Would anyone know what water pumps the factory built conversion companies are using for there coaches? From the pictures I have seen they seem quite a bit larger that the standard RV water pumps.
this is similar to the one in the featherlite but a lot newer
http://www.headhunterinc.com/product/mach5-breaking-the-sound-barrier/ (http://www.headhunterinc.com/product/mach5-breaking-the-sound-barrier/)
works great but it now works better after I put on a 2 gal pressure tank in the system
dave
Keep life simple and use one or two of the normal water pumps all RV's work. Good Luck, TomC
Dave, thanks Just the information I was looking for. I thought they may be 110v units.
TomC, thanks as well, you are probably right to try and keep it simple.
This is my choice of water pumps- http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/cfp/plumbing-fresh/water-pumps-shurflo-revolution/86-8398.htm?utm_source=google&utm_medium=partsshopping&utm_campaign=partsfeed&jt=1&jap=1o2&js=1&jsid=36859&jcpid=8a8ae4cd48005458014820e2e0170ec4&jkId=gcp:se_36859:pp_55181564064:ag_15211804824:cp_194253624:n_g:d_c:cr_52737673584&gclid=CjwKEAiAj7TCBRCp2Z22ue-zrj4SJACG7SBEZttaAYv6nJUTwGL3EQF2xau-CaSsNYRC_gX5L-HAHRoCMJDw_wcB (http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/cfp/plumbing-fresh/water-pumps-shurflo-revolution/86-8398.htm?utm_source=google&utm_medium=partsshopping&utm_campaign=partsfeed&jt=1&jap=1o2&js=1&jsid=36859&jcpid=8a8ae4cd48005458014820e2e0170ec4&jkId=gcp:se_36859:pp_55181564064:ag_15211804824:cp_194253624:n_g:d_c:cr_52737673584&gclid=CjwKEAiAj7TCBRCp2Z22ue-zrj4SJACG7SBEZttaAYv6nJUTwGL3EQF2xau-CaSsNYRC_gX5L-HAHRoCMJDw_wcB)
$60 is a lot cheaper than $1200. I use two in parallel for more volume and redundancy. Good Luck, TomC
I use the Shurflo pumps as well and have for years. They have always worked well for me. Eventually I want to install a second pump in my bus so have a backup as they do eventually wear out or have electrical issues like everything else. The 5 GPM pumps will ensure you get a good head on your shower and your potty will flush well, but if you are boondocking a lot you may want to lean towards a 3 GPM pump so your fresh water supply will last longer.
When I put my backup pump in my Eagle, one will be a 3 GPM pump and the other will be a 5 GPM pump with two separate controls so I can use the BIG pump if I can afford the water usage/pressure and the smaller pump if I need to stretch out my water supply.
I am also considering installing an additional 20 gal tank as a backup because it has happened more than once when I just finished soaping up my eyes in the shower and the well runs dry. You can usually get the head to spit enuf to wash off the soap, but if I could switch over from Tank "1" to Tank "B" and get enuf water to finish my shower that would be great.
BTW, am I the only one that has run out of water whilst in the shower?
Quote from: Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM on December 11, 2016, 12:07:27 PM... if I could switch over from Tank "1" to Tank "B" and get enuf water to finish my shower that would be great.
You could put a 2" standpipe in your tank with a 3gph pump on it. If you run out on that circuit in the future, you could then just switch over to the drain in the bottom of the tank. No cost of new tank and no worrying with where to put it.
Actually I was planning on putting the new smaller tank inside the big existing tank so it would take up no additional room in my bus. :D
But you have a good point there on the standpipe, that may be a better solution, or spin a new fitting in the side of my tank 3" off the bottom. But I still would like to have two different pumps because if I decide to go boondocking for say 2 weeks, I would want Day 1 to start out pumping at 3 GPM so stretch the water supply out.
Also how about a suction pump with a hose connection so you could pump water into your tank from a River or pond etc.? ;D
Dave
Good Idea Dave. Had that on my 4x4 Sportsmobile. Guy before me used to go camping somewhere in the AZ desert with a nice clean spring and he would fill his tanks when he passed by there and he also spent a lot of time roaming around Mexico where he found some clean waterholes too.
