DIY PVC Water Tank

Nice write up. When I built mine I did not see this design. I went with 4” ABS. I built two and mounted under my Rhino Rack cross bars. I run them at 30 psi with no pressure relief valve. They work nicely.

 

Looks exactly like my first version, mounted almost identical.

 

Thanks.

update: decided to go with plastidip as my final outer coating. I used this on my pelican case refurbishment and it has held up very well through most the summer and the mild Ohio winter we’ve had. I recall in the summer months, the case got super hot under the August sun. Figured plastidip would fair well with this water tank. Couple coats over the next few days and I’ll have the tank just about complete. Third and final test to come soon.

 

Keep us posted on the plastidip. I’d be interested in seeing if it helps heat up/retain heat better. I have some in the garage waiting for a purpose.

 

Put the last coat of PlasitDip on it today...

I put a bead of JB Weld Waterweld at each of the seams to insure its sealed. Ill plan to do a water and pressure test within the next couple weeks or so.

 

Very Happy with how it turned out. Gonna have to wait for a warmer day to do a pressurized water test again though. Future Solar Panel between the case and the water tank.

 

Looks good. Hopefully the plastidip holds up.

 

And hopefully it works, Haha.

As you can see on the pelican case I refurbished, it still is holding strong after almost a year and a pretty mild Ohio winter.

 

Just as a public service announcment you shouldn't be putting DWV (Drain,Waste,Vent) fittings under pressure. Schedule 40 fittings have much larger cups on them which translates into alot more glued surface and the fittings are heavier. Personally if I were to put one of these togother I would just use a peice of schedule 40 pipe with 2 schedule 40 end caps and just drill and tap fittings wherever needed. Just my 2 cents.

 

Can you be a bit more specific? Just want to make sure that my design is the best I can make it.

I understand the dangers of pressurizing pvc drain piping. This is where the pressure relief valve will play a role. And the pressure gauge for good measure to insure the pipe doesnt go over 30psi. I was planning to use a small usb air compressor with psi settings,

$30 150 PSI Tire inflator portable air compressor with LCD Display Emergency LED Light Rechargeable Li-ion Batteryd Electric Cordless Air Pump for Cars, Motorbikes, Balls, Swim rings and All Bicycles

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JPBHZJZ

 

Your design looks good it’s just the fittings appear to be DWV in type and are not rated to hold pressure. Schedule 40 PVC pipe and fittings are rated to hold pressure. If you go on Home Depots website and just search PVC you will find DWV and Schedule 40 parts, even better if you go there you will certainly see the difference. Charlotte pipe is the manufacturer of what Home Depot typically sells I'm sure their website would be a good resource for information. The gauge and relief valve are for sure a must have.

 

This is very interesting. I didn’t know. Here are the stamps for the 3 fitting. Can you give me some more info on this. Sorry for the orention just how the tube and fitting arrangement is.

 

I can tell by the shape of the fittings that they are meant for drain or vent lines. See attached for the difference in the two types of fittings.

 

I’m starting to understand.

 

Mehh..

I put 30psi into DWV ABS and it been fine. The pop off valve will open way before the pipe cracks/explodes/whatevers.

5 years of real world experience running the set up says you don’t have anything to worry about.

 

This is a good thread. I think my design, although not the best as I learn more about this, with the valve and gauge, setting a limit for pressure in, etc. these safety measures are the best they can be.

Back in august, I did my first test with water and pressure. It seemed pretty successful imo. This was without any safety measures. With all that said, now that I’ve learned a lot more, I think this will suffice my needs

 

Beads water pretty well.

 

Agreed…Mines going on 3 years and have not had any failures or other issues. With my straight pipe design the 2” filler pipe was drilled and welded in and the JB Weld putty was added to the inside of the holding tank. I figured that would be the point of failure, but so far it has proven itself.

 

I’ll need to purchase the air compressor I want to use, coiled garden hose and shower head then I’ll do a water pressure test.

 

Well my 35 years of being a pipe fitter in the HVAC field tells me different. I've seen plenty of pipe failures due to using the wrong materials with injuries involved, sometimes even using the correct materials and installing them improperly. To say the relief valve will open before a failure is false, there is no guarantee there won't be a failure before reaching the relief set point. Even that being said plenty of relief valves fail to operate and cause accidents. Not trying to be dramatic just giving advice based on my real world experience use the information as you will.