How to Build Waste Tanks

[bus-bro]

More like what not to do, lol. Iceni John posted on another thread that one should buy quality plastic tanks and not build them with plywood. I agree whole heartedly, but is that what I did. Heck no, I did it my way.

I wanted my tanks in an insulated box, so I built a box for gray and black water tanks made of plywood, foamboard and epoxied fiberglass.





















































It's held up by twelve 1/2" rods, with six cross beams.

[2337bigdaddy]

I really like the idea of making your waste tanks. Have you had any trouble with them leaking?

[bus-bro]

No leaks yet.

[Stuff]

lol if it did leak just flush some sawdust :P

[bus-bro]

You know, this was my first major epoxied-fiberglass project. My inexperience lead me to use about three times more epoxy resin than I ever should have. That's why I say if it ever leaks it will be a very slow leak. Sawdust optional.

[chev49]

problem wont be using too much epoxy
it will only be if you used one tablespoon too little someplace and it leaks...

[lornaschinske]

Good read...
Fiberglass on Plywood Tank

[bus-bro]

You know, I planned to put a baffle at least in the larger grey water half of the tank, but by the time I got to that stage I was over time & over budget, and was in a git 'er done kind of mood. I was also worried that the baffle attachments could be leak points, or that the thing would break away.

For anyone planning to do an epoxy fiber glass tank, fear the blush! Also, getting the colth to stay in sharp inside corners can be a pain. The stuff is quite easy to work with, kinda like welding in very slow motion.

[tomas_maly]

How much did this waste tank end up costing? The link Lorne provided seems to indicate $350 vs $500 retail.

[bus-bro]

Less than $500, my guess is about $400. Don't track bus projects costs to close, for some reason.

[TygerCub]

Originally Posted by bus-bro

Less than $500, my guess is about $400. Don't track bus projects costs to close, for some reason.

I have a feeling if we all tracked the costs of our DIY projects, we'd all become somewhat depressed!

[lornaschinske]

It's the little costs that add up so much. I have been keeping track with an Open Office spreadsheet. I keep a page with the websites of thing we still need to buy and keep the prices (+ shipping) current. I keep track of what we spend (not counting sales tax). I also keep the totals on the $ spent page and the totals of the need to buy page added together. So far, we are still holding well under my estimated $5Kbudget (at $3.7K on 5/30/2012) . I need to update prices again. But it's the little stuff that adds up so fast. I still believe we can finish the conversion for under $5K. That does not include the "extras" like a new TV, dishwasher (at some point) and a washer/dryer pair (used). Nor does it include a generator. Since we park more than travel, I am leery of picking up a generator before we really need one. And we won't really need one until we relocate. It does include a second 36 gallon fresh water tank (for a total of 72 gallons fresh water). I have all the other tanks hanging under the bus.

[Jdawgsfanasty]

Originally Posted by lornaschinske

It's the little costs that add up so much. I have been keeping track with an Open Office spreadsheet. I keep a page with the websites of thing we still need to buy and keep the prices (+ shipping) current. I keep track of what we spend (not counting sales tax). I also keep the totals on the $ spent page and the totals of the need to buy page added together. So far, we are still holding well under my estimated $5Kbudget (at $3.7K on 5/30/2012) . I need to update prices again. But it's the little stuff that adds up so fast. I still believe we can finish the conversion for under $5K. That does not include the "extras" like a new TV, dishwasher (at some point) and a washer/dryer pair (used). Nor does it include a generator. Since we park more than travel, I am leery of picking up a generator before we really need one. And we won't really need one until we relocate. It does include a second 36 gallon fresh water tank (for a total of 72 gallons fresh water). I have all the other tanks hanging under the bus.

For a genset I'd consider the frame-mounted type used by truckers...IF I could find one at a salvage yard

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