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Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Drinking water arrangement? (Seperate tank?)
Drinking water arrangement? [message #365864] Wed, 04 August 2021 16:42 Go to next message
6cuda6 is currently offline  6cuda6   Canada
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So as most of you guys know our PO's only used the RV once a year so basically since 1999 till we got it no one used the water system. Now there is no way i would drink from the system without changing everything but its fine for bathroom duties.

So my question is, have any of you put a second fresh water tank in (5 or 6 gallons) someplace with its own pump/spigget just for drinking water only? The wife cannot handle the 5 gallon filtered water jugs and not to mention the only place for it is under the dinnette table....not to convinient. My thought is something a little more permanent.


Rich Mondor, Brockville, ON 77 Hughes 2600
Re: Drinking water arrangement? [message #365866 is a reply to message #365864] Wed, 04 August 2021 18:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Melbo is currently offline  Melbo   United States
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Registered: August 2018
Location: Albuquerque NM
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We have a water dispenser for drinking and cooking and ice. It is however one of those five gallon jugs. They also make a three gallon version. Just have to find a convenient place to hide it so you don't see it and run a quarter inch water line to a dispenser which can be mounted on the counter by the sink.

JWID

HTH

Melbo


Albuquerque NM Bus Conversion 1978 MCI 1973 GMC
Re: Drinking water arrangement? [message #365868 is a reply to message #365864] Wed, 04 August 2021 19:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   Canada
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Rich,

My plumbing is almost all still copper. I just sterilize it at the beginning of each season with hydrogen peroxide (not the drug store grade, the hot tub kind). We have never had an issue. I blow the system dry to winterize, so there is little water to support life.

Matt


Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
Re: Drinking water arrangement? [message #365869 is a reply to message #365868] Wed, 04 August 2021 20:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mghamms is currently offline  mghamms   United States
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I use 1 gallon jugs. One in the fridge and spares in a box.
Refill where I like the water.
I keep the spares in the bath while traveling and move them as needed.


1977 Kingsley 455 as stock as it gets except lots of Ragusa parts
[GMCnet] Re: Drinking water arrangement? [message #365870 is a reply to message #365868] Wed, 04 August 2021 21:36 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Henderson is currently offline  Ken Henderson   United States
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Location: Americus, GA
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Senior Member
Me too, Matt. I have in the past, and probably will again before the end
of this pandemic hiatus, filled the entire water system with heavily
chlorinated water for 24+ hours, then flushed it entirely, at lease twice.
When there's no more chlorine odor, then fill it with H202 (one cup per
gallon of H20) for another 24 hours. I flush that out also, even though
it's supposed to neutralize itself. SHE still won't drink the water, only
use it for other purposes; but, I've been drinking it for 21 years with
never a problem.

Ken H.

On Wed, Aug 4, 2021 at 8:29 PM Matt Colie wrote:

> Rich,
>
> My plumbing is almost all still copper. I just sterilize it at the
> beginning of each season with hydrogen peroxide (not the drug store grade,
> the hot
> tub kind). We have never had an issue. I blow the system dry to
> winterize, so there is little water to support life.
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL,
> GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum
> Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
[GMCnet] Re: Drinking water arrangement? [message #365871 is a reply to message #365864] Wed, 04 August 2021 22:59 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Rob is currently offline  Rob   United States
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Registered: November 2013
Location: Victoria, BC
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Senior Member
We carry a 15 litre (~4 USG) square water container, which fits perfectly
into one of our kitchen sinks. Once at our camping spot - it comes up on
the counter and the spigot hangs over into the sink.

We use the water for our water bottles and coffee percolator and refill it
every 4-5 days or so from a filtered water source.

Rob
Victoria, BC
76 Royale - Rear Twins/Dry Bath


On Wed, Aug 4, 2021 at 2:42 PM wrote:

> So as most of you guys know our PO's only used the RV once a year so
> basically since 1999 till we got it no one used the water system. Now there
> is no
> way i would drink from the system without changing everything but its fine
> for bathroom duties.
>
> So my question is, have any of you put a second fresh water tank in (5 or
> 6 gallons) someplace with its own pump/spigget just for drinking water only?
> The wife cannot handle the 5 gallon filtered water jugs and not to
> mention the only place for it is under the dinnette table....not to
> convinient. My
> thought is something a little more permanent.
> --
> Rich Mondor,
>
> Brockville, ON
>
> 77 Hughes 2600
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:



