I saw a brilliant idea recently whilst going for a wander around a campground I was in. I imagine some of you already use this system but for those stuck in prehistoric times like myself it might be something to consider.
When I travel to areas where water might be an issue I usually fill the two water tanks on the van and fill a couple of 20 litre and one 10 litre jerry can and leave them in the tub. This is a PITA as it takes up room and they are bloody heavy to lift and transfer. Anyway, I was talking to these people, one had a 140 litre bladder in the footwell of his tug and the other had a 200 litre box bladder in the tub of their vehicle. What was great though was that they had a pump made by Kick Ass called a pump in a box. They both had a length of cable (which can be purchased from Supercheap or from Kick Ass) with an Anderson connector on each end. One plugs directly into the pump box the other plugs into the Anderson receiver at the rear of the car where you usually plug in to keep the battery charged when travelling. There is an on/off switch on the box and away you go, 12 litres a minute. As it takes about 15 minutes to transfer 200 litres from bladder to caravan tanks they told me to have the car engine running whilst doing this. There is no lifting, dragging or pouring, so simple. They also had an inline filter that they could connect to the hose with ordinary hose fittings so if they were away from taps they could chuck one end in a stream and reverse the procedure through the pump to fill the bladder.
If I am preaching to the already converted sorry. I thought it was a great idea and about to do the same. I think I will go for the floor well one.
Another thing they showed me was how to cut through hose quickly. Instead of rasping away and getting no where, just pour a little dishwashing liquid on the cutline and a little bit on the knife blade, apply a little downward pressure and it cuts through straight and clean with no effort.
The things you learn by taking a walk and having a yack with other caravanners.
-- Edited by DMaxer on Wednesday 8th of February 2023 11:28:44 AM
I have heard of folk doing this before & it does seem like a good idea for longer stays or for higher water users (than us - which isn't difficult). Jerry cans sure don't get any lighter as we get older!
It's not something we have ever needed to do with our travel set ups as our primary water source (hot & cold) has always been in our vehicle anyway & with our Tvan we also have secondary source (cold only). Both are electrically pumped. We rarely use our water to shower with as our default is 'water conservation mode' due to the sort of areas we prefer to travel in. With a combined capacity of 220 litres we can easily last for 3 weeks+, & have never needed to move on because we have been running short of water. We do frequently supplement our onboard water with water from creeks, rivers & lakes whenever we can, to wash ourselves, & dishes with, & for laundry, usually just via a bucket, but we also carry a 'spare' pump which we can use to pump water from any of those sources so long as our 10 metre anderson extension cable reaches. When those sort of supplementary sources are not available we manage with flannel washes (from water a couple of inches deep in a 2 litre ice cream container) & occasionally 'Wet Wipes'). Not suggesting that this would suit others, it's a choice we make to allow us to remain 'off grid' for as long as possible.......... and it does make a hot shower so much more luxurious when available.
I can't only recall staying anywhere for more than a week or two where there has not been a nearby potable water supply. If we needed to we would use some 'natural' water sources for drinking water (chlorinated & filtered or boiled) , but we are generally fussy about drinking water quality & have never yet needed to rely on such sources. Hardest was the 14 days we spent on the Kimberley's Munja Track and Walcott inlet. We had deliberately gone there with our Tvan tank empty, & our main tank with only 100 litres in it, to reduce weight over the 450kms (return) of low range track. We bucketed muddy salt water from the inlet (on a long rope to avoid the many crocs) & let it stand & settle before scooping the clear water off the top, & using it to wash dishes & ourselves. It was worth it to have the extended stay in such a wonderful spot with no freshwater, but the hot showers back at Mt Elizabeth station were *very very* welcome by the time we got back there!
There is no doubt that we sometimes envy folk with built in showers & a water supply to suit, but like with most travel decisions there are compromises involved. Even when not off grid & in remote areas the thought of having to seek out water refills every few days is something I would find tedious.
-- Edited by Cuppa on Wednesday 8th of February 2023 01:14:54 PM
12 litres a minute. As it takes about 15 minutes to transfer 200 litres from bladder to caravan tanks they told me to have the car engine running whilst doing this.
How many amps does the water pump draw?
I have the engine running if inflating tyres off the starter battery to keep voltage up at 14.4volt as 3 compressors are running at up to 90 amps.
If airing up via auxiliary batteries I don't bother with engine running.
Only running for 2 minutes for 4 tyres.
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I dont know WAWT. I think they just do this as a precaution. Also some cars have a cut off fitted for when engine is switched off so the fridge in the caravan doesnt flatten the car battery.
