Admin, If there is already on Water storage. Maybe we should delete this one? 

Or keep the best Topic Post?

Fellow Grey Nomads :)

My Current home is a 1999 Mazda E2000 Van.

Im currently looking into many things I need for my Camper Set Up.

For my water needs, I was thinking of mounting say 2 X 3mtr X 125mm Poly Pipes next to my Solar on my Roof Racks.

I have calculated the volume of these pipes will be approx 67 Litres?

Do you people think that around 67 Litres will be sufficent for up to 2 people's daily needs?

I am looking into pipe types.

Can anyone recommend the best pipe type I should be using?

Am also looking into water creation from Air @ Http.fontus.at this particular device is looking very promising, however I do not think it's being manufactured for Motor Homes as of yet :( I have sent the company some Intel into particular specifications for Motor Homes, I'm just hoping they will get back to me with more details soon :)

Too be Cont..... :)

-- Edited by messiahmonkey on Monday 15th of February 2016 04:00:29 PM

-- Edited by messiahmonkey on Monday 15th of February 2016 04:03:41 PM

-- Edited by messiahmonkey on Monday 15th of February 2016 04:05:22 PM

Admin, Anyone, Help!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want to be able to inbed a Permalink???

I cannot seem to get it to work??

Http.fontus.at

Cheers :)

Julie's,

i bet that's what you say to your puppy ;)

Cheers

President of the Planet :)

Hi messiahmonkey;

                            Ok I'll bite, 67 Ltr's of water is a lot of weight to have on your roof and could also be a stability problem and could cause your van to tip over on a tight turn. Have you had a good look at water containers that the caravan have and see if you can mount one of those under your van. Pressure or a lift pump could be used to raise the water to your sink. 

Valiant81,

1. Do you really think that 67 odd Kilos of water + potentially to 20kg solar panels will create to much instability???

I'm presuming if one drives in a normal manner for the conditions of a road, it shouldn't be too much of an issue?

id like to hear of more feedback form others about that as well???

2. Yes, i have thought about under vehicle storage & ideally your right, more weight closer to the ground would be better, however I have no idea as to where to look for get such a tank for my model vehicle and @ what cost????

However I'm presuming the most cost effective & fitting ability means of water storage would be just to mount 2 3mtr X 125mm Poly Pipes on the roof????

3. I'm guessing that 67 odd litres of water will be sufficent for max 2 people per day????

Based on 20 litres each to shower, 10 litres each for drinking & 7 litres for what ever ???

This should be surly enough ????

I am also living in hope that something simular as to what is being promoted here at https://www.fontus.at will maintain my water needs on a daily bases????

Failing it does not work all the time, I can always go and fill up at a tap somewhere, as I am only mostly going to be in towns anyway where i will have access to water,  ideally this will be the last resort, as I would most prefer to use pure water.

4. If there is anyone out there that can offer Me or anyone else info on the above mentioned, Please Do! :)

Cheers

Ron

President of the Planet :)

There are limits to the amount of weight allowable on roofs and roof racks of vehicles. You will need to check with your States relevant Road Safety Authority. Cheers

Problem easily solved! Tow a small box trailer behind vehicle and install a 500 litre water tank with a pump, connect hose to Motorhome and you will have ample water for all your needs, you don't need to always tow it full of water. Would be ideal for free camping plus you could also carry some extra gear in the trailer as well. Cheers 

Footprints, 

Yes towing a tank would be an option.

However as I have said, 99% of the time I will be free camping in the vincintity of towns Up an down the East Coast Where town water will be available.

Or unless one is going to be watering his Fuzzy Wuzzy Plants whilst one is Free Camping in some remote location :)

It would be kinda overkill????

My Preferable idea would be to create water from something like this http://fontus.at 

i have calculated if they can manufacture a simular Modual of around 125 mm in diameter X 30 of those or so to suit my needs, be it around 67 litres a day if need be.

If indeed they can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable price, they may well be a more viable alternative for Every Motor Home Dwellers, as opposed to having to cart exccess water or using town water with filtration systems, because we would be able to then produce our own water from the Humidity of the Air.

I have stabbed in the dark, an estimated a cost of about $75 for Each one of those at that size mentioned, which would equate to $2250 for the lot + Pipe & fittings, however, they may well be more or less then my prices estimated.

If we were to take supermarket water Prices @ an estimated cost of $8 for 12 litres, that would equate to Somthing like $730 a year for filtered supermarket water.

So therefore the above mentioned estimated cost of those Air-Humidity Water Creators, it should pay for itself in roughly 3 years.

