Plastic holding tank question...

[JohnEd]

Chaz,

There is a post on the board somewhere that outlines the process for building your tanks from ABS sheets.  You use you table saw to cut the sides to near perfect size/fit and glue the stuff with ABS cement.  You can reinforce the seams with strips and put in baffels and set freeze bumps in the bottom.  All the fittings glue on and are readily available in a frightening variety.  Ever heard of a ABS joint leaking?  I mwean one that was even remotely glued!  I will do this because it isn't that costly but mainly because I can make the exact dimension I want....precisly.  I also expect to stack my grey and black tanks over the fresh water tank and I will heat the fresh using the water heater in the winter using a simple return line to the tank from the that has the valve to run the hot line till hot water arrives at the faucet to avoid wasting water.  There was mention that the plastic suitable for drinking water was like ten times as expensive and PVC.  I plan to drink bottled water and use the fresh tank for washing and sewer so I won't be worrying about the safe stuff.

I am looking forward to building these tanks...maybe this winter.  Any info would be appreciated.

John

[Chaz]

Thanx Tony!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  Now how cool is that??!!??!!

   Chaz

[Len Silva]

If you want seperate tanks (and I agree with that philosophy), can you divide the single tank?  That's what I did but mine is fiberglass on plywood. I made a single tank of about 120 gallons and divided it 60/40 gray/black.

Len

[Chaz]

That's a good thought Len, but this tank is only 60 gal. I'm thinking if I end up just using one tank, I am do like Tomcat did. I think that is a good middle of the road idea.

John,
  I have welded plastic at a bus rally and really liked it. (I'm a regular welder by trade also) But the cost is just WAAAAAAAAAY out there! Finding tanks and making them work is going to have to be what I do for now. But if you don't mind the expense, building your own is very cool!

  Chaz

[belfert]

I have no idea what your budget is, but RV Surplus/Salvage in Elkhart has 105 gallon tanks for $160 (price as of Apr '06).  They can be shippied, but probably not real cheap.

RV Exit also has these on Ebay, but the cost is $274 shipped.  They used to be $225 shipped in Apr '06.  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Waste-Black-Water-Holding-Tank-105-Gallon-RV-H2O_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ50073QQihZ007QQitemZ170141100221

[Chaz]

Thanx Belfert.
  I have a surplus place about 2 hours from me in Montpelier IN. (Ickes)  that I got a 100 gallon tank from for 100.oo (?) a few months ago. I know it was a good deal.  My second option was to get another one of those and do the grey water dump option upsteam like Tomcat.

  By the way, Hey Tomcat, would it be better to have that bypass valve vertical as opposed to horizontal so as to not have water in it when it's shut??  (freezing) Just a thought.

  Thanx for the insight,
        Chaz

[Ednj]

http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=582.msg4419#msg4419
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