bimmrr
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Post by bimmrr on Jul 29, 2014 7:25:34 GMT -8
Hey all, The 63 Shasta Compact we have has the original water tank under the seats. Looks okay from outside but know previous owner did not use it and they had it for about 10 years. What's the best way to test this to see if water put in won't result in water coming out at sink being unsafe to drink ? Can I just use the city water hook up since do not plan on camping in the wild/boondocking ? Thanks Mike
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chametzoo
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Post by chametzoo on Jul 29, 2014 8:16:15 GMT -8
Since you don't plan on camping off grid, just install a city water inlet after the tank outlet, with a check valve to keep inflow from filling the tank. If you really want to test the quality of the water coming from your undoubtedly ancient water tank (it's steel, I'm assuming), first visually inspect the water for large particulates, metal flakes, rust etc. If the water is host to a lot of junk, then forget about drinking from the tank. If not, you can purchase a water testing kit that you send to a lab for analysis. But that will really tell you more about the quality of the water source that you fill your tank with, than the condition of the tank. But it might alert you to the presence of heavier metals that you really don't want to consume. Many, many would advise you NOT to drink from your on board water system at all and that would include city water running through it… bring container water with you for drinking. Use the system water for cleaning up dishes and maybe washing hands or showering if you have that. I got rid of my old steel tank and replaced with a new plastic one for a variety of reasons.
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Post by sixtyoneshastagal on Jul 29, 2014 8:26:48 GMT -8
Anyone have a picture of the plastic tank and where can I get one? Price too? My seats are out but the wall is there on my 61 Shasta and the fill valve shows on the outside. That cute metal thing with a clip. Thanks
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bimmrr
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Post by bimmrr on Jul 29, 2014 10:03:15 GMT -8
Hey Chametzoo, You're right, it is an ancient steel tank. Previous owner had a large blue water container which they used instead of the tank and which I will probably use as well or simply bottled water. Plan on drinking either beer, wine or Jack Daniels when camping so bottled water would do the trick. I will see if the old system even works without leaking - operative words "without leaking ". Tested the city water system and it seems to work fine hooked up to a hose, drains good, so like you said for washing dishes, filling the porta potty, etc. Thanks for the advice ! Regards Mike
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Post by vikx on Jul 29, 2014 10:14:27 GMT -8
I don't consider any tank water safe to drink. Think about it-there's always going to be moisture in the tank and/or water sitting. It's just a matter of time before something starts to grow... I bleach every plastic tank (most metal tanks leak unless they are aluminum) but still don't consider the water safe. Even new tanks are suspect. Who knows what/where/how they were made? Here is a picture of an ABS tank: The are 16" wide and 8" tall and come in lengths 18" up to 48". Very easy to work with; ABS glue for the fittings. Each end had 3/8 threaded holes as well. Here is a poly tank: You can get them custom made most sizes. Some need to have the fittings "heat spun" on. Cost is $60 and up on both. A really great way to have potable water on board is with a hand pump and gallon jug of water. Easy to re-fill and always fresh: The tube drops down from the hand pump and into the jug: Of course the end of the tube goes into the jug while you camp.
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chametzoo
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Post by chametzoo on Jul 29, 2014 11:07:41 GMT -8
Vikx... Is the jug the fresh water supply and you pump it up and dispense at the counter? If so, what kind of pump are you using. That's a nice integrated solution. You could also gravity feed down from an upper cabinet.
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Post by vikx on Jul 29, 2014 21:29:44 GMT -8
It's a simple rocker hand pump: Yes, the jug is fresh water. You can either buy a new jug or re-fill, but always clean and fresh. My experience with gravity feeds is that they are slow and dribbley....finally added an assist pump to the Aljo system.
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shastajeff
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Post by shastajeff on Jul 30, 2014 5:55:37 GMT -8
I just pulled the metal water tank out of my 65 Compact. Not only was it full of rust and crap but it had pinholes in the bottom. I'm now using the same system as the gallon jug but instead using a 5 gallon jug.
