Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 09:00:05 -0700
Reply-To: Bill Davidson <wdavidson@thegrid.net>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bill Davidson <wdavidson@thegrid.net>
Subject: Re: Water tank filler...
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Well....
I believe there is a different inlets depending on the year... and you
didn't give us the year of you van....
But...
I made a filler that attaches to a hose:
On my 90 Westy if you look deep into the inlet you will see a partition that
has 3 or 4 openings (it's been a while since I looked)... which is backed up
by a rubber flap... I guess this is designed to keep dust from getting in...
however if you just stick a hose in the inlet this partition/baffle (and the
fact that the tank air vent connects on the down side of the baffle) tends
to make the water flow 'gulp for air' ..... this 'gulping' causes water
overflow down the side of the van and severly limits the rate at which you
can fill the tank.
My solution:
Go to hardware store, select a 8" piece of clear pastic tubing (potable
grade) that is just small enough to fit through the partition. Then,
starting with a barbed fitting that inserts into the tubing, select whatever
combination of plumbing fittings (I used brass rather than non-potable
plastic) that will get you to a hose fitting... you can also add a small
valve in there... I used one of those small yellow ones from the garden
section.
With the above filler assembled, hook it to a hose... stick the tube through
the partition, turn on the water as fast as you like... now you can fill the
tank in two minutes..
A filler like this could also, perhaps, be fitted to the end of a funnel for
those that wish to use bottled water and not have to access the tank through
the inside of the van.
Good Luck,
Bill
> The answer to this question might be obvious, but beyond a short length
> of hose and a funnel, is there supposed to be a special filler specific
> to the water tank on the camper? I'm talking about the keyed water
> inlet, which is recessed enough so that you can't simply pour water in
> from a bucket or plastic bottle.
>
> I used mine for the first time this weekend, and noted that I had to
> devise a way of getting water into the tank. I happened to be camping
> with others who had a section of hose available.
>
> How do other people handle this?
>
> Dan
>
