So I am a pre grey nomad in training and have found even though the "man of the van" purchased nice new blue hose for water we get a vile plastic or rubber taste
the kids refuse to drink it. Have we made a mistake with our hose or do I need to run them more? The van has been out 5-6 times now & it doesn't matter where our
water comes from it's always gross and I end up having to buy & store bottles of water for drinking.
Thanks for your time & guidance here nomads.
macka17 said
12:07 PM Oct 12, 2017
Well.
Try running some lemon juice flavoured water through lines.
Mix up a coupla 5 ltrs. Maybe block off tank end and let sit for a while.
Vanilla?. There are neutralisers. BUT I don't think you going to get any better than what you have.
Thousands use that stuff with no problems.
I can drink tap water through green garden hose and enjoy it.
So who am I hey.
Enjoy your life.
A LOT of fussy people DO use Bottled.
A lot of others. Like me for my missus. Fit a dual filter unit under sink to tap.
That gives EXACTLY the same water\taste, as you have at home.
IF you find that intrusive. Well.
Basically. Spend $150. Fit filters and just go.
You'll get used to it. Plus It's a great life.
Don't let a little thing like that stop you.
Bottled water puts a LOT on your living expenses with 4 of you.
It's dearer than diesel per ltr.
Dougwe said
12:08 PM Oct 12, 2017
It probably is not a drinking water friendly hose by the sounds of it. I have a light blue with what looks like white webbing around it, I think for memory it's a Cemac. I have two 10mt lengths that I join if needed. I also always use a in-line filter and is a B.E.S.T. brand.
Edit....I wasn't able to add this pic as was on phone and can't post pics from that, on poota now
-- Edited by Dougwe on Thursday 12th of October 2017 06:45:20 PM
Peter_n_Margaret said
12:09 PM Oct 12, 2017
Fit a 10" 1um carbon/silver filter after the pump and before the tap.
Not only will you get better tasting water, but safer too.
Cheers,
Peter
Possum3 said
12:20 PM Oct 12, 2017
Many people make mistake of filling tanks with their garden hose - ipso facto plastic taste in all tank water.
You will need to completely drain all tanks including hot water, then refill using a correct type of hose or by metal bucket and funnel. Put some red cordial in tanks (quarter cup at most) then drain again. Refill using only water from tap (not garden hoses) - we use a white 20 litre "Jerry Can" for water purchased at BCF to fill our tanks always - it has a flexible nozzle to bend into tank re-fill point.
Yuglamron said
01:37 PM Oct 12, 2017
Personally I use a two cartridge filter set up. One is purely for removing solids down to .5 micron and the other is an activated charcoal and silver filter.
The .5 micron will remove a lot of the stuff like giardia and other nasties. The charcoal and silver filter take the smell and other things that taint the water out.
The Bunnings filters cost around $40/45 each The Fleabay ones can be as low as two for $30. Just need to hunt around the choices and try to pick the postage free to add to the savings.
If you want absolutely pure drinking water you need to spend big and go for a reverse osmosis set up. Big Bucks though.
A lot of people just buy the Woolies or Coles 10 or 15 litre casks just for drinking and the tank water for other uses . Depends on your storage in the van.
Warren-Pat_01 said
03:09 PM Oct 12, 2017
G'day Michelle,
Welcome to the forum, we all wish you well in your caravanning-later retirement training. Taking the kids out with you is beneficial to the whole family as they see different things, places & it may give them an urge to do likewise later in their lives.
One very useful item on the forum is the "Search button" - there are oodles of problems that most of us encounter & also oodles of answers based on "the law" & other members' experiences. Most of us tend to learn the hard way with hindsight being the trainer.
There are two "blue" hoses as you've found - one is the ordinary garden hose; the other made expressly "for drinking water". Often you see them side by side in a hardware shop making it easy to get the wrong one.
There are commercially made tank cleaners but the raspberry cordial works as well & is a lot cheaper (the kids might like it too). So far I haven't fitted a filter but I did buy one at a recent outdoors show.
