trakka question

Does anyone know of a more civilised way of priming the kitchen sink after you empty and refill the water tank other than sucking it out with your mouth with the pump running. Is there such a thing as a self priming pump for this situation? cheers greg

You could always blow into the water tank. How about getting on old tyre, cutting out a circle around the valve, just larger than the inlet hole. Go to your local servo and use their air supply to pressurise the tank. Make sure you have the tap turned on though.

If your pump is at  or below the tank level it should prime automatically.

Good luck,

Tom Hanson.

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of greg_navarro95
Sent: Friday, 27 August 2010 7:58 AM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] trakka question

 

 

Does anyone know of a more civilised way of priming the kitchen sink after you empty and refill the water tank other than sucking it out with your mouth with the pump running. Is there such a thing as a self priming pump for this situation? cheers greg

Greg,

Yep ... totally civilised.

For my Trakka, I added a snap-on garden hose fitting to the drain outlet
of the water tank, (the inline on-off swivel plastic on-off gate valve
should be left as is) meaning I very quickly and easily fill the tank
using a garden hose. So now,to prime the sink tap, just get the filling
process happening first then go to the sink and turn on the tap. It
should self prime simply enough using that sequence.

Cheers.

Ken
--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "greg_navarro95"
<greg_navarro95@...> wrote:
>
> Does anyone know of a more civilised way of priming the kitchen sink
after you empty and refill the water tank other than sucking it out with
your mouth with the pump running. Is there such a thing as a self
priming pump for this situation? cheers greg
>
Thanks Tom

will give that a go. Greg

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Thomas Hanson" <thomashanson@...> wrote:
>
> You could always blow into the water tank. How about getting on old tyre,
> cutting out a circle around the valve, just larger than the inlet hole. Go
> to your local servo and use their air supply to pressurise the tank. Make
> sure you have the tap turned on though.
>
> If your pump is at or below the tank level it should prime automatically.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Tom Hanson.
>
>
>
> From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of greg_navarro95
> Sent: Friday, 27 August 2010 7:58 AM
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] trakka question
>
>
>
>
>
> Does anyone know of a more civilised way of priming the kitchen sink after
> you empty and refill the water tank other than sucking it out with your
> mouth with the pump running. Is there such a thing as a self priming pump
> for this situation? cheers greg
>
Thanks Ken

Will give that one a go sounds easy enough. Greg

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Ken" <unclekenz@...> wrote:
>
>
> Greg,
>
> Yep ... totally civilised.
>
> For my Trakka, I added a snap-on garden hose fitting to the drain outlet
> of the water tank, (the inline on-off swivel plastic on-off gate valve
> should be left as is) meaning I very quickly and easily fill the tank
> using a garden hose. So now,to prime the sink tap, just get the filling
> process happening first then go to the sink and turn on the tap. It
> should self prime simply enough using that sequence.
>
> Cheers.
>
> Ken
> --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "greg_navarro95"
> <greg_navarro95@> wrote:
> >
> > Does anyone know of a more civilised way of priming the kitchen sink
> after you empty and refill the water tank other than sucking it out with
> your mouth with the pump running. Is there such a thing as a self
> priming pump for this situation? cheers greg
> >
>
Greg,
 
My reply before was the short answer to your question.
 
In reality, the Trakka install of the water pump and its associated water pipe plumbing and electrical wiring is rudimentary at best. I think too much vibration and lack of support causes failures with the present setup. Eyeballing it lead me to decide to replace the water supply tubing (changed to washing machine hose) and fittings wherever necessary either side of the pump to enable a more supportive fitment with the pump and so as to incorporate the snap-on hose fitting as well. The electrical cable needs better routing, repair and support to protect it from misadventure, especially if offroading. I found the pump plactic housing cracking in at least one place (repairing it worked fine), probably due to looseness/flexing of the whole setup, so I went to some pains to insert shaped rubber supports under/around the pump itself prior to refastening it down again with greater support/rigidity to its fix down metal plate. A case of suck it and see ... use your discretion.
 
If you go down this route, to avoid water backflushing into the back of your cupboards, you must plug the breather hole in the top plastic (90 degree angle) filler fitting. When the tank reaches full and overflowing out the tank breather pipe and the filler fitting breather hole, you'll understand what I mean. I'm not all that keen on allowing water to get into the cupboards and the inner-side of the vans wall panels .... which rust! The tanks own breather pipe is more than enough so just plug the filler fitting breather ..... not needed at all.
 
Having done all this, I've not had a problem with it since in years and makes filling the tank a breeze compared to the pathetically slow and messy fill routine necessary using the topside filler.
 
Ken
 
 

 

To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: greg_navarro95@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:01:12 +0000
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: trakka question

 
Thanks Ken

Will give that one a go sounds easy enough. Greg

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Ken" <unclekenz@...> wrote:
>
>
> Greg,
>
> Yep ... totally civilised.
>
> For my Trakka, I added a snap-on garden hose fitting to the drain outlet
> of the water tank, (the inline on-off swivel plastic on-off gate valve
> should be left as is) meaning I very quickly and easily fill the tank
> using a garden hose. So now,to prime the sink tap, just get the filling
> process happening first then go to the sink and turn on the tap. It
> should self prime simply enough using that sequence.
>
> Cheers.
>
> Ken
> --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "greg_navarro95"
> <greg_navarro95@> wrote:
> >
> > Does anyone know of a more civilised way of priming the kitchen sink
> after you empty and refill the water tank other than sucking it out with
> your mouth with the pump running. Is there such a thing as a self
> priming pump for this situation? cheers greg
> >
>


Ken
       You shouldn't really use a garden hose. Apparently carcinogenic. You just have to smell the water coming out of a normal hose, particularly on a hot day.  Should be using one of those food grade hoses. Ken, won't worry us at our age but think of the kids or grand-kids.