You can also use it to pump water from another unsuspected bus if you park close enuf to them in the night. :-)
Gary ; or from your grey tank to get enough to finish your shower, Your Welcome!..... ::)
Dave5Cs
Sure Dave. That is just a SWELL idea. :D Maybe if I take it from the top of the grey tank instead of sucking it off the bottom aye?
I just changed my mind. I am going to get one of these units so I never have to wait in line to take on fresh water ever again. I will just get water out of the air from now on wherever I happen to be at the time.
https://youtu.be/s6w0-RkDnLA
Now all I need is a unit to get Chardonnay out of the air.
I have always used house well pumps...Flotec or whatever from Home Depot. They work well, are quiet if you mount them on rubber dampers, move a lot of water and give you house pressure and volume.. if it dies, find the nearest ACE, Lowes or Home Depot and you can buy a new one. If your rv 12 volt pump dies, you have to find an rv parts place. There's a lot less of those around. Take it from me. I've been full timing and converted two buses over 7 years.
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In the 22 years I've been using the bus, I've replaced the two water pumps once. They are very reliable.
Tom does build his buses on redundancy and I like that. He runs two rv freshwater pumps in series I think, and he has two electric water heaters also run together. If one dies, he can still get by until he replaces it. Sound advice. I just have had bad luck with anything labeled RV use. But maybe their water pumps are better now
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Quote from: Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM on December 11, 2016, 04:51:47 PMGood Idea Dave. Had that on my 4x4 Sportsmobile. Guy before me used to go camping somewhere in the AZ desert with a nice clean spring and he would fill his tanks when he passed by there and he also spent a lot of time roaming around Mexico where he found some clean waterholes too.
You can also use it to pump water from another unsuspected bus if you park close enuf to them in the night. :-)
Now, boys and girls, everyone gather around, take a comfortable seat, and come to your quiet place. Today, we're going to talk about some very interesting things that you'll all want to know about. Can anyone say "Typhoid"? How about "ameobic and parasitic infection"? OK, well, we'll all be thrilled to know about blowing your brains out of your bowels! Right, everyone ready? Now, we'll begin ....
Quote from: Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM on December 11, 2016, 04:51:47 PM
Good Idea Dave. Had that on my 4x4 Sportsmobile. Guy before me used to go camping somewhere in the AZ desert with a nice clean spring and he would fill his tanks when he passed by there and he also spent a lot of time roaming around Mexico where he found some clean waterholes too.
You can also use it to pump water from another unsuspected bus if you park close enuf to them in the night. :-)
When I get to that point I'm going to pipe my vent for my black tank with a fairly straight run of 2" pipe up to one of the filler cup deals like the sticks and staples use with a "Fresh Potable Water Only" sticker above it.
Won't be hard to tell who siphoned my "fresh water" the next morning Gary!
;D BK ;D
Quote from: Oonrahnjay on December 13, 2016, 04:35:31 AM
Now, boys and girls, everyone gather around, take a comfortable seat, and come to your quiet place. Today, we're going to talk about some very interesting things that you'll all want to know about. Can anyone say "Typhoid"? How about "ameobic and parasitic infection"? OK, well, we'll all be thrilled to know about blowing your brains out of your bowels! Right, everyone ready? Now, we'll begin ....
I grew up in New Hampshire and worked in the woods a good part of my life. We also got our household water supply from a stream about a quarter of a mile up from the house and it was gravity fed thru a lead pipe to a well under our house built in 1860. I drank this water from the faucet as did my dad when he was born in the same house and the water came directly from the stream with no filtering whatsoever. I also drank directly out of many streams my entire life. I never remember getting sick from drinking natural water. Maybe in warmer states it may be a problem, but we all drank out of the brooks in the summer even during fishing season in New England. Maybe we built up an immunity because I never got sick drinking the water in Mexico either.
Quote from: B_K on December 13, 2016, 12:51:13 PM
Won't be hard to tell who siphoned my "fresh water" the next morning Gary!
