An unusual setup.

[Trilug]

I'm considering an unusual setup for my water system. I'm thinking about an extra gray water tank for my shower, that Iwill run through a filter to use for flushing my toilet. Has anyone seen or thought of something like this? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages you could think of in a system like this?

[Dtwallace]

Sounds like a great idea, especially for those of us who does a lot of boon docking.

Water conservation is a key item to always consider.

Your filter system is going to be the biggest challenge of this project, because you will have to be sure to remove all solids from the shower water so as not to plug up any valves or screens in the using system.

Also, a separate high quality supply water pump from the aux tank to where it will be used.

This setup would not be very economical for the typical RV builder, and in my opinion is the only reason why it's not on the market. It's a green project that could be adopted by any one of us.

I for one would love to hear more of the plans you've already drawn up for your project, because it's one I've also wanted to incorporate into a conversion trailer project I'm planning to build one day.

DTW

[Trilug]

No real set plans as of yet, I'm still in the highly experimental phase of how to get all my amenities packed into 100 s.f. of living space.

Right now it's looking like I'm going to have a kayak between the bathroom and bed, and a motorcycle in the dining room and kitchen area.

My plans are to get this set for full time living with lots of boondocking. I'm afraid I'm going to have to go with flexible amorphous solar panels so they work in the shade, and so they contour to the roof of the bus.

One other idea I'm working on is a pump and filter to bring water on from a lake or river. If I add this option, my Blackwater tank will be my largest, and I will have 3 or 4 filters before the water gets to my faucet.

Edit: the living space is 7'9" by 13'. Unfortunately the lift removes about 9 s.f. of area that I could use to build in, and therefore is dedicated to my toolbox, packs, and the bike.

[BirchyBoy]

I was looking at a way to filter grey water for dumping most anywhere, but that doesn't seem feasible. I did run across some posts regarding what you're considering, and I think there's a kit that has the majority of the parts for around $250ish. I'll see if I can find a link.

Here it is:
http://www.doityourselfrv.com/dry-ca...system-usi-rv/

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by Trilug

I'm considering an unusual setup for my water system. I'm thinking about an extra gray water tank for my shower, that Iwill run through a filter to use for flushing my toilet. Has anyone seen or thought of something like this? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages you could think of in a system like this?

Older Class As had such a system. In our 1968 UltraVan, the only way to flush the Saniware 1000 marine toilet was with gray water Tank fresh water and hose water only went to the water heater and the sink faucets.

[cj23andout]

No reason to buy a separate gray water tank. Proceed with your plan with your existing gray tank.

I had a travel trailer that had a simple fresh water system. A tube went from the pump through the floor into the fresh water tank. The regular tubing was the pick up line.

So run a separate pump and plumbing to the toilette line from the gray water tank.

You could even leave existing plumbing in place and use valves to isolate the main plumbing from the gray water plumbing. That way, when you are on hook ups, the main water line flushes the toilette. (Some sort of check valve system would be needed here for sure!)(Don't want gray water in your fresh water?)

When you boondock, switch the valves to the gray water pump lines. When you flush, that pump should kick on and start pumping to the toilet. You could set up some sort of filtration just prior to the pump if needed.

Should work, right?

[vsheetz]

Google 'rv grey water recycling' or similar. Various articles and ways to accomplish. Good luck!

[Trilug]

Thanks for all the input! I don't have any water lines as of yet. I'm still very early in the conversion, and trying out different mockups before I finish anything off. I'm glad I did it this way though, I'm already looking at moving stuff around.

[chris1953]

One thing to consider: try to float the out-going pipe in the gray tank. This avoids picking up solids that have settled on the bottom. I did this with a rubber duck tied in a net that some lemons came in. The weight of the non-return valve kept the intake just under the surface.

[Trilug]

Excellent piece of advice that probably saved me a lot of headaches down the road. Thank you very much.