Rob - Victoria, BC - 76 Royale - Rear Twins/Dry Bath
[GMCnet] Re: Drinking water arrangement? [message #365872 is a reply to message #365871] Thu, 05 August 2021 00:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
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Registered: May 2010
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We use bottled water for drinking, and gallon jugs of water for coffee and
dog water.
Showers and dishwashing, etc. comes from the potable on board tank. We
never hook up to park water supplies, because their water pressure can be
over 100 psi sometimes. I have a gage that I hook up to park water supplies
to verify that figure. Our coaches do not like that much pressure. If we
are on the road for extended trips, I will hook up my in-line water
filter/pressure regulator to refill the on board potable water tank. Just
how we roll. Everybody seems to have their favorite methods. Nobody is
wrong, just different. I do drain my potable tank in cold weather, and
sanitize it upon refilling it. We use good old household bleach/water
mixture. Others use Hydrogen peroxide, some use the spendy stuff from
Camping world.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

On Wed, Aug 4, 2021, 8:59 PM GMC Motorhome wrote:

> We carry a 15 litre (~4 USG) square water container, which fits perfectly
> into one of our kitchen sinks. Once at our camping spot - it comes up on
> the counter and the spigot hangs over into the sink.
>
> We use the water for our water bottles and coffee percolator and refill it
> every 4-5 days or so from a filtered water source.
>
> Rob
> Victoria, BC
> 76 Royale - Rear Twins/Dry Bath
>
>
> On Wed, Aug 4, 2021 at 2:42 PM wrote:
>
>> So as most of you guys know our PO's only used the RV once a year so
>> basically since 1999 till we got it no one used the water system. Now
> there
>> is no
>> way i would drink from the system without changing everything but its
> fine
>> for bathroom duties.
>>
>> So my question is, have any of you put a second fresh water tank in (5 or
>> 6 gallons) someplace with its own pump/spigget just for drinking water
> only?
>> The wife cannot handle the 5 gallon filtered water jugs and not to
>> mention the only place for it is under the dinnette table....not to
>> convinient. My
>> thought is something a little more permanent.
>> --
>> Rich Mondor,
>>
>> Brockville, ON
>>
>> 77 Hughes 2600
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
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Re: Drinking water arrangement? [message #365874 is a reply to message #365864] Thu, 05 August 2021 05:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
6cuda6 is currently offline  6cuda6   Canada
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Registered: June 2019
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Thanks guys, food for thought and some new found practices.

Rich Mondor, Brockville, ON 77 Hughes 2600
Re: [GMCnet] Re: Drinking water arrangement? [message #365876 is a reply to message #365872] Thu, 05 August 2021 09:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
boybach is currently offline  boybach   
Messages: 566
Registered: December 2020
Location: Vancouver Island
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Senior Member
Hi Jim, reading about your sanitizing procedure here, can I ask what quantity of bleach do you use when you do your tank?

(newbie question!)

thanks

Larry

[quote title=James Hupy wrote on Wed, 04 August 2021 22:37I do drain my potable tank in cold weather, and
sanitize it upon refilling it. We use good old household bleach/water
mixture. Others use Hydrogen peroxide, some use the spendy stuff from
Camping world.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

[/quote]


Larry - Victoria BC - 1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
[GMCnet] Re: Drinking water arrangement? [message #365877 is a reply to message #365876] Thu, 05 August 2021 09:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
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Registered: May 2010
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Senior Member
I should have been very, very specific about which Clorox bleach product to
use to sanitize the potable water tank in our GMC's. There I go again
"assuming " that everyone just instinctively knows some of what I know. DO
NOT USE PUREX BRAND NAME, OR CLOROX "SPLASH-LESS" Formula.
Only use "CLOROX " Brand Regular bleach. And this applies only to
sanitizing the potable tank, where it is flushed out after sanitizing. The
mix ratio that I use are 1/4 cup Clorox to 1 gallon of Distilled Water.
Don't guess at this, measure accurately. And flush the tank afterwards.
There are specific instructions on the 1 gallon size bottle. Or, you can
visit their web site. www. clorox.com. DO NOT GO BY ANY OTHER WEB SITES
INSTRUCTIONS.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

On Thu, Aug 5, 2021, 7:05 AM wrote:

> Hi Jim, reading about your sanitizing procedure here, can I ask what
> quantity of bleach do you use when you do your tank?
>
> (newbie question!)
>
> thanks
>
> Larry
>
> James Hupy wrote on Wed, 04 August 2021 22:37I do drain my[/color

> potable tank in cold weather, and
> sanitize it upon refilling it. We use good old household bleach/water
> mixture. Others use Hydrogen peroxide, some use the spendy stuff from
> Camping world.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Oregon
>
>

>
> --
> Larry - Victoria BC -
>
> 1977 Palm Beach 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the
> word NOT. New Atwood fridge, water heater & furnace. New SS exhaust system,
> 6000w Onan, Iota Converter, R134A A/C, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
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[GMCnet] Re: Drinking water arrangement? [message #365882 is a reply to message #365864] Thu, 05 August 2021 13:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Emery Stora is currently offline  Emery Stora   United States
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Registered: January 2011
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Senior Member
Your GMC owners manual has instructions for sanitizing the water tank using household bleach. This will take care of any bacteria or germs in the tank.

