MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: McGirr on August 29, 2013, 12:46:47 PM
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Just a question.
I am installing a second water, 80 litre, on the camper. Main Tank is only 60 litres. My question is, I want to connect both tanks together so that when I use the electric pump drawing water from the main tank it will also let water from the second tank feed into the main tank.
If I put a T piece on the main tank will there be any vacuum problems with the second tank connected.
My theory is that both tanks will level out with water in them.
Mark
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They will level out eventually mate but if you only have a filler for one tank then it takes forever to fill them both properly. There wont be any vacuum issues if the have breathers.
I ran a filler into each of my tanks and also have each tank running to the pump, both via a basic plastic tap so I can isolate one at a time if I need to. I generally drain the front tank first (taking weight off the ball) then use the rear tank last.
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They will level out eventually mate but if you only have a filler for one tank then it takes forever to fill them both properly. There wont be any vacuum issues if the have breathers.
I ran a filler into each of my tanks and also have each tank running to the pump, both via a basic plastic tank so I can isolate one at a time if I need to. I generally drain the front tank first (taking weight off the ball) then use the rear tank last.
Danny
If you have any pics mate that would be great. As I may put in a lever to change from one tank to another.
Mark
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Its probably a bit difficult to see from this pic but basically the suction side of the pump has both tanks running to it via a tee piece. And in those inlet lines I have normal old garden irrigation plastic taps so I can stop the pump drawing from any one of the tanks.
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FntppsTq2pw/UNZznBUD7VI/AAAAAAAAFEw/RNDGcaZN_lk/s1600/DSC00949s.jpg)
I have a diagram somewhere Ill try and find it.
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Hopefully this pic works. This will give you an idea of what works well for us.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/29/2y9u9amu.jpg)
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I have similar..an 80 and 60 litre tank...but the tanks are seperate on purpose.
The main 80l tank is general purpose, goes to hotwater, kitchen sink, shower and drawerbar tap etc..and has optional infeed so I can connect anywhere to fill up this tank...so questionable water.
The 60l tank is dedicated potable water only and is fed to a single tap at kitchen sink. All drinking water is sourced from this.
The benefit of this is you can refil the 80l tank where ever you can..river..caravan park..whatever...while drinking water is always known to be from a safe clean source.
The only downside is need for 2 pumps sets of piping
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I had the second tank fitted when I bought my Odyssey and it is plumbed in just like DannyG's sketch - except I don't know whether it has the one-way valves and I am also not sure that they are necessary. The pump suction will keep the tanks at the same level if both valves are open, since if one tank is at a higher level than the other the higher tank will require less suction to pull water out of it and so will flow more until the levels balance.
Edit: silly me, of course they are necessary to keep the pump suction flooded! DUH!!!
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Thanks Danny.
Gives me ideas as my pump is in my kitchen box on the tail gate. I might just ad taps also so I can switch from one tank to another.
Mark
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My thoughts are keep them seperate, even if only by a small tap or sumfin, that way, if you damage one tank, you still have the other to get by on.
Just a thoughty, i'll go back to my corner now.
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Keen to see how you go - we are looking at adding another one as you can never have to much water when a 2yr old seems to like playing with a tap.
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Might have one tank just for beer :cheers:
Mark
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Mine is set up similar to DannyG's. Two 85l tanks, single filler point tee'd to both tanks, same for breather. Both supply lines have Inline taps to switch tanks or run both together, then they tee into one feed to the pump. I don't have any one way valves and don't have any issues with drain back and both tanks seem to empty at an even rate when linked together. Make sure you use only drinking water grade hose. Nothing worse than that garden hose taste. :cheers:
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Hi Mark, don't know if the link will work but there are a few pictures of what I done with my two tanks, I can pump from either or both tanks but they won't level themselves, both tanks are connected to an electric pump and there are provisions made in the suction line to fit a hand pump should the elec. one fail. I have mine set up with two filler points , one at the front and a rear one .
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=24065.msg406645#msg406645 (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=24065.msg406645#msg406645)
Trevor
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Might have one tank just for beer :cheers:
Mark
Might need a pizza oven while your at it.....??
Actually, comet to think, that has actually been done before !
Yeah, beer tap and pizza oven. Cant belive they're not standard.
Are these manufacturers not listening to real world feed back?