Community Forums

greybird · 02-21-2021, 03:05 PM

Hi All,

So I'm in the process of a van conversion and I would like to set the water system up like a conventional RV so that I can both be off-grid and use my tanks and, when parked up in civilization, connect to the city water supply and circumvent the tanks so I don't have to keep an eye on their levels and deal with refilling when I'm staying somewhere a while.

I understand the system for a self-contained fresh water > shower etc > grey water tanks. What I cannot seem to find is how one sets up the system so you can switch from holding tank filling to just being connected to a hose.

Can anyone help? Ideally a clear schematic and part names would be great.

Thanks!

Old-Biscuit · 02-21-2021, 09:36 PM

Fresh water tank:
Can have a gravity port, a 3-way FILL valve (one way FILLs tank/Other way provides City Water to RV) OR BOTH
**City water Hose Connection.. internal check valve so when using pump is closes and water does spray out the hose connection
***Pump has an Internal Check Valve that stops backflow thru pump when using City Water connection

Cold Water Line shows a Drain Valve
Hot Water Line should have one also....Called Low Point Drains

Pump suction line shows a 'winterizing' valve so RV anti-freeze can be sucked into/thru pump

Toilet.....Sinks/showers----install shutoff valves so you can isolate each one and still use the other fixtures (otherwise you have to shutdown the whole supply until repairs are made

Could install an accumulator tank (small 2 gal pressurized tank) on Cold Water Line to help control pump cycling when demand is low

Waste tanks.......could install Flush Nozzles and Hose connections
***Anti-siphon/vacuum breaker should be installed at least 2' above waste tank (use a brass one vs those cheap plastic junk)

Waste tank dump valves.......3" for Black/1 1/2" for grey ---both going to common drain header and have another dump valve on that header so when boondocking you can close the header valve/open both waste tank dump valves tying them both together for increased waste capacity (vs grey fill too soon or black not getting enough liquid due to water conservation)