Would enjoy having water on tap in my caravan when on the move (plus loo which has an electric pump), but my present setup is an outside aquaroll plus a whale extereior submersible pump. Has anyone added a onboard water conversion. regards, Brian.
FITTING ONBOARD WATER TANK
- Thread starter brianr
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Hi Brian
I have added a tank (the same one!)to several vans over the last 17 years and much prefer the convenience afforded
You need to site the tank and C A K tanks are a good source of supply
www.caktanks.co.uk
I prefer mine underneath after a leak !!
Its quite easy to do
I use the original sub pump to fill the tank and a new inboard pump to supply the taps using the wires taken off the sub pump
A new switch/wiring is needed to operate the sub pump and I had 2 switches in parallel so that it could be switched on outside or inside the van
A float switch was fitted in the tank so that a warning light illuminated when the level got down to 2 gallons
With my tank it just took an aquaroll to fill then
C A K have the switches etc and are always at the N E C
I have added a tank (the same one!)to several vans over the last 17 years and much prefer the convenience afforded
You need to site the tank and C A K tanks are a good source of supply
www.caktanks.co.uk
I prefer mine underneath after a leak !!
Its quite easy to do
I use the original sub pump to fill the tank and a new inboard pump to supply the taps using the wires taken off the sub pump
A new switch/wiring is needed to operate the sub pump and I had 2 switches in parallel so that it could be switched on outside or inside the van
A float switch was fitted in the tank so that a warning light illuminated when the level got down to 2 gallons
With my tank it just took an aquaroll to fill then
C A K have the switches etc and are always at the N E C
If you add an onboard tank, and have water in it during towing, don't forget to take the weight into account. Most caravan payloads are mean and can be difficult to stay within.
HI Rogerl, thanks for your reminder regarding weight, had this in mind and to offset this problem intend (if possible) to fit onboard tank underneath caravan in the centre behind axle, this would help to reduce weight on jockey wheel plus to only carry minimum water for journey. Brian.
We usually run the water out until the low level warning light comes on so that there is 2 gallons or 20lb of water in the tank for the journey etc
Here are some more thoughts from abroad!
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=8&TopicID=119242&PagePosition=1&ThreadPage=1&get=last#1851472
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=8&TopicID=119242&PagePosition=1&ThreadPage=1&get=last#1851472
Hi JohnG, your set up is exactly what I would like to have, but already purchased on ebay TWO onboard tanks with a minimum bid plus
Brian, positioning may prevent any increase in noseweight but the weight of the container and plumbing will need to be added to the MIRO and the weight of the water will need to be added to the essential habitation allowance - both of these will reduced your user payload as the MTPLM won't be increased.
Brian I think that you may mean aquaflow which is the one I used prior to the Oklahoma which has one fitted
I have it on the shelf in the garage together with a frame I fabricated from 15mm copper pipe
I used compression bib tap fixings on the end of the 4 legs and these were fixed to the floor of the van using cavity fixing expanding fittings with 2 in each tap fixing
The tank and frame were offered up to the van floor(car trolley jack) as a unit and the holes for fixing were marked before it was removed to secure the fixings and then reassembled
I used it for 17 years or so with one disaster when it grounded leaving a ferry
I also had a seat belt webbing strap under it as well after the mishap!!
The bracket was damaged but the fixings were intact in the van floor
Hope that helps
I have it on the shelf in the garage together with a frame I fabricated from 15mm copper pipe
I used compression bib tap fixings on the end of the 4 legs and these were fixed to the floor of the van using cavity fixing expanding fittings with 2 in each tap fixing
The tank and frame were offered up to the van floor(car trolley jack) as a unit and the holes for fixing were marked before it was removed to secure the fixings and then reassembled
I used it for 17 years or so with one disaster when it grounded leaving a ferry
I also had a seat belt webbing strap under it as well after the mishap!!
The bracket was damaged but the fixings were intact in the van floor
Hope that helps
JohnG, yes you are correct it is the aquaflow tank and interested in your method of attachment underneath, would prefer to use the Alko chassis other than the floor, but probably too dificult to do. Please correct me if I am wrong, the cavity wall fixings(8)are fitted from underneath into plywood and floor carpet does not have to be lifted? The four legs (inlet/outlet)what way did you use them?
