Emergency water tanks - self replenishing?

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Reply # 1675077 21-Nov-2016 16:54

timmmay:

The WCC / Tank guy tanks aren't sealed, they have a hole near the top and the lid is just sitting there. I'd go for a barrel with a good screw on lid, but if you can't find one that WCC one is good enough.

The hole near the top is for the rainwater diverter spout to come in. The lid does lock on with a twist, but you are right it doesn't seal tight.

We had one at our old place and I was always surprised at how gunge-free the water was when I checked it, but there were definitely some bits of detritus floating in the water. You'd want to filter (and boil) it before drinking.

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Reply # 1675078 21-Nov-2016 16:55

Yeah it does twist on, and I just put duct tape over the diverter hole so I can uncover easily if required.

Boiling water in an emergency is unlikely to be possible, unless you have a camp stove or BBQ, and that could take a lot of gas to boil all the water. Water treatment tablets are easier.

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mdf

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Reply # 1675090 21-Nov-2016 17:10

I've just invested in a camping burner that runs of a 9kg gas bottle to let us boil water if we need it. But water purification tablets are a great idea too.

Bung

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Reply # 1675093 21-Nov-2016 17:18

Marley water tank section has overflow vacuum details. Sucks from bottom when tank full. Once level drops siphon is broken so stops.

ObidiahSlope

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Reply # 1675108 21-Nov-2016 18:09

mdf:

@ObidiahSlope - I couldn't see a siphon discharge option on the Marley website?

Not specificity mentioned because it is simply a U shaped pipe with top at the overflow level and the discharge point below the tank floor level to operate the siphon.

Another point. I have a "thermette" or as the English call them a "camp volcano" which is a wood fired water jacket heater on standby for use in emergencies where water needs to be boiled and utility services are out of action. This type of appliance is an efficient water heater in challenging conditions. They were often used for picnics. They are hard to come by as they have fallen out of general use. If you see one at a second hand store I would advise you to buy it.

Obsequious hypocrite

Bung

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Reply # 1675134 21-Nov-2016 19:00

Keeping it in-house see http://www.geekzone.co.nz/Dav4122/8671 hole in top angle is to stop siphon once water level has dropped a bit. Depending on how much vacuuming you wanted that hole could be further down the pipe. Without it the water would all go if the outlet was low enough.

jonathan18

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Reply # 1675157 21-Nov-2016 20:12

mdf:

Drinking water hoses seem to have an outer with an inner core. The outer has all the stuff that makes a hose tough enough to actually use, but the inner core (that the water runs through) is made out of the whimpy stuff that is safe but wouldn't last on its own outdoors. I've just bought one from Bunnings. And brass fittings for it, thinking I was doing the right thing there. Whoops.

Can you please post the link of the Bunnings hose, if you've spotted it on their website? (Or even its exact name?) Thanks.

mdf:

- The guy in Christchurch with the black barrels has a notice on his website advising that shipping north has been disrupted (unsurprisingly). It's also pretty expensive - $55-odd. I've been looking around in Wellington but most of the hardware stores seem pretty cleaned out.

Yep, I got a reply from them today as well - for delivery to PN I got quoted $45 per barrel if ordering two or more, or $74 for a single barrel! That's not happening...

mdf:

- If someone does find a supplier that can ship to Wellington and is interested in putting together a bulk order, I'd probably be keen on participating. I have a few other enquiries out and will report back if I hear anything further.

Do you have a requirement to purchase new? If not, perhaps you missed the link above to the s/h 200 litre barrels (these previously held sugar syrup or vinegar)? $65 and $15 delivery to lower NI (or pick-up Kapiti Coast).

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Reply # 1675175 21-Nov-2016 21:28

jonathan18:

Can you please post the link of the Bunnings hose, if you've spotted it on their website? (Or even its exact name?) Thanks.

Pope drinking hose. We got the 10m version but there is 20m too. It was flipping hard to find in the store too. I was sure I had seen them with the normal hoses before but after scouring through every option it turns out they were in the next aisle.

