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Wellington Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2004 Posts: 1890 Location: Montreal
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Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 6:54 am Post subject: 2$ for safety |
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Got a look at the clear hoses that run from the water tank to the pump and then to the facet, Canadian Westy, Americans have the pump inside the tank. Anyways, the hoses were discoloured, looked disgusting inside. Replaced them with new clear lines, cost of the hose was 27 cents a foot, took about 6 feet. 30 minute job. Now I can drink the water and not worry about that 20year old growth inside the lines. Tank was cleaned with a mix of water and bleach but was already clean. |
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psych-illogical Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2004 Posts: 1181 Location: AZ
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Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:27 am Post subject: |
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Good advice. And thanks for the reminder. I've kinda neglected this little bit. I know I get easily disgusted when the hose on my Camelbak starts getting crud in it and that only takes months. I think I'll replace the hose in my Westy this weekend. _________________ 83 1/2 Westy waterboxer
'57 Beetle-sold
Coupla '81 BMW motorcycles (R80G/S; R100RS)
'96 BMW R1100GS |
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gears Samba Member
Joined: October 28, 2002 Posts: 4391 Location: Tamarack, Bend, Kailua
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Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:49 am Post subject: |
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More than you wanted to know: I wouldn't drink anything stored in a 20-year-old plastic tank, anyhow. Plastic = cancer. We cancelled our "Spring" water delivery after we found that the plastic containers they RE-used were absolutely the worst plastic possible, #7. Only #2 and #5 are approved for drinking water, and even these leach into the water if subjected to heat or even short bursts of direct sunlight. I now carry gallon glass jugs for drinking water, as any water in a camper will heat up (except during winter). |
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kevinbassplayer Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2006 Posts: 1041 Location: Nor-Cal
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Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:53 am Post subject: new lines |
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Do you have to remove the fridge to change the water lines or can it be done without. I have an 87 westy |
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Wellington Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2004 Posts: 1890 Location: Montreal
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Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:59 am Post subject: |
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No need to pull the fridge. Just tape the new hose to the old one and pull it through. As you remove the old, you install the new. There is just one clamp holding the hose in place, it is in the small cubby low by the power outlet. |
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ChesterKV Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2005 Posts: 1725 Location: El Cerrito, CA
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Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 9:52 am Post subject: Re: 2$ for safety |
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Wellington wrote: |
Got a look at the clear hoses that run from the water tank to the pump and then to the facet, Canadian Westy, Americans have the pump inside the tank. Anyways, the hoses were discoloured, looked disgusting inside. Replaced them with new clear lines, cost of the hose was 27 cents a foot, took about 6 feet. 30 minute job. Now I can drink the water and not worry about that 20year old growth inside the lines. Tank was cleaned with a mix of water and bleach but was already clean. |
That crude and nastyness that you saw inside the tubes is also inside of everyone's house water lines. Even newer houses with copper water lines get mucky although not as bad as iron water pipes which is the norm here in San Francisco Bay Area. EWW
I'm a big fan of FILTRATION SYSTEMS......THE GOOD KIND....Not the Brita crap..... |
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ChesterKV Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2005 Posts: 1725 Location: El Cerrito, CA
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Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 9:59 am Post subject: |
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gears wrote: |
More than you wanted to know: I wouldn't drink anything stored in a 20-year-old plastic tank, anyhow. Plastic = cancer. We cancelled our "Spring" water delivery after we found that the plastic containers they RE-used were absolutely the worst plastic possible, #7. Only #2 and #5 are approved for drinking water, and even these leach into the water if subjected to heat or even short bursts of direct sunlight. I now carry gallon glass jugs for drinking water, as any water in a camper will heat up (except during winter). |
Most homes in the U.S. receive their water from a supply pipe in the street. Newer home developments and retrofited water supply lines are........PLASTIC.......MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM PLASTIC
I've been to people's houses here in San Francisco/Oakland where they proudly say they've upgraded their old iron pipes to copper and that they are good to go. Then I tell them about the cancer causing plastic pipes in the street and their little faces go ...... DOwn.....DOWN.....DOWN
We are ALL going to die horrible deaths......
Oh, well.... |
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backcountrymedic Samba Member
Joined: February 17, 2006 Posts: 583 Location: Monterey, CA
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Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 2:10 pm Post subject: |
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Aren't the water lines secured to the inside frame of the body? I read that somewhere... I've been wanting to replace my lines FOREVER, but was waiting to do it when I pulled the galley cabinet out to replace my carpeting. 'Always try before you pry', eh?
-Jared _________________ No need to bear the weight of your worries, you let them all fall away...
Sector 9 longboard
Kona Kikapu Deluxe MTB
Novarra Big Buzz
Electra Cruiser
'01 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 |
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Mulcheese Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 548 Location: Maple Grove, Mn
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Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 5:12 am Post subject: |
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One thing that I do after every trip is : drain water, run a bleach/water mix through line, blow entire line clear. I have my pump in the tank so I can pull the line off the pump and then have a clear shot to the faucet. At least running the mix through and leaving it in the line should help with crud build-up. _________________ 82 Westy: Air is cool! |
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BulliBullets Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2004 Posts: 206 Location: Pleasantville VA
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Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:42 pm Post subject: |
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speaking of safety .... I had a gas leak. It was the rubber hose that connects the hard plastic to the metal line in the rear. The previous po used american hose. That stuff never fits right. I think its size 7 |
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climberjohn Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2005 Posts: 1840 Location: Portland Orygun
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 7:08 am Post subject: |
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Personally, I use the sink only for washing hands and dishes. Drinking water is stored in a 2 gallon jug and is replaced daily.