Cheers,
Warren
SouthernComfort said
04:27 PM Oct 12, 2017
I have the white hose with blue stripe and it had the plastic taste initially, I think they all do. Filters didn't alter anything, then I read that you should flush the hose through with fresh water BEFORE first use (from memory at least 20 litres, but I used a lot more). Chemicals in the plastic I guess. It gradually went after a few uses and now has no noticeable taste.
AMANDA EXPANDA said
12:47 PM Oct 13, 2017
Thanks for getting back to me people.
Yup it is more than a little plasticky after taste I am not a princess and I have no problem having a swig from a garden hose (after a quick check for spiders & lizards). I don't buy bottles of water at home so I don't want to have to do that travelling...cost to me & environment unacceptable. As I have tried a number of different water sources I assumed it was the wrong hose???
So I will check I have correct hose, then try a flush, empty my tanks, refill with correct hose, give the red cordial a shot, consider a filter...
Coupla quick questions about water tanks....is it ok to have them empty when not using the van or is it better to keep some water in the tanks?
and should I pull the van without water in the tanks & fillup at or nearer my destination?
Enjoy your cool fresh watery tasting water.
Have a great day.
-- Edited by AMANDA EXPANDA on Friday 13th of October 2017 12:50:10 PM
Possum3 said
04:32 PM Oct 13, 2017
Resting for long periods drain tanks and flush with Milton - empty Milton water - Prior to use again flush with clean water -empty and fill to the level you need for travelling and balance. Be mindful of your gross mass (total weight) when loaded and ensure you have about 9% to12% of your total van mass as a guide to tow-ball weight.
If van only laid up for month or so just empty and refill to desired levels or to balance, when off touring.
white 20 litre "Jerry Can" for drinking water is the only essential water unless going bush - you can normally get town water at most caravan parks and servo's when refuelling.
Tony Bev said
01:02 AM Oct 14, 2017
AMANDA EXPANDA wrote:
Thanks for getting back to me people.
Yup it is more than a little plasticky after taste I am not a princess and I have no problem having a swig from a garden hose (after a quick check for spiders & lizards). I don't buy bottles of water at home so I don't want to have to do that travelling...cost to me & environment unacceptable. As I have tried a number of different water sources I assumed it was the wrong hose???
So I will check I have correct hose, then try a flush, empty my tanks, refill with correct hose, give the red cordial a shot, consider a filter...
Coupla quick questions about water tanks....is it ok to have them empty when not using the van or is it better to keep some water in the tanks?
and should I pull the van without water in the tanks & fillup at or nearer my destination?
Enjoy your cool fresh watery tasting water.
Have a great day.
-- Edited by AMANDA EXPANDA on Friday 13th of October 2017 12:50:10 PM
From what you are saying, you either have the wrong hose, or perhaps that hose had been used for spraying something, in a previous life
You should not have any plastic taste in a new food grade hose
I would buy a food grade hose from the likes of Bunnings, and keep the receipt, if you still have a plastic taste, I would then suspect the caravan water tank
I personally use bottled water for drinking, as for us older people, I think that it is a bit of insurance against getting a bit of gastro, when we are far from home
When I park up, (after a trip), I leave the water in the tank, and then flush and refill, when I start the next trip
My vehicle is within the weight limit with full tanks, so I always start off with full tanks If your vehicle is overweight, then I would travel with empty tanks But...
I would always keep a few litres of drinking water in a container, if for whatever reason, you have to stop on the side of the road, you can not make a cuppa, without water
Hope that this info is useful to you
Peter_n_Margaret said
11:38 AM Oct 14, 2017
We use any hose that is handy to fill our tanks.
We don't filter our water when filling.
We don't empty or fill our tanks when we park up at home. They stay just as they are.
We always add chlorine when we fill.
We happily fill from taps, creeks, and cattle troughs.
We filter drinking water with a carbon/silver filter after the pump and before the tap.
