Black95
South Dakota
Senior Member
Joined: 12/18/2014
View Profile
 Offline
|
I decided to add a little extra water storage for showers and general use. I got the idea from another van camper site. I used PVC pipe with a couple of end caps and a T with a screw on cap for filling it with water. I used the outline of the pipe to make three wood holders for the pipe. The rear most wood holder is the highest with the middle one lower and the front one the lowest to better drain out the pipe during use. Then I strapped them each down with heavy duty zip-ties.
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/R4XZI7nl.jpg)
I added a tire valve cap to the T so I could pressurize the system with my air compressor mounted under the van. (see previous postings) The valve cap is the type with threads and a nut on the inside instead of the type that is just pressure pulled through the hole.
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/a9AfqSal.jpg)
On the front (low) end of the pipe, I drilled a hole, cut some threads, and mounted a quick-disconnect from an air compressor system so that I could connect a hose to it. I used the air quick-disconnect instead of a water hose quick disconnect because the air type acts like a shut off valve when the hose is disconnected, whereas the water type does not. I would have had to add a shut-off valve with the water garden hose type of disconnect. I did add a quick disconnect with a capped off end to keep the bugs out of the open hole.
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/jFeCOepl.jpg)
Lastly, I put a quick connect on one end of some clear tubing with a shower head with a shut off valve mounted in it for use when showering. With the pipe painted black I am hoping it will warm up enough while driving that we can take warm showers with in the evening. I have an infrared digital laser thermometer that I can use to check the temperature of the water in the pipe or the clear hose. I made a second piece of tubing with a quick connect and a valve to get water for my coffee pot in the morning. I will let you know in a later post how it worked after I get the wife-approval rating!
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/OGc1u9cl.jpg)
Wife approved!
Additional modification:
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/xP2w4pQl.jpg)
I had this old air valve connector from my 1965 VW bug laying around. It was not needed after I converted my '65 into a dune buggy. This valve connected the spare tire to the windshield washer fluid tank on the VW. It allowed the spare tire air to provide pressure to the tank with the valve to not allow the pressure of the spare tire to drop below 35 psi. I will see if it works on my water tank. Future camping expeditions will tell.
* This post was
last
edited 06/12/20 04:05pm by an administrator/moderator *
View edit history
|
J herb
So. Oregon
Senior Member
Joined: 03/07/2003
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
Mike,
looking good on the shower and nice quick connections setup, but if you keeping adding things you will need to add extra springs LOL ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
Just driving the van around to keeping the battery charged up while I'm giving the SUV a good cleaning with a wax job.
I'm still waiting for my seat swivel and they said it would be April 8th so I'm going to call them to check on it's status.
I ordered a 5 watt solar panel to put into the window to keep the battery charged up when the van is setting and not going anywhere soon.
As soon as this virus things is over and they open up things I'm going camping.
J herb
|
Black95
South Dakota
Senior Member
Joined: 12/18/2014
View Profile
Offline
|
J herb wrote:Mike,
looking good on the shower and nice quick connections setup, but if you keeping adding things you will need to add extra springs LOL
Just driving the van around to keeping the battery charged up while I'm giving the SUV a good cleaning with a wax job.
I'm still waiting for my seat swivel and they said it would be April 8th so I'm going to call them to check on it's status.
I ordered a 5 watt solar panel to put into the window to keep the battery charged up when the van is setting and not going anywhere soon.
As soon as this virus things is over and they open up things I'm going camping.
I probably would have needed to add extra springs on my old 2001 1500 Express van, but since I upgraded to the 2018 Express that only comes in a 2500 or 3500, I think I can add a lot of stuff without getting into any trouble.
