Storrage compartment configuration

[petarm1]

I remember on my prevost the anger the sticky film on the bathroom window caused me

[MagnoliaBus]

I remember on my prevost the anger the sticky film on the bathroom window caused me

Right ! I will have to do it too....

[chessie4905]

A plasma torch cuts stainless nicely.

[Jim Blackwood]

I got lucky. The bathroom had already been removed when I got my bus. The tank was still there and getting that out took some head scratching but it does just bolt in. I have to think the bathroom itself is the same.

About the tanks though:
First, grey/black vs combined. If you live out west it makes little difference, you often can't dump grey water anyway so you might as well run combined. Other places it can make a great difference. In the East, almost any place you go it is permissible to run your grey water out on the lawn where it does no harm and may be beneficial as long as you go easy on the detergents and chemicals. So your gray tank size isn't really much of a limitation, having a suitable sized black tank, and adequate fresh water can make life more pleasant. The question is, what is adequate? If you allow 10 gallons per day per person with two adults 250 gallons is about a two week's supply. That's enough to let you and your SO take a shower every day. How important is that to her? During that 2 weeks how much waste goes down the toilet? Are you willing to let that be the limiting factor?

A gallon a day per person means about 25-30g for that same two week period, so 50g would give a reasonable safety margin for the black tank. But what if a water hose is sometimes available? Now maybe double that could be in the cards for extended boondocking.

So what about the weight? Water weighs 8.34 pounds per gallon, so 250 gallons weighs a couple thousand pounds plus a hundred pounds or so for the tank. In a D series bus that's roughly 1/8th of your overall cargo weight capacity, so significant yes but not excessive. grey and black capacities don't count because as you fill those you drain the fresh water tank and the weight just transfers.

What it does do is use up a significant portion of your usable bay storage capacity, so careful planning is in order.

Jim

[richard5933]

If being able to drain gray water to the ground is desired, then there is still no need for a gray water tank - you could just install a diverter on the gray water drains and open it for direct discharge through a hose when possible. That would eliminate the space a gray water tank would take. I'm not sure that there are that many places where dumping gray water is permissible though, except maybe on private property. Campgrounds and most parks will still restrict it in many places east or west.

Even the high-end truck conversions are only topping out with 150 gallons of fresh water. If you've got room and weight capacity to carry 250 gallons that's great, but I'd suspect that for most needs much less would be doable.

How big is that tank that you're installing to carry 250 gallons?

[Sebulba]

How big is that tank that you're installing to carry 250 gallons?

Well, I remember when I was processing my WVO for my truck I used plastic totes.  They are 275 gallons  and about a 4 foot cube. 

So that gives you an idea of what kind of space would be needed for 250 gallons.

Seb

[sledhead]

wow ! 250 gal. tank ?
I have a 153 gal. fresh tank and only fill it to the max when we are camped and are on tap water . My wife can go through that in 3 days between her bath tub and the washer and dryer . when we travel most times I only fill it with about 50 - 100 gal. depending on how long we are on the road with out a water source . as if I do not have to carry all that weight why fill it . and the fact if I do fill it some times it takes 20-30 min. to fill it depending on the water source

as for holding tanks I would not go with out a grey tank as if you can empty it it sure saves on emptying the black tank . not that I would ever do it (  )but I have a switch right at the drivers seat that will dump grey water out to the ground when ever I might need to with out doing any thing else

my tanks are 153 fresh
                      76 grey
                      53 black
my 153 gal. tank is about 14" wide 20 " high and 70 " long from memory

it is sure nice to have the size and never have to fill them unless you need to

dave   

[richard5933]

...not that I would ever do it (  )but I have a switch right at the drivers seat that will dump grey water out to the ground when ever I might need to with out doing any thing else...

I've got a similar switch for my waste tank. I'm told that it was common on entertainer coaches as well, and that they were designed for use at the end of the day when the driver would pull over the tank access hatch to dump the tank when returning to the bus yard. I'm sure that it saw use at other times as well.

[Jim Blackwood]

I have the dimensions in another thread but approx 4ft by 56" by 29" IIRC. I had the tank, just had to cut down the height. I still need to add baffles and a lid but won't get to that for another 3-4 weeks. Then fittings and waste tanks. Considering plastic for the black tank, probably stick with the stainless for the gray. Maybe plastic for the fresh water tank lid, acrylic might be interesting. Anyway as mentioned just because you have it doesn't mean you have to use it. But since it worked out this way I'll take it. I would not have planned for that large of a tank otherwise I don't think but I won't complain about having too much fresh water. It'd be nice to not have to think about it. I'm considering adding a drinking water tank as well but no hurry. Maybe I'll run across something suitable.

Anyway the rear bay will be tankage up to the swing of the HVAC door. That'll leave room for long things that are removed regularly.

Dave, just be sure you don't "accidentally" hit that switch going over a cheese grater bridge. I heard the driver for the Steve Miller band dropped a load on some pleasure boaters in the Chicago river and it cost them millions by the time the dust settled.

Of course, if it's raining... and it's grey water... who's to know?

Jim

[sledhead]

"Of course, if it's raining... and it's grey water... who's to know?

Jim "

that might work !   

I have a 6 stage reverse osmosis system with a uv light , after the 2 stage system ( 1 filter 5 micron and 1 carbon filter ) that is before the fresh water tank and now we never need the crappy ( spring water ) from walmart for drinking all off the fresh water tank

dave

[Jim Blackwood]

You filter all your fresh water as it goes in? That seems... well great if you can do it. (I see filters in your future Jim Blackwood )

Jim

[sledhead]

this filter 2 x 1 with 5 micron and the 2nd with the carbon filter before the water tank . the reverse osmosis system is after the tank

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/rainfresh-whole-house-water-filter-0621023p.0621023.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwoInnBRDDARIsANBVyARFEdDBRw_9FLbtyVylP0n9ibrSFaeDLg-kFkCB8VZF6q7qKsduSTMaAvqkEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

dave

[chessie4905]

Why not just filter the water used for consumption after the tank. Toilet don't care.😝

[buswarrior]

Tank volume calculations:

Using inches to measure

Length x width x height

Divided by 231

Gives you US gallons.

Measure your space, check the tank catalogue, order custom, or construct your own.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[sledhead]

I like the 2 filter pre tank as less crap can get into the tank

wow! my memory must be really bad ! as the tank has a 153 gal plate on it . I will go measure it

dave