This has given us safe, good tasting drinking water all over Australia (and in eastern Europe) for many years.
Cheers,
Peter
Delta18 said
02:38 PM Oct 14, 2017
Possum3 wrote:
Many people make mistake of filling tanks with their garden hose - ipso facto plastic taste in all tank water. You will need to completely drain all tanks including hot water, then refill using a correct type of hose or by metal bucket and funnel. Put some red cordial in tanks (quarter cup at most) then drain again. Refill using only water from tap (not garden hoses) - we use a white 20 litre "Jerry Can" for water purchased at BCF to fill our tanks always - it has a flexible nozzle to bend into tank re-fill point.
I am one of the 'many' that fill my van tanks from our garden hose. Never had a problem with it. I drink from it when watering the garden too <shock horror> who doesn't?
Having said that, I always run water through the hose first to flush ALL water that was sitting in it before drinking or tank filling.
I do have food grade hose that travels with us for the reason that on the rare occasions we stay in a van park I connect to their tap and the hose sits in the sun full of water. I don't want to be using that water.
I do agree with you re: using red cordial, it really does sweeten a bad tasting tank. Mighty good for hiccups too, 1/2 glass of neat and they are gone.
I would not recommend food grade hose from Bunnings. I have heard many unhappy users of their hose. Buy from a caravan dealer.
It could be the hose you bought but if you fill it with water and drink from it the next day you will have your answer. Just fill it, and hang the end up as high as the tap so that it is filled with water.
Now to your tanks. My van is 13 years old and I have never cleaned them. I have stored the van empty or full with no problems at all. A good recommendation is to time the trip home with almost empty tanks, then just fill them till the next trip. I use up my water by washing my van when I get home. Just hook up a hose and use the pump.
The caveat with tanks is to keep the van under cover. Ensure plastic pipes don't get sun affected and cause mildew. If you have the clear plastic pipes connecting any tanks, get rid of them. They are a principal cause of creating bacteria growth.
Any hose, let it run and do not let the water in it that has been idle, straight into the tank.
A lot of this might make sense but if you already have polluted tanks just buy chlorine tablets, follow directions and it will clean up the tanks. Many home made recipe's have unwanted side affects like cordial and vinegar etc and ard recommended by folks that either have never tried it, or just imagine it will work.
I cleaned MMBW pipes for years and we only ever used chlorine. It is best to dose and leave for a prescribed time. All the best.
Many home made recipe's have unwanted side affects like cordial and vinegar etc and ard recommended by folks that either have never tried it, or just imagine it will work.
I cleaned MMBW pipes for years and we only ever used chlorine. It is best to dose and leave for a prescribed time. All the best.
You are entitled to your opinion but I can assure you I have used red cordial in my tanks after, by necessity, filling with bore water. The RED cordial removed the unpleasant taste with no after effects.
Maybe it would help MMBW pipes too, whatever they are
Leo said
03:27 PM Oct 17, 2017
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
We use any hose that is handy to fill our tanks. We don't filter our water when filling. We don't empty or fill our tanks when we park up at home. They stay just as they are. We always add chlorine when we fill. We happily fill from taps, creeks, and cattle troughs. We filter drinking water with a carbon/silver filter after the pump and before the tap. This has given us safe, good tasting drinking water all over Australia (and in eastern Europe) for many years.
Cheers, Peter
Hi Peter, Ordinary laundry chlorine? What quantity chlorine approx and is it likely that the materials used in water systems in modern caravans and motorhomes might be affected?
Thanks
JeffRae said
06:30 PM Oct 17, 2017
Would also like to know about the amount of chlorine, also the brand (because Peter seems to know about water)
Cheers
JeffRae
Aus-Kiwi said
11:17 PM Oct 17, 2017
I use our garden hose without issues . It gets used all the time . It seems issues arise when the stored water in hose is NOT flushed out !! I use pool chlorine . Well ? It's ok to swim in .I don't generally drink the water .. Just use it to clean or sterilise tanks every spring . Replace drinking water filters also ..
