest you go and have a look at the plumbing set up at a caravan dealer or friend with a caravan - But yes you will need to add into your van's plumbing a separate fill point to water tank - If you don't, you will have to refill tank when it empties and you would need to use van's pump to get water - time consuming and draw on power.-, not being able to connect to mains supply.
BaldEd said
01:43 PM Nov 2, 2021
Most caravans have 2 water inlets.
One is used to just fill the fresh water tank(s). This inlet is usually open (has a fitted cap to stop dust etc entering) and has an associated tank breather hose(s) close by. Water is pumped from the fresh water tank(s) using a 12v, 50psi pump. This pump will normally have a Non-Return Valve fitted to the pressure side (to stop mains water passing through the pump and entering the fresh water tank). The pump will supply water at approx 50 psi (suitable for the caravan plumbing).
The other inlet is for mains water. This usually has a clip-on hose connector. When on mains all the caravan plumbing will operate at city pressure, hence there is a requirement for a Pressure Reduction Valve (sometimes also has an included NRV). This is usually fitted in the line just inboard of the hose connector. This will reduce the city water pressure down to approx 50psi - many city supplies are at far greater pressure than 50psi. The danger of permitting the full city pressure into the caravan plumbing is that the pipes/fittings could burst and flood the caravan.
PeterD said
04:02 PM Nov 2, 2021
Veronica, you failed to tell us the make, model, and year of construction of your van. We thus can not advise where to find the mains water inlet for your van.
If you do not one of those, not all is lost. If you look on the RHS of the draw bar or under the RHS of the van you may see a piece of pipe or hose with nothing connected to it. The end of the pipe of hose may have a pipe style thread on it or it may have a male click on fitting. That will probably be your mains water inlet. Some vans may also have a hose tap that is used in reverse as a water inlet.
If you can not locate the filler then try ringing the person you received the van from. If you still can not find a HP inlet then fill the tank or tanks before your shakedown run. Carry a food grade water hose with you (do not use a garden hose, the PVC in these hosed exudes carcinogens into the water.) When you are i the park, ask around, someone will be able to find it for you. You can then slip down to the local hardware for any missing bits to attach the hose to
Possum3 said
05:26 PM Nov 2, 2021
PeterD wrote:
Veronica, you failed to tell us the make, model, and year of construction of your van. We thus can not advise where to find the mains water inlet for your van.
She advised in opening paragraph she is building it.
Ken, scroll up three replies and read the link there.
kgarnett said
12:23 PM Nov 3, 2021
Yes, missed that earlier post. Sorry about that.
Ken
blaze said
01:31 PM Nov 3, 2021
FlyAway wrote:
Showing my complete ignorance here BUT when connecting to the water supply in a park, I presume I just fill my tank and use it?
OR is there a switch that allows flow to bypass the tank?
Building this at the moment.
HELP please
I dont have a open tank filler on my motorhome, I have a hose fitting and plug thhe hose on, turn it on and when the water flows out the breatther the tank is full. Dosntmatter where iam parked, I only have the tank water,, save a lot of worry with over presurising the system from a unknownhigh pressure mains supply
cheeers
blaze
yobarr said
02:03 PM Nov 3, 2021
blaze wrote:
FlyAway wrote:
Showing my complete ignorance here BUT when connecting to the water supply in a park, I presume I just fill my tank and use it?
OR is there a switch that allows flow to bypass the tank?
Building this at the moment.
HELP please
I dont have a open tank filler on my motorhome, I have a hose fitting and plug thhe hose on, turn it on and when the water flows out the breatther the tank is full. Dosntmatter where iam parked, I only have the tank water,, save a lot of worry with over presurising the system from a unknownhigh pressure mains supply
cheeers
blaze
Deleted
Aus-Kiwi said
03:43 PM Nov 4, 2021
Just be aware of some CG water pressure !! We just use the tank & pump now . Fixing burst connections is not my good point !! Usually
Under cabinets!!! Im no orangitan !! Lol
Showing my complete ignorance here BUT when connecting to the water supply in a park, I presume I just fill my tank and use it?
OR is there a switch that allows flow to bypass the tank?
Building this at the moment.
HELP please
There would normally be a valve/**** in the vicinity of town water connection point.
So I need to put in a purpose built connection for town water and be able to close off the tank?
Back to the drawing board to insert another piece of hardware!
Just when we think the end is coming close for the build and for us to escape!
One is used to just fill the fresh water tank(s). This inlet is usually open (has a fitted cap to stop dust etc entering) and has an associated tank breather hose(s) close by. Water is pumped from the fresh water tank(s) using a 12v, 50psi pump. This pump will normally have a Non-Return Valve fitted to the pressure side (to stop mains water passing through the pump and entering the fresh water tank). The pump will supply water at approx 50 psi (suitable for the caravan plumbing).
The other inlet is for mains water. This usually has a clip-on hose connector. When on mains all the caravan plumbing will operate at city pressure, hence there is a requirement for a Pressure Reduction Valve (sometimes also has an included NRV). This is usually fitted in the line just inboard of the hose connector. This will reduce the city water pressure down to approx 50psi - many city supplies are at far greater pressure than 50psi. The danger of permitting the full city pressure into the caravan plumbing is that the pipes/fittings could burst and flood the caravan.
Veronica, you failed to tell us the make, model, and year of construction of your van. We thus can not advise where to find the mains water inlet for your van.
Do you have something on the RHS of your van that looks like the equipment in one of these links? Jayco Triple Water Filler Inlet - Mains and 1 or 2 Tanks -- Jayco Dual Lockable Water Filler -- SHURflo Mains Pressure Regulator, Water Inlet If you do, you can connect your food grade hose between that and the mains supply tap in the park. If you have one of these you will also require a click on sprinkler with an American screw thread to click the hose onto, like this -- Water, Brass Adapter USA m-NPT-3/4, To Click-On
If you do not one of those, not all is lost. If you look on the RHS of the draw bar or under the RHS of the van you may see a piece of pipe or hose with nothing connected to it. The end of the pipe of hose may have a pipe style thread on it or it may have a male click on fitting. That will probably be your mains water inlet. Some vans may also have a hose tap that is used in reverse as a water inlet.
If you can not locate the filler then try ringing the person you received the van from. If you still can not find a HP inlet then fill the tank or tanks before your shakedown run. Carry a food grade water hose with you (do not use a garden hose, the PVC in these hosed exudes carcinogens into the water.) When you are i the park, ask around, someone will be able to find it for you. You can then slip down to the local hardware for any missing bits to attach the hose to
In that case, see this link - Adding mains pressure and hot water
Veronica,
The mains inlet is just a hose clip-on that bypasses the tanks, no need to use the pump.
You will need to suss out the non-return valve placement etc, but as you can see it does not go to the tanks.
Have a look at some new vans if you setting up your own.
There has been a lot of learning while building this 5th wheeler!
Expect to hear from me again
Checkout this article from CaravansPlus.
Scroll down towards the bottom of the article to read about plunbing mains and tank water supplies.
https://www.caravansplus.com.au/guides/design-your-own-rv-or-caravan-plumbing-system-a-57.html
Ken
Yes, missed that earlier post. Sorry about that.
Ken
I dont have a open tank filler on my motorhome, I have a hose fitting and plug thhe hose on, turn it on and when the water flows out the breatther the tank is full. Dosntmatter where iam parked, I only have the tank water,, save a lot of worry with over presurising the system from a unknownhigh pressure mains supply
cheeers
blaze
Deleted
Under cabinets!!! Im no orangitan !! Lol