Fill tank while remote camping

[MurphyIRE]

2016 Chaparral 29 MKS
We were at a remote site, no power or water. We read that we could fill the tank using the water pump. So I filled the 5 gallon container with water and had the valves set to "Fill tank" and connected a short hose to the water inlet and placed the other end in the 5 gal container. Nothing happened. Coachman and the dealership said I need to have a special hose! Really???
Coachman said, because the pump is directly in line, I can not "Gravity Feed" to fill the tank. I tried and nothing happened, so I agree with Joe (Coachman). Although, if I had thought of turning on the pump while holding the funnel and pouring the water into the funnel, that might have worked
Any feed back, suggestions and/or input are greatly appreciated.

[DaveandSue]

Murphy,do you have a small fitting with a 1/2" cap on it? It will be in the wet bay on the side,in the left hand basement bay. Our 29RKS had one,yours should too.You can suck from the hose with the pump to fill the fresh tank.

[MurphyIRE]

Thanks Dave!

Got it! I'll get the hose and make the 1/2" thread

[ependydad]

I have a Sabre, so this might be completely unuseful, but I'll share anyway.

In my water bay, I have an outside shower hose and antifreeze inlet. I switch my system to suck from the antifreeze inlet and put that into my jug of water. I then unscrew the shower head and use my outside shower hose to my freshwater tank fill.

[rockfordroo]

Murphy:

I've attached a couple plumbing pics that may help. Note there are several variations of piping shown. Not everyone has a gravity fill for their FW tank. Not everyone has an anti-freeze connection.

Second PDF shows the fill method ependydad discusses in post #4.

Remember - using your pump will deplete your battery unless you've got a generator or solar to recharge.

[MurphyIRE]

Great info!!! Thanks,

No fresh water fill. I will make the AF hose connection and test it out before the next outting. I'll add a photo of my CP. I have the ability to turn the valves to city water (No problems there), tank fill or system use. I'm assuming the later two positions can work when remote camping and pulling through the AF line.

[Kenny kustom]

Originally Posted by ependydad

I have a Sabre, so this might be completely unuseful, but I'll share anyway.

In my water bay, I have an outside shower hose and antifreeze inlet. I switch my system to suck from the antifreeze inlet and put that into my jug of water. I then unscrew the shower head and use my outside shower hose to my freshwater tank fill.

DOUG!!

You get a cookie for that one.
I was going to get another pump, to attach to my aqua tank. Use it to pump into the fresh.

I just went outside, and your way will work perfect!!

THANKS!!


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Kenny kustom

DOUG!!

You get a cookie for that one.
I was going to get another pump, to attach to my aqua tank. Use it to pump into the fresh.

I just went outside, and your way will work perfect!!

THANKS!!

I've filled my fresh water tank while on city water using the shower hose a bunch of times, but finally got to test this theory a couple of weeks ago when I sanitized the freshwater system with bleach water. It's not the fastest, but makes use of everything that's already there.

[OldBob]

Originally Posted by MurphyIRE

Great info!!! Thanks,

No fresh water fill. I will make the AF hose connection and test it out before the next outting. I'll add a photo of my CP. I have the ability to turn the valves to city water (No problems there), tank fill or system use. I'm assuming the later two positions can work when remote camping and pulling through the AF line.

Congratulations for having two sons in the Marine Corps. You should be proud indeed! Our son just retired from the Corps after 21 years. Unfortunately he has some disability due to head injuries while serving in Afghanistan but we too are very proud. We are also proud of his wife and 2 children who spent long periods without him. Please thank your sons for their service. Our country in indebted to those who serve.

God bless you all...

[MurphyIRE]

Bob,

Please give our thanks to your son and his family. We are grateful for his dedication and his family's devotion! SF
Sean

[MurphyIRE]

So, I picked up and 12v self priming pump as the back up plan if the AF plan doesn't work. I bought the adapter to go from the 1/2 thread to a std hose. I will test and see if my current pump will fill tank and/or allow system use. I'll keep you posted.

[MurphyIRE]

Finally, here is the CB for my water system.

[wingedone]

I got something like this years ago (drill pump).

https://www.amazon.com/ECO-FLO-Produ...rds=drill+pump

You hook it up just like any water pumped from a well, set your system to fill, and run.

Be sure to run some diluted bleach through it first.

[MurphyIRE]

I had forgotten about those! Thanks for the info, I'll order one

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by wingedone

I got something like this years ago (drill pump).

https://www.amazon.com/ECO-FLO-Produ...rds=drill+pump
You hook it up just like any water pumped from a well, set your system to fill, and run.
Be sure to run some diluted bleach through it first.

That will work for sure but just some thoughts.... The drill powered pumps I've seen aren't very fast. Be prepared with a spare drill battery or 2. Hopefully you can lock the drill trigger on and lay it down while you sip your
cold brewskie and watch the water level in your carry jug.
I suggest you test it at home by maybe just pumping a 5 gallon bucket and time it. That will also let you know about drill battery life as well as drill motor heat.

The shower hose into the gravity fill port is a winner if your outside shower
is on the same side as your tank fill. Mine is on the far opposite side