Fresh water tank

[Bremill]

Has anyone used a horizontal leg tank? Likely harder to secure. If I go this route I'll use two straps plus bracing on the floor behind one wheel well. It would balance the weight of the batteries on the other side.

[HazMatt]

625 pounds of water, +@ 60 lbs for the tank = +/- 685 pounds.
That must be one monster of a battery bank you need to counter-balance..!

[TheHubbardBus]

I'm going through this exact same planning process myself right now, so I have many more questions than answers. But if it were me, I don't know if I'd dig the center of gravity with a tank like that. I think I"d want something flatter shorter and wider. My original plan was to balance the batteries w/ water. But then you're forced to locate your grey/waste water in pretty much the same location lest your balance be off. And you're forced to keep the same volume on hand for the same reasons. Yet to implement, but my new plan involves two water tanks on either side (balancing each other), with the battery bank either centered, split (a bit problematic), or balanced by some other static weight source. Course that plan'll probably change 20 times before we put the rubber to the road.

[Bremill]

55 u.s. gallons = 459 lbs. 4 6v agm batteries = 480 lbs.

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by HazMatt

625 pounds of water, +@ 60 lbs for the tank = +/- 685 pounds.
That must be one monster of a battery bank you need to counter-balance..!

These water weights always make my head spin until I realize that 685 pounds is like two seats' worth of small high school kids.

[Bremill]

The higher centre of gravity was my concern too. Hence the extra strapping in the grooves of the tank. I'll have two grey water tanks. One under the sink and a larger one under the shower and under the bus. Under bus propane tank hopefully counters the grey. The grooves in the tank will baffle the sloshing.

Tank was only 200 bucks. And has the vented lid and bottom fitting. Couldn't resist buying it.

[HazMatt]

I stand corrected!
I was being lazy, and today my Gu-Fu was weak...

Originally Posted by Bremill

55 u.s. gallons = 459 lbs. 4 6v agm batteries = 480 lbs.

Since it will be on the deck, COG shouldn't be a big concern.
Now, if you planned on mounting it on the roof...

[Ninjakitty]

Originally Posted by HazMatt

625 pounds of water, +@ 60 lbs for the tank = +/- 685 pounds.
That must be one monster of a battery bank you need to counter-balance..!

My battery bank weighs close to 600 lbs. 4 batteries at 140~ lbs a piece

[Ninjakitty]

It should be fine to use. Frame out around it and strap it down to d-rings bolted through the floor.

[HazMatt]

Yowsa!

Originally Posted by Ninjakitty

My battery bank weighs close to 600 lbs. 4 batteries at 140~ lbs a piece

My anticipated needs don't call for (for me) a monster array like that! Not that there is anything wrong with More Power.
Uhn uhn-uhn!

[Danjo]

What are the straps and what are your attachment points?

[Bremill]

Likely 2 inch ratchet straps just because I already have them. Attached to D rings that go through floor. For good measure I'll brace around perimeter of tank with perhaps 2x3's.

[HazMatt]

2" straps might be sufficient, depending on their rating.
It isn't just the weight of the water to account for. That's a lot of inertia straining forward, in the event of panic braking.

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by HazMatt

2" straps might be sufficient, depending on their rating.
It isn't just the weight of the water to account for. That's a lot of inertia straining forward, in the event of panic braking.

Yeah and potholes and bumps and the lot. Have you considered all thread and unistrut?

[Bremill]

Agreed and noted. I'll get engineering buddies to crunch the guzinta numbers. They love to show off their ciphering skills.

[Bremill]

I have. Will check that out at local fastener branch