Cheers :)

Ron 

President of the Planet :)

Eaxa,

Good idea, however am only a Disability Pensioner, affording a bull bar, is a tad outa my allowance atm, my very next purchase will be me finks, is a Ubeaut 65 litre Waeco, an that's gunna be setting me  back around $1100 odd :( i have to get my Pension loan to get that, after that, once I have my solar installed, I will see how it all performs :) am hoping my 250 Watt Panal connected to my 130 amp Arkpak will do the job, if it does not, I will fork out for a 270 Amp Dual Purpose battery, then maybe another solar Panal, the more power the  better me finks :)

Today, I will be visiting my local Men's shed, I have to instal 1 solar Panal, 1 Cat Systems Ruststopper, ( Hope I haven't been conned into buying a dodgy device! ) then if I have the time, I will cut out 100mm at the top of my bed base in preparation for my Ubeaut Waeco :)

Once that has all been sorted, I will maybe look around for a Bull Bar an water tank, for my temp water situation, I will be just staying local at a Wauchope, my parents have a good supply of rain water, so I will just continue to fill my 10 litre Jerry cans at there place :)

And if anyone knows as to where to buy a Bull Bar and water tank to suit a 99 E2000 LWB, Please do tell me :) Thanx

Cheers 

Ron

President of the Planet :)

Nomad Nev,

No, as you can see the size of my camper?  I have limited space, however I do currently have 2 X 10 litre plastic jerry cans inside for water.

Me finks the best idea is to mount 2 X 125mm X 3 metre pipes on the side of my Rhino Roof Racks.

Pros:

1. I will then have around 67 litres of water.

2. It will be gravity fed, minimal need to pump.

3. The water will be heated during the day, so I Will be able to have a warm shower on the right days, no need to buy a hot water system.

4. It will be a possible cheaper option.

5. It will reduce the need to only have 1 X 10  litre Jerry can inside for cool drinking water.

5. Also, I'm hoping I can get some of these devices manufactured around 125mm in diameter to fit into my desired size piping, like that has been manufactured here http://www.fontus.at

I have calculated 30 of these devices of my specs fitted into the piping may well produce around 30 litres a day, therefore I should never have to worry about running out of pure water.

Cons:

1. As far as I am aware, no such above device has yet been manufactured for Motor Home Specs, so there for, the cost at this stage will be unknown.

Nomad Nev, Please keep up :)

Cheers :)

Ron 

President of the Planet :)

Hi

I think your proposal to mount the pipes on the roof or on the side of the racks will work and while better ideas may be ahh--- better it will work OK and the cost will be reasonable and the stability will be OK with that weight. A boat or a couple of canoes are as heavy.

The other FONTUS idea looks a bit far into the future to me. I always worry when I see "crowd funding" !! but then I am old fashioned. The theory may be OK but the practice is a bit suspect looking. central australia may not suit the "suitable conditions" either.  My advice is to proceed with the pipes for now or look on Gumtree or similar for a bull bar

jaahn 

Gday...

El Presidento - I see you seem to have the cat but need to find other ways to skin it

The following is what I have gleaned from your posts as to be "the cat" ...

1. Do you people think that around 67 Litres will be sufficient for up to 2 people's daily needs?
2. Based on 20 litres each to shower, 10 litres each for drinking & 7 litres for whatever???
3. I am only mostly going to be in towns anyway where I will have access to water.
4. As I have said, 99% of the time I will be free camping in the vicinity of towns up and down the East Coast Where town water will be available.

As a first comment I really doubt you will need 67 litres of water daily, even for 2 people. You won't need to shower every day (a 'bucket/sponge wash' each day will use about 2 litres of water).

If you are not being very active (extended bushwalking) or in very hot days, you wouldn't drink 10 litres each per day. Even in those conditions it is recommended to consume about 4.5 litres per day per person.

Your 'additional' 7 litres per day would seem extreme for just washing up dishes - even washing clothes. When camping away from 'towns' I handwash in about 4 litres of water and then only probably once a week. I use Wool Wash (any brand) which removes the need to rinse - just wash, wring and hang out.

If you are going to be mostly in towns near access to water - your 10 or 20 litre 'jerry cans' will keep you going for a couple of days for 'general use' and if you buy your 'drinking water' from the supermarkets that will keep that side of things OK.

If you were intending to camp away from towns and are near a lake, river, creek or even dam - you can use that water for washing - yourself, dishes and clothes - which means you will not be using the water in the 'jerry cans'.

A person who would be a good source of information for the way you will travel/camp in the vehicle you have is Yeoeleven. I am surprised he hasn't bumped into your post/questions and provide some advice. Although he is wandering away from his Coaster at the moment I think.