;D BK ;D
Maybe I will use a Charcoal filter just to be sure. ;D
Quote from: Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM on December 13, 2016, 01:29:32 PM
I grew up in New Hampshire and worked in the woods a good part of my life. We also got our household water supply from a stream about a quarter of a mile up from the house and it was gravity fed thru a lead pipe to a well under our house built in 1860. I drank this water from the faucet as did my dad when he was born in the same house and the water came directly from the stream with no filtering whatsoever. I also drank directly out of many streams my entire life. I never remember getting sick from drinking natural water. Maybe in warmer states it may be a problem, but we all drank out of the brooks in the summer even during fishing season in New England. Maybe we built up an immunity because I never got sick drinking the water in Mexico either.
You're right, it's not really a problem. Just don't tell my great grandmother and her son who died from Typhoid!
Ya got me started now on paying for water. I agree with Gary when we were kids we went fishing and just dipped a cup in the stream or lake and took a drink.
Now they set up these big Bottled water plants at some Lakes and then tell them the water now should not be drank from said lake because chemical from plastics have poisoned it and use so much water that the residence no longer have enough pressure from that lake or capacity. Gee guess who is putting chemicals in the lake of which I won't say the name of...Then there is the Plastic bottles themselves they say are bad for you and sell you Metal bottles or Glass....... Its a cryin shame I tell ya, a cryin Shame....... Wo is me..... ;D ::) :o
They have people trained build a problem and sell you something to fix it. OK off soap box now.
Yes copper and lead pipes, streams, lake etc.
Dave
Quote from: TomC on December 12, 2016, 09:56:36 AM
In the 22 years I've been using the bus, I've replaced the two water pumps once. They are very reliable.
It certainly seems that I have bad luck - or else the fact that I am full-timing means that I am using my pumps much more.
I would definitely vote for redundancy, because I think I'm on something like my 5th or 6th pump since 2009.
Question for people who use pumps in parallel - does anyone know if the GPMs actually add? I.e., does two 3GPMs in parallel actually pull off 6GPM? It seems to me that they would shut down once they hit the pressure point that they were set for, and get more like 3GPM together.
If nothing else it never hurts to carry a backup water pump in your luggage bay. For $70 it is pretty cheap insurance and I have done that too. I can drive 5 miles to buy one and anyone can order them online and have them there in less than a week. But if you are out in the middle of BFE in the desert and your water pump goes out, you will be glad you had a spare. They can be switched out in about 10 minutes in most cases with just a screwdriver and carrying water for the potty gets old fast.
Also if you have to buy one at a RV Camp store, if you are lucky, that same $70 pump may cost you $100 because they know you need one.
So order a backup for yourself for Christmas from Pacific RV Parts and they will drop ship one to you so you will have it for your next trip. 888.600.4845 and ask for the Gary Hatt discount.
Daveola, this is why I am using flotec house pumps. Worked for 6 years of full timing. And we used ours a lot! Even parked at the park with water hookup, I had an auto shut off water fill to fill my fresh tank through a water filter and the pump supplied the bus water pressure. So even parked with full hookup we used the pump. Can't go wrong with those
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Like Tom C, I like redundancy. I have two water pumps, and also have more than one way of heating water, producing electricity, filling tanks, etc. (Heck, if I could have two engines I would. Maybe I should buy an old Twin Coach?) I have two SHURflo 2088 pumps, the tried-and-trusted simple old faithfulls that are, according to a SHURflo rep I spoke with, still the most reliable pumps they make. Each pump is resiliently mounted to an aluminum plate that can be removed with two wing nuts, and the water and power connections are all quick-connects, so in less than a minute with no tools I can remove one and switch over to the other.
As with most things mobile, simple is always good.
John
Quote from: Scott & Heather on December 13, 2016, 04:41:17 PM
Daveola, this is why I am using flotec house pumps.
Which model are you using?
Quote from: Scott & Heather on December 13, 2016, 04:41:17 PM
I had an auto shut off water fill to fill my fresh tank through a water filter
Ooh... tell me more about that - I really wanted to hook up exactly the same thing.
I was at an RV rally and talked with the Shurflo factory rep. He said the most reliable pumps are the old fashion ones with a mechanical on/off switch. The new variable speed ones are nice, but are not as reliable. I have two in parallel so I can use either of them or turn on both for extra volume (not pressure).
