Auxillary water tank DIY (1 Viewer)

[Ridgeway]

The fresh water tank on our Laika is small for the number of people that use the van. We travel with 2 adults, 4 children and 2.5 dogs so we do need a reasonable capacity and we only have a 2/3 day autonomy range based on the vans standard 80ltr tank which we would like to extend. There was a factory option for this and the aux tank does come up on the display. I was thinking of a complete DIY rather than going down the expensive manufacturers parts, cant imagine how much theyd be, but just very expensive.

So I can source a suitable tank, Ive worked out how to secure into the space alloted for this extra tank but whats the usual method of filling an aux tank and do you normally feed the main from the aux

 

[Ridgeway]

and before anyone mentions payload, i accept that I would be 100kgs more than I am today

 

[Speve]

I would think you could link the two together so that the same pump serves both and the fill point would fill both.

 

[Ridgeway]

so basically gravity fed, need to check if theres enough height for that, suspect not.

 

[tonyidle]

If the base of each tank is at the same level a pipe linking the bottom of one tank to the other is all you need - no pump or fill connection to tank 2. If the tops of the tanks aren't at the same level the breather from the lower tank must rise as high as the top of the highest tank.

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[Ridgeway]

that sounds simple enough to achieve, may have to jack up the aux tank and play about with the heights a bit but this solution should do it, thanks

 

[Bart]

that sounds simple enough to achieve, may have to jack up the aux tank and play about with the heights a bit but this solution should do it, thanks

Currently thinking on doing the same in our bessacarr over the winter as 90ltrs goes wayyy to fast. That fast I near swear it's leaking ... But the only time I ever see water below it is when refilling the tank.

 

[pappajohn]

If the base of each tank is at the same level a pipe linking the bottom of one tank to the other is all you need

Sorry but Incorrect.....
The water entering the second tank needs to displace the air already in the second tank so a link both top and bottom required.
Bottom to allow water in, top to allow air out....and visa versa when emptying

 

[tonyidle]

Sorry but Incorrect.....
The water entering the second tank needs to displace the air already in the second tank so a link both top and bottom required.
Bottom to allow water in, top to allow air out....and visa versa when emptying

Yep - I said that.

 

[Bart]

@Ridgeway did you ever add another fresh water tank ??

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[Jim]

I had a motorhome with two tanks, one was slightly lower than the other. Connected in two places by a fat 1.5 inch hose. it was a year or two before I realised we had two tanks, in fact we only found out when one of those fat hoses came off while while driving too fast and bouncing around the racetrack at Stratford.

 

[Ridgeway]

@Ridgeway did you ever add another fresh water tank ??

Job scheduled for this Spring, so no not yet.

Haven't decided whether to buy or build the tank yet, if bought it will be standard baffle tank but awkward to fit and a compromise on size, if built i can avoid those points but the job gets bigger...

 

[tonyidle]

Job scheduled for this Spring, so no not yet.

Haven't decided whether to buy or build the tank yet, if bought it will be standard baffle tank but awkward to fit and a compromise on size, if built i can avoid those points but the job gets bigger...

I assume you know of CAK tanks when sourcing what you need - worth a look.

 

[Colinyellowspanner]

A bit late to this thread but anyway: removed 88 litr inside locker tank, sold on eBay. Replaced with underfloor 120 litr underfloor tank, made to order by CAK Tanks. Excellent service from them, send them a drawing size, location for inlet outlets etc. Job total success

 

[Ridgeway]

Yes seen CAK tanks but it would be over €100 for delivery plus import duties etc. Going to see what I can find locally at a reasonable price. The official Laika unit is €350 ish...

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[Bart]

A bit late to this thread but anyway: removed 88 litr inside locker tank, sold on eBay. Replaced with underfloor 120 litr underfloor tank, made to order by CAK Tanks. Excellent service from them, send them a drawing size, location for inlet outlets etc. Job total success

how much did the 120ltr custom made tank cost you if you don't mind me asking