Holding Tanks

[Eric von Kleist]

Well, I'm trying to come up with free holding tanks, and if not free ones, at least cheap ones.

I stopped in at a plumbing supply place to price 8" PVC pipe and endcaps, but the results were not encouraging. 8" pipe costs $5.00 per foot (20 foot minimum), which isn't bad, but the endcaps are almost $40.00 each. Ouch! 8" PVC pipe will hold about 4.5 gallons (ballpark) per linear foot, so several 6 or 7 foot sections under a bus would be good for fresh water and grey and black water holding tanks.

Back to the drawing board...

[trx]

I'm going with old well pressure tanks. They are galvanized steel, I think they hold around 40-50 gallons. These are usually thrown out when homeowners upgrade to the current bladder style tanks. The trick is locating them. They are probably free if you can find them. My parents live next to a dump/recycling center where people just drop stuff off they don't want while others 'go shopping'. My parents like to call it the county mall. Steel recycling places is another place to look. I've got one so far, just waiting for them to go look for a second. They aren't the lightest but shouldn't be an issue for a bus.

[Ryan Grimm]

Talk to your local Plumbers. The frequently replace hot water tanks, and some are still OK, no pinholes rusted through.

If you can get some of these tanks, strip off the outer case, the insulation, and remove all plugs, drains, and the anode.

Rinse the tank well.
Then replace the anode (corrosion protection, and just a few $), and plumb the tank like you would for an under-body installation. Make sure there is a drain to empty the tank!

BTW, with your own water heater, if there is an anode, replace it at the halfway-point of the heater's warrantee date. In other words, if it's an 8-year warrantee, replace the anode at 4-5 years.

Drain/flush the tank once a year, regardless of it's age, this will blow out any iron or other metal flakes that can promote corrosion.
Do this for your house water heater, as well.

I know ONE guy has a water heater in his house, it's STELLITE, the same stuff jet engine nozzles are made of. The manufacture date? 1956!
He's gone through three burners in the damned thing, and it's still going strong. I am SO jealous!!!!!

Which also brings something to mind:
Stainless steel tanks are used in dairies, breweries, etc. Call around, maybe you can find one in a salvage yard, equipment auction, etc.
Put the word out with dealers and friends, maybe they can find you one in their travels.

[busone]

Water heater tanks also make great BBQs or a shop stove.

[Firearm]

I talked to a plumber and he pointed me to an r/v & camper sales business. They have all kinds of fittings that simply screw together by hand and rolls of gray pvc tubing. It is excellent stuff. Just cut, slide on the fitings, tighten and ta-da, magic.

[busone]

When I do my bus I am going to use PEX for all the water lines. I really like how easy it is to work with. The best web source for the pipe and supplies I have found is http://www.pexconnection.com. I have no intrest in the company but have found them useful.

[Firearm]

Yep, that's the stuff. The Flair-it fittings are awesome! Very quick and easy. Did I mention I like quick and easy?

[frey2]

ive got a gray water tank i need to get rid off, has the sensor plugs and the 2" slide valve still attached. It has never been used.

[frey2]

ive got a gray water tank i need to get rid off, has the sensor plugs and the 2" slide valve still attached. It has never been used. 40 gallons