Do you have a requirement to purchase new? If not, perhaps you missed the link above to the s/h 200 litre barrels (these previously held sugar syrup or vinegar)? $65 and $15 delivery to lower NI (or pick-up Kapiti Coast).

I'd probably prefer new. I looked at some of the rainharvest guy's other listings, and he suggests (disclaims) that they're not suitable for drinking water, e.g. "For Garden water or other purposes. * Not recommended for Potable/Drinking water, potable containers should be purpose built & made from virgin plastic.*."

While clearly in an emergency you'd be knocking back vinegary water like it was mother's milk, I thought I'd look around for an option that was designed for drinking. I may fall back on that option though. $65 isn't a big investment.

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Reply # 1675176 21-Nov-2016 21:30

Bung:

Keeping it in-house see http://www.geekzone.co.nz/Dav4122/8671 hole in top angle is to stop siphon once water level has dropped a bit. Depending on how much vacuuming you wanted that hole could be further down the pipe. Without it the water would all go if the outlet was low enough.

This is cool. I love old how old school physics still has plenty of answers for modern problems. But how do you prime the siphon?

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Reply # 1675260 21-Nov-2016 23:06

When the water rises high enough to come out the overflow the air break hole is covered so the pipe will suck from the bottom (plus some through the hole) until the level drops to the hole allowing air in.

SepticSceptic

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Reply # 1675365 22-Nov-2016 09:21

ObidiahSlope:

Another point. I have a "thermette" or as the English call them a "camp volcano" which is a wood fired water jacket heater on standby for use in emergencies where water needs to be boiled and utility services are out of action. This type of appliance is an efficient water heater in challenging conditions. They were often used for picnics. They are hard to come by as they have fallen out of general use. If you see one at a second hand store I would advise you to buy it.

I remember those - I recall roadworkers, telecom linespeople, etc, would use those when out in the road and not near a source of electricity. I guess with the easy availability of butane canisters, etc, have essentially made these redundant.

Until you cant get the canisters :-)

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k1wi

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Reply # 1675368 22-Nov-2016 09:31

It probably goes without saying, but it's a good idea to make sure whatever water containers you use are well secured, especially if they have an open top. Lest they tip over and rupture/pour out.

jonathan18

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Reply # 1675369 22-Nov-2016 09:31

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SepticSceptic:

ObidiahSlope:

Another point. I have a "thermette" or as the English call them a "camp volcano" which is a wood fired water jacket heater on standby for use in emergencies where water needs to be boiled and utility services are out of action. This type of appliance is an efficient water heater in challenging conditions. They were often used for picnics. They are hard to come by as they have fallen out of general use. If you see one at a second hand store I would advise you to buy it.

I remember those - I recall roadworkers, telecom linespeople, etc, would use those when out in the road and not near a source of electricity. I guess with the easy availability of butane canisters, etc, have essentially made these redundant.

Until you cant get the canisters :-)

My father was really keen on Thermettes - a first stage of setting up camp each night was boiling the jug for a hot drink using one, He bought me a s/h one; this forms part of our (currently inadequate) emergency kit. We've got wood in the shed, so more than enough fuel for it.

A quick search shows Thermettes are still made! They look quite stunning in all their new copper glory - nothing like mine...

trig42

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Reply # 1675382 22-Nov-2016 09:55

Yep, thermettes are awesome.

The parents used to have one (wasn't copper though - I remember it being painted red?), bloody brilliant at boiling water and was taken on a few holidays.

They have always been (and still are) very expensive.

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Reply # 1675387 22-Nov-2016 10:01

SepticSceptic: l remember those - I recall roadworkers, telecom linespeople, etc, would use those when out in the road and not near a source of electricity. I guess with the easy availability of butane canisters, etc, have essentially made these redundant.

We carry a gas burner in the car. It is slow as a wet week unless the water is already hot (ex thermos). As a child i remember spending the odd day during holidays as tea boy on a building site. The thermette was fuelled by a slosh of kero on some cotton waste and was much quicker. The usual Army practice was to pour some petrol onto sand burn that.

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