Perhaps visit his blog - http://yeoeleven.blogspot.com/ or send him a PM though this forum. 

I guess all that is not that helpful for your 'pipe' ideas, but just my thoughts.

Cheers - and happy travelling - John

Footprints wrote:

---

There are limits to the amount of weight allowable on roofs and roof racks of vehicles. You will need to check with your States relevant Road Safety Authority. Cheers

---

 Footprints,

From my understanding, my current 3 X Rhino Racks have a carrying capacity of 120kg ?

If I decide to go the 2 X 3 Metre X 125 mm water pipe route for my Rig 67kg & including the weight of my 2 Solar Panels 40kg, it should not exceed the carrying capacity?

Me finks it should be under a legal weight?

i have looked online for legal roof top weights, couldn't find anything though :(

Cheers :)

Ron

President of the Planet :)

Jaahn wrote:

---

Hi

I think your proposal to mount the pipes on the roof or on the side of the racks will work and while better ideas may be ahh--- better it will work OK and the cost will be reasonable and the stability will be OK with that weight. A boat or a couple of canoes are as heavy.

The other FONTUS idea looks a bit far into the future to me. I always worry when I see "crowd funding" !! but then I am old fashioned. The theory may be OK but the practice is a bit suspect looking. central australia may not suit the "suitable conditions" either.  My advice is to proceed with the pipes for now or look on Gumtree or similar for a bull bar

jaahn 

 

---

 Jaahn,

Thanx for you input :)

Im quite Optimistic about the Fontus idea for Motor Homes, however being able to reach them with my proposed specs is another story.

Considering the unique idea, I'm suspecting they are getting a Huge amount of Emails, possible in excess of a Million, so therefore my Emails may well go unnoticed?

As for there crowd funding campaign, I dare say it's highly likely whomever has come up with the idea does not have the coin or the know how to design it for other applications or to get it mass produced?

Yes, it may well be suspect, however it should be not of any concern if indeed it would work as it suppose too?

Yes, as for this working in the middle of Straya, where the Humidity is what ? % it may not work to well.

But for me, my desired locations for the foreseeable future, I will be sticking to the coast where the humidity is often unbearable :( but could well be good for a device such as http://Fontus.at

Yes, me finks my Pipe storage idea, like others are using is the way to go :)

If there is anyone out there as to any clue how to contact Fontus by Phone, I would Sincerly appreciate that Intel :)

Cheers :)

Ron

President of the Planet :)

rockylizard wrote:

---

Gday...

El Presidento - I see you seem to have the cat but need to find other ways to skin it

The following is what I have gleaned from your posts as to be "the cat" ...

1. Do you people think that around 67 Litres will be sufficient for up to 2 people's daily needs?
2. Based on 20 litres each to shower, 10 litres each for drinking & 7 litres for whatever???
3. I am only mostly going to be in towns anyway where I will have access to water.
4. As I have said, 99% of the time I will be free camping in the vicinity of towns up and down the East Coast Where town water will be available.

As a first comment I really doubt you will need 67 litres of water daily, even for 2 people. You won't need to shower every day (a 'bucket/sponge wash' each day will use about 2 litres of water).

If you are not being very active (extended bushwalking) or in very hot days, you wouldn't drink 10 litres each per day. Even in those conditions it is recommended to consume about 4.5 litres per day per person.

Your 'additional' 7 litres per day would seem extreme for just washing up dishes - even washing clothes. When camping away from 'towns' I handwash in about 4 litres of water and then only probably once a week. I use Wool Wash (any brand) which removes the need to rinse - just wash, wring and hang out.

If you are going to be mostly in towns near access to water - your 10 or 20 litre 'jerry cans' will keep you going for a couple of days for 'general use' and if you buy your 'drinking water' from the supermarkets that will keep that side of things OK.

If you were intending to camp away from towns and are near a lake, river, creek or even dam - you can use that water for washing - yourself, dishes and clothes - which means you will not be using the water in the 'jerry cans'.

A person who would be a good source of information for the way you will travel/camp in the vehicle you have is Yeoeleven. I am surprised he hasn't bumped into your post/questions and provide some advice. Although he is wandering away from his Coaster at the moment I think.

Perhaps visit his blog - http://yeoeleven.blogspot.com/ or send him a PM though this forum. 

I guess all that is not that helpful for your 'pipe' ideas, but just my thoughts.

Cheers - and happy travelling - John

 

 

---

 John, 

Yes you are more then likely right in relation too my water usage.

