Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 05-23-2012, 05:26 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 9
Gravity based water system?

I am building a ground up Galley for my van with a 36" kitchen cabinet as the base. I found a "bartenders" 15" sink at Lowes and there is plenty of room in the cabinent for tanks and pumps. BUT, I had a momentary bout of curriosity. Anyone seen a gravity feed water system?

I have a porcelain water dispenser I do not use. Simmilar to these



What if I put a fitting on the dispensor instead of the spigot and plumbed it into the sinks cold faucet from there? Would eliminate pumps and switches for water, and flow would be controled via the normal tap handle.

I would have to find a place, at least on top of the counter, to mount the 3 gallon reservoir and dispensor but at least it would make water level checks easy and refills as easy as flipping on a new bottle. Plus it could free up space under the sink for supplies or my battery.

I also thought of mounting a flat tank against my roof for more pressure.

Elfmaze is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2012, 05:35 PM   #2
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 9
Re: Gravity based water system?

I did a quick pressure calculation and it doesn't give me very happy numbers. even with the water level 24" above the faucet it would only be .90 psi not accounting for line resistance. Maby this will not work... or maby skip the faucet(I already have the faucet though) and use the tap off the dispensor directly over the sink?
Elfmaze is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2012, 05:57 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
LenS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,220
Re: Gravity based water system?

Do not see how it frees up space. If you are going to take X gallons of water it has to be stored some place. I don't see pressure as a factor, a gravity system is volume (diameter of feed line). It would word but I personally would not want one. Like have my 18 gallon water tank and not having to move jugs around. A 12 volt pump is no big deal....ours is an non pressurized system.
__________________
Len & Joanne

The Green TARDIS
LenS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2012, 10:21 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
carringb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 5,300
Re: Gravity based water system?

If you already have on-board air, you can pressurize those 5-gal bottles using air. Just need to make a siphon tube to reach the bottom.
__________________
2000 E450 dually V10 wagon
carringb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2012, 03:41 AM   #5
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 9
Re: Gravity based water system?

interesting idea. I do have air. And enough experience with the home kegerator to make it happen. heck, I could probably even use corney kegs for my fresh water tanks.

This is a Day-tripper / road van. Not going to spend much time away from a water source. Just remember the RV's water system being a PITA with leaks, switches, sanitizing and winterizing each year. Just thinking of KISS methods.
Elfmaze is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2012, 12:16 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Bones_GSXR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Spenard, Ak
Posts: 327
Re: Gravity based water system?


This is in a SWB Sprinter
__________________
2001 RWB Quigley (not a SMB but love it)
Lots of Motorcycles (Dual Sports, Sportbikes and Sport Tourers)
Bones_GSXR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2012, 03:20 AM   #7
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 9
Re: Gravity based water system?

very cool! I knew I was not the only crazy one! Guesstimating by the length something that size could hold upwards of 10 gallons, More if its 4", And he has a bit more height to the system which would give him better flow. I have the low roof sadly.

I'm guessing he uses the Tee setup in the right side for filling/ vacuum relief. Cool thing about a PVC Reservoir is it can take pressure better for the air charged system. But that almost defeats my "Simple" ideology.

But, No pumps or electric requirements, and prepping the system for a freezing night is as easy as making sure the sink valve is open.

Thanks for the inspiration!
Elfmaze is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2012, 07:40 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 533
Re: Gravity based water system?

The plans for the ocean going catamaran I have been building calls for a KISS water supply: a simple ply tank mounted at shoulder level with a tap and a filler cap on top. You really don't need a massive head for useable water flow unless you plan to shower with it. Water is heavy though, so I'd make it small-ish and easy to refill.
witoke is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2012, 08:11 AM   #9
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 9
Re: Gravity based water system?

After talkign with the boss, She has authorized the water dispensor version with the sink faucet. I'll see if i get useable flow. The good thing about those 3 or 5 gallon jugs is they are easy to sanitize(swirl some Starsan or iodine) There modular and cheap. and there are tons of places that exchange/ fill them with pottable if not spring water. We had talked about putting a black ABS pipe on the roof of smaller size tank as well... hot water? At least in the summer at high sun....
Elfmaze is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2012, 08:26 AM   #10
Site Team
 
BroncoHauler's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,177
Re: Gravity based water system?

I remember a post on this forum a number of years back (haven't been able to find it) where someone had a sink installed, but the sink did not have a faucet. They owners put a 2.5 gallon water dispenser (plastic Arrowhead type water bottle with a spout) on the countertop, and poured water into the sink if needed. I can't remember if the sink even had a drain, or if the bowl was removable to toss the water.

A very simply elegant water solution in my opinion.


Herb
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
BroncoHauler is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Sportsmobile Registry

Bruce

Sboring35

Biggie

Berta
Add your Sportsmobile
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:06 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.