Water wastage

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Ally
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Water wastage

 ·  Posted: 02.04.2013  ·  #1
When driving behind Motorhomes that have just filled up with fresh water you can see how much they lose out of their overflow pipe before they arrive at their destination. We worked it out at the weekend that you can lose as much as 50% but usually around 25% of your fresh water.

I had a thought, after filling, why could we not bung up the overflow pipe? the water has nowhere else to go or has it?
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Re: Water wastage

 ·  Posted: 02.04.2013  ·  #2
sounds like a good weekend working out water wastage can i come on the next one :D
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Re: Water wastage

 ·  Posted: 02.04.2013  ·  #3
Sure! next month we are working out the consistency of mud mixed with water and what angle it falls from the Motorhome during a windspeed of between 50 and 60 mph.
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Re: Water wastage

 ·  Posted: 02.04.2013  ·  #4
I learnt that very quickly, an old sage of a motorhomer told me how to reduce the loss, use one of those useless wine bottle stoppers into the overflow pipe and it doesn't come out to the same level. The stoppers are useless because anytime I open a bottle I empty it so why have one :lol:
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Re: Water wastage

 ·  Posted: 03.04.2013  ·  #5
Going to buy a wine bottle stopper whatever that is :up:
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Re: Water wastage

 ·  Posted: 03.04.2013  ·  #6
I read on another (inferior) forum about how to stop the spillage, and one person had removed the overflow pipe and replaced it on the outside with a lever operated valve like a washing machine valve, that way he could drain it and not spill a drop.
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Re: Water wastage

 ·  Posted: 03.04.2013  ·  #7
Quote by the fat controller

I read on another (inferior) forum about how to stop the spillage, and one person had removed the overflow pipe and replaced it on the outside with a lever operated valve like a washing machine valve, that way he could drain it and not spill a drop.


That sounds like a good idea, although the wine stopper would be quicker and easier fitted, might try it first (someone bought me one, now i know what it was for) hahaha.

I knew i didnt use all the water in the shower (as previously blamed by my darling husband) - driving over fields to watch motorbikes, im shocked we had a basin full when we reached our final destination. :D
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Re: Water wastage

 ·  Posted: 03.04.2013  ·  #8
I have heard of people using the float type valve from the top of a snorkel.
This is supposed to refuse the amount of water loss without blocking the overflow.

Remember if you use a stopper you better not walk away while filling your tank. LOL
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Re: Water wastage

 ·  Posted: 03.04.2013  ·  #9
Quote by mark



Remember if you use a stopper you better not walk away while filling your tank. LOL


I realise that was said as a bit of a joke, but....... what is the worst can happen? it comes out the refill hole? I fail to see how it can get in the Van.
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Re: Water wastage

 ·  Posted: 03.04.2013  ·  #10
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Re: Water wastage

 ·  Posted: 04.04.2013  ·  #11
the water can get out the tank access hole if the filler is higher than the tank, the seal here is not great and the water pressure can burst it, i know this from previous experiance in an older van i had
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Overflow

 ·  Posted: 04.04.2013  ·  #12
We have a Swift Sundance and the overflow is lots of little holes around the top of the tank so we would need about 20 miniature corks!! I think we'll just have to live with it. We carry 2 x 5lt mineral water bottles to top up anyway. john 🇧🇭 :up:
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Re: Water wastage

 ·  Posted: 04.04.2013  ·  #13
A good excuse to but and drink 20 bottles of wine then!
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Re: Water wastage

 ·  Posted: 13.04.2013  ·  #14
Quote by eirebus

the water can get out the tank access hole if the filler is higher than the tank, the seal here is not great and the water pressure can burst it, i know this from previous experiance in an older van i had


I was thinking though, fill the tank and let any access water overflow, then block the overflow pipe.
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Re: Water wastage

 ·  Posted: 13.05.2013  ·  #15
Tried this out heading to Vantastival, tried the wine stopper option from FC :) as I found one in the van (who knows where that came from) but it didn't fit. An AA battery did however.

Worked a treat, filled up with water, let excess overflow then blocked the overflow. Now after some great moments at Vantastival and an excessive amount of aclohol I forgot I did this :)

Put some more water in and couldn't understand why it was spitting back out at me and gurgling. Done it again next day and it was only when Dave (eirebus) said "I think your overflow is blocked" did I remember :)

Anyhow it works a treat for our van :)
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Re: Water wastage

 ·  Posted: 13.05.2013  ·  #16
See i'm not just a pretty face, in fact not even a pretty face :lol:, the reason you found it in the van was because is doesnt fit any bottles either !!!!
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Re: Water wastage

 ·  Posted: 13.05.2013  ·  #17
:lol:

IIRC it was in the Pilote when we bought it. None of us drink wine.
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Re: Water wastage

 ·  Posted: 13.05.2013  ·  #18
I must have a look at our setup when I get home.

There are two options for the water on ours. We can fill the storage tank and use the water conventionally, or we can connect it to a "City water" inlet which is basically a direct mains connection to the plumbing in the van, bypassing the 12v pump. Surely the system has to be sealed for this to work? If there was a vent, there would be mains water peeing out of the vent it if we connected to city water? Equally, if there was NO vent, I wonder how we don't get a vacuum problem when drawing water from the storage tank?
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Re: Water wastage

 ·  Posted: 13.05.2013  ·  #19
Clutching at straws................ Perhaps an air pressure vent which doesn't allow water through it?
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Re: Water wastage

 ·  Posted: 13.05.2013  ·  #20
Quote by Admin

Clutching at straws................ Perhaps an air pressure vent which doesn't allow water through it?


Aye, that'd make sense. I must have a poke around later and see where this air vent is hiding... That'd probably mean we DON'T have an overflow pipe then... interesting.
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