Brian I made a frame with 2 U shaped 15mm copper pieces that the tank "sat" in .They were joined at the top with soldered T pieces so that there were 2 horizontal joining pieces the width of the tank that fitted up to the van floor
I should have called the fixings wall plates and these fitted on to the ends of the horizontals to give the attachment to the van floor
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/17416/Plumbing/Compression-Fittings/Wall-Plate-Elbow-Compression-Fittings-15mm
I could Email a pic if needed
Where are you?
The floor fixings were in to the outer skin and didn't affect the carpets
I should have called the fixings wall plates and these fitted on to the ends of the horizontals to give the attachment to the van floor
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/17416/Plumbing/Compression-Fittings/Wall-Plate-Elbow-Compression-Fittings-15mm
I could Email a pic if needed
Where are you?
The floor fixings were in to the outer skin and didn't affect the carpets
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/18266/Fixings/Cavity-Fixings/Hollow-Wall-Anchor-5-x-43mm-6-13mmBrian I made a frame with 2 U shaped 15mm copper pieces that the tank "sat" in .They were joined at the top with soldered T pieces so that there were 2 horizontal joining pieces the width of the tank that fitted up to the van floor
I should have called the fixings wall plates and these fitted on to the ends of the horizontals to give the attachment to the van floor
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/17416/Plumbing/Compression-Fittings/Wall-Plate-Elbow-Compression-Fittings-15mm
I could Email a pic if needed
Where are you?
The floor fixings were in to the outer skin and didn't affect the carpets
Just re-read your posting
I used the large fitting at the bottom with the drain tap
The other bottom one was used as the supply to the taps
One of the top ones was used as tank fill and the other was used as overflow
I used the large fitting at the bottom with the drain tap
The other bottom one was used as the supply to the taps
One of the top ones was used as tank fill and the other was used as overflow
JohnG,(1of2)understand your 15mm copper pipe "frame" for the underslung tank which I intend to copy. Looked up my Screwfix catalogue so that I knew exactly what you ment. The floor fittings (8) are they available from Screwfix and if they are do you know the part no. (please forward quote no.)? Only concern is when tank is full (35 ltrs.) on site the fixings would not be strong enough to hold the tank in place.I don't think a picture is necessary, but thanks all the same. Live on the Emerald Isle (Co. Antrim).which I am sure is far away from you. Cheers.
Hi JohnG,(2of2) your four inlet/outlet is exactly as I expected thanks for confirming my thoughts
Hi Brian
the fittings are as on the link I posted as below and are available from B & Q as well as screwfix(The French love them)
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/18266/Fixings/Cavity-Fixings/Hollow-Wall-Anchor-5-x-43mm-6-13mm
They open out behind the panel and are very strong
I have towed with a full tank to Spain etc(naughty I know Roger)
When I had the mishap coming off a ferry it pulled the front olives off the end of the compression fittings but the fixings into the floor were reusable,(You can get a cheap setting tool which makes it easier when under the van)
I soldered the olives in place when it was repaired
I used a pipe bender to shape for the curved ends of the tank and solder elbows at the "sharp" end with a cross brace underneath
It would be worth getting the C A K tanks catalogue ane looking what they have
www.caktanks.co.uk
I was asking where you were because you could have had the frame I no longer need if you were local
Hope that helps
the fittings are as on the link I posted as below and are available from B & Q as well as screwfix(The French love them)
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/18266/Fixings/Cavity-Fixings/Hollow-Wall-Anchor-5-x-43mm-6-13mm
They open out behind the panel and are very strong
I have towed with a full tank to Spain etc(naughty I know Roger)
When I had the mishap coming off a ferry it pulled the front olives off the end of the compression fittings but the fixings into the floor were reusable,(You can get a cheap setting tool which makes it easier when under the van)
I soldered the olives in place when it was repaired
I used a pipe bender to shape for the curved ends of the tank and solder elbows at the "sharp" end with a cross brace underneath
It would be worth getting the C A K tanks catalogue ane looking what they have
www.caktanks.co.uk
I was asking where you were because you could have had the frame I no longer need if you were local
