Post by vikx on Jan 5, 2020 12:28:12 GMT -8
In the early years, trailer manufacturers worked hard to make life easier when camping. One ingenious invention was the air pressure water system. It worked by using an air tight tank which was pressurized by air. Some trailers could be re-pressurizing with a hand air pump, usually by the sink.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/51363582823/in/dateposted-public/" title="Nevins System (5)"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363582823_ef32e18fa3_w.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Nevins System (5)"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Most pressure tanks were aluminum, a few were steel.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/51363582853/in/dateposted-public/" title="Nevins System (4)"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363582853_85be7c8b02_w.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Nevins System (4)"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/51363582898/in/dateposted-public/" title="Nevins System (2)"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363582898_1d8507836c_w.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Nevins System (2)"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/51363360406/in/dateposted-public/" title="Nevins System (1)"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363360406_9de729dc3b_w.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Nevins System (1)"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The lid had a rubber gasket to maintain pressure. The gaskets and fittings MUST hold pressure in order for the system to work. An air fitting (Schrader valve) in the neck of the fill tube allowed the use of a compressor or bicycle pump to add pressure.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/51363582783/in/dateposted-public/" title="Nevins System (6)"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363582783_a41d7e623b_w.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Nevins System (6)"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/51363582978/in/dateposted-public/" title="Nevins Fill (2)"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363582978_5992a7532a_w.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Nevins Fill (2)"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The lower the water, the more strokes it takes to pressurize the tank. These old systems fascinate me; why are they not used today? Perfect for camping out in the middle of nowhere. Usually, the tank had a hose inlet. If a garden hose was used to fill the tank, it also pressurized the system and that lasted for quite a while before hand pumping was necessary.
Most of my vintage trailers have a hand pump connected to an ABS (plastic) tank. They are a pain compared to a pressurized system. I guess it depends on how much water you use.
The older higher end Silver Streaks, Airstreams and Holiday Ramblers (and I'm sure lots of others) used a small 12 volt AIR pump to pressurize the system from inside. They have a pulley belt and are really interesting to see. A pressure switch controlled the operation.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/51364128379/in/dateposted-public/" title="Air pump"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51364128379_0277d50ba9_w.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Air pump"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Today, 12 volt pumps are the norm and can be added to any vintage trailer. These pumps self prime and are "on demand", sensing lower pressure when a faucet is opened. They work well but can be a little loud compared to the older systems. Much simpler and easier to just install a 12 volt water pump. Turn the faucet handle, and water comes out. No pumping, no gauges, no monitoring pressures, etc. Not as much fun re-inventing things but much easier.
Side note: My 56 Aljo's has a gravity tank system. Kind of difficult to fill way up high, but makes sense and the faucet should flow. I'm going to replicate the complete system with a new poly tank. It works just like the old log cabin systems; high water tank and flow to the faucet. Unfortunately, the gravity system needed a small 12 volt booster pump inline to receive more than a steady dribble.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/51363582823/in/dateposted-public/" title="Nevins System (5)"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363582823_ef32e18fa3_w.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Nevins System (5)"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Most pressure tanks were aluminum, a few were steel.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/51363582853/in/dateposted-public/" title="Nevins System (4)"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363582853_85be7c8b02_w.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Nevins System (4)"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/51363582898/in/dateposted-public/" title="Nevins System (2)"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363582898_1d8507836c_w.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Nevins System (2)"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/51363360406/in/dateposted-public/" title="Nevins System (1)"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363360406_9de729dc3b_w.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Nevins System (1)"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The lid had a rubber gasket to maintain pressure. The gaskets and fittings MUST hold pressure in order for the system to work. An air fitting (Schrader valve) in the neck of the fill tube allowed the use of a compressor or bicycle pump to add pressure.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/51363582783/in/dateposted-public/" title="Nevins System (6)"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363582783_a41d7e623b_w.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Nevins System (6)"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/51363582978/in/dateposted-public/" title="Nevins Fill (2)"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363582978_5992a7532a_w.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Nevins Fill (2)"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The lower the water, the more strokes it takes to pressurize the tank. These old systems fascinate me; why are they not used today? Perfect for camping out in the middle of nowhere. Usually, the tank had a hose inlet. If a garden hose was used to fill the tank, it also pressurized the system and that lasted for quite a while before hand pumping was necessary.
Most of my vintage trailers have a hand pump connected to an ABS (plastic) tank. They are a pain compared to a pressurized system. I guess it depends on how much water you use.
The older higher end Silver Streaks, Airstreams and Holiday Ramblers (and I'm sure lots of others) used a small 12 volt AIR pump to pressurize the system from inside. They have a pulley belt and are really interesting to see. A pressure switch controlled the operation.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/51364128379/in/dateposted-public/" title="Air pump"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51364128379_0277d50ba9_w.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Air pump"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Today, 12 volt pumps are the norm and can be added to any vintage trailer. These pumps self prime and are "on demand", sensing lower pressure when a faucet is opened. They work well but can be a little loud compared to the older systems. Much simpler and easier to just install a 12 volt water pump. Turn the faucet handle, and water comes out. No pumping, no gauges, no monitoring pressures, etc. Not as much fun re-inventing things but much easier.
Side note: My 56 Aljo's has a gravity tank system. Kind of difficult to fill way up high, but makes sense and the faucet should flow. I'm going to replicate the complete system with a new poly tank. It works just like the old log cabin systems; high water tank and flow to the faucet. Unfortunately, the gravity system needed a small 12 volt booster pump inline to receive more than a steady dribble.