DIY pressurized water tank update

totally agree with you, having OBA with a regulator attached to the pipe would be ideal in this situation

 

Nice! I made one of these, very similar. I used hole saws and welded fittings in place for a cleaner look without the wye fitting. I used 3 2" fittings with caps and plugs for filling with water and air, with one on the bottom for the hose bib, so I can use all the water. I'll try to
post a better pic tomorrow.

I was also thinking of using a 12v rv water pump instead of air, and making a small propane heater coil with copper pipe and small burner. Prob overkill, but hey. I also saw 12v heater elements on Amazon for around $15.

Anyway - totally worth having this mod! A shower can sure make a huge difference after a few days of dirt and sweat.

 

You have @Dissent86 rack! Looks great, yes more pics of the system would be great to share

 

I like this, i just ended up using a scepter for my pressurized water needs

 

Thanks! Yep! Rack is awesome! Mounted the tank to @Dissent86 's awning brackets.

 

I built one about 8 years ago, it was always my idea to use a pump or hook it into the OBA. But in 8 years all I've ever done is vent it and since it's on the roofrack gravity does the work. I pressured it the first few times I use it, but it was such a pain and after that I realize it doesn't need pressure, just a vent for decent flow.

 

Not possible! 4" pipe takes waaay too much space, so does the Hi-Lift!
Oh well, compromised for that one trip. Took a photo after returning from the trip, before I took it apart.


I put in Way too much work into this project...

 

@BastekFX Did you get your water tank worked out? I'm thinking of doing something similar, but with a tank on each side of the bed...wondering how your project turned out...

Also, I'm thinking of just using it as on board water storage run through a heat exchanger under the hood...

 

My PVC build worked out just fine, and I really like the idea, but I used it only a handful of times (2 camping trips last fall), and I used a bicycle pump to pressurize it (low pressure ..). I removed it before the winter (bed space) and didn't have a chance to install and use it this spring as if yet, so I can't speak of long term durability.

If you build yours from pvc, make sure you use the pipe that can handle some pressure (is NOT marked "Not for Pressure"- much cheaper, and my local HD sells them in 3' pieces... ) and use heavy duty glue designed for larger diameter pipes.
Good luck with your build!

 

Thanks for the suggestions, @BastekFX

I like the idea of the inside mount for a few reasons...

1. It's kind of wasted space above the wheel wells anyway (in some cases...);

2. PVC won't degrade in the sun;

3. Less wind resistance vs. on a roof rack;

4. Weight down lower vs. on a roof rack;

5. More secure (less people that could either steal or tamper with it) while out surfing, biking, hiking, etc.;

There might be a few drawbacks to the inside mount:

1. Access not as easy;

2. If it springs a leak it could get your contents wet;

3. Takes up space where one might want shovel, ax, hi-lift, etc...

4. Needs an additional heating source vs. passive solar heated when roof rack mounted...

Always tradeoffs...

I'll definitely post pics when we get to that point...

 

Just a little food for thought...

I found this product online yesterday...along the lines of inside the bed mount:







This actually got me thinking about doing some custom stainless steel or aluminum tanks over the wheel wells and under my bedslider (which is pretty much wasted space), because I'd like more water capacity...


Comments and suggestions about that idea are welcomed. It would be nice if there was a main post for all on board water storage ideas...

[EDIT: I figure I can get about 33 gallons under the bedslider with a tank 6' x 3' x 3"...If I raise the bedslider 1", I could store about 44 gallons...and would weigh between 280 and 380 lbs...My big question is how much it would cost to have such a tank fabricated.]

 

I sketched out a version of this and started adding needed items to a wish list on Amazon last year, then got sidetracked and never built it. My idea was 4" PVC in a U shape mounted to the top inside of my bed rack. Painted black to absorb heat from the sun but under the rack so I don't think it would get painfully hot. Plus then it would be a cleaner look and not affect aerodynamics. 5'x4'x5' was my ball park sizing. I had not measured it out yet. But that would hold just over 9 gallons. A 6" pipe would give me 20 gallons, but all that in 6" would get pricey. I was going to use a schrader valve on one end to pressurize it and a 45deg clean out Wye fitting on the output side so all the water gets drained under pressure. On a straight tube your hose fitting can only get so close to the bottom, so once the water level drops below that, you lose all the air quickly and get little water out. I found a 25psi water pressure regulator for the output. Not as high pressure as a good shower at home, but enough to get cleaned up and not use all the water pressure in one shot I think.

That was my plan anyway.

 

Awesome set up. I've been wanting to do the exact same solar shower idea. Seems like the 4" pipe In the bed instead of the roof would heat quicker/more efficiently without wind hitting it as much and when not being used, the tonneau will keep it out of the elements

 

I've been drafting up some similar schematics. Was thinking about putting four 4" PVC pipes together side by side, one end capped on each, the other end 4" to 3" to 2" reducers to 2" 45 degree street elbow PVC to T all 4" pipes side by side, close together and down to a 2" pipe.. All hit with sandpaper, primed and painted with chalkboard spray paint for max heat absorption..
On the 2" pipe connecting them all, have one end with a 2" slip to 2" threaded male coupling with 2" threaded cap with a schrader valve (in case it ever gets busted or the o rings need replacing I can screw the cap off and put a new one in). On the other end, do the same cap with a 3/4", 1/4 turn garden hose spigot, expandable 50' garden hose with spray nozzle I can attach to a flex tube shower head in my portable pop up shower.
Just typing that makes me want to go to Home Depot.

 

Here is mine.



I run it with this for when solar isnt sufficient (tankless water heater 120$ on Amazon):




It is pressurized using my Viair 450 using quick connect airline. Installed 20psi pressure switch on tank so viair shuts off when tank is @20psi.

 

PVC does not take paint well. My research is telling me that clear PVC cleaner mixed with Rit dye does a good job for coloring it.

 

Any ideas on where I could get some stainless steel water tanks fabricated?

I'm thinking about putting one under my bedslider...dimensions are 6' (l) x 3' (w) x 3" (h)... That should hold about 33 gallons...if increased to 4" height, I would get about 44 gallons...in a place that is otherwise wasted space.

Located in Phoenix.

 

@Quicksander17 Are you thinking of stacking them vertically or horizontally? On a rack or bed of the truck? Interesting concept. Would love to see a diagram...

 

Hey, @excorcist on your Camplux...I see you have in mounted inside your cap...I've read some things about the pilot light going out in windy conditions...do you know anything about that? Where I'm heading, it can get very windy...so I don't want to get into a situation where that propane water heater won't work...Thanks.

 

I haven't had that issue as you can see where it is mounted it wouldn't get very windy... I would think worst case scenario you could build a wind block for it.