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Post by 62astrodome on Feb 14, 2018 10:33:54 GMT -8
Hey there. Bought a '62 Shasta astrodome for $1.00! Interior is about 75%, looks good, just needs some lovin. Exterior is sound and good, but I'm repainting it.
My question is about the pressure tank, how to fill, pressurized and empty it. It looks either aluminum or steel, under the front seat. The hardware is in place with the pressure gauge and air valve. Do I fill the tank with the hose and then add air? And is the hose valve a one way valve? I just don't know. I'm used to tents or my old shack in the woods, and even that has no plumbing. Any advice for a newby would be great, thanks!
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Jolene
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1964 Aristocrat Li'l Loafer
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Post by Jolene on Feb 14, 2018 17:43:04 GMT -8
Hi there! Congratulations on your purchase!! I won't have answers but I will say that if you have photos it will be much easier to find help.  Can't wait to see pics of your $1 find!! |
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Post by Ross on Feb 15, 2018 4:08:25 GMT -8
62astrodome Vikx wrote this several years ago: 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 and pressurizing with a hand air pump, usually by the sink.
Most pressure tanks were aluminum, a few were steel. The lid had a rubber gasket to maintain pressure. A little air fitting in the neck of the fill tube allowed the use of a compressor or bicycle pump . 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.
Slowly open the exterior cap on the water fill. Make sure that the drain valve or spigot (located under the trailer) is closed and fill the tank with a garden hose. Replace the cap and using a bicycle pump, add air using the exterior valve or use the interior hand pump, which should already be connected to the water tank.  Water tank in a vintage trailer. Metal pipe at the top is the water inlet. Pipe at the opposite end is the hand pump. The copper lines run to the sink, toilet, shower, etc  Hand pump with air pressure gauge is used to pressurize the water tank. When the water presser is low, simply add more air to the tank.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2018 11:45:25 GMT -8
This is the exterior water fill, air valve, and pressure gauge on my 1970 Real-Lite truck camper I'm parting out. I plan to use this on my Detroiter below that was kind of bastardized. The gauge lens needs replacement, but I did test the system and it works fine.   |
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CorvettCrzy
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'58 Corvette, '64 Franklin
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Post by CorvettCrzy on Feb 22, 2018 18:03:44 GMT -8
62astrodome I second the call for pictures, would love to see some and be envious of your $1.00 camper.
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Post by 62astrodome on Feb 26, 2018 16:33:43 GMT -8
How do I post them? I'm not sure how, not great with this stuff lol
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