Hope that helps
http://www.fwb.co.uk/mall/productpage.cfm/FWBGroup/434OSE/63639Hi Brian
the fittings are as on the link I posted as below and are available from B & Q as well as screwfix(The French love them)
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/18266/Fixings/Cavity-Fixings/Hollow-Wall-Anchor-5-x-43mm-6-13mm
They open out behind the panel and are very strong
I have towed with a full tank to Spain etc(naughty I know Roger)
When I had the mishap coming off a ferry it pulled the front olives off the end of the compression fittings but the fixings into the floor were reusable,(You can get a cheap setting tool which makes it easier when under the van)
I soldered the olives in place when it was repaired
I used a pipe bender to shape for the curved ends of the tank and solder elbows at the "sharp" end with a cross brace underneath
It would be worth getting the C A K tanks catalogue ane looking what they have
www.caktanks.co.uk
I was asking where you were because you could have had the frame I no longer need if you were local
Hope that helps
Hi JohnG, thanks for the offer of the "tank frame" PLEASE NOTE I am willing to pay delivery charge and as it is an odd item to post you could cut it into four(or six)parts and being copper I would use 15mm solder straight couplings to reassemble frame (payment by Paypal or cheque)being the middle of winter delivery is not a priority, if interested just let me know what would be posted - tank frame plus four wall plate elbows? Your fixings are what I hoped they would be as I used these on an earlier project a few years ago.
OK BrianHi JohnG, thanks for the offer of the "tank frame" PLEASE NOTE I am willing to pay delivery charge and as it is an odd item to post you could cut it into four(or six)parts and being copper I would use 15mm solder straight couplings to reassemble frame (payment by Paypal or cheque)being the middle of winter delivery is not a priority, if interested just let me know what would be posted - tank frame plus four wall plate elbows? Your fixings are what I hoped they would be as I used these on an earlier project a few years ago.
I will measure my tank tomorrow so that we are sure its the exact same one and enquire optimum knock down sizes for posting etc
I would be glad for it to be of some use !
The wall plates are fixed on to it and I could put some fixings in as well.
Its just in the way !!!
Brian if you could arrange courier collection I could send you the frame and tank with float valve and inspection hatch F O C and you could ebay what you have to cover the cost
The dimensions are not much more than the tank which is 10 gallons
We are in Stoke on Trent postal area
I have asked PC forum website if there is a way of sending you my Email address so that we can sort it out between us
The dimensions are not much more than the tank which is 10 gallons
We are in Stoke on Trent postal area
I have asked PC forum website if there is a way of sending you my Email address so that we can sort it out between us
Q007708 Aquaflow Tanks (Q007708) 23 x 46 x 48 45Brian if you could arrange courier collection I could send you the frame and tank with float valve and inspection hatch F O C and you could ebay what you have to cover the cost
The dimensions are not much more than the tank which is 10 gallons
We are in Stoke on Trent postal area
I have asked PC forum website if there is a way of sending you my Email address so that we can sort it out between us
For float valve read low level warning light sender!Brian if you could arrange courier collection I could send you the frame and tank with float valve and inspection hatch F O C and you could ebay what you have to cover the cost
The dimensions are not much more than the tank which is 10 gallons
We are in Stoke on Trent postal area
I have asked PC forum website if there is a way of sending you my Email address so that we can sort it out between us
JohnG, you are a real gem for your very kind offer IF I can contact you direct by email will take up your invitation, delivery (I think) would not be a problem and for anyone reading this who wishes to deliver any item up to 30kgs between Ireland and Mainland UK. use -send it now.com- which is Parcel Force (same service either 24hrs or 48hrs delivery)for a standard charge of
JohnG, you are a real gem for your very kind offer IF I can contact you direct by email will take up your invitation, delivery (I think) would not be a problem and for anyone reading this who wishes to deliver any item up to 30kgs between Ireland and Mainland UK. use -send it now.com- which is Parcel Force (same service either 24hrs or 48hrs delivery)for a standard charge of
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