Water Sterliser advice needed
When I had a caravan with an outside water container I was advised to use a sterliser tablet each time I filled it up. I now have a Devon Aztec panel van conversion motorhome with the on board water tank. What is the general advice in terms of sterilisation with this system. Is it important and how and when do I need to do it. Any specific products needed or recommended.
Thanks for any advice.
Adrian
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After reading comments on here about damage that could be caused to heating systems and filters we never sterilised ours!
When we purchased it secondhand I did fill the fresh water tank and add milton then emptied without pulling it through taps etc. We brushed our teeth in the motorhome and used the water to boil for hot drinks, showered and washed up in there. Never had an issue.
Our water tank was always fully emptied after use, via the exit bung which remained out and screwtop filler were not re inserted so there was airflow and it was dried out inbetween trips. Before heading off, bung was inserted and about 10 litres of water put in enough for a cuppa, toilet flush and hand washing on route. Once we arrived on site we filled the tank completely.
Our water tank was conveniently located under a seat with a screw in cap and the exit bung could be reached using entry that way. It also had an external filling flap. Not sure how it would be on your vehicle.
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Never had MH but presume that the reason I occasionally sterilise my Aquaroll, the fact it’s sitting out in the sun and a slight ‘slime’ builds up, won’t apply.
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If it is a new van I would suggest a through flush and follow the advice given above by others. However, I do use KATADYN MICROPUR CLASSIC MC 1'000F if I am going to leave the van unused for a while.
If the van is pre-loved (new to you) I suggest a through flush then make use of the following to clean, sterilise and maintain the system KATADYN MICROPUR TANK CARE LINE MICROBOX.
Fact sheets are on the Katadyn website.
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I think it depends whether you intend to drink water from the tank. Personally we don't so I don't fuss too much about cleaning the tanks. In the past I have use Puriclean which comes in powder form which you dissolve in a jug of water and pour into the full tank water. Let slosh around a bit and then pump it through the system. You then of course have to flush with clean water otherwise there will be a taste left!
David
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Adrian,
We have had many threads on this subject over the years but Vic the Vline posted one only t'other day ( 4th March ) and lots of us agreed that Puriclean / Aqua Sol / Purisol are good for this tank cleaning / sterilising job and are available from your friendly Campervan / Motorhome store. So treat the stores as a Library and read all the instructions on the containers before buying
. Take care with the Milton type stuff 'coz it can attack any metalwork in the pipes ( taps, pumps and suchlike )0 -
Our inboard water tank holds up to 120 lires (about 4-6 days supply) and I don't fancy drinking from that after it has sat around in 25-30 degree heat.
We use a Britta filter jug for cooking/drinking water topped up from a 5 litre water container which is replenished daily. The supply in the tank is really only used for washing, showering and washing up.
If we're not going away again in the near future, I empty our water tank completely when we get home, although I try to time it so that the tank is almost empty for the return journey.
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My advice is to get a tub of Puriclean and see how you get on with it. Once a normal year is usually sufficient if you are drawing water from safe sources such as CMC sites. If you regularly use the van throughout the year, you may not need to do anything. Don't leave the water in the tank or pipes for more than four days, less if in hot weather and drain the tank when you get home (see JimE above).
If Milton is not used correctly, neat/strong it can overtime damage any metal parts such as in the heater. Sufficiently diluted, and I used it for many years, Milton was fine. I changed to Puriclean because it was easier to buy and less risky.
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I did mine yesterday. I certainly don't drain down between trips. It sits on the drive with whatever volume it has in it. Never had a problem with the yacht's tanks either and the water tended to sit in that for a lot longer before use than the motorhome. Happiness is full tanks.
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I made the mistake of cleansing the freshwater tank in our first MH with Milton and regretted it.The water tasted of TCP thereafter-we do not drink from the tank supply but it made teeth cleaning unpleasant.Since then I have stuck to Puriclean with no problems resulting.I do occasionally flush the tank out to remove sandy sediments-these seem to get into the tank after trips abroad.Do they use sand filtration more on the Continent?
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Your heating system is completely separate to any drinking water .
it is impossible to mix the two.
so using Milton cannot therefore hurt your heating system . On another point it is very important that the cleaning of your water system tanks takes place if you intend to use it for drinking or washing .0 -
I drain our water before the first frost,then refill at home when frosts have finished.I then keep it topped up through the summer.I have never put any cleaner in it and we drink it direct from the tap.Had the van 14yrs and never had a problem,if it aint broke dont fix it. We are from a time before elf & safety so maybe immune to most things.Happy touring.
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Does that mean that the water in your tank has been sat there For the last month or more, without being changed? I certainly would want to be drinking it now.
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