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presslab Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2008 Posts: 1730 Location: Sonoma County
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Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 1:35 pm Post subject: Cheap DIY grey water tank |
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I wanted a grey water tank but eurocampers has been out of stock forever, so I decided to make my own.
For the tank I used 6" PVC sewer pipe with two end caps. The sewer pipe is light weight and perfect for the job. I drilled and threaded the end caps - on the rear side a 3/4" NPT at the bottom. On the front 3/4" NPT and a 1/8" NPT on the top. The rear is the drain, using some 3/4" pipe and fittings, with a garden hose ball valve. The front has a 1/4" vinyl vent hose that goes up above the gas tank and terminates inside the front fender.
I redid the drain for the sink because the stock one drained slowly even with the vent. This is because of the small hose size and that there are now two traps. I found some fittings to go from the stock strainer basket to a 3/4" vinyl hose. The hose then goes through the hole in the floor, around the frame member, and up to the tank. This creates a trap so you don't get any smells.
The tank is just under 5 gallons capacity which works well for me. I have a filter on the faucet, and I drink the water, so not all 10 gallons will go into the grey water tank. On my recent road trip I put the fresh water tank into the red indicator ( < 2.5 gal I believe) and the grey water tank was not full.
It doesn't hang very low, it's above the propane tanks by probably 3/4".
_________________ 1986 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
1988 Subaru GL-10 EJ20G --- 2000 Honda XR650L
2010 Titus El Guapo --- 2011 On-One 456 Ti |
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rockfish Samba Member
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Joined: February 13, 2007 Posts: 740 Location: Palo Alto, Calif.
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Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 2:00 pm Post subject: |
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Nice work!
I use a filter on the end of the hose when I'm filling my water tank - that way the tank stays relatively germ free as well.
A year ago I found this gray water system - but I believe yours to be much more economical!
http://secure.mycart.net/catalogs/catalog.asp?prodid=4757889&showprevnext=1 _________________ 89 Westy
GW 2.5 5-speed trans
"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."
- John Wooden |
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DAIZEE Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2010 Posts: 7552 Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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I like that and very few corners for collecting stagnant water. Great thinker!
If you made one or two black ones to fill and put on your roof when parked you might get a solar shower. Just a thought. Would only have to fill them when stationary. _________________ '09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold) |
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noganav Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2006 Posts: 1236 Location: San Diego CA
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Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 8:20 pm Post subject: |
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Super clever. Nice work! |
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DAIZEE Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2010 Posts: 7552 Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 3:57 am Post subject: |
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oops didn't read grey still neat _________________ '09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold) |
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presslab Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2008 Posts: 1730 Location: Sonoma County
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Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 9:08 am Post subject: |
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Thanks guys. It gives me peace of mind knowing that I'm not messing up the camp site for the next person. _________________ 1986 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
1988 Subaru GL-10 EJ20G --- 2000 Honda XR650L
2010 Titus El Guapo --- 2011 On-One 456 Ti |
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stevey88 Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: Fremont, SF Bay Area
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Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 9:30 am Post subject: |
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Can you post drawings that show where the inlet, outlet and the vent is located ?
Thanks _________________ Steve
87 Westfalia full camper 4 speed |
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vweggie Samba Member
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Joined: May 01, 2007 Posts: 219 Location: End of the road, Vancouver Island
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Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 9:54 am Post subject: |
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DAIZEE wrote: |
If you made one or two black ones to fill and put on your roof when parked you might get a solar shower. Just a thought. Would only have to fill them when stationary. |
I saw many DIY solar showers like this when I was in Australia. _________________ 1990 Multivan 2.1 AT |
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chimivee Samba Member
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Joined: September 23, 2009 Posts: 741 Location: Orange, CA
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Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 10:42 am Post subject: |
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Great work on a very clean install! I've considered this very project many times, while strolling down the plumbing aisle. I finally ended up buying the EuroCampers unit a few years ago... but have yet to install it. I almost like yours better for its ingenuity. ![Smile](images/smiles/icon_smile.gif) _________________ -James
86 Syncro Westy, etc |
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DAIZEE Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2010 Posts: 7552 Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 10:53 am Post subject: |
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I use a pail for sink water. I also have a tall pail with seat and lid that I recycle thru the (a) washroom.
You are very talented AND I suspect that a grey water tank will become mandatory at some time. They brought it in for marine activity years ago. Your design really simplifies things. ![Applause](images/smiles/eusa_clap.gif) _________________ '09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold) |
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presslab Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2008 Posts: 1730 Location: Sonoma County
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Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 11:24 am Post subject: |
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stevey88 wrote: |
Can you post drawings that show where the inlet, outlet and the vent is located ?
