Filling your water storage tank

[Chef9375]

Hello All,

I've searched this topic before, but have not seen lots of responses, so I figured I would ask.

After our trip last week and breaking my back picking up big blue Aqua tainers and dumping them into a funnel connected to a hose on the outside of my gravity feed - is there any easier way to fill your tank when dry camping??

I've seen some posts about a possible pump or using the city water inlet and the campers water pump. Not sure if anyone has had success with this.

Thanks for any help offered!

Chef


2014 Rockwood 2560G

 

[Wayne In Florida]

I use the blue plastic cans also but i set/balance the can on the side wall lip and siphon it with a piece of 1/2 garden hose.

 

[Antipodes]

I need a new nozzle for the shower in the camper, so I purchased this]http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/BCF-Camp-Shower-12V.aspx?pid=127394#Recommendations]this item (or similar where we are).
I used the shower head and use the pump for pumping water from 5 Gallon containers into the water tank.
Of course I have 12V cigarette sockets all over the camper, internal and external, when I rewired to solar and battery only.

 

[jrkrolikowski]

This is a pain when dry camping. I'm usually filling the tank twice per day. If I could get the 5 year olds to stop playing in the water that would help. I haven't found anything yet but I would be interested in making / buying something to help with this.

 

[Dubbya]

I connect a shurflo pump with a 12v plug on it, connect a supply hose to my 7 gallon Hydroller and run the output hose to the fresh water tank. The pump serves double duty with my on-demand hot-water heater and field sinks. No more messing with funnels or wet shoes!

This pic shows how I mounted the pump and hot water heater to a folding 2-step stool for portability. To fill my fresh water tank, I disconnect the hose from the water heater then connect a 10' long hose from the pump to the onboard tank.

This gadgetry all stores in a Coleman duffel bag and can be connected to a booster pack, again for portability and convenience.

I've since installed a couple of 12 outlets, one in the front curb side, another in the rear road side near the fresh water tank. Both are mounted through the outer frame and wired to the converter so that there's always 12v power when running on Shore Power, through the TV auxilliary wire or with the battery. I still bring the booster pack along just in case I need it but seldom ever do.

 

[Harvardroger]

I mounted a 12v pump in a plastic box under the pup near the water inlet.

I have 2 short lengths of hose i connect as needed.

5 gal h2o --> hose --> pump --> hose --> h2o fill inlet.

Takes a minuite or two.

No heavy lifting and not too expensive. ~$20 - $30 if i recall.

 

[Chef9375]

Thank you all! Great suggestions. Dubbya, that's some ingenious stuff right there!


2014 Rockwood 2560G

 

[jrkrolikowski]

I agree these are great ideas. Thanks

 

[Heartman_wa]

Here is what I did.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMm_iBC8lJU

 

[Chef9375]

Heartman_wa that is awesome as well. Can you post link for the pump?


2014 Rockwood 2560G

 

[Heartman_wa]

I believe this is the one I used it's a "food grade" pump.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-High-Quality-DC-12V-3-8M-Magnetic-Electric-Centrifugal-Water-Pump-Hotsell-S3-/381088066650?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58ba9e6c5a

 

[Chef9375]

Hi Heartman_wa, I received my pump in the mail today and went to go build my setup with some parts from the hardware store. I bought a lamp cord with a switch like you have in the your video. I was told if I plug that in to my camper outlets it would blow the pump up? How do you plug yours in?


2014 Rockwood 2560G

 

[speckhunter80]

The pump that Hartman linked is 12VDC so it won't work on 110VAC

 

[Heartman_wa]

I have 1/4 plugs (like OLD headphone jacks) on the over head lights so that is where I plug in. Like these.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-Stereo-Headphone-Jacks-1-4-inch-NEW-/131501248621?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e9e15d06d
I have changed most of my 12 VDC items over to these.

 

[Chef9375]

Ok so I just need to buy the plugs you linked to and wire them to the switched cord I bought... I think lol


2014 Rockwood 2560G

 

[Heartman_wa]

Do your lights have the outlets in the? Those outlets are also used for the Fan/Lights that hang in the bunk.
http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/pics/R/V/RVIF32_1000.jpg

 

[Chef9375]

Yes I have the fan light combos that use the head phone jack plugs to plug into the light fixture(like to link you posted)


2014 Rockwood 2560G

 

[flash82]

I know someone that uses this:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/DuraHeat-Battery-Powered-Siphon-Pump-DH-20/100125308

 

[speckhunter80]

I know someone that uses this:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/DuraHeat-Battery-Powered-Siphon-Pump-DH-20/100125308

Two issues I can think of quickly with this.... at .5GPM I wouldn't want to stand there for 30-40 minutes filling it. Also I wonder if head pressure would slow it even more. I suppose you could invert a 5 gallon bucket and place the water container being pumped on top of it thus reducing head pressure.

 

[Chef9375]

Hi Heartman_wa, I received my old style headphone jacks today. I have a question about them I was hoping you could answer. On the connections which one is positive, negative, and ground?

2014 Rockwood 2560G