Adding water to an Isata 3 - Dry Camping

[jneum525]

Does anyone know of a way to add water to the water tank of an Isata 3 using a water jug/can while out dry camping?

On my previous class A, I could fill the tank via a hose using city pressure (like I can w the Isata 3) and also by pouring water into a flexible tube connected to the tank using a right angle funnel.

Would like to be able to fill tank on my 3 using a water jug if possible.

Thanks

[milkman55]

Get a small water pump and carry in your wet bay. If using jugs, it should be self priming.

https://www.amazon.com/bayite-Diaphr...2090483&sr=8-6

[jneum525]

Thanks.

So no manual way to just pour it in, I guess?

[milkman55]

No gravity fill that would be easy or fast. They do make transfer pumps that use your portable drill if you carry one. Not sure how fast they are.

[jneum525]

Thanks Milkman...

[5picker]

Do you have an antifreeze ingestion port on your Isata 3?
If so, you could draw water in from a jug via a hose attached to the antifreeze port. The pump doesn't care if it gets its water source from the fresh tank or a jug. You wouldn't be adding the water to the onboard fresh tank, simply using from an alternate 'tank.'

[petrx]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Do you have an antifreeze ingestion port on your Isata 3?
If so, you could draw water in from a jug via a hose attached to the antifreeze port. The pump doesn't care if it gets its water source from the fresh tank or a jug. You wouldn't be adding the water to the onboard fresh tank, simply using from an alternate 'tank.'

No, there is only one inlet for both water and antifreeze. You use a valve to direct the water to different places. I use a handpump from a jug to the water inlet with the valve on tank fill.

[jtfoxdesign]

I had a similar problem with our FR3 29DS. The power drill pump did not work well for me. I purchased a small electric pump through Amazon that works easily.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Good luck!

[TINSEAST]

My 2018 Isata 3 fresh water tank had a screw-in plug on the right side near the top of the tank. I drilled the rear plastic bumper and installed a 1 1/4 “ plastic pipe and elbow and screwed it into the tank then capped the pipe just as came out the bumper. I can remove the cap and gravity fill the tank with a water jug.

[markb422]

If you want to do it manually you can buy a hand pump from any RV retail that is supposed to be for adding antifreeze. I have used it for adding water to fw tanks and it works fine. It will suck a gallon jug dry in 6 of 7 pumps. They come with the female hose end on the discharge so it will screw into your fill port. Takes a bit of time but who cares, your camping. Right?

[vlamgat]

Originally Posted by jtfoxdesign

I had a similar problem with our FR3 29DS. The power drill pump did not work well for me. I purchased a small electric pump through Amazon that works easily.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Good luck!

And this 12Volt pump that runs off an extension cable to the van battery works better for me.
https://www.amazon.com/EXTRAUP-Porta...s%2C171&sr=1-4

[jneum525]

Thanks all. Much appreciated. Will look into a pump as I don’t want to drill a hole in my bumper.

For those of you that make use of a 12 volt pump, where do you grab your power from. 110 seems so convenient w outlet already located in the wet bay compartment.
Thanks

[vlamgat]

Originally Posted by jneum525

Thanks all. Much appreciated. Will look into a pump as I don’t want to drill a hole in my bumper.

For those of you that make use of a 12 volt pump, where do you grab your power from. 110 seems so convenient w outlet already located in the wet bay compartment.
Thanks

I use a portable battery/compressor box that I also use for tire inflation. Lots of different models available but get a Lithium battery version if you go this way. I clip the pump leads to the jump start clips and have a zip loc around the +ve lead to prevent an accidental touch.

[jneum525]

Finally got around to getting a fresh water pump so I can fill my water tank up via a plastic water container when city water supply is not readily available or when dry camping. Purchased the 115V Seaflo pump as suggested by JTFOXDESIGN. Got the 115V model rather than 12V for convenience sake, since their is a power outlet right in the wetbay container.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It works great at filling the tank and should be very beneficial in extending our water range, since the fresh tank always empties long before the Black and gray tanks are full.

Thanks to all for your input

[bclemens]

All the current models have a 3 way valve at the pump to draw in antifreeze. that tube could be placed into a jug and run off the jug. To fill the tan instead (in one shot) the pump would be required.

[jneum525]

Originally Posted by bclemens

All the current models have a 3 way valve at the pump to draw in antifreeze. that tube could be placed into a jug and run off the jug. To fill the tan instead (in one shot) the pump would be required.

Thanks Brian.
That was actually my back-up plan but wanted to have an extra pump with me as well.

[steve_h]

A cheap drill pump from Blains Farm and Fleet works great and takes up no space in my tool bag.

[T. Larry]

I use a pump driven by my DeWalt drill to fill the fresh water tank from the 5 gallon water jugs, connecting with short lengths of hose.

+Milescraft 1314 DrillPump750 - Self Priming Water Pump Attachment for Drills - Water Transfer Pump - Uses Common Garden Hose

[gwillor]

Harbor Freight 12V pump and 12V battery pack…inexpensive and works like a charm.

[DBM]

This was recently a discussion on this site at https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...nk-238896.html

Ultimately, I took dave961 advice and bought one of these pumps.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It was cheap, works like a champ. Of course I also bought two 5 foot hose section and will use my Dewalt cordless drill for power. So problem solved for about $30.