No. 3: THE WATER TANK & PIPEWORK

[STEVE4SONN]

Well here is tonight's effort to tell you all about the water tank in my van, this post will be a very short one as the pictures will tell a better story.

As I have read and watched many, many videos on the pros and cons of an inside or a under the van water tank we (I) decided that the water tank would be best placed inside the van, under the bed, in actual fact the tank will act as a support for one side of the bed.

I have mentioned in one of my earlier posts that in my younger years I was a fabricator / welder so it made sense to me to make a bespoke water tank which can be fitted over the drivers side rear wheel arch. (Especially after looking at the prices for a plastic one)

The tank is made from 2mm thk 316L stainless steel and holds 118 litres of water when full, it took me just one day to fabricate from sheet steel including the welding. (It was a very long day)

The next day was welding on 1 x inlet pipe and the 2 x level gauge nozzles, 1 x drain nozzle, 1 x outlet nozzle and obviously a static leak test.

I had brought ALL the items that are connected to the tank to supply both the cold water and hot water system, these are not yet fully connected as my combi boiler has not yet been installed.

One Question I would like someone to answer is.. I have brought a Shurflo 2095-204-413 Trail King 7 Water Pump-12V/30psi and when i came to fit it I had to install with it in the horizontal position, is it possible to turn the body around on these pumps so the fixing brackets are 180 degrees to how it is when purchased.

Please see the photos and please advise regarding my PUMP QUESTION, thanks in advance.

 

[Phill D]

Really nice job,

 

[STEVE4SONN]

Really nice job,

Thank you, Phil- D:

 

[Gromett]

Brilliant.

 

[STEVE4SONN]

Brilliant.

Thank you kindly.. Gromett..

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[Lenny HB]

Looks good, the pump can be installed any way round.

 

[Gromett]

Looks good, the pump can be installed any way round.

I found one problem with mounting these pumps. If you mount them with the adjuster screw pointing downwards they work their way out over time and the pump eventually ceases to work.

Don't make the same mistake I did and mount it with the screw down near the floor so you can't adjust while installed

 

[mitzimad]

lovely job but thats lot of weight to be hanging on the rear overhang

 

[STEVE4SONN]

I found one problem with mounting these pumps. If you mount them with the adjuster screw pointing downwards they work their way out over time and the pump eventually ceases to work.

Don't make the same mistake I did and mount it with the screw down near the floor so you can adjust while installed

Thanks for the advise, on the pump there is an arrow, I understood that the pump had to be installed with the pump in line with the flow of the arrow.

 

[STEVE4SONN]

lovely job but thats lot of weight to be hanging on the rear overhang

Hi. Mitzimad.
I have looked into that too and apparently the chassis is built to allow for more weight on the rear of the vehicle as it is such a long extension past the wheel.
The tank does sit on the chassis directly above it..
I will check again and thank you for your comment it is much appreciated.

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[STEVE4SONN]

Looks good, the pump can be installed any way round.

Hi. Lenny.
Thank you for your reply, why is there a direction arrow on the pump at the base of it..
I assumed the arrow had to be inline with the flow..
Again thank you.

 

[Raul]

I have the same pump, it’s a one way flow: in from the left, out to the right. You want to mount on the vertical ply, you will need to lift it from the floor, and put long screws with pipe spacers. That way the pump faces the ply and the back faces the space in the van. It’s a diaphragm pump and does not rotate. I tried

 

[STEVE4SONN]

I have the same pump, it’s a one way flow: in from the left, out to the right. You want to mount on the vertical ply, you will need to lift it from the floor, and put long screws with pipe spacers. That way the pump faces the ply and the back faces the space in the van. It’s a diaphragm pump and does not rotate. I tried

Thanks Raul.
I will be addressing that after I have got my Underslung LPG cylinder installed this weekend, I am having a few issues fitting the tank but I will persevere this weekend and get it fitted.
I need to modify my spare wheel hanger to get the tank into the place I want it to go..
But thank you for your knowledge on the pump.. I did install it the wrong way around at first, then I put it on its side lying down but I prefer it upright..
Regard
Steve

 

[pappajohn]

I did install it the wrong way around at first, then I put it on its side lying down but I prefer it upright..

You could fabricate a new mounting bracket with enough stand off to clear the pump valve block fixing screw.
Position the pump as you want and secure the pump to the new mount using large jubilee clips.