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poncho62
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Post by poncho62 on Jul 30, 2014 16:42:51 GMT -8
For the price of bottled water, we dont even drink the campground water.
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Bow_Tied
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Post by Bow_Tied on Aug 1, 2014 16:54:44 GMT -8
I wouldn't use an old tank either. If it was galvanized especially (zinc). An aside on bottled water: I work in the water treatment business. Bottled water has its place when there are no good alternatives. However, I suggest you minimize the use of bottled water. There are fewer regulations on the water that is bottled vs. municipally treated. Some companies bottle municipal water, some from lakes or streams. Very little of it is actually 'spring' water (a marketing term). Bottled water could be delivered to you soon after bottling or it could be stored on a pallet under factory warehouse lighting at the top of some inventory rack for a few months. Some companies add stuff to the water for taste, like salt. I suggest reading the labels. There is also a huge pollution angle. Think of the thousands of semi-trucks running skids of bottled water around (fuel/oil/tires etc). Think of all the bottles that don't get recycled ending up in a landfill/the oceans and lakes. Most city water from municipal treatment plants in North America have excellent drinking water testing better than many bottled waters. AND here is the kicker: it's also cheaper, a lot cheaper. That 18oz bottle for $1.25 is ~$6/gallon. It was in many cases was just pumped out of lake Michigan with minimal post treatment; now compare that to the effort to create a gallon of gasoline and we'd cry if it was the same price. Bottled water is great in places where the water can't be trusted or is unavailable. Just be aware of the back story.
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chametzoo
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Post by chametzoo on Aug 1, 2014 17:19:13 GMT -8
Bottled water has its place when there are no good alternatives. However, I suggest you minimize the use of bottled water. Bottled water is great in places where the water can't be trusted or is unavailable. Just be aware of the back story. Amen! Bottled water is a bad joke on all of us. I'd also add, that one of the many simple camping water filters can clean up virtually any water source to some extent. Those kind of devices are saving lives in the third world and providing water to populations who have no access to clean water. Kinda off subject , but relevant to traveling and trailering. Thanks bow tied, for the insight.
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bimmrr
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Post by bimmrr on Nov 30, 2014 13:39:24 GMT -8
Post script - When I took out the original steel tank it was full of pin holes on the bottom and wouldn't even hold water. So, just hook up the sink to shore water for dishes, that kind of thing. Refinished the outside fill up fixture by powder coating with a chrome powder and looks great - just goes nowhere. Have the original faucet and pump fixture which I plan to either rechrome or maybe try the chrome powder coating as will leave in place. Regards Mike
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Post by vikx on Nov 30, 2014 21:35:37 GMT -8
Thanks for the update Mike. The old metal tanks are usually full of holes.
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annbclay
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1961 Shasta Compact
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Post by annbclay on Jan 14, 2015 18:10:50 GMT -8
I just pulled the metal water tank out of my 65 Compact. Not only was it full of rust and crap but it had pinholes in the bottom. I'm now using the same system as the gallon jug but instead using a 5 gallon jug. I have a 61 Compact and like you, want to pull out my tank to use that currently wasted space. Was it very difficult? Anyone else done this on the older model compact. Currently I am trying to keep the wall, floor and ceiling structure in tact.
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Jan 15, 2015 6:37:58 GMT -8
Basically there is not much holding these old tanks in. They may be strapped down to some degree, but most are not. There are three connections, the easiest one being the hookup to the line into the trailer. Then there is a drain which goes out through the floor, you will likely have to remove any caps or shutoffs from the outside in order for the tube to fit through the hole in the floor. The largest challenge is normally removing the water fill from the outside. The fill itself is attached to the outside wall by three or four screws, and then it threads onto a pipe nipple, which is welded into the tank inlet. Generally speaking, the easiest way to remove this is by prying a little space between the wall and the tank and cutting the nipple off with a hacksaw. If you are leaving the filler on the outside, it can just be put back into place and screwed back down. It is also possible to reuse the fill as a fill, removing the remaining piece of the pipe is a task but can be done. There are options for using the hole through the wall. An outdoor outlet can be added if desired, and you can send the old water fill to me... .
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