I have been doing this for the last 39 yers that I have used the GMC. I then use a filter made by Everpure on my cold water kitchen faucet which is used for coffee and cooking. This has activated carbon and also takes out harmful bacterial etc. There are other filters on the market that do the same thing. I change the filter at the beginning of the year when I sanitize the tank.

Emery Stora
emerystora@mac.com



> On Aug 4, 2021, at 3:42 PM, 6cuda6@gmail.com wrote:
>
> So as most of you guys know our PO's only used the RV once a year so basically since 1999 till we got it no one used the water system. Now there is no
> way i would drink from the system without changing everything but its fine for bathroom duties.
>
> So my question is, have any of you put a second fresh water tank in (5 or 6 gallons) someplace with its own pump/spigot just for drinking water only?
> The wife cannot handle the 5 gallon filtered water jugs and not to mention the only place for it is under the dinnette table....not to convinient. My
> thought is something a little more permanent.
> --
> Rich Mondor,
>
> Brockville, ON
>
> 77 Hughes 2600
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
_______________________________________________
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Re: Drinking water arrangement? [message #365885 is a reply to message #365864] Thu, 05 August 2021 14:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Carl S. is currently offline  Carl S.   United States
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
Senior Member

We drink bottled water. or soda most of the time. We also carry one of these:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/00765-1-25Gal-H20-Ultra-Slimline-Dispenser-Arrow-Plastics-Manufacturing-EACH/908997342

It fits nicely on the counter between the stove top and the cabinet on the left side, and rides on the sofa while underway. We use it to fill ice cube trays and to make coffee/tea. We fill it either with gallon jugs of drinking water from the store or refill it at a filtered water machine.

I probably should, but I don't regularly sanitize my fresh water tank, so we use it only for washing etc, and have for years without issue. That practice should probably change, I know.


Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
Re: [GMCnet] Re: Drinking water arrangement? [message #365889 is a reply to message #365877] Thu, 05 August 2021 16:26 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Richard RV   United States
Messages: 631
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Location: Full-timer for 12 years, ...
Karma: -17
Senior Member
James Hupy wrote on Thu, 05 August 2021 07:54
The
mix ratio that I use are 1/4 cup Clorox to 1 gallon of Distilled Water.
Don't guess at this, measure accurately. And flush the tank afterwards.
There are specific instructions on the 1 gallon size bottle. Or, you can
visit their web site. www. clorox.com. DO NOT GO BY ANY OTHER WEB SITES
INSTRUCTIONS.
Jim Hupy
Jim,

Maybe I'm not reading that right, but that seems like a very high concentration of bleach. Am I reading it wrong that you use a half gallon of bleach per full tank?

Chlorine bleach attacks most plastics, including PEX and polybutylene, so it might be safer all around to use a moderate amount of bleach. Most recommendations, other than the company selling bleach, center around 1/4 cup of bleach to 15 gallons of water, which translates to around 4 or 5 ounces of bleach for a full fresh fresh water tank. The treated water should be run through the distribution lines and left to sit for a few hours so it has time to do its job, then the tank should be flushed.

Richard


'77 Birchaven TZE...777; '76 Palm Beach under construction; ‘76 Edgemont waiting its turn
[GMCnet] Re: Drinking water arrangement? [message #365890 is a reply to message #365889] Thu, 05 August 2021 16:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
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Senior Member
I didn't know that you were intending to completely fill the tank with that
mixture. I would only sanitize a nearly empty tank.
And most of the time, I would have the tank out of the coach when I do
that.
On my 78 ROYALE, it is a matter of removing the rear bunk on the
passenger side, removing about 4 screws and a couple of hose clamps, lift
the tank out and flush and sanitize it. Did you visit Clorox.com like I
suggested? Just wondering.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon


On Thu, Aug 5, 2021, 2:26 PM Richard wrote:

> James Hupy wrote on Thu, 05 August 2021 07:54
>> The
>> mix ratio that I use are 1/4 cup Clorox to 1 gallon of Distilled Water.
>> Don't guess at this, measure accurately. And flush the tank afterwards.
>> There are specific instructions on the 1 gallon size bottle. Or, you can
>> visit their web site. www. clorox.com. DO NOT GO BY ANY OTHER WEB SITES
>> INSTRUCTIONS.
>> Jim Hupy
>
> Jim,
>
> Maybe I'm not reading that right, but that seems like a very high
> concentration of bleach. Am I reading it wrong that you use a half gallon
> of bleach
> per full tank?
>
> Chlorine bleach attacks most plastics, including PEX and polybutylene, so
> it might be safer all around to use a moderate amount of bleach. Most
> recommendations, other than the company selling bleach, center around 1/4
> cup of bleach to 15 gallons of water, which translates to around 4 or 5
> ounces of bleach for a full fresh fresh water tank. The treated water
> should be run through the distribution lines and left to sit for a few
> hours so
> it has time to do its job, then the tank should be flushed.
>
> Richard
> --
> '77 Birchaven TZE...777;
> '76 Palm Beach under construction;
> ‘76 Edgemonte waiting its turn
> _______________________________________________
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[GMCnet] Re: Drinking water arrangement? [message #365893 is a reply to message #365889] Thu, 05 August 2021 20:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Emery Stora is currently offline  Emery Stora   United States
Messages: 959
Registered: January 2011
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Senior Member
No, it's more like a cup for a full tank of water. Run it through the faucets and then wait 2 hours or so and drain the tank and refill with fresh water. Drain that and refill.

