Have original water tank in 63 Compact- how to test

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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

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.