Connecting to mains water

layton1837
layton1837 Forum Participant Posts: 109
edited November 2016 in Caravans #1

Looking at the Truma mains water kit @£76 i decided that i could make one. I purchased a pressure reducing valve from http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191785901415?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT. Then connected it to a Truma pistol; grip that I had previously purchased from Ebay to make a Floe to drain the water system. Had 2 tap connectors that had ½ to ¾ reducers in them. Fitted to a piece of Skirt so it hangs on the side of the caravan
Total cost less than £20  Smile

Comments

  • markflip
    markflip Forum Participant Posts: 177
    edited November 2016 #2

    Nice one, I have an old pressure reducer in the garage and had thought of doing similar as and when my pump dies (to get the connection to the van) although my plan is to box the pressure reducer with a hozelock connector each side rather than fitting it
    to the van itself.

  • JohnM20
    JohnM20 Forum Participant Posts: 1,416
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2016 #3

    The only problem that I found with the pressure reducing type systems is that they can reduce the pressure so much that water flow from the taps is very poor, especially if you want to have a shower. Personally I prefer the float valve in the Aquaroll system.
    A spare Aquaroll cap with a hole drilled in the centre of it to take a toilet cistern float valve is very cheap and simple to make and use. Side inlet fill valve from Screwfix = £6.99 + Aquaroll cap at about £5.00. 

    This system keep the Aquaroll constantly half full with the caravan pump working at it would usually do.

  • ATDel
    ATDel Forum Participant Posts: 335
    edited November 2016 #4

    It may seem a silly question but................

    We will be doing some long term caravanning next year and would like to hook up to water direct so less chance of bactiria, do I need an inboard pump or does the pressure (with reducer) alone control the flow ino the van?

     Thanks

    Kev

  • JohnM20
    JohnM20 Forum Participant Posts: 1,416
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2016 #5

    If you have a direct connection you will not need any pump, the system works on the much reduced pressure that is coming out of the tap that you are connected to.

    With a constant replenishment of water into an Aquaroll then the chance of a build up of bacteria is probably not an issue as probably 99% of all water supplies are treated to kill off any bugs. I believe much treated water is stored in underground reservoirs
    or, if you have been to France, and probably elsewhere, stored in the water towers outside many towns and villages. They are just, in effect, giant Aquarolls and don't get a bacteria build-up. However, if the Aquaroll (or similar) is not going to be completely
    emptied on a regular basis it could be advisable to keep it in the shade rather than direct sunlight. A routine once a week empty could be a good regime to follow. 

    Personally I this prefer the 'through the Aquaroll' system as this usually gives much better pressure to the caravan taps and shower.

  • Surfer
    Surfer Club Member Posts: 1,303
    500 Comments 100 Likes
    edited November 2016 #6

    Looking at the Truma mains water kit @£76 i decided that i could make one. I purchased a pressure reducing valve from http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191785901415?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT. Then connected it to a Truma pistol; grip that I had previously purchased from Ebay to make a Floe to drain the water system. Had 2 tap connectors that had ½ to ¾ reducers in them. Fitted to a piece of Skirt so it hangs on the side of the caravan
    Total cost less than £20  Smile

    When we bought ours it was a lot less than £76.  If you take the cost of the pistol grip which you had to buy anyway, the hose, fittings and the pressure reducer I am sure it costs a bit more than £20 altogether, but I guess any savings is better than no savings?Laughing

  • ATDel
    ATDel Forum Participant Posts: 335
    edited November 2016 #7

    If you have a direct connection you will not need any pump, the system works on the much reduced pressure that is coming out of the tap that you are connected to.

    With a constant replenishment of water into an Aquaroll then the chance of a build up of bacteria is probably not an issue as probably 99% of all water supplies are treated to kill off any bugs. I believe much treated water is stored in underground reservoirs
    or, if you have been to France, and probably elsewhere, stored in the water towers outside many towns and villages. They are just, in effect, giant Aquarolls and don't get a bacteria build-up. However, if the Aquaroll (or similar) is not going to be completely
    emptied on a regular basis it could be advisable to keep it in the shade rather than direct sunlight. A routine once a week empty could be a good regime to follow. 

    Personally I this prefer the 'through the Aquaroll' system as this usually gives much better pressure to the caravan taps and shower.

    Thank you John, very helpful

  • KeefySher
    KeefySher Forum Participant Posts: 1,128
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2016 #8

    Use the Truma Waterline on serviced pitches. Got a brand spankers new one end of summer on e-bay for £38 with express delivery next day. Not worth doing a Heath Robinson tbh.

    A splitter on the water tap if it is nearby also works well, but probably not applicable to CC sites.

  • yetisdad
    yetisdad Forum Participant Posts: 30
    edited November 2016 #9

    The splitter is a great invention as it allows you to fill your jug etc with drinking water, without the need to remove your hosepipe 

  • KeefySher
    KeefySher Forum Participant Posts: 1,128
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2016 #10

    The splitter is a great invention as it allows you to fill your jug etc with drinking water, without the need to remove your hosepipe 

    It also allows others to fill aquarolls without your water being turned off Tongue Out Or 2 pitches to use one tap for 'serviced' facilities
    on a non serviced pitch Tongue Out If sufficient taps are available

  • Surfer
    Surfer Club Member Posts: 1,303
    500 Comments 100 Likes
    edited November 2016 #11

    Use the Truma Waterline on serviced pitches. Got a brand spankers new one end of summer on e-bay for £38 with express delivery next day. Not worth doing a Heath Robinson tbh.

    A splitter on the water tap if it is nearby also works well, but probably not applicable to CC sites.

    What is this splitter as I have never come across it?

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2016 #12

    Lots available

    Hozelock 2-Way Tap Connector 

  • markflip
    markflip Forum Participant Posts: 177
    edited November 2016 #13

    Wilko used to sell a blue, Y shaped one, which was very cheap but worked fine on my garden tap for years.