So I am a pre grey nomad in training and have found even though the "man of the van" purchased nice new blue hose for water we get a vile plastic or rubber taste
the kids refuse to drink it. Have we made a mistake with our hose or do I need to run them more? The van has been out 5-6 times now & it doesn't matter where our
water comes from it's always gross and I end up having to buy & store bottles of water for drinking.
Thanks for your time & guidance here nomads.
Try running some lemon juice flavoured water through lines.
Mix up a coupla 5 ltrs. Maybe block off tank end and let sit for a while.
Vanilla?. There are neutralisers. BUT I don't think you going to get any better than what you have.
Thousands use that stuff with no problems.
I can drink tap water through green garden hose and enjoy it.
So who am I hey.
Enjoy your life.
A LOT of fussy people DO use Bottled.
A lot of others. Like me for my missus. Fit a dual filter unit under sink to tap.
That gives EXACTLY the same water\taste, as you have at home.
IF you find that intrusive. Well.
Basically. Spend $150. Fit filters and just go.
You'll get used to it. Plus It's a great life.
Don't let a little thing like that stop you.
Bottled water puts a LOT on your living expenses with 4 of you.
It's dearer than diesel per ltr.
It probably is not a drinking water friendly hose by the sounds of it. I have a light blue with what looks like white webbing around it, I think for memory it's a Cemac. I have two 10mt lengths that I join if needed. I also always use a in-line filter and is a B.E.S.T. brand.
Edit....I wasn't able to add this pic as was on phone and can't post pics from that, on poota now
-- Edited by Dougwe on Thursday 12th of October 2017 06:45:20 PM
Not only will you get better tasting water, but safer too.
Cheers,
Peter
You will need to completely drain all tanks including hot water, then refill using a correct type of hose or by metal bucket and funnel. Put some red cordial in tanks (quarter cup at most) then drain again. Refill using only water from tap (not garden hoses) - we use a white 20 litre "Jerry Can" for water purchased at BCF to fill our tanks always - it has a flexible nozzle to bend into tank re-fill point.
Personally I use a two cartridge filter set up. One is purely for removing solids down to .5 micron and the other is an activated charcoal and silver filter.
The .5 micron will remove a lot of the stuff like giardia and other nasties. The charcoal and silver filter take the smell and other things that taint the water out.
The Bunnings filters cost around $40/45 each The Fleabay ones can be as low as two for $30. Just need to hunt around the choices and try to pick the postage free to add to the savings.
If you want absolutely pure drinking water you need to spend big and go for a reverse osmosis set up. Big Bucks though.
A lot of people just buy the Woolies or Coles 10 or 15 litre casks just for drinking and the tank water for other uses . Depends on your storage in the van.
Welcome to the forum, we all wish you well in your caravanning-later retirement training. Taking the kids out with you is beneficial to the whole family as they see different things, places & it may give them an urge to do likewise later in their lives.
One very useful item on the forum is the "Search button" - there are oodles of problems that most of us encounter & also oodles of answers based on "the law" & other members' experiences. Most of us tend to learn the hard way with hindsight being the trainer.
There are two "blue" hoses as you've found - one is the ordinary garden hose; the other made expressly "for drinking water". Often you see them side by side in a hardware shop making it easy to get the wrong one.
There are commercially made tank cleaners but the raspberry cordial works as well & is a lot cheaper (the kids might like it too). So far I haven't fitted a filter but I did buy one at a recent outdoors show.
Cheers,
Warren
Thanks for getting back to me people.
Yup it is more than a little plasticky after taste I am not a princess and I have no problem having a swig from a garden hose (after a quick check for spiders & lizards). I don't buy bottles of water at home so I don't want to have to do that travelling...cost to me & environment unacceptable. As I have tried a number of different water sources I assumed it was the wrong hose???
So I will check I have correct hose, then try a flush, empty my tanks, refill with correct hose, give the red cordial a shot, consider a filter...
