Onboard Air/Water System Idea

[haystax]

Or go this route - not fancy but time tested and serviceable -

L.N. Curtis & sons: Portable & Backpack Pump Systems

 

[dslcruzr]

I have a crude system like this already. Works great! good for showers and doing dishes and rising off wetsuits. I have a york OBA (with electric backup), with water/oil seperator down the line with a 5 gal air tank. i hook up a coily air hose with a spray gun regualor to a fiberglass lid that i made for my military water can. A straw goes from the lid to the bottom of the can with a barb fitting on the outside of the lid. I use a clear poly 1/4 hose with a small ball valve for the tap/nozzle. It only takes a few psi to get plenty of water pressure. The HiLift makes a great spot for the shower head (ball valve just cracked open). here's some pics.

 

[dslcruzr]

found another pic. I plan to refine this system a bit so I don't need to hook up the air line every time we need some water. also finding a smaller regulator would be great. I should mention that I do not use this for drinking water, only for cleaning up. The water in the can develops a diesely smell after a few days...don't ask

 

[5Cruiser]

dslcruzr, Thanks for the pics and confirmation that the air pressurizing idea works.

I think the thing now is taking care of the air filtering issue so I don't have gas smell or taste in the water.

I figured "someone" had to have tried this before...sure enough! Thanks again!

 

[Bogo]

Anybody really know filters? I've been thinking of how to filter the air. A filter that traps and binds petroleum vapors is needed. Possibly a sintered charcoal type filter. Only run the air for the water tank through it after it has gone through a standard air/water/oil separator filter and the pressure regulator. I'd also orientate the filter so it's exit is up. That way any condensed liquids would generally flow down to the input end.

 

[Bogo]

Lets see what McMaster-Carr has.

1/4" air port, activated carbon element for $34. Other sizes available.

To remove the smallest traces of oil vapor and odor, use these filters as the last step in your air preparation system; install after a 5-micron particle filter and an oil-removing filter. An activated carbon element absorbs oil vapor and its associated odors. Ideal for food processing and packaging, pharmaceuticals, and other industries where very high quality air is critical. Body and bowl are zinc (unless noted). All have a manual drain. Max. temperature is 150° F. Max. pressure is 200 psi. Filters can be pipe nipple connected or used in Wilkerson clamp-style modular filter/regulator/lubricators. Inlet and outlet connections are NPT female.

McMaster-Carr

If you want ultra pure air, it's $756... Scroll up from where the link leads. Also lots of other filter stuff on the page. It gets you an idea as to what is out there.

 

[haystax]

How 'bout an even cheaper, easier solution -

weed sprayers from Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[Mark W]

By the time you go to all this work and all this expense... it would seem to be a lot simpler to buy a cheap RV 12V electric water pump and be done with it.


Mark...

 

[5Cruiser]

By the time you go to all this work and all this expense... it would seem to be a lot simpler to buy a cheap RV 12V electric water pump and be done with it.
Mark...

HA ha! That's kinda what I am starting to think. After looking at what it takes to properly and safely filter air, the fact that I haven't found a viable bladder-type tank and the difficulty of making my own, I starting thinking maybe doing it the typical way is the best idea.

I worked on some plumbing schematics last night on a new system idea using only the 12V pump like you mention. I'll keep my air system for my air in that case.

Hey...it "was" a pretty good idea though...

 

[Mark W]

Yep... I like the idea and will probably continue to ponder it myself too.

I think that a bladder/accumulator/pressure tank is the key to making it work simply


Mark...