1968 Travel Queen Resto Mod - 8. Fresh Water
This Part 8. Fresh Water, begins at a stage in our game of rebuilding the left sidewall of the camper. It is here on that side where we run into the utility connections, much of which are fresh water ...
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This may be a large post today - at least lot of pictures.
Here lately I've been working on getting the great room enclosed, that is to say, doors and covers on the interior cabinetry in preparation to receive something like dinette cushions. But everything in order they say.
So I had to get the grey water system tested and verified functional. Check! (See recent grey water post)
Next - fresh water. I wanted the fresh tank and system installed before final wrap up of the covers on the freshwater cabinet, which is also the step-up cabinet to the cab-over bunk.
So once again I lifted out the tank, installed some 1/2" barbed fittings into the tank's 3/8" female pipe thread holes, connected some test hoses and did the leak test.
The tank was heavy to manipulate with about 25 gallons in the 40 gallon capacity, but all joints held nicely. Once again (as in the grey) I used this pipe dope with teflon that was recommended to me by an RV Tech in Fairbanks, AK. Worked well!
This is how I drained it after the test.
I shop-vac'ed the compartment...
Placed the tank...
And started planning, measuring and marking.
Here the step up bracing was inserted to align the wiring and gas line holes above the fresh water gravity fill hole. In this way I planned out how the various systems would fit together and how the holes drilled in the camper box sidewalls would set up.
And here is the water pump system that will mount into the space between the tank and the sidewall. It includes the pump, a sediment filter by Shurflo and a really cool, high quality brass bypass valve for winterizing chores.
I can't remember where I got the bypass kit. I've either had it around for a long time in my collection of stuff, or I bought it a couple years ago at a Camping World in Utah for installing in the TT. Either way, it is easy to turn and seems to be of long-life quality. Perfect for Lil' Queeny.
The pump I'm using is linked here... Shurflo Revolution 4008
You may have noticed in the picture the huge battery switch. I think that's going in my boat and the little one in the boat is coming in here. More on that later.
Having marked the hole placement I started the cut on the outside...
Then moved inside to complete for a nice cut in both surfaces.
You'll note the one at bottom for the tank drain. At top is a large for the fill hose and a small for the fill vent. Above the fill hose hole is another fairly large for the propane line. Propane connections and lines will run on the exterior, except at this spot where an unbroken line runs across the camper on the inside for protection.
With the holes cut for hoses, I directed my attentions toward mounting the pump system, keeping in mind both clearance from the nearby battery location and height, and ease of making hose connections as well as room to stick a hand for manipulating clamps and performing maintenance tasks like draining the tank or winterizing.
This is the drain valve I'm using. I've had this little unit laying around for years and finally have a use for it.
Ready for placement and marking.
Something like this.
From below.
From above.
Along the way I connected the rest of the hoses and installed the drain valve. The exterior points and the other ends of the gravity fill connection are not yet done but this cabinet is in essence complete.
And therefore, I could reassemble the cabinet.
Here you see the step-up bracing trusses in place ready for assembly, and the drain pipe from the kitchen ready to re-install into the two Fernco connectors.
And then with the brace and framing reassembled (this time with finish poly complete) you can see the real world fresh water system access as you'll find it in the field.
And while the propane line is not yet in, this next photo gives an idea of how the wiring/cables will run in this area.
So there are still remaining posts for much of the fresh water category. But this completes the fresh water in this cabinet for the most part. Now I can set in the cabinet covers and show that enclosure in a more completed and finished way.
Here lately I've been working on getting the great room enclosed, that is to say, doors and covers on the interior cabinetry in preparation to receive something like dinette cushions. But everything in order they say.
So I had to get the grey water system tested and verified functional. Check! (See recent grey water post)
Next - fresh water. I wanted the fresh tank and system installed before final wrap up of the covers on the freshwater cabinet, which is also the step-up cabinet to the cab-over bunk.
So once again I lifted out the tank, installed some 1/2" barbed fittings into the tank's 3/8" female pipe thread holes, connected some test hoses and did the leak test.
The tank was heavy to manipulate with about 25 gallons in the 40 gallon capacity, but all joints held nicely. Once again (as in the grey) I used this pipe dope with teflon that was recommended to me by an RV Tech in Fairbanks, AK. Worked well!
This is how I drained it after the test.
I shop-vac'ed the compartment...
Placed the tank...
And started planning, measuring and marking.
Here the step up bracing was inserted to align the wiring and gas line holes above the fresh water gravity fill hole. In this way I planned out how the various systems would fit together and how the holes drilled in the camper box sidewalls would set up.
And here is the water pump system that will mount into the space between the tank and the sidewall. It includes the pump, a sediment filter by Shurflo and a really cool, high quality brass bypass valve for winterizing chores.
I can't remember where I got the bypass kit. I've either had it around for a long time in my collection of stuff, or I bought it a couple years ago at a Camping World in Utah for installing in the TT. Either way, it is easy to turn and seems to be of long-life quality. Perfect for Lil' Queeny.
The pump I'm using is linked here... Shurflo Revolution 4008
You may have noticed in the picture the huge battery switch. I think that's going in my boat and the little one in the boat is coming in here. More on that later.
Having marked the hole placement I started the cut on the outside...
Then moved inside to complete for a nice cut in both surfaces.
You'll note the one at bottom for the tank drain. At top is a large for the fill hose and a small for the fill vent. Above the fill hose hole is another fairly large for the propane line. Propane connections and lines will run on the exterior, except at this spot where an unbroken line runs across the camper on the inside for protection.
With the holes cut for hoses, I directed my attentions toward mounting the pump system, keeping in mind both clearance from the nearby battery location and height, and ease of making hose connections as well as room to stick a hand for manipulating clamps and performing maintenance tasks like draining the tank or winterizing.
This is the drain valve I'm using. I've had this little unit laying around for years and finally have a use for it.
Ready for placement and marking.
Something like this.
From below.
From above.
Along the way I connected the rest of the hoses and installed the drain valve. The exterior points and the other ends of the gravity fill connection are not yet done but this cabinet is in essence complete.
And therefore, I could reassemble the cabinet.
Here you see the step-up bracing trusses in place ready for assembly, and the drain pipe from the kitchen ready to re-install into the two Fernco connectors.
And then with the brace and framing reassembled (this time with finish poly complete) you can see the real world fresh water system access as you'll find it in the field.
And while the propane line is not yet in, this next photo gives an idea of how the wiring/cables will run in this area.
So there are still remaining posts for much of the fresh water category. But this completes the fresh water in this cabinet for the most part. Now I can set in the cabinet covers and show that enclosure in a more completed and finished way.