Emery Stora
emerystora@mac.com



> On Aug 5, 2021, at 3:26 PM, Richard wrote:
>
> James Hupy wrote on Thu, 05 August 2021 07:54
>> The
>> mix ratio that I use are 1/4 cup Clorox to 1 gallon of Distilled Water.
>> Don't guess at this, measure accurately. And flush the tank afterwards.
>> There are specific instructions on the 1 gallon size bottle. Or, you can
>> visit their web site. www. clorox.com. DO NOT GO BY ANY OTHER WEB SITES
>> INSTRUCTIONS.
>> Jim Hupy
>
> Jim,
>
> Maybe I'm not reading that right, but that seems like a very high concentration of bleach. Am I reading it wrong that you use a half gallon of bleach
> per full tank?
>
> Chlorine bleach attacks most plastics, including PEX and polybutylene, so it might be safer all around to use a moderate amount of bleach. Most
> recommendations, other than the company selling bleach, center around 1/4 cup of bleach to 15 gallons of water, which translates to around 4 or 5
> ounces of bleach for a full fresh fresh water tank. The treated water should be run through the distribution lines and left to sit for a few hours so
> it has time to do its job, then the tank should be flushed.
>
> Richard
> --
> '77 Birchaven TZE...777;
> '76 Palm Beach under construction;
> ‘76 Edgemonte waiting its turn
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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Re: [GMCnet] Re: Drinking water arrangement? [message #365895 is a reply to message #365890] Thu, 05 August 2021 20:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Richard RV   United States
Messages: 631
Registered: July 2012
Location: Full-timer for 12 years, ...
Karma: -17
Senior Member
You're clearly not afraid of work, Jim. Removing the tank for sanitizing would never occur to me. Removing it from the Palm Beach I'm working on now disabused me from doing it again voluntarily. Wink

I did look at the Clorox web site, but searches for RV and Recreational Vehicle came up empty. I follow the GMC Owner's Manual instructions for Sanitizing Living Area Water System, emphasis on system. Stuff can and does grow in water lines as made clear by the taste of the water and ice at most fast food joints. The bleach concentration listed in the Manual is 4 ounces per 30 gallons and that's what I use.

Richard


'77 Birchaven TZE...777; '76 Palm Beach under construction; ‘76 Edgemont waiting its turn
[GMCnet] Re: Drinking water arrangement? [message #365898 is a reply to message #365895] Thu, 05 August 2021 21:05 Go to previous message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
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Senior Member
I was only talking about the tank itself, not the entire system end to
end. The GMC owners manual gives very detailed instructions for the whole
system. If the manual accurately describes your system then by all means
defer to those instructions.
In my case, I had leaking threads in the outlet of my Royale, and
removing the tank was necessary to have a new bung plastic welded in. It
made sense to sanitize the tank after that work was performed. If you
cannot remove the tank, then some water with bleach in it will remain in
the system. You do not want a high concentration of water in your system
with that level of concentration where someone MIGHT drink it. In this
case, follow GM's instruction. Particularly if you use only municipal water
supplies that contain chlorine. I have a home water well with no chlorine
in it. That's another reason why I remove the tank to sanitize it.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

On Thu, Aug 5, 2021, 6:39 PM Richard wrote:

> You're clearly not afraid of work, Jim. Removing the tank for sanitizing
> would never occur to me. Removing it from the Palm Beach I'm working on now
> disabused me from doing it again voluntarily. ;)
>
> I did look at the Clorox web site, but searches for RV and Recreational
> Vehicle came up empty. I follow the GMC Owner's Manual instructions for
> Sanitizing Living Area Water System, emphasis on system. Stuff can and
> does grow in water lines as made clear by the taste of the water and ice at
> most fast food joints. The bleach concentration listed in the Manual is 4
> ounces per 30 gallons and that's what I use.
>
> Richard
> --
> '77 Birchaven TZE...777;
> '76 Palm Beach under construction;
> ‘76 Edgemonte waiting its turn
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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