Fresh water tank?

Frederick · Apr 11, 2020

Looking for advice on purchasing a 100 gallon fresh water tank that you do not have to babysit when you are filling it. Float shut off features have continually failed in the one van I have with this set up. Getting ready to set up a new ford high ceiling van and I do not want to repeat this problem. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Lee Stockwell · Apr 11, 2020

Hudson valve

Papa John · Apr 11, 2020

The Tank is enert and only sits there-- so THATS not the problem.- fix the hardware.

The Hudson valve is ok.
Watts bulkhead- mounted float valve is also ok.

The issue could be that some houses have differnet water pressuure.
Too high of presure has caused my Hudson valve to blow apart or my Watts not to shut off.
Maybe install a pressure regulator-- or weekly make sure the float angle screw is tight on the Watts.

hogjowl · Apr 11, 2020

Just rhino line your van and let it flow

D Luke · Apr 11, 2020

I'm always the Jerk that recommends Butler, so in keeping with that, just do what they do.

Works perfect, every time, for a long time.

Rob Grady · Apr 12, 2020

What do they do ?

steve_64 · Apr 12, 2020

Run the overflow hose behind the rear wheel.

Shane T · Apr 12, 2020

The Hudson valve was never reliable for me. Thought maybe it was because they were designed to maintain a full tank or if it was the turbulence of the water around the valve. I finally gave up on it. I found the most reliable is an inexpensive plastic float valve. They are slow to fill because of the restriction in the valve.
I have 2 like new Hudson valves sitting in my office if anyone is interested in trying one.

Mikey P · Apr 12, 2020

I've gone through many Hudsons in the Vortex

The hot water caused them to consistently fail at regular intervals

Frederick · Apr 12, 2020

Mikey P said:
I've gone through many Hudsons in the Vortex

The hot water caused them to consistently fail at regular intervals

Never tried a Hudson, water in the tank is cold water in my operation.

Frederick · Apr 12, 2020

Papa John said:
The Tank is enert and only sits there-- so THATS not the problem.- fix the hardware.

The Hudson valve is ok.
Watts bulkhead- mounted float valve is also ok.

The issue could be that some houses have differnet water pressuure.
Too high of presure has caused my Hudson valve to blow apart or my Watts not to shut off.
Maybe install a pressure regulator-- or weekly make sure the float angle screw is tight on the Watts.

Sloshing water inside the tank while driving is what wipes out the float type valve systems. Water pressure is mild in my situation when the tank is filling.

Frederick · Apr 12, 2020

steve_64 said:
Run the overflow hose behind the rear wheel.

I have one overflow hose that drains right below the tank onto the floor. Will have to add another one to keep up as the water entering the tank comes in faster that the overflow hose can handle. Thought there could be a valve system that could be fool proof and be reliable. Sloshing water inside the tank while driving is what causes the float type valves to fail. Not sure if the new fresh water tanks have more baffles built in to confront this issue.
S

Frederick · Apr 12, 2020

hogjowl said:
Just rhino line your van and let it flow

Floor is Rhino lined, however the overflow water still makes a mess.

scotty747 · Apr 18, 2020

I flooded mine yesterday. Again. Look for something that fills vertically, not horizontally. Amazon had a lot of stuff but haven't had time to mess with it.

Cleanworks · Apr 18, 2020

Easiest solution is to put a larger diameter overflow hose directed out of the truck. No big deal if some water spills on the ground. If you really need a float system, buy a toilet float system from your local hardware store. When was the last time your toilet overflowed?

scotty747 · Apr 19, 2020

I thought about that, but they fill from the bottom. Need something that goes in the side or top.

Lee Stockwell · Apr 19, 2020

scotty747 said:
I thought about that, but they fill from the bottom. Need something that goes in the side or top.

Add elbow

scotty747 · Apr 22, 2020

Now I feel dumb. Or dumber than usual.

Jim Martin · Apr 22, 2020

Livestock tank floats work really good...

Plumb a pressure regulator on the outside of the bulkhead fitting and if will give you years of service...

Bob Savage · May 21, 2020

I have the "over-the-wheel well" 100 gallon fresh tank in my van. It has an overflow hose so if the shut off fails the water just runs under the van. I also noticed the weight distribution of equipment was not balanced when the tank was full, so I installed a second round, tall 45 gallon fresh tank on the other side of the van to equal the load. It gravity fills and shuts off when the other larger fresh tank is full. Then I can continue to fill the round tank at the end of the job when I am putting things away. Sinic it is now at a higher level than the big fresh tank, I cut it out of the system. When I run low in the big tank, I open the tall tank shut off and observe the level when the 2 tanks equalize. Then I hook up a water source and continue the fill process. By doing this I never run out of water while cleaning.

The Great Oz · May 21, 2020

Set a timer on your phone.

Even with an overflow for filling purposes, you need some way to stop water from running out while driving. The same citizen-Nazis that report kids playing outside during Covid lockdown will call in if they see "chemicals" running out of your truck.

Water running out of a cleaning truck onto pavement here will get you a visit from Ecology and a fine from the cities of Bellevue and Seattle, because they don't bother finding out whether the water is clean or not. The first fine is $450, and the fines rise astronomically after the first one.

Joeytechman · May 26, 2020

Dema Engineering Float Valve, Max 40 GPM @ 20 PSI - Dultmeier Sales

Dema Engineering Float Valve, Max 40 GPM @ 20 PSI, High capacity float valves for maintaining liquid level in tanks, drums, or similar reservoirs.;;Adjustable for Desired Levels • Plastic Bodies •

www.dultmeier.com

Cleanworks · May 26, 2020

Joeytechman said:
Dema Engineering Float Valve, Max 40 GPM @ 20 PSI - Dultmeier Sales

Dema Engineering Float Valve, Max 40 GPM @ 20 PSI, High capacity float valves for maintaining liquid level in tanks, drums, or similar reservoirs.;;Adjustable for Desired Levels • Plastic Bodies •

www.dultmeier.com

Put a sleeve around it. (PVC works well) otherwise it will float loosely and may or may not work.

Rob Grady · May 27, 2020

steve_64 said:
Run the overflow hose behind the rear wheel.

Oh, I thought it was something like this. My Butler I am working on does have the hose out thru the wheelwell

Joeytechman · May 27, 2020

Butler uses an electric setup. Float switch in the tank, solenoid valve control of the water. It works very well, a bit more complicated to set up than mechanical valve.

steve_64 · Jun 5, 2020

The Great Oz said:
Set a timer on your phone.

Even with an overflow for filling purposes, you need some way to stop water from running out while driving. The same citizen-Nazis that report kids playing outside during Covid lockdown will call in if they see "chemicals" running out of your truck.

Water running out of a cleaning truck onto pavement here will get you a visit from Ecology and a fine from the cities of Bellevue and Seattle, because they don't bother finding out whether the water is clean or not. The first fine is $450, and the fines rise astronomically after the first one.

My driveway is slightly uphill on the way out. If I take my time there in goid unless I gun it from a stop. Or go up a bigger hill.

Fresh water tank?

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