The longer water is stored in plastic the more Bad Stuff can leach into it. Changing water out of the onboard storage tank is a good idea after every trip, if you want it for drinking. _________________ '86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often. |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 10:45 am Post subject: |
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gears wrote: |
More than you wanted to know: I wouldn't drink anything stored in a 20-year-old plastic tank, anyhow. Plastic = cancer. We cancelled our "Spring" water delivery after we found that the plastic containers they RE-used were absolutely the worst plastic possible, #7. Only #2 and #5 are approved for drinking water, and even these leach into the water if subjected to heat or even short bursts of direct sunlight. I now carry gallon glass jugs for drinking water, as any water in a camper will heat up (except during winter). |
We use the water ONLY to wash hands, dishes, and dirty little faces. We never leave the water in longer than our trip. It gets dumped onto the flowers when we get home. I rinse it out from time to time too and leave it open to vent when the van is parked.
Those tanks can ge NASTY. Ditto the hoses, of course. Homie Despot has lots of plastic hose.... _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 10:48 am Post subject: Re: 2$ for safety |
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ChesterKV wrote: |
I'm a big fan of FILTRATION SYSTEMS......THE GOOD KIND....Not the Brita crap..... |
What's the "GOOD" kind? _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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randywebb Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2005 Posts: 3815 Location: Greater Metropolitan Nimrod, Orygun
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 12:08 pm Post subject: |
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gears wrote: |
More than you wanted to know: I wouldn't drink anything stored in a 20-year-old plastic tank, anyhow. Plastic = cancer. We cancelled our "Spring" water delivery after we found that the plastic containers they RE-used were absolutely the worst plastic possible, #7. Only #2 and #5 are approved for drinking water, and even these leach into the water if subjected to heat or even short bursts of direct sunlight. I now carry gallon glass jugs for drinking water, as any water in a camper will heat up (except during winter). |
There is both information and mis-information in the above post. Plastics DO contain plasticizers which can leach out into water or other liquids. BUT:
[1] cold water will reduce that (while hot water will increase leaching).
[2] not all plastics contain plasticizers that are suspected to be problems
[3] cancer is not the real issue here -- instead, it is pthalates, which can disrupt the endocrine system
[4] water stored a short time in plastic will undergo very little leaching
[5] OLD plastic will always have less plasticizer, hence less leaching into water.
I would be more worried about eating cheese that is wrapped in plastic (water is polar; oils in cheese are non-polar).
[5] the OLDER the plastic the less the potential problem
I agree that glass is likely much safer - or will have a greater margin of safety. A ceramic coating will be similar and is used in Europe.
Overall:
You are more likely to be poisoned by an infested water supply at some campground than from your Westy's water tank. |
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floggingmolly Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2007 Posts: 1106 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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For a short time, plastic was used to deliver water. That has been outlawed in most areas. Any plastic lines you see being installed now are waste water lines, or recycled water for irrigation only, not fit for consumption anyway.
Plastic water bottles are a concern. How much I don't really know. there's a documentary soon to be released called "Tapped" about this issue. I saw it on Youtube. _________________ '85 Wolfsburg Weekender |
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tikibus Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2006 Posts: 834 Location: Rochester, NY
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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After doing a crap load of work to save Tiki, I have never reattached the hoses, etc. to hold water, wash dishes, have a glass of water. I think it is kinda lonely sitting there in there in its space.
Some need this supply of water. The Westfalia is unique in this of most basic supply and to be able to access quickly. Yes, age does apply and the aged holding tanks leaves much to the shagrin of neglect, but is there. The tank was thought out. To that I tip my hat to the VW engineers. Might taste like Sh*t, but is water. Do you want to have a case of Beaver Fever or worse?
But I say this with a grain of Salt. I live in a place where water abounds. Grew up in VT and you do not want a case of Beaver Fever. Snicker all you want, ain't worth it.
What more fun to think outside the box. What just do you do in a VW camper in the UK? Canal hop? What do do you in _______ ( pick the country). How much fun to go and you've got water? Sweet.
Got water? _________________ Happy Trails!
Mark
______________
Founding member of the Empire State VW Camping Club.
http://www.empirevwcamping.org/
1984 Westy - Tiki
1997 Honda Civic -The Green Hornet
1971 Volvo P-1800E- needs TLC |
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Captain Pike Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2003 Posts: 3343 Location: Talos IV, Piedmont Arizona
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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Replace the flex lines with PEX. Any home center will do. _________________ LEARN TO SELF RESCUE
59 Panel bus, 1966 Single cab. 73' 181. 73 Westy. 91' H6 Vanagon 3.3L.
.....................All Current....................... |
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jackbombay Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2007 Posts: 2723 Location: Eastern Idaho
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Bruce Wayne Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2007 Posts: 1210
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 8:40 pm Post subject: |
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Bill W wrote: |
Replace the flex lines with PEX. Any home center will do. |
just had it installed in my house. great stuff! no more crappy copper lines that leak. |
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greenbus pilot Samba Member
Joined: March 14, 2008 Posts: 1285 Location: Wisconsin: Rustbelt, USA baby!!
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 10:45 pm Post subject: |
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Hell, my home has LEAD pipe coming from the street.I kid you not. Top THAT you plastic people!
Yeah, I fell pretty good, most days........... _________________ Sent from a white van down the street. |
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