Grey Water tank removal.

iana · Guru

Grey Water tank removal.

GerryP · Veteran Member

Interestingly, I've just done the exact opposite. I moved the rear water tank to just in front of the axles and installed a 90 litre grey water tank where the rear tank used to be.

We used to use a separate container to catch our waste when required, although not a proprietary one, but found it too much hassle. Now, all I need to do is pop outside and close one valve to catch the grey water. I guess it could be a bit of an inconvenience if the tank fills up before we're ready to move on, but I can still 'decant' easily into a 25 litre container if needed.

But I guess that's what makes life interesting, the fact that we are all different with a range of differing needs and likes. smile

iana · Guru

Hi Gerry, I already have a water tank forward of the wheels, the second tank was installed well forward and will cause weight and balance problems. Installing the two tanks one forward and one aft of the wheels is as I understand it good practice. What happens to the grey water tank is still up for debate, but manoeuvring a big van to empty a grey water tank also sounds like a lot of work to me.
Open for suggestions though.

GerryP · Veteran Member

I agree Ian, my other tank is actually between the axles, so shifting the second one from behind to immediately in front isn't really an issue. In fact, it always worried me to the extent that I'd always use the rear tank first so as not to decrease the ball weight too much. Having one right near the front though would worry me as well mate.

We would normally drive the van alongside a dump point to empty both the loo as well as the grey water, but as I say, I'm happy when doing a 'dunny run' to also decant a jerry or two of grey water at the same time.

Safe travels mate smile

Hey Jim · Guru

iana wrote:
After getting a rough quote to get my water tanks re-arranged, I have decided to tackle the job myself. Yesterday was the start, I removed hoses and valves. Puzzled as to why my front water tank was near full, I will have to check that out as I am sure I emptied them. Today I hope to drop the front water tank, and remove the grey water tank. Relocating the water tank just behind the wheels where it should be, in the space of the removed grey water tank.
Looks like the usual tight wiring, and my assumption is that the wiring for the water tank level probes is installed first, then the tanks are lifted in place. Hence the crush.
My plan is to use a 40lt Fiamma grey water tank that has wheels and put it under the van when required. I am also thinking of mounting the grey water tank removed from the van onto the ute, perhaps behind the canopy. Then setting up a pump between the two. A bilge pump or similar. I can then dispose of the grey water with out having to move the van, or needing to do any heavy lifting.

Hi Iana,

Before doing the move, Maybe consider doing what I'm doing also.

I completed this on Thursday before the poo set in again. I added a By Pass to our tank setup from the kitchen sink as follows. I have the space to move the front 75lt water tank back one frame away from the draw bar.( Not done as yet) I went to bunnings and brought two 25mm ball valves one 25mm tee junction, 1 mtr of 25mm pipe, 2 x extra S/S hose clamps 1x pipe glue.

Now we have two options, the sink can By Pass the GW tank to stop the smells before they start, direct into a bucket or attach to a GW hose as well, Or Continue to the tank as intended.

There are two white looking Filters clamped to the floor as well. I'm not sure If they are in fact filters as they will be a PITA to clean.

The biggest issue is the gravity flow for both the shower and sink as there is about 150mm MAX from shower inlet to holding tank with a uphill 100mm bend inline to over come which will leave only about 50mm at most for the water to drain away. Not good at all.

see photo's attached.

Jim

See Photo's attached

GerryP · Veteran Member

Hi Jim, Those 'filters' are actually one-way valves which act similarly to a 'P' trap. They normally do not require cleaning and stop any smells from going back up the pipes and into the van. See here >>>>>> http://www.hepvo.com/

-- Edited by GerryP on Sunday 27th of March 2016 12:14:59 PM

Hey Jim · Guru

Hi GerryP,

Thanks for some good news at last, Still This good news should have come from Jayco. Nothing explained.

Just feel your own way all the time. Its great to be able to gain knowedge from more of you guys who have had vans for some time. I knew our camper inside out. Life's a learing curve, and we never stop learning.

My wife says I am fixated to this site, what will it be like when we are retired in a few months. I replied well I guess I can have more time on the computer then. smile

My head is still hurting. wink wink wink

Jim

-- Edited by Hey Jim on Sunday 27th of March 2016 01:28:36 PM

BAZZA44 · Senior Member

Hi Jim, looking at your photos the hepvo valves seem to be upside down. I don't know if it is a trick by the camera angle or not, but the ribbed side of the valve must be underneath when in a horizontal position. Check installation instructions on the hepvo site.

Barry

aussie_paul · Guru

BAZZA44 wrote:
Hi Jim, looking at your photos the hepvo valves seem to be upside down. I don't know if it is a trick by the camera angle or not, but the ribbed side of the valve must be underneath when in a horizontal position. Check installation instructions on the hepvo site.

Barry

Is this what you mean Barry?

Aussie Paul. smile

JohnR · Senior Member

I find it difficult to comprehend why someone would be traveling with grey water in their holding tanks. There is no need to carry grey water in your tank at all, sump options and the availability of dump points counters the need to transport grey water. As well, in the back blocks you do not awash the camp site but gently drop the water out on the exit road etc.