 

[STEVE4SONN]

You could fabricate a new mounting bracket with enough stand off to clear the pump valve block fixing screw.
Position the pump as you want and secure the pump to the new mount using large jubilee clips.

Thanks Pappajohn.
Will do exactly that.. easier solution

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[glenn2926]

Great job and very neat. Don’t worry about the weight over the back axle even full it’s only 120 kg plus the weight of the stainless. About the weight of large person. You could travel with half a tank if it feels heavy.
We had a 450 litre tank fabricated on one of the small fire trucks. Even driving with it full isn’t really noticeable. It is noticeable on fuel so we run to shows, festivals etc empty and fill up on arrival.
I’ll be going to the big feastival in it in a couple of weeks.

 

[pappajohn]

Thanks Pappajohn.
Will do exactly that.. easier solution

Make the bracket a copy of the original but allow enough room between pump and wall.

 

[STEVE4SONN]

Great job and very neat. Don’t worry about the weight over the back axle even full it’s only 120 kg plus the weight of the stainless. About the weight of large person. You could travel with half a tank if it feels heavy.
We had a 450 litre tank fabricated on one of the small fire trucks. Even driving with it full isn’t really noticeable. It is noticeable on fuel so we run to shows, festivals etc empty and fill up on arrival.
I’ll be going to the big feastival in it in a couple of weeks.

Thanks Glenn for your comments and it is truly welcoming information..
There are so many nice people on here that offer advice and help..
Regard
Steve

 

[Jev88]

Beware of the sound resonance of the pump.

 

[Raul]

Crafter first built

Here is our take on a self conversion, crafter based.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Have a look at the link for inspiration and ideas that may help you. Second post, picture 5-6 addresses the lpg tank.

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[sallylillian]

A nice piece of fabrication. A couple of points to consider. Stainless steel water tanks can suffer with crevice corrosion at the welds from the chemistry in tap water. Have you considered the issue of condensation on the outside steel. I am not sure if your wood panelling has a barrier or air space, however where would condensate drain to in the event that it proves a problem?

 

[STEVE4SONN]

A nice piece of fabrication. A couple of points to consider. Stainless steel water tanks can suffer with crevice corrosion at the welds from the chemistry in tap water. Have you considered the issue of condensation on the outside steel. I am not sure if your wood panelling has a barrier or air space, however where would condensate drain to in the event that it proves a problem?

Hi. Sallylillian..
Thank you for your comments, yeah on both accounts the stainless 316L is okay with Potable water.. the welding electrodes too but good point.
Regarding the condensation I have put the thermal lining on the tank external walls between the plywood n steel, both you points are very valid.
Regards
Steve n Sonia

 

[Landy Andy]

Hi. Lenny.
Thank you for your reply, why is there a direction arrow on the pump at the base of it..
I assumed the arrow had to be inline with the flow..
Again thank you.

Two different things. Lenny is saying you can mount the pump however you wish. So on the top of something, the bottom, on its side, or the other side. He is not suggesting that the pump can pump either way. You must, as you say, use the pump with the arrow inline with the flow.

 

[STEVE4SONN]

Two different things. Lenny is saying you can mount the pump however you wish. So on the top of something, the bottom, on its side, or the other side. He is not suggesting that the pump can pump either way. You must, as you say, use the pump with the arrow inline with the flow.

Thanks Landy Andy..
Yeah I thought as much.. cheers and hope all the good advice keeps coming..
Regards
Steve n Sonia

 

[tonyidle]

lovely job but thats lot of weight to be hanging on the rear overhang

Mine has 220L fresh and 150L waste tanks mounted behind the rear axle.

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[STEVE4SONN]

Mine has 220L fresh and 150L waste tanks mounted behind the rear axle.

Hi. TonyIdle..
The best place for the weight is over the back axle.. so they say.. the weight will be equally spread out when we are travelling as me n the bride in front lol
But love all the good stuff written, some very good advice from people with many years of experience being the wheel of their adored rolling homes..
I sorry we have not yet thought of a name for the van yet.. I believe that is customary.. lol
Regards and stay safe..
Steve n Sonia

 

[mitzimad]

Mine has 220L fresh and 150L waste tanks mounted behind the rear axle.

on a 3.5 tonne van?

 

[tonyidle]

on a 3.5 tonne van?

Nooooo - that would be a permanent wheelie . It's 5.4 tonne.