Grey water tank bypass, caravan modification.
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- čas přidán 18. 03. 2023
- We modify the plumbing under the van to add a bypass valve to the grey water tank. So that when we don't need to store grey water it can run directly out without going through the grey water tank.
We have found that the tank develops a sludge and starts to smell and needs flushing through with a cleaner regularly.
Parts list -
Jandy Valve 40mm
1m x 40mm PVC Pipe
x2 40x32mm reducing couplings
40x25mm reducing coupling
25mm threaded valve socket
PVC cement
Light hanging saddle clip
Cable ties
It cost about $100 and took about an hour - not including the extra trip to Bunnings.
Disclaimer!
This is not a “how-to” video this is a how we did it!
The plumbing on caravans will differ with make and model so this may not work on your van!
I actually sent an email to our van manufacturer suggesting this very thing just recently. It's best not to have the waste water going through the tank when it does not need to. Excellent work.
This is a great idea for a factory fitted grey water tank. (I have to declare myself as being a retired RV repairer.) However, I have had grave concerns with retro fits of grey water tanks ie: vans that were built without a grey water tank. The shifting of water weight towards the rear (fresh water having been used now resides further back) completely alters the ball weight dynamic until that grey water is disposed off. With some grey water tanks now with a 110 litre capacity this also equates up to 110kg sitting further towards the rear of the van. Particularly in single axle vans this will present a massive problem of what's called fish tailing. It's the kind of thing you see on the 6pm news via dash cam footage.
Given it was only a decade ago that govts (both federal & states) were encouraging us to run washing machine water out to the garden at home I find it strange that caravans now need grey water tanks. So many camp sites that are not near natural watercourses are still encouraging the dropping of grey water on trees etc. I fully understand the retention if you are near a river or lake etc but to see the mandatory use of grey water retention out in parched desert country is ludicrous... and potentially dangerous to the RV owner.
A pvc tip , always use the primer fluid! A great job !
Thanks - we’ve been using it a while and works great 👍
Great video. Thanks
Looks great although the outlet reducer may be better as an offset fitting or facing downwards to avoid water pooling in that pipe. A plumbing supply store may have them.
I would put a 'T' cable on the side, so you can operate the valve without crawling underneath. It doesn't get any easier as you get older. Crawling around on the ground is exhausting and difficult to get up from, past about 55yo.
Well done love your work, keeping it real Ha ha 😂. Can I suggest that you change your screw fit on black sullage to a cam lock fitting which is much better, not expensive from bunnings, check it out. 👍
Thanks 🙏 quite happy with the screw fit at the moment
I have our grey water running through our Gaye waste tank with a shutoff valve when required without any problems. My question is why you needed the diversion valve in the first place.
We found that we’d get a smell from the grey water tank as there would always be some residual in it - we would have to flush it, the diversion prevents it.
We have found that we very rarely need to collect our grey water.
That section that you bypassed would be coming from my shower and ensuite only and not the kitchen which runs down the right side of the van. I would need a second valve/ pipe outlet
I should probably add a disclaimer that this works for our make and model of van and for others the placement of the valve may need to be different.
Great idea but it looks as if the change over valve may be located well under the caravan an possibly difficult to reach.
Thanks, not too bad to get to, we’ve only had to store our grey water once on our travels so far! So the majority of the time it’s going to be on divert.
@@rollin_in_the_red_dirt yes I totally agree, something you don’t use ever trip.
A 30 dollar 40mm pool hose from Bunnings works way better than a caravan waste hose. Water doesn’t back up in the pipes.
Thanks, may have to look into that when we need to change it.
Jandy valves are fantastic , however i guarantee you will lose the locking screw and the handle during your travels unless you leave them both off .
Thanks for the heads up - I will have to remember to remove them and put them somewhere safe.
@@rollin_in_the_red_dirt the good thing is you can buy spare parts for that valve if needed 👍
Great idea but wondering why you don't want water to go through your tank? We just leave our drain open with or without a waste hose connected as it's just flushing through anyway and we don't have any issues with sludge or smells. In fact we have only flushed the tank once in 5 years.
The drain isn’t completely on the bottom of the tank so always end up with some residual which can become smelly - we aren’t full time vanners, so the van does sit for a couple of weeks at a time.
@@rollin_in_the_red_dirt I see, that’s fair enough 👍
Cleanup fluid would have been nice
Great video and well explained. A caravan is an ideal way to see this massive country. So are you now full time Australians? 😉👍🇦🇺
Thank you 😊 We’ve been full time Aussies for years - still only part time travellers!
just open the grey water tap when you dont need it--- just rinse it out quickly with hose when you get home, why did you do all this crap?