Community Forums

JNSNWT · 08-22-2016, 10:42 AM

The water bandit box clearly says "no pressure" and the reviews back that up. If you do put a clamp on it to hold it on the spigot it will split the rubber according to the reviews I read.

The water thief says low-pressure but I'm not sure about the reviews on it either.

Has anyone came up with a DIY method to fill your water tank from those faucets that do not have threads.?

I envision a short length of clear soft plastic reinforced hose that will fit over the male hose end and the non-threaded spigot held together with a couple of hose clamps. Does anybody have a recommended hose size?

Matt A · 08-22-2016, 11:04 AM

I have the DW hold it on.

Loggenrock · 08-22-2016, 08:35 PM

I had made my own slip-on for the USFS CG's around us, but some hosts get real fussy about anything, even temporary, attached to a faucet. So just finished making my own water transfer set-up. Bought a 12V RV/Marine water pump on Amazon for $18 - only puts out 1.1 gpm, but that should be fine for my use. Connected it to cord with cigarette lighter plug with 5A fuse. Used 3/8" vinyl tubing on intake side, idea is to fill collapsable 2.5 gal water jug, then pump from that into rig just like city water connection. Rigged discharge side with more vinyl tubing, ending with male garden hose thread. This way I can attach it to my filter and regular water fill. Fill jug, pump into rig, repeat. About $25 invested total. Works great during testing, will see how it works in field trials in 2 weeks! ST

JNSNWT · 08-23-2016, 08:49 AM

Loggenrock,
Your "bucket brigade" idea gave me an idea.

On our class "A" the plumbing is already there to use the existing water pump to suck up antifreeze and pump it thru the lines. I bet with a little effort you could add a tee into the discharge line and have the new tee line going back to the tank fill line and elminate the new pump that you have to store and carry around.

At first I thought you'd need a shut off valve to force the water into the tank but on the second pass of planning realised the inside faucets will do the same thing.

I'm still investigating what size of flex hose and clamp I'd need for a temporary connection.

mel s · 08-23-2016, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JNSNWT

The water bandit box clearly says "no pressure" and the reviews back that up. If you do put a clamp on it to hold it on the spigot it will split the rubber according to the reviews I read.
The water thief says low-pressure but I'm not sure about the reviews on it either.
Has anyone came up with a DIY method to fill your water tank from those faucets that do not have threads.?
I envision a short length of clear soft plastic reinforced hose that will fit over the male hose end and the non-threaded spigot held together with a couple of hose clamps. Does anybody have a recommended hose size?

JNSNWT
There's nothing wrong with your idea.

However I've used a hose clamp to attach my now 15 year old Camco Water Bandit to faucets dozens of times without a problem.
If it ever splits I will buy another..(they only cost about $5).

Mel
'96 Safari

Loggenrock · 08-23-2016, 10:26 PM

Some coaches already have a "Country Fill" option to do just what you describe, "suck" water in like the pink stuff but divert it to the fresh water tank. Iinvestigated this option, really couldn't see an easy way to make it happen. so that's when I came up with the 2nd pump concept. FWIW, new pump, intake and discharge tube all fit in a 1 gallon ziplock bag, so not worried about storing them. Also gives me a "spare" 12V pump should I ever need it while travelling. ST

Tony Lee · 08-24-2016, 03:25 AM

Water bandits are pretty useless without adding a couple of hose clamps. Home depot sell clamps with thumb screws that make things easier.

tderonne · 08-24-2016, 06:48 AM

Put me in the carry a 5 gallon water jug (collapsible) crowd.

My Winnebago has the anti-freeze suction line, and a tank fill valve, so no modifications required. I don't use it to completely fill the tank, but have used it a couple times to save breaking camp just to get water.

OP has a Newmar product. I don't know how they are set up. Anyone know?

mojoracing · 08-25-2016, 08:10 AM

I use a small transer pump from harbor freight for around 10 bucks. It comes with two clamps to hook to a battery but I could easily replace them with a cigarette lighter plug. I use it to transfer water from a 35 gallon leg tank when we are boondocking at racetracks. It will pump the entire 35 gallons into our gravity fill in a few minutes. Three trips and Im refilled. The only problem I have run into is that the intake side sucks so hard, it collapses a standard garden hose so I hook it up to the tank spigot directly. Granted, most folks dont have the room to store a tank this size but it sure comes in handy when they are charging 75.00 to refill your tank!
On our Bounder, our winterizing T is in the same outside compartment as our water tank and gravity fill line along with a cigarette plug outlet. Shouldnt be too hard to run a line to be able to fill using the coach pump from a five gallon bucket or whatever I happen to have with me. Guess I have a new project!

Dutchstar08 · 08-25-2016, 08:11 PM

I have found that a piece of 1/2" black drip line fits very snugly over the hose bibs used in Calif. Parks. Slide it on with a little force hose clamp install hose adapter to other end