I have in the past displayed on this forum a grey water system that is now nearly 2 years old traveled well over 40, 000 klm, does not smell, does not back up showers or sinks, can be cleaned/accessed using a karcher spray cleaner and makes the JAYCO Outback fully self contained and compliant with "Leave No Trace".This system allows us to stay in Club Car Parks, our daughters front drive, and countless free camps without creating a sloppy mess.

You do not need to be putting out black hoses, moving grey water into other alternatives and making life complicated.Mind you there are a few members on this forum that I think may have not much else to do any way, and may be happy to occupy their time emptying containers of grey water.

Check the system out once again:::::

aussie_paul · Guru

I loved your idea and saved it John BUT had laptop crash and lost some data including your grey water fix. What diameter are the pvc pipes? I imagine 150mm? Thanks for sharing again Mate.

Aussie Paul. smile

BAZZA44 · Senior Member

Yes aussie paul thats it.

Barry

Hey Jim · Guru

BAZZA44 wrote:
Hi Jim, looking at your photos the hepvo valves seem to be upside down. I don't know if it is a trick by the camera angle or not, but the ribbed side of the valve must be underneath when in a horizontal position. Check installation instructions on the hepvo site.

Barry

Hi Barry,

It's not trick photography. YOUR RIGTH the bloody things have been 1 x turned sideways 1 x up side down to make them fit snug against the floor. Bloody JAYCO.

Jim

-- Edited by Hey Jim on Monday 28th of March 2016 01:23:27 PM

Hey Jim · Guru

aussie_paul wrote:
BAZZA44 wrote:
Hi Jim, looking at your photos the hepvo valves seem to be upside down. I don't know if it is a trick by the camera angle or not, but the ribbed side of the valve must be underneath when in a horizontal position. Check installation instructions on the hepvo site.

Barry
Is this what you mean Barry?
Aussie Paul.

Thanks Aussie Paul,

I will be taking the Instructions with me back to Jayco.

Jim

Dhutime · Senior Member

JohnR wrote:
I find it difficult to comprehend why someone would be traveling with grey water in their holding tanks. There is no need to carry grey water in your tank at all, sump options and the availability of dump points counters the need to transport grey water. As well, in the back blocks you do not awash the camp site but gently drop the water out on the exit road etc.
I have in the past displayed on this forum a grey water system that is now nearly 2 years old traveled well over 40, 000 klm, does not smell, does not back up showers or sinks, can be cleaned/accessed using a karcher spray cleaner and makes the JAYCO Outback fully self contained and compliant with "Leave No Trace".This system allows us to stay in Club Car Parks, our daughters front drive, and countless free camps without creating a sloppy mess.
You do not need to be putting out black hoses, moving grey water into other alternatives and making life complicated.Mind you there are a few members on this forum that I think may have not much else to do any way, and may be happy to occupy their time emptying containers of grey water.
Check the system out once again:::::
Hi John I have sent you a Pm would love have some details on your system
Dhutime

iana · Guru

Actually JohnR, I reread all the posts so far and couldn't find any reference to anyone traveling with grey water in their tank. Maybe your design is tops for you, but it may not be every ones cup of tea. And who where you pointing those barbs at?

Woody2 · Senior Member

Johnr ..Thank you. I have been thinking off just this type of a set up for grey water. Was not sure if it would be ok. Now off to the green shed i go.

Tony Bev · Guru

Hello everyone

I seem to be the odd man out.

I would normally travel with an empty grey water tank. But....

If I have had the morning shower, (about 10 litres between two people), and know that there will be no water at the dump point I plan to use, I will leave this 10 litres in the tank, it saves me using fresh water to clean the dump point after I have used it

iana · Guru

Grey water tank is out, the forward water tank has been installed in its place, so now we have a water tank each side of the wheels. Quite a major plumbing job ahead. I will try and use PVC instead of the clear plastic. We have decided to install the grey water tank up between the suspension, longitudinally along the axis, since we wont be traveling far if we happen to have grey water it won't make any difference. Might be a pain too clean though, will have to work on that. Plan to get a frame made up to bolt onto the three main members of the suspension frame to support the tank.

iana · Guru

OK all plumbed up and going, the tank level electrics needed re-doing as well. Good news is I have less (van) ball weight when both tanks are filled, and can now stash stuff forward in the van, as well as use the front boot. Ball weight now is about 7% ATM. And the job nearly killed me, just too old now for that work. I better not mention I got a drop of PVC glue in my eye, spent 5 hours at the hospital and 4 litres of saline pumped around my eyeball. Plus another two further visits to the eye clinic at Fremantle, probably another 6 hours while they dig out the remaining glue. No I won't mention that! just feel too old for this sort of thing.

The next stage is to make up or get made up a cradle to support the grey water tank longitudinally along the chassis between the wheels (independent suspension).

PS I have now brought a pair of safety goggles.