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Post by neophyte on Jul 2, 2012 14:33:54 GMT -5
Our 66 1500 has a blue plastic fresh water holding tank under the dinette roadside bunk. Appears original.
Filled it up with the garden hose to test system.
1. The plastic inlet cover is partially broken, hole exposed to the outside. Any concerns besides cosmetic? Could bugs or a critter enter the tank?
2. The sink pump faucet worked like a charm. The stuff that came out of the faucet was muddy with maybe critter like slime parts, but when filling it up further, pumped out clear.
3. Noted a slow leak under the camper, looks like the screw on band clamp above the drain plug may be the source. Also, trying to loosen the plug PB blaster didn't work and needed the guys changing the wheel bearings to take it off. The inside the of plastic plug threads look muddy. No water inside the box where the tank sits. Can we easily replace the plug?
So; This may sound like a car talk discussion for Tom and Ray; goes along with "Can this Shasta (marriage) be saved.
He says it is disgusting and can't be cleaned if it had critter parts and is full of bacteria. Take it out
I say fill it up, disinfect with bleach, use a sprayer that reaches into the corners, plug, drive and slosh it around, drain. Fix leak.
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offspringin
1K Post Member
Never question the engineer's judgement!
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Post by offspringin on Jul 2, 2012 15:07:39 GMT -5
Depends on your intentions. Will you be boon docking and need the tank? We pulled ours, it was clean but all 3 spouts were broken. We are always in a campground and take a couple gallons of water with us anyway.
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Post by bretso on Jul 2, 2012 16:16:56 GMT -5
We opted out of the water tank for a few reasons.
We won't need one all that often. There are plenty of parks with water available.
When we do need portable fresh water for boondocking, a green 5 gallon water jug slides right in to the closet. The pump handle faucet inlet tube easily reaches the portable jug.
Best of both worlds. No hassle with the old tank and the option of fresh drinking water from the tap when we need it. The portable jug can also be cleaned and refilled easily. So far, we've never gone through 5 gallons on any of our weekend trips, so this seems to be the best solution for us.
Cleaning and installing a permanent tank seemed more trouble than it was worth.
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Post by pathfinder3081 on Jul 2, 2012 21:17:05 GMT -5
Well, I like mine... I did a" clean and fix "the busted parts under our thread. 1971 loflyte "Light renovations. Read it, it might help you save some time. I am not a diehard "restore and preserve" guy, but I like keeping some of the things in, as is. Plus I like being able to keep, gather and hold the H2o. I mean there is only so much storage I can use, and clearing out this space for that reason really does not seem that practical to me at this stage.  However, $5 or so, and 6 or 7 hours that I can't get back was the cost. I did not have to purchase a new tank.  |
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Post by vikx on Jul 3, 2012 1:40:55 GMT -5
Bleach it.
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Post by harrison429 on Jul 3, 2012 6:03:59 GMT -5
Well, I like mine... I did a" clean and fix "the busted parts under our thread. 1971 loflyte "Light renovations. Read it, it might help you save some time. I am not a diehard "restore and preserve" guy, but I like keeping some of the things in, as is. Plus I like being able to keep, gather and hold the H2o. I mean there is only so much storage I can use, and clearing out this space for that reason really does not seem that practical to me at this stage. However, $5 or so, and 6 or 7 hours that I can't get back was the cost. I did not have to purchase a new tank. i think that cost is minimal when you start to consider the cost of bottled water. so unless you're filling your jugs from the faucet having a storage tank is much cheaper in the long run. just a thought... |
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Post by neophyte on Jul 4, 2012 17:24:24 GMT -5
Thanks for the varied responses. Makes me think more about our future needs, which are as yet undefined. I have been a backpacking minimalist and he has been a carry it all in the canoe type tripper. Would probably not purchase bottled water but go with refilling jugs. He actually suggested using 5 gallon portable water jugs, and I really like the idea of be attaching the water inlet tube to the faucet, Bretso....We haven't found that yet but have the dinette box out and the tank exposed ready to remove or not and that might be the compromise. We do need to test the other water line, too. Is there any concern about water pressure when hooked up at the campground? Since there isn't a grey water tank, I did see attachments to put on the sink outlet hose that would drain into a campground sewer line but what about when we don't have a sewer line? Catch bucket for grey water?