However, I'm living in Real Hope that this idea from http://www.fontus.at can be designed an manufactured for Motor a home users :)

As for "sponge bathing" if the above does indeed get manufactured, the days of spongbob are gunna go flying out the window :) me finks :)

As for cloths washing, me finks a Nomad in my shoes should just carry X enough amount of cloths, then just go to a Laundy in town & pay the coin to wash them?  I'm not that freakin keen to do hand washing :)

Cheers :)

Ron 

President of the Planet :)

Gday...

Gettin' ya drift El Presidento.

Did you have a gander at Yeoeleven's blog ??     http://yeoeleven.blogspot.com.au/

John has been there and done that. There is no-one, that I can think of, who would give better advice for travelling, and camping, in a small campervan such as you have.

To do it cheaply, effectively, independently and enjoyably. Find his first page and take it from there.

Apart from John's experience (and perhaps advice) I think you are looking for a champagne journey on a home-made beer budget.

Cheers - and happy travelling whichever way it turns out - John

rockylizard wrote:

---

Gday...

Gettin' ya drift El Presidento.

Did you have a gander at Yeoeleven's blog ??     http://yeoeleven.blogspot.com.au/

John has been there and done that. There is no-one, that I can think of, who would give better advice for travelling, and camping, in a small campervan such as you have.

To do it cheaply, effectively, independently and enjoyably. Find his first page and take it from there.

Apart from John's experience (and perhaps advice) I think you are looking for a champagne journey on a home-made beer budget.

Cheers - and happy travelling whichever way it turns out - John

---

 John, 

Yes that sums it up :)

A Pension rise would be good too :)

Am having a gander at his blog now.

Cheers :)

Ron 

President of the Planet :)

Just been looking up the WA regs re weight carried on a roof rack.

Loading capacity of a roof rack

Carrying material on a roof mounted load rack is dependent upon a number of factors.

Generally a load with a mass exceeding 50kg should not be loaded on a roof rack.

However, where a roof rack manufacturer has had strength tests performed on a specific type of rack, a mass heavier than 50kg may be carried providing it does not exceed the rack manufacturers recommended capacity.

Where the vehicle manufacturer specifies maximum roof rack loads, this capacity should never be exceeded regardless of the rating of the roof rack.

Also looked up  a roof rack for an E 2000   it has a load capacity of  150Kg   

So does your E 2000 manual have any info on the roof loading limits.

We used to have a Toyota Hi Ace Camper  (Dove Conversion)   Travelling around Western  Australia  and  doing the lap, we only ever carried 40 litres all up  generally.   If camping away from a supply we managed on  an extra Jerry Can  or even two.  that would be 80 litres max.  Very rarely carried 80 litres though.

In our present Camper (Avan Cruiseliner)  We have a 65 litre tank  and occasionally fill the Jerry Can as well.   We do camp off road a lot.  Never had a problem with water supply as long as we plan ahead.

Hope this helps.

Hi

To confirm "Elliemike" they are correct most couriers around Perth limit racks weight to 100/150kg.
As to car roof racks check the makers stats.
If you have a normal car roof racks the ones that take cases ect you could strap two 20lt containers on top
that would be heaps. As for tipping over on a sharp bend/corner  or any corner would depend on speed and sharpness,
thou for this to happen you would need a lot of weight up top to over counter the vans weight.

ge

elliemike wrote:

---

Just been looking up the WA regs re weight carried on a roof rack.

 

Loading capacity of a roof rack

Carrying material on a roof mounted load rack is dependent upon a number of factors.

Generally a load with a mass exceeding 50kg should not be loaded on a roof rack.

However, where a roof rack manufacturer has had strength tests performed on a specific type of rack, a mass heavier than 50kg may be carried providing it does not exceed the rack manufacturers recommended capacity.

Where the vehicle manufacturer specifies maximum roof rack loads, this capacity should never be exceeded regardless of the rating of the roof rack.

 

Also looked up  a roof rack for an E 2000   it has a load capacity of  150Kg   

So does your E 2000 manual have any info on the roof loading limits.

We used to have a Toyota Hi Ace Camper  (Dove Conversion)   Travelling around Western  Australia  and  doing the lap, we only ever carried 40 litres all up  generally.   If camping away from a supply we managed on  an extra Jerry Can  or even two.  that would be 80 litres max.  Very rarely carried 80 litres though.

In our present Camper (Avan Cruiseliner)  We have a 65 litre tank  and occasionally fill the Jerry Can as well.   We do camp off road a lot.  Never had a problem with water supply as long as we plan ahead.

Hope this helps.

 

---

Mike,

No, I don't have a manual for my vehicle..

It sounds like though, my estimated Roof Rack weight is going to be ok, I have a good feeling about this..:)

Cheers

Ron

President of the Planet :)