I also use two 10 gal electric water heaters straight from Home Depot. One is plumbed into the next with the final one wired through the inverter for hot water going down the road. In the 22 years they have been in (other than draining yearly) I've done nothing to them. I'm using both systems again in my truck. Good Luck, TomC
We have 3 Shurflo Water pumps. One in use and 2 brand new ones in the box I got at an Estates Sale for 5.00. ;D
Quote from: Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM on December 11, 2016, 06:54:58 PM
I just changed my mind. I am going to get one of these units so I never have to wait in line to take on fresh water ever again. I will just get water out of the air from now on wherever I happen to be at the time.
https://youtu.be/s6w0-RkDnLA
Now all I need is a unit to get Chardonnay out of the air.
Gary -
Up here in the PNW No need for a silly machine. You can just put a funnel on the roof with a hose down to your water tank. It'll stay full all fall.
And Clifford would have a heck of a time getting any moisture out of the air down southwest there.
-Sean
Quote from: Scott & Heather on December 13, 2016, 04:41:17 PM
Daveola, this is why I am using flotec house pumps. Worked for 6 years of full timing. And we used ours a lot! Even parked at the park with water hookup, I had an auto shut off water fill to fill my fresh tank through a water filter and the pump supplied the bus water pressure. So even parked with full hookup we used the pump. Can't go wrong with those
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Scott - but you always need 110v for that. We can drive across the country and never have to turn the generator on unless we need heat or AC.
It's nice to pull over, cook dinner, wash dishes, have dessert, make some popcorn, take a hot shower, watch a movie, open the windows and listen to the ocean without ever having to start the genny.
Just saying...
-Sean
^ true. Good point. We are heavily tied to 110v. electric 40 gallon water heater, electric a/c, electric washer, water pump. We are entirely 110v. Basically a nice little studio apartment on wheels. So yeah we need gennys running. But we love the comfort. With 150 gallon holding tanks, my wife can do laundry in the bus while we are parked at a truck stop for the night. We can take house pressure and volume hot showers and we haven't run out of hot water yet (water heater thermostats set to 150 degrees, with a safety valve that only lets 120 degree water through it) and we love a nice powerful flush out of both of our toilets. It's as comfortable as a house but totally mobile. Trade offs. If you really like complete silence, and off gridness, totally go with 12 volt stuff. It really does make more sense. If you just want your house on the road, good gensets, and all 110v systems make sense. We love our cool dehumidified air from our a/c's, we love our house pressure and flow water, we love our full size front load washer and dryer, we love our huge holding tanks, but yes, definitely a trade off. I'm super tied to gendsets and can't boondock comfortably like shanks.
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did this not start as a camper at one point . not trying to be a dick but you must carry a lot of gas if your genne's are on all the time . its time for a battery bank and a inverter . we only turn on the genne when needed and that is not very much
dave
Quote from: Iceni John on December 13, 2016, 08:33:34 PMLike Tom C, I like redundancy. I have two water pumps, and also have more than one way of heating water, ...
Quote from: TomC on December 14, 2016, 07:37:52 AM... I also use two 10 gal electric water heaters straight from Home Depot. One is plumbed into the next with the final one wired through the inverter for hot water going down the road. ...
I like what you have done, but I'd add that there's nothing like "free hot water". I have an Attwood 10-gal 3-way water heater; it has a 1500 watt 110 element, a propane heater unit, and a coil off the engine coolant/ antifreeze. With a little planning, it's wash dishes and shower when I park. Breakfast is boiling water from an electric kettle and a 4-cup coffee maker ("The Management "is *very* unhappy if she doesn't start the day with good, hot coffee). During travel weeks, I never "turn on" the water heater -- it's all off engine heat and I feel like I have all the hot water I need.
The Attwood unit has a thermostat set for 180 deg for the coil and a "tempering valve" at the outlet. You get a lot of water at the faucet or shower head at 110 deg when your unit is safely mixing 180 deg from the heater with ordinary temp water.
Just my way, but it works well (and I'm not traveling with a washing machine and a 9-month old baby -- things are different for us all).
