Water plumbing

[Iceni John]

Originally Posted by IWC Bus

So just to jump in here for a minute. What is the pump of choice for most skoolies? I have reviewed so many and I think I am ready to purchase a Shurflo Aqua King ll. I was also thinking about using a Shurflo Pro Blaster ll and run then together (to make a FRESH WATER DUAL PUMP SYSTEM).
I can’t the Accumulator Tank which I have already. I am using a 55-gallon tank and a 45-gallon tank for fresh water, A PEX Manifold. Here is the other big question, can someone recommend a good hot water heater.

1. The good ol' SHURflo 2088 is still the most reliable pump that money can buy (according to a SHURflo rep!). Other pumps can move more water or do it quieter, but for how long, and how easily can they be repaired or rebuilt?
2. Suburban water heaters use a sacrificial anode to greatly reduce corrosion of the tank. Other brands rely on a coated inside surface of the tank. My gut feeling is that an anode is a better way to prolong tank life - it works well with boat hulls, so why not for a water heater tank?
3. I have a Watts 2-gallon pressure accumulator which seems like a decent product. It can be recharged through its Schrader valve to whatever pressure is needed for your water system, and Lowes and Home Despot have them for cheap.

John

[Brewmaster]

I have two questions,

1: can you use regular pvc 1/2" pipe for your fresh and hot water lines ? And if not why?

2: Does anyone have a plans to build an accumulator ?

[roach711]

PVC isn't as freeze resistant or as flexible as PEX but apparently can be used for fresh water supply piping. It can warp when used for hot water supply. PVC will certainly be cheaper and can be installed without buying special tools.



I built an accumulator out of 3" PVC that worked pretty well.

[Brewmaster]

Originally Posted by roach711

PVC isn't as freeze resistant or as flexible as PEX but apparently can be used for fresh water supply piping. It can warp when used for hot water supply. PVC will certainly be cheaper and can be installed without buying special tools.



I built an accumulator out of 3" PVC that worked pretty well.

I assume it was just a 3" section, two end cap and a bottom water feed ? and the trapped air does the buffering ?

[roach711]

Originally Posted by Brewmaster

I assume it was just a 3" section, two end cap and a bottom water feed ? and the trapped air does the buffering ?

Exactly! Here's a picture.

[Oscar1]

Originally Posted by Brewmaster

I have two questions,

1: can you use regular pvc 1/2" pipe for your fresh and hot water lines ? And if not why?

2: Does anyone have a plans to build an accumulator ?

pvc is fine for many applications like drains and traps and even cold supply however it should not be used for hot water supply as it can degrade from high temps.
cpvc pipe is better suited for hot water.
Or better yet just use pex.
Cheers

[HamSkoolie]

In a mobile application with lots of bounce, jounce, shock, etc. do you really want to install a rigid pipe system with glued joints? I'm not a fan of PEX in homes but in mobile applications flexible is awesome.


As for water heaters, on demand water heaters are the cats meow. No energy use (some may have parasitic draw for electronic controls) unless being used and are available in both electric and propane versions. As someone who's RV'd for over 3 decades, any suburban, attwood, or other "RV style" water heater is designed to make it to the warranty end time while being used occasionally. Lots of skoolie builds, including some of the top of the line rigs, use on demand propane water heaters. They're awesome.

[rockinmeow]

What if you run copper lines?

[flattracker]

In my first conversion the "old Crown" I used copper tubing. It became problematic once it got cold. I have experienced a couple failures due to freezing in the copper lines.


In the new Crown I used PEX. I am finishing up the plumbing these days. PEX isn't all that difficult to work with. My understanding is that is more resistant to splitting than copper.


To use copper in my current design would be difficult to do. PEX also meets building codes and is used in most campers made today.

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by rockinmeow

What if you run copper lines?

I was at first skeptical about using PEX. I wouldn’t use it in a house, but it is great in a bus. Easier too.

[Rucker]

Originally Posted by Danjo

I was at first skeptical about using PEX. I wouldn’t use it in a house, but it is great in a bus. Easier too.

My bus is all pex except for the shower riser. Easy to install, zero leaks (amazingly good fittings). Freezing shouldn't hurt them unless a really deep freeze.

Note that rodents love the taste of plastic, so keep the bus vermin-free!

[Rwnielsen]

Tankmart is a good source for oddball shaped tanks. I found a 46 gallon tank to fit in a short spot between an on-board generator and a storage bin. I'm also trying to keep the tanks more between the axles. I also bought a Jabsco pump mostly because some upper end coach builders use them. We'll see