Pathfinder, I sent a PM because I couldn't find your post on the water tank. Liked the photos of your Shasta light renovation and was motivated to look at flooring today.
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cowcharge
1K Post Member
I suffer from Shastasomiasis.
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Post by cowcharge on Jul 6, 2012 2:40:14 GMT -5
Critter "parts"? Well if a mouse got in there and turned it into his mausoleum, yuk. Same for mold, which wouldn't necessarily be visible in that clear-running water. Bleach at the least, but removal and more thorough inspection would be my choice.
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Post by bretso on Jul 6, 2012 10:46:12 GMT -5
He actually suggested using 5 gallon portable water jugs, and I really like the idea of be attaching the water inlet tube to the faucet, Bretso....We haven't found that yet but have the dinette box out and the tank exposed ready to remove or not and that might be the compromise. I can take a pic and show you my Frankenstein plumbing setup - 2 faucets , #1 hooks up to the external water supply via copper tubing from the outside (street side) and #2 (pump faucet) has black plastic tubing that slides in to the portable 5gal jug. Both sets of tubing are accessible from the closet/bathroom, which is where we store the 5gal jug. |
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Post by kathleenc on Jul 6, 2012 15:25:50 GMT -5
I'd like to see that picture if you get a chance. I am considering putting a tank in to make use of the pump, since there is such a large hole for it in the countertop I am trying to save! was thinking of hooking it up to a bottle of dish soap actually but water is more necessary.
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Post by Ramona's 59 Airflyte on Jul 6, 2012 21:33:16 GMT -5
Thanks for the varied responses. Makes me think more about our future needs, which are as yet undefined. I have been a backpacking minimalist and he has been a carry it all in the canoe type tripper. Would probably not purchase bottled water but go with refilling jugs. He actually suggested using 5 gallon portable water jugs, and I really like the idea of be attaching the water inlet tube to the faucet, Bretso....We haven't found that yet but have the dinette box out and the tank exposed ready to remove or not and that might be the compromise. We do need to test the other water line, too. Is there any concern about water pressure when hooked up at the campground? Since there isn't a grey water tank, I did see attachments to put on the sink outlet hose that would drain into a campground sewer line but what about when we don't have a sewer line? Catch bucket for grey water? Pathfinder, I sent a PM because I couldn't find your post on the water tank. Liked the photos of your Shasta light renovation and was motivated to look at flooring today. I am looking for a connection to drain my gray water into the sewer line. Where do I look? |
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cowcharge
1K Post Member
I suffer from Shastasomiasis.
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Post by cowcharge on Jul 7, 2012 0:18:59 GMT -5
Five gallon jugs are fine for drinking and doing dishes, but not for bathing, if you plan on camping without a campground bathroom.
Every city water filler I've seen has a check valve to prevent water from the tank/pump from coming out the city connection. My PO left a pressure regulator in the camper that attaches between the city water supply hose and the city water connection, that prevents the city water pressure from overloading the camper's plumbing. They're brass, about the size of an old-style brass hose nozzle, and are an easy find at an RV store.
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Post by bretso on Jul 8, 2012 0:37:23 GMT -5
Pressure regulator you say... hmm. I should probably have one of those. Anyway, this is what I have now.  |
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cowcharge
1K Post Member
I suffer from Shastasomiasis.
Posts: 1,467
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Post by cowcharge on Jul 8, 2012 9:51:19 GMT -5
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Post by bretso on Jul 9, 2012 11:38:42 GMT -5
Thanks Cowcharge. Found a regulator in the RV section at Walmart for $8, also makes it easier to attach the hose. Woot! Love this forum.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jul 9, 2012 21:43:08 GMT -5
We, too, spent many years as backpackers, so we love our little Compact, and the fact that it's self-contained. We kept the water tank (after a thorough clean) and use it anytime city water is not immediately available (which isn't too uncommon in the places we like to camp). We hooked up a 12 volt pump, and turned the large closet into a potty room with hot shower, but otherwise, the hand pump works just fine. In the COmpact (at least the canned hams), the tank is beneath the bench on the street side. It holds about 15 gallons, and is all we've ever needed for a few days out.
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