Thanks |
The drain is at the very bottom, that's easy. Here is a diagram of the inlet side:
And two closer pics:
_________________ 1986 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
1988 Subaru GL-10 EJ20G --- 2000 Honda XR650L
2010 Titus El Guapo --- 2011 On-One 456 Ti |
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Classicvibe Samba Member
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Joined: August 03, 2009 Posts: 743 Location: Salt Lake City
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Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 2:08 pm Post subject: |
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Love it, great work! I have been considering this for a plumbing system I am considering for my weekender-this is extremely helpful. Great mod! _________________ On a mission, the destination is just an excuse.
Syncro Solstice 2022...see you there!
1986.5 Wolfsburg Syncro Westfalia Poptop Weekender Transporter |
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wolfej1 Samba Member
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Joined: August 15, 2005 Posts: 679 Location: North Royalton, Ohio
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Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 6:55 pm Post subject: |
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DAIZEE wrote: |
I like that and very few corners for collecting stagnant water. Great thinker!
If you made one or two black ones to fill and put on your roof when parked you might get a solar shower. Just a thought. Would only have to fill them when stationary. |
Yes that is a good idea...still have not done it yet though
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=309438&highlight= _________________ 1982 Westy
2004 KDX200
2008 Kawasaki KLR 650
1979 Yamaha DT 175
1995 Toyota 4Runner |
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Birdmanhere Samba Member
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Joined: June 03, 2006 Posts: 1054 Location: CANADA EH
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Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 4:45 pm Post subject: |
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Would there be any issues using this type of tank used for the sink water supply?
I only have ever used my sink for dishes/wash water and brushing my teeth, and I usually with sanitize the tank (bleach & rinse) every time before each trip. We drink out of water bottles camping.
Oh yeah, it will be in a 66 westy with an early bay Icebox sink unit. I had the bay tank in there until last weekend when i went to fill it up and it just flooded the bus (split the seam on tank), and plan on putting a truck fridge in the unit too now. It already has a 12v pump instead of the hand pump
You Vanagon guys always have the best solutions for mastering space and function. _________________ 66 Bus
71 Bug |
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foodeater Samba Member
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Joined: July 13, 2007 Posts: 1318 Location: Newburgh, NY
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Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 5:15 pm Post subject: |
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I wouldnt want to drink out of a PVC tank (the water would likely taste how the PVC smells), but it would probably be okay, for washing dishes. Not sure about tooth brushing. _________________ 89 Bluestar-2.5 Subaru Powered-RIP
'84 Westy Tiico-daily driver-sold
'82 Caddy diesel-sold
'87 Vanagon Syncro-RIP
'81 diesel rabbit-sold
'82 Vanagon auto-RIP |
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Birdmanhere Samba Member
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Joined: June 03, 2006 Posts: 1054 Location: CANADA EH
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Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 7:57 pm Post subject: |
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foodeater wrote: |
I wouldnt want to drink out of a PVC tank (the water would likely taste how the PVC smells), but it would probably be okay, for washing dishes. Not sure about tooth brushing. |
Yeah that what I was sort of thinking although the water in the stock tank already taste like plastic after a day or so _________________ 66 Bus
71 Bug |
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presslab Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2008 Posts: 1730 Location: Sonoma County
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Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 9:35 pm Post subject: |
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I found these three contimanates of PVC pipe:
Antimony
m-Chlorophenol
Cyclohexanone
Looks like an activated carbon filter will remove these effectively. I know PVC pipe is approved for drinking water. I think it will be ok but I suggest you use a filter. _________________ 1986 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
1988 Subaru GL-10 EJ20G --- 2000 Honda XR650L
2010 Titus El Guapo --- 2011 On-One 456 Ti |
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chazmataz Samba Member
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Joined: October 10, 2010 Posts: 9 Location: Estacada, Oregon
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Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 9:38 am Post subject: |
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nice work! i;ve been thinking about doing something for a grey water tank. the one that came with my van is from gowesty and i haven't been able to get it to drain very well. i have been watching for the eurocamper to get in stock but i like your idea and its pretty simple.
so i think i may do something similar to what you have done instead but i may tweek it a little.
chaz |
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Jon_slider Samba Member
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Joined: April 11, 2007 Posts: 5091 Location: Santa Cruz, Crowdifornia
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Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 10:07 am Post subject: |
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> I wanted a grey water tank but eurocampers has been out of stock forever, so I decided to make my own.
you do fantastic work!
sell a kit
for solar shower, you can use clear PVC. Bottom half painted black.
link to commercial solar PVC shower, and clear PVC supplier:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4760299&highlight=clear+pvc#4760299
you could use the clear pvc to know how full the greywater is too.. |
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climberjohn Samba Member
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Joined: January 11, 2005 Posts: 1840 Location: Portland Orygun
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Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 11:41 am Post subject: |
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vweggie wrote: |
DAIZEE wrote: |
If you made one or two black ones to fill and put on your roof when parked you might get a solar shower. Just a thought. Would only have to fill them when stationary. |
I saw many DIY solar showers like this when I was in Australia. |
A bit off topic, but here is a slick looking solar shower for mounting on top of your rig:
http://www.roadshower.com/
-CJ _________________ '86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often. |
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