Your idea is the way I fill my tanks from my 20lts drums I use a drum screw on lid pour water into it then use my shower pump to fill tanks saves back and have cheap sub pump to pump water from creek  guess you meet the same old timer who showed me the trick.

PS Forgot large screw top drum also used to store items that I do not want to get wet when boating or crossing creeks

hi

we want to set up a 12 volt pump system so we can fill our water tanks without having to lift the 20 ltr bottle to pour into the tanks and also for using as a shower when we are next to a river so we can conserve water out of our tanks. hubby has bought a pump which is non submursible but were wondering any ideas on the best way to set it up using power from the van (wiring) and also a switch for turning it on and off for shower use . I hope I haven't confused anyone .

Personally If I was going the way you are thinking I would just go to the camping stores and buy a ready made outside shower set up which includes the shower head and inline pump. They come with crocodile clips and/or a cigarette lighter plug.Around the $30 mark. at would be good for using creek water for a shower.

I would have bought one of those twenty litre water drums with the large round tops,BCF Bunnings Etc. Nearly fill with cold water and it only takes a jug of  hot to make a decent shower..Use the pump you have to pump from the creek to your "Shower drum" Be an idea to go to BCF/Bunnings or other store and get garden hose with a one way valve and some sort of filter device to keep rubbish from the creek getting into the hose.

I would buy one of those inline pumps from BCF/Bunnings to use to pump drinking water from your twenty litre drum into your water tank thogh.Keep the creek and drinking water totally seperate.

Wiring for either system should be straightforward by getting a cigarrette/power point fitted to your van.Use a plug on each   and just  plug in when you need to use either device/pump.

thanks for your reply yuglamron

we were going to go that way but after what I have read about the shower units , that they don't last too long we bought a pump instead and decided to work from there

thanks qst

who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks

Hi Guys ,Have a look at a whale pump they are small and put out a lot ..

Some will pump diesel so are good little pumps. I have 2 one for the drop in shower and one spare that we use to fill the van from plastic jerry cans.

Try e---bay..

Bob n Bev

180826816611 Item number on e--bay. they are very pricey here but from the UK only $14.00 +pp

thanks bobnbev we will have a look

PeterD wrote:

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A suitable switch to use would be one of those cord switches you see used on table and standard lamps. You can get them at a lighting or hardware store.

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 Been using one of these for years on our shower pump.

JC