A little plumbing upgrade

[thecatsandi]

I spent this afternoon doing a little upgrade to the plumbing. I installed a valve to bypass the pump in reverse. A fresh tank fill from the city water! No more going out in the cold to fill the tank. No more hold the hose and waiting.
The project took a little lomger than expected. My first trip to Lowes and I had most of what I needed. Only one problem. I picked up Tees for PEX not flex line. Ok a trip back to Lowes to get the correct stuff and a little more flex line. I also installed a winterizing tee.
A good afternoon and a full tank.

[moosetags]

Nice work , Michelle. That picture looks like something from the space shuttle. What type of valve did you use, and how is it controlled? Is it manual or electric?

[thecatsandi]

Well the factory did most of it. I just moved the pump and added some flex line. Ok I put a few other things in there. I modeled after a landing gear system. Once it is so complex you cannot possibly understand it... It should work!

The plumbing is under my closet floor. The valve is a manually operated brass ball valve. I am a big fan of brass and ball valves.
To access the valve and the winterization valve I will be installing a marine inspection hatch in the closet floor. Right now I cannot get to it without emptying the closet. That will chage soon.

This is what happens when pilots get bored!

[TBRich]

Very cool, Michelle...you are quite the mechanically-abled lady! Are you for rent?

TB

[Wabbiteer]

How about filtration on the city water crossover since someday you might be presented a choice of no water or bad water? That crossover is pretty neat since the gravity fill line will act as a pressure relief and the clear tubing is good since that is part of hose filling process, being able to see water quality. Anyhow you may enjoy perfect water at this moment but Murphy's In-Laws plumbing and septic has 24/7 service...

[thecatsandi]

Any water entering the trailer is filtered. There is a particulate/charcoal filter on the city water connection. The upside: no ugly stuff gets in the trailer. The down side it removes Chlorine. I need to treat the fresh tank with bleach or thigs start to grow.

[thecatsandi]

I can be quite expensive. Expensive Jewerly, lavish meals, Private Jets, Round the world cruises. That should cover it ;-). At this point I will take vouchers for AVgas The stuff is $5 a gallon!

[juel]

Where did Sarah return home to?

[thecatsandi]

Sarah went missing Tuesday. She return home last night. Ate and drank made sure everythign was ok at home and headed back out. I have not seen her this morning. I at least know she is ok.

[Tim A.]

Michelle,

Thanks for the inspiration! Now I am trying to figure out how I can set up our Bambi for filling from inside. Our tank is not easily accessible or visible, so whatever I come up with will probably be a little more complex than your arrangement. And if it does not work, I won't post any pictures!

Tim

[pmclemore]

What a great idea! And I'm so glad that Sarah showed up. I noted that she was missing from your signature.

RE your water fill: How will you be sure that you don't overfill - and cause a leak due to excess pressure?

Pat

[thecatsandi]

Tim,
my tank location is not the issue. Where is you pump? The suction side is from the tank. The other is connected to the rest of the cold water plumbing and city water. I just put a valve across the pump and allow the suction lineto back feed into the tank.

[Sugarfoot]

Michelle, I so admire your abilities to handle your own mechanical, electrical, pluming, HVAC, etc. You are so talented.

Can I just follow you around for a week or so to watch and learn?

[thecatsandi]

The water ran freely out the hose fill line and cover on the curb side. I think I would stand less of a chance pressurizing the tank than if I used the fill port on the side of the trailer.

Pat thanks for the support. She disappeared for 4 days. I thought I lost here. It was apparently a little tramatic. She has not spent much time outside since.

[thecatsandi]

I have been trained. I am a licensed Aircraft mechanic. I spent 18 months in school. I spent 2 years working on light aircraft and 3 working on transport catagory aircraft. It did wonders for my mechanical confidence.

[Tim A.]

Originally Posted by thecatsandi

Tim,
my tank location is not the issue. Where is you pump? The suction side is from the tank. The other is connected to the rest of the cold water plumbing and city water. I just put a valve across the pump and allow the suction lineto back feed into the tank.

Michelle,

Your inspiration paid off and here is a picture since my arrangement works. I picked up the pressurized water on the pressure side of the pump and feed it into the large gravity feed tube which comes from the outside. That way, the sound of the tank filling lets me know when it is almost full. The oak valve handle hides the same type of brass ball valve you used.

Tim

[Dureedesign]

What's the difference between PEX and Flex line? I never heard of PEX?

[thecatsandi]

PEX Poly ethlyene crosse linked. A "newer" type of pipng used in construction. Much easier and cheaper than copper to work with. Semi rigid.

Flex line is well flexable. Water grade is usually clear with fiber re-enforcement. Much like a garden hose.

[thecatsandi]

Wow! what a high class job. I hide all of mine.

[nickcrowhurst]

When we discussed this modification about three years ago, I remember Inland Andy warning about the possibility of pressurizing the tank:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f443...tem-10044.html
I have made this modification, and find it very useful, but I always remove the filler cap from the tank to avoid this danger.
Nick.