Hi Folks. We currently in Ceduna (SA end of Nullaboor HW). On our arrival at CP we found water pouring out of one of our water tanks.
On inspection, although both a poly tanks are protected by a bash plate, the drainage tap that protrudes out of the tank isn't
At some stage a stone or object has been flung up and snapped off one of the taps. As both tanks are inter-connected, we cannot carry any water at the moment to free camp,
Our day at the beach today will change to seeing if the remnents of the tap will unscrew or if its a fixed part of the tank and if the former (hopefully), finding a plastic bung in this small town to fit.
If the taps are removable, I will take the other off as well and replace with a screw-in bung. If I need to drain the tank, I will have the inconvenience of lying on my back and taking it out with a spanner - much easier than having a tap broken off in the middle of nowhere
2weis said
09:35 AM Mar 17, 2015
if the tap is the same as mine (bhard to tell) the taps out of 20 litre plastic jerry cans fit
I was also able to plug mine at innaminka by taking it out and cutting a branch from a tree jamming it in from the inside
and seal it with a bit of a shopping bag which also stops it from falling in and it did me until we got home 5 weeks later
brian
elliemike said
10:21 AM Mar 17, 2015
Seen it happen a twice to Avan tanks with people we've been travelling with. Had it happen to us once as well but it noticed ours early before the pipe broke completely. Didn't lose much water.
With the Avans we removed the fitting from the tank, trimmed the broken pipe and sealed the hole with the Metal Putty I carry. Having seen this happen I carry a black Poly/Plastic plug to fit the tank. When mine cracked and was leaking I just fitted the plug.
Regards
Mike
Bruce and Bev said
07:18 PM Mar 17, 2015
fortunately I found a suitable sized plastic bung at the local hardware store that would fit, so no more leaking (fingers crossed). I phoned the van manufacturer and he said a bung in one was ok, but don't do both as the taps fitted allow air buildup in the tanks so you need one to "breathe".
Like the idea about the 20lt water container - got one of those taps as well, so will use if it happens again
TechnoGypsy said
11:25 PM Mar 18, 2015
The same happened to us on one trip with the off road camper trailer.
After that I secured a metal shroud in front of the outlet connections to shield off any ricocheting stones.
PeterD said
09:26 PM Mar 19, 2015
Bruce and Bev wrote:
I phoned the van manufacturer and he said a bung in one was ok, but don't do both as the taps fitted allow air buildup in the tanks so you need one to "breathe".
That does not seem right. If they breathe they will leek. All the breathing should be done by the breathers on the top of the tank.
I had a tap give way with stone damage out at Thargomindah. The local mechanic ad a selection of brass fittings. I got a blanking plug to fit the tank - 1/2" BSP. If it needs to breathe I would have been having problems by now, it's been in there a few years. After loosing water once in outback conditions I now use this and remove it once a year to renew the water. If you can reach a tap under there you can get a spanner on a plug to remove it. They are available in plastic as well - Link. - from Camec or their suppliers.
Jetta7 said
08:56 AM Mar 21, 2015
A simple solution I use is to get some black foam sleeve/tube cut it so it fits lengthwise out a bit from tap all the way to the tank. Use cable ties to hold it on and if I need access to tap just push the foam back a bit use tap and then cover it again. Done that to all my taps on tanks under the van, haven't broke yet, and plenty evidence that stones etc have been under there.
Hi Folks. We currently in Ceduna (SA end of Nullaboor HW). On our arrival at CP we found water pouring out of one of our water tanks.
On inspection, although both a poly tanks are protected by a bash plate, the drainage tap that protrudes out of the tank isn't
At some stage a stone or object has been flung up and snapped off one of the taps. As both tanks are inter-connected, we cannot carry any water at the moment to free camp,
Our day at the beach today will change to seeing if the remnents of the tap will unscrew or if its a fixed part of the tank and if the former (hopefully), finding a plastic bung in this small town to fit.
If the taps are removable, I will take the other off as well and replace with a screw-in bung. If I need to drain the tank, I will have the inconvenience of lying on my back and taking it out with a spanner - much easier than having a tap broken off in the middle of nowhere
I was also able to plug mine at innaminka by taking it out and cutting a branch from a tree jamming it in from the inside
and seal it with a bit of a shopping bag which also stops it from falling in and it did me until we got home 5 weeks later
brian
Seen it happen a twice to Avan tanks with people we've been travelling with. Had it happen to us once as well but it noticed ours early before the pipe broke completely. Didn't lose much water.
With the Avans we removed the fitting from the tank, trimmed the broken pipe and sealed the hole with the Metal Putty I carry. Having seen this happen I carry a black Poly/Plastic plug to fit the tank. When mine cracked and was leaking I just fitted the plug.
Regards
Mike
Like the idea about the 20lt water container - got one of those taps as well, so will use if it happens again
The same happened to us on one trip with the off road camper trailer.
After that I secured a metal shroud in front of the outlet connections to shield off any ricocheting stones.
That does not seem right. If they breathe they will leek. All the breathing should be done by the breathers on the top of the tank.
I had a tap give way with stone damage out at Thargomindah. The local mechanic ad a selection of brass fittings. I got a blanking plug to fit the tank - 1/2" BSP. If it needs to breathe I would have been having problems by now, it's been in there a few years. After loosing water once in outback conditions I now use this and remove it once a year to renew the water. If you can reach a tap under there you can get a spanner on a plug to remove it. They are available in plastic as well - Link. - from Camec or their suppliers.
A simple solution I use is to get some black foam sleeve/tube cut it so it fits lengthwise out a bit from tap all the way to the tank. Use cable ties to hold it on and if I need access to tap just push the foam back a bit use tap and then cover it again. Done that to all my taps on tanks under the van, haven't broke yet, and plenty evidence that stones etc have been under there.