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Old 09-16-2013, 02:37 PM   #1
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,518
Old water filter now a surge tank??

I disconnected my onboard whole house filter because it didn't have
a bypass valve and it was located way inside my pass thru storage area.
A real PIA to get to and always made a mess when I tried to open and
drain it for winter.

I just disconnected the in and out lines and put a pipe coupling in between
where the filter used to be.
Now I use an outside whole house filter at the city water inlet. I also
use that filter if I'm filling my fresh water tank. This works for me.
Also easy to drain and no issues with winterizing.

Now I'm wondering if I might get away with turning my unused filter
canister up side down and then it would act as a surge tank.
I know "store bought" surge tanks have a neoprene bladder inside but my
home made surge tank would be transparent. I can see if it's full of water or
still has air in it. I can always unscrew it over a bucket to drain it.
Still a PIA. I'm working on that part of the plan.
Just wondered if I'm wasting my time..... It would be nice to be able to
dampen my tooth brush without having the pump run EVERY time I turn
on a tap even for a 1/4 cup of water. I think a surge tank would help
but am no in the mood to pay the big bucks for a real one.

Whaddya think?
Guess I'll give this a try and report back the results.....
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Dan & Rita D
2017 Nissan Titan 5.6L King cab 4wd
2016 Evergreen Everlite 242RBS
29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
(1 queen bed, large main cabin and huge bathroom)
Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
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Old 09-18-2013, 02:26 PM   #2
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Coquitlam, BC
Posts: 165
A couple thoughts. You could find a balloon or some other air pocket that is small enough to shove inside the filter housing, and is safe for drinking water (I'm not sure about latex balloons and the powder coatings). Air compresses a lot more than water. You could leave the filter housing in the standard orientation in this case as long as the bladder doesn't plug the outlet.

Your idea of turning it upside down might leave an air pocket which could work, but I am curious to know how much air would be left without any bladder inside. In that case you could install a 3-way valve (or a winterization kit) on the outlet so you can drain it easily without the mess.
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Old 09-18-2013, 02:54 PM   #3
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,518
Might just drop the idea..... I can get in the pass thru easily but I can't
do much when I'm in there. It's uncomfortable, just about breaks my neck
to hold my head up and see/do anything. I'm forced to lay on my right side
so my "good arm" is mostly pinned under me. I'm working one handed.
Very awkward. I get in there each fall to winterize but that's pretty
easy to make the hose connection to the antifreeze jug and get back out.

I did remove the filter canister a couple days ago. I'm thinking about it but it's a real PIA to
do any modifications in there.
If I was serious about this- it might be easier to remove the bed mattress
and take off the bed base and get at it that way.....
DW wants new carpet. Ours is cheap junk and looked flattened and worn
when we bought the trailer new! We bought it at a week long RV show
and lots of folks walked thru there and the cheap carpet took a real
beating. One day I might yank out the bed and under bed storage
and pull up the carpet and replace it. I could gain easy access to the
pass thru storage at that time and I would definitely tackle the water filter
to surge tank conversion at that time.

OR we'll hit the lottery and buy a new honking big diesel pickup and a
new 5er and sell this one and forget about it!
__________________
Peace!
Dan & Rita D
2017 Nissan Titan 5.6L King cab 4wd
2016 Evergreen Everlite 242RBS
29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
(1 queen bed, large main cabin and huge bathroom)
Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
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