I know the feeling of waiting for things. I ordered some new window screens that will slip over the doors like a sock to keep the bugs out. They allow you to raise and lower the windows while they are on. I had to order the large size for my van and I am still waiting for them to ship sometime in the middle of April. I am not worried because I will not be doing much camping but look forward to using them in the summer. We can still camp here in our South Dakota state parks and campgrounds but they do not have the showers and comfort stations open due to the shutdown. But by the same token they have waived the daily use pass because the offices are not open to collect the money for them.
I rigged up a small solar charging unit for my van too. The controller I got for it also has USB plugs so I can use it to charge phones and other devices. My needs are rather simple so I don't need a big roof mounted megawatt solar charger. I put the van on a trickle charger in the garage when I don't drive is often. Keep working on your van, post pictures, and happy camping!
|
drsolo
Milwaukee
Senior Member
Joined: 12/05/2011
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Black'95 wrote:I ordered some new window screens that will slip over the doors like a sock to keep the bugs out. They allow you to raise and lower the windows while they are on. I had to order the large size for my van and I am still waiting for them to ship sometime in the middle of April.
do you have a link for those "socks"?? sounds like an excellent idea
Ingrid and Dan Retired teachers from Milwaukee, WI
1992 GMC Vandura conversion
|
Black95
South Dakota
Senior Member
Joined: 12/18/2014
View Profile
Offline
|
drsolo wrote:
do you have a link for those "socks"?? sounds like an excellent idea
Here is the link to the ones I ordered, but if you do a search on Amazon or eBay you will find all kinds of them.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PMGZC6V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I got mine today and will be returning them because they are not big enough for the back door windows nor the front door windows. I will continue to look for some oversized ones that may work.
* This post was
edited 04/13/20 09:08pm by an administrator/moderator *
|
|
|
karlstream
Gig Harbor, WA,USA
Senior Member
Joined: 09/11/2002
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Would you want to use the water in your roof storage pipe for making coffee? Is that plastic pipe approved for that type of use?
karl
|
Black95
South Dakota
Senior Member
Joined: 12/18/2014
View Profile
Offline
|
karlstream wrote:Would you want to use the water in your roof storage pipe for making coffee? Is that plastic pipe approved for that type of use?
karl
Yes, the PVC pipe is water approved. It was originally white PVC and not the black pipe that is used for sewer systems and drains. I painted the white pipe with flat black paint to act as a solar heat collector to warm the water.
|
interestingfellow
Durham Nc
New Member
Joined: 04/25/2020
View Profile
Offline
|
EDIT> thank you for the help on posting pics. I no longer had an online photo album; thanks for the links!![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/oKGAzG6l.jpg)
OG
Nice van and great thread!
I use a common tarp for an awning and struggled to find a small and strong mount for it. I use "beam clamps" and hook the tarp grommets over the beam clam set screw. $2/ea at building supply store. I can't attach a pic, not sure why/can't figure it out here.
I'm trying to figure out a decent 12 volt compressor to fill 4 or more gallons to 150 psi mostly for tire inflation and occasional light duty tasks (a few finish nails or blowing out deris). I can add a manual cut off and pressure switch for a 12v compressor. Right now I'll be using an inverter that I have (full sine, iron core, 1800w) and an eight gallon husky compressor but want something smaller/more appropriate. I plan on mounting the aux batt and air tank on the frame rail, possibly the compressor too, though that might go in the cab (depending on space requirements). I'll be custom fabricating all the brackets, etc.
Thanks again and I look forward to hearing your advice(s)!
* This post was
edited 04/27/20 10:25am by interestingfellow *
|
drsolo
Milwaukee
Senior Member
Joined: 12/05/2011
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
For adding pictures....
http://photoposting.is-great.net/?i=1
|
Black95
South Dakota
Senior Member
Joined: 12/18/2014
View Profile
Offline
|
interestingfellow wrote:Nice van and great thread!
I can't attach a pic, not sure why/can't figure it out here.
Here is a link to how to post photos.
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseac........d/15669738/gotomsg/30055523.cfm#30055523
BarneyS a moderator tells you how to do it.
|
|
|