Coupla quick questions about water tanks....is it ok to have them empty when not using the van or is it better to keep some water in the tanks?
and should I pull the van without water in the tanks & fillup at or nearer my destination?
Enjoy your cool fresh watery tasting water.
Have a great day.
-- Edited by AMANDA EXPANDA on Friday 13th of October 2017 12:50:10 PM
If van only laid up for month or so just empty and refill to desired levels or to balance, when off touring.
white 20 litre "Jerry Can" for drinking water is the only essential water unless going bush - you can normally get town water at most caravan parks and servo's when refuelling.
From what you are saying, you either have the wrong hose, or perhaps that hose had been used for spraying something, in a previous life
You should not have any plastic taste in a new food grade hose
I would buy a food grade hose from the likes of Bunnings, and keep the receipt, if you still have a plastic taste, I would then suspect the caravan water tank
I personally use bottled water for drinking, as for us older people, I think that it is a bit of insurance against getting a bit of gastro, when we are far from home
When I park up, (after a trip), I leave the water in the tank, and then flush and refill, when I start the next trip
My vehicle is within the weight limit with full tanks, so I always start off with full tanks
If your vehicle is overweight, then I would travel with empty tanks
But...
I would always keep a few litres of drinking water in a container, if for whatever reason, you have to stop on the side of the road, you can not make a cuppa, without water
Hope that this info is useful to you
We don't filter our water when filling.
We don't empty or fill our tanks when we park up at home. They stay just as they are.
We always add chlorine when we fill.
We happily fill from taps, creeks, and cattle troughs.
We filter drinking water with a carbon/silver filter after the pump and before the tap.
This has given us safe, good tasting drinking water all over Australia (and in eastern Europe) for many years.
Cheers,
Peter
I am one of the 'many' that fill my van tanks from our garden hose. Never had a problem with it. I drink from it when watering the garden too <shock horror> who doesn't?
Having said that, I always run water through the hose first to flush ALL water that was sitting in it before drinking or tank filling.
I do have food grade hose that travels with us for the reason that on the rare occasions we stay in a van park I connect to their tap and the hose sits in the sun full of water. I don't want to be using that water.
I do agree with you re: using red cordial, it really does sweeten a bad tasting tank. Mighty good for hiccups too, 1/2 glass of neat and they are gone.
I would not recommend food grade hose from Bunnings. I have heard many unhappy users of their hose. Buy from a caravan dealer.
Hi AMANDA EXPANDA.
It could be the hose you bought but if you fill it with water and drink from it the next day you will have your answer. Just fill it, and hang the end up as high as the tap so that it is filled with water.
Now to your tanks. My van is 13 years old and I have never cleaned them. I have stored the van empty or full with no problems at all. A good recommendation is to time the trip home with almost empty tanks, then just fill them till the next trip. I use up my water by washing my van when I get home. Just hook up a hose and use the pump.
The caveat with tanks is to keep the van under cover. Ensure plastic pipes don't get sun affected and cause mildew. If you have the clear plastic pipes connecting any tanks, get rid of them. They are a principal cause of creating bacteria growth.
Any hose, let it run and do not let the water in it that has been idle, straight into the tank.
A lot of this might make sense but if you already have polluted tanks just buy chlorine tablets, follow directions and it will clean up the tanks. Many home made recipe's have unwanted side affects like cordial and vinegar etc and ard recommended by folks that either have never tried it, or just imagine it will work.
I cleaned MMBW pipes for years and we only ever used chlorine. It is best to dose and leave for a prescribed time. All the best.
You are entitled to your opinion but I can assure you I have used red cordial in my tanks after, by necessity, filling with bore water. The RED cordial removed the unpleasant taste with no after effects.
Maybe it would help MMBW pipes too, whatever they are
Hi Peter, Ordinary laundry chlorine? What quantity chlorine approx and is it likely that the materials used in water systems in modern caravans and motorhomes might be affected?
Thanks
Would also like to know about the amount of chlorine, also the brand (because Peter seems to know about water)
Cheers
JeffRae