Water Saver

NeilandRaine · Guru

Water Saver

Woody n Sue · Guru

That looks pretty simple
A bit pricy but maybe I'm a tight a--
Woody

Brenda and Alan · Guru

If you look at your awning when extended there is a natural gutter formed between the roller and the fabric. All you need to do is lower one side of the awning and hang a bucket over the low side and water runs in. In the bucket you cut a hole just up from the bottom and fit a std. hose tap adapter using the reducer collar as a nut on the inside and a rubber washer on the outside. Just plug on your hose and run it to your tank. We use this system when ever good rain is forecast to fill our tanks. Just get things ready to plug in and wait till the rain washes the dust etc. from awning before you start collecting.

Alan

macka17 · Guru

We were using the main sail on yachts 50/60 yrs ago to do same thing.
and others for hundreds of yrs b4 then too.
just run water over decks for a while to wash salt off sails and don't (normally) use for drinking tanks

until you have actually tasted it. twice or thrice.
Bucket. adaptor. Hose and tanks.
Also showered in ****pit too.

Eaglemax · Guru

Good concept but as most van roofs are flat now why don't they have a water catchment system? Have a filter half way down that catches the grit then into the tank.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Good idea N&R. I also agree with others, I just sit a big basin under the lowered end to capture nice clean rain water and just transfer to tanks or use for something else. Unfortunately when it is too windy as it is lately where I am the awning is rolled up and just watching all that rain going to waste. A good reason for that idea Eaglemax has mentioned. I might have to get the thinking cap on.

Eaglemax · Guru

As most people know here we towed our homebuilt 3.3 metre van (with shower and toilet currently on eBay) around Oz last winter gone. We desire to build another one 3ft longer and have contemplated this type of water catching roof, flat with a slight concave to catch the water. Even our 88 litres runs out quickly. But like all good ideas I hesitate- why? Because if its that good why aren't new vans designed that way? Anyone got a negative reason ? It would even fill up your tank while driving.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

The OKA has a flat roof. The sides and front have a 75mm high edge (there are drains in the 2 front corners).
The rear has an edge of about 3mm high and a hose quick connect in each rear corner. If we want to collect water, we park with the back lower than the front.
Connecting a hose to the lower of the back corners and to the tank inlet directs all the rain from the roof to the selected water tank.

Works a treat.

Water catchment.jpg

Cheers,

Peter

macka17 · Guru

Just TASTE the water too.
Before topping up tanks. SOme of the crap you pick up on your roofs can leave bad tastes in mouth
without a GOOD wash off first.

Concave/Convex roofs.
More exxy to design strength into in vans they cutting prices down all the time.

MOST van roofs have a angle piece along sides of body.
Joining top and side walls together.

Just lower back of van a little with jacks when raining.

You'll find a LOT of water runs off those two corners.
Just put buckets under and catch it that way.
No hassles.
I've done it for Donkeys..

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

macka17 wrote:
Just TASTE the water too.
Before topping up tanks. SOme of the crap you pick up on your roofs can leave bad tastes in mouth
without a GOOD wash off first.

With a decent 1um active carbon water filter after the pump and before the tap almost any water will taste good.

Cheers,

Peter

macka17 · Guru

Thank's Pete.

Dunmowin · Guru

Yup, we have been harvesting water in this fashion since we hit the road. We lower one side of the awning, have a large funnel on bungee cords attached to the corner of the awning, clear hose running from funnel to Gerry can. Water can be used for washing, washing up, showering etc. Has been known to harvest up to 100 litres in a decent storm.

Yes, you can buy similar at markets, shows etc, but cheap and easy to make your own.

Robreen · Veteran Member

G'day all. The other advantage of the rain gutter system on the awning is that the water that runs off, does not splash on the ground making mud splatters over your feet and other stuff. Regards.