BH North Carolina
Dave, this was never a camper...we are full timers and have been since 2010. And there really is a huge difference in lifestyle and comfort level between using your bus to camp and living in it 365 days a year in temps ranging from -21°F to 114°F in snow, rain, hail, wind, a hurricane or two and sometimes just plain nice weather. This is our second coach conversion we've done and we know what we like now. Most new high end coaches are all electric now. So it really isn't out of the norm. And our gennies do run 100% duty when we are on the road. We go through 5 gallons of gas every 24 hours. Gives us plenty of juice and we live super comfy in hotel parking lots, walmarts, truck stops for 6 months out of the year. Usually the rest of the year we are parked at a nice little rv resort somewhere. It's our way. Again, this is polar opposite of those of you who like to boondock without genny running, but that isn't our game play. So our setup is absolutely perfect for us. You've had a few buses Dave so you know all about making it custom just the way you like it. Even if that means adding a slide out which is something we have never wanted :-/
Edit: how are we power hogs when we run successfully on 6000 watts of genny power and many times just 3000 watts? Many many times we run our life on one of our honda gennies. The only time I have to run both is if the roof ac is running. So I honestly don't characterize us as power hogs at all. Most of you guys have anywhere from 8kw to 14kw generators. I have no need for that. My water heater has twin 2000 watt elements. I usually just run one unless I'm plugged in. It runs for an hour or so and then shuts off and I don't turn it back on for a day or two depending on the showers/laundry. It keeps the water hot for three days. My interior lighting and luggage bay lighting is all LED. My samsung fridge uses 1amp when running. My dryer is propane and uses only power to turn the drum. My washer is the new LG inverter technology washer and also uses little power. Power hogs? Nope.
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I remember when I saw a shallow well pump installed and thought there's a great idea. I wasn't aware of all the benefits so couldn't mention the many one could have but somehow new it was a smart choice. I stand by that and had planed to look farther into implementing one, not a big deal just thought it was brilliant!
In the Midwest here finding a small 12v shur flow or a shallow well pump is like finding a bag of dog food, we use pumps of many kinds around agriculture and the like. Something I'm not familiar with is looking for them at the truck stop, but will say they wouldn't be at the "truck shop" cheaply so have to go a store or two away, of course stop for coffee, whatever at mickey d's.
At the present a gen setup is for me the power source, and maybe in the future a $2k inverter will be looked at. Anyway with some consideration for the $1k of battery types and about $3benjiman for a tray setup that has to include some more switching. That's no doubt some future planning. But for the smart present option, planning quiet time is pretty easy.
Getting back on trac! pumps, ya at present the requirement power supply for 12v, 24v or 120v is whatever is connected in the setup, we all get use to it pretty quick.
Its all better than a steel pot! and that can be nice. tough to imagine
So 3300. / red roof inn@100. = 33 nights with pool and umbrella drink, maybe a bagel when ya get ousted. not so bad!
I need to mosey around the Ag/hardware store today probably ; )
Good day
Floyd
John and Steve installed 2 -5.5 GPM DC voltage water pumps on the MCI we have plenty of water pressure and flow for the washer and demand hot water,but I did add a 10 gal water heater to use the engine heat and pole power for making hot water with out the demand system.
FWIW Tractor Supply and Northern Tool have a good selection of pumps both DC and AC types for less than a RV supplier,CamperWorld wanted $ 119.00 for the water pump on the Trek I paid $69.00 for the same pump @ Tractor Supply
My set up is mostly like Dave describes. I have 2 75 gallon tanks, one behind and connected to the other, insulated and enclosed on three sides. It's also plumbed to take water directly from a hose and has a pump that can fill the tanks anywhere.
And of course, the grey water sits above the black so I open the valve on the black first, rinse with the grey, and clean them both before I'm done. I also have a pipe connection added to the main line of the house septic system so I can dump at home if I have no other option...JFYI
I really like this concept, especially for those in cooler climates.
http://www.durastill.us/about.html (http://www.durastill.us/about.html)
Quote from: luvrbus on December 15, 2016, 07:49:16 AM
....but I did add a 10 gal water heater to use the engine heat and pole power for making hot water with out the demand
The Oasis was set up to circulate the engine heat and use it when rolling down the road. And it has two electric burners in the Oasis to make heat when on pole power. FWIW
Quote from: John316 on December 16, 2016, 09:24:16 AM
The Oasis was set up to circulate the engine heat and use it when rolling down the road. And it has two electric burners in the Oasis to make heat when on pole power. FWIW
I know that John and works good I just wanted storage to go with the demand hot water system for the wife's tub ??? and I didn't like the system firing up every time you needed hot water