Bruce


 


Greg,

Yep ... totally civilised.

For my Trakka, I added a snap-on garden hose fitting to the drain outlet
of the water tank, (the inline on-off swivel plastic on-off gate valve
should be left as is) meaning I very quickly and easily fill the tank
using a garden hose. So now,to prime the sink tap, just get the filling
process happening first then go to the sink and turn on the tap. It
should self prime simply enough using that sequence.

Cheers.

Ken


........and be careful of tank water.



> Alison & Bruce Black <royalb@aapt.net.au> wrote:
>
> Ken
> You shouldn't really use a garden hose. Apparently
> carcinogenic. You just have to smell the water coming out of a normal
> hose, particularly on a hot day. Should be using one of those food
> grade hoses. Ken, won't worry us at our age but think of the kids or
> grand-kids.
>
> Bruce
>
>
> >
> > Greg,
> >
> > Yep ... totally civilised.
> >
> > For my Trakka, I added a snap-on garden hose fitting to the drain
> > outlet
> > of the water tank, (the inline on-off swivel plastic on-off gate valve
> > should be left as is) meaning I very quickly and easily fill the tank
> > using a garden hose. So now,to prime the sink tap, just get the
> > filling
> > process happening first then go to the sink and turn on the tap. It
> > should self prime simply enough using that sequence.
> >
> > Cheers.
> >
> > Ken
> >

Point taken , Phill, but what about the daily dose of chlorine and fluoride councils dish out with your health as their prime concern.

We are now for 18 yrs on tank water,  however we do filter the water by using an Amway E Spring device, not cheap, but (arguably) regarded on of the best available.

However none of these filters gets rid of fluoride, a real worry for our kidz in town, as they might end up with all sorts of health problems.

Hart

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of plander@optusnet.com.au
Sent: Tuesday, 31 August 2010 8:38 AM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: trakka question

 

 

........and be careful of tank water.

> Alison & Bruce Black <royalb@aapt.net.au>
wrote:
>
> Ken
> You shouldn't really use a garden hose. Apparently
> carcinogenic. You just have to smell the water coming out of a normal
> hose, particularly on a hot day. Should be using one of those food
> grade hoses. Ken, won't worry us at our age but think of the kids or
> grand-kids.
>
> Bruce
>
>
> >
> > Greg,
> >
> > Yep ... totally civilised.
> >
> > For my Trakka, I added a snap-on garden hose fitting to the drain
> > outlet
> > of the water tank, (the inline on-off swivel plastic on-off gate
valve
> > should be left as is) meaning I very quickly and easily fill the tank
> > using a garden hose. So now,to prime the sink tap, just get the
> > filling
> > process happening first then go to the sink and turn on the tap. It
> > should self prime simply enough using that sequence.
> >
> > Cheers.
> >
> > Ken
> >

Guys if it is any help. My pump failed on my van and i replaced it with a self priming submersible pump intended for a boat. Available at any chandlers it just sits inline of the supply feed.
Gary


On 31/08/2010, at 12:50 AM, Ken Garratt wrote:

 

Greg,
 
My reply before was the short answer to your question.
 
In reality, the Trakka install of the water pump and its associated water pipe plumbing and electrical wiring is rudimentary at best. I think too much vibration and lack of support causes failures with the present setup. Eyeballing it lead me to decide to replace the water supply tubing (changed to washing machine hose) and fittings wherever necessary either side of the pump to enable a more supportive fitment with the pump and so as to incorporate the snap-on hose fitting as well. The electrical cable needs better routing, repair and support to protect it from misadventure, especially if offroading. I found the pump plactic housing cracking in at least one place (repairing it worked fine), probably due to looseness/flexing of the whole setup, so I went to some pains to insert shaped rubber supports under/around the pump itself prior to refastening it down again with greater support/rigidity to its fix down metal plate. A case of suck it and see ... use your discretion.
 
If you go down this route, to avoid water backflushing into the back of your cupboards, you must plug the breather hole in the top plastic (90 degree angle) filler fitting. When the tank reaches full and overflowing out the tank breather pipe and the filler fitting breather hole, you'll understand what I mean. I'm not all that keen on allowing water to get into the cupboards and the inner-side of the vans wall panels .... which rust! The tanks own breather pipe is more than enough so just plug the filler fitting breather ..... not needed at all.
 
Having done all this, I've not had a problem with it since in years and makes filling the tank a breeze compared to the pathetically slow and messy fill routine necessary using the topside filler.
 
Ken
 
 

 


To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: greg_navarro95@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:01:12 +0000
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: trakka question

 
Thanks Ken

Will give that one a go sounds easy enough. Greg

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Ken" <unclekenz@...> wrote:
>
>
> Greg,
>
> Yep ... totally civilised.
>
> For my Trakka, I added a snap-on garden hose fitting to the drain outlet
> of the water tank, (the inline on-off swivel plastic on-off gate valve
> should be left as is) meaning I very quickly and easily fill the tank
> using a garden hose. So now,to prime the sink tap, just get the filling
> process happening first then go to the sink and turn on the tap. It
> should self prime simply enough using that sequence.
>
> Cheers.
>
> Ken
> --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "greg_navarro95"
> <greg_navarro95@> wrote:
> >
> > Does anyone know of a more civilised way of priming the kitchen sink
> after you empty and refill the water tank other than sucking it out with
> your mouth with the pump running. Is there such a thing as a self
> priming pump for this situation? cheers greg
> >
>




The best drinking water I sourced on my recent trip north was from rainwater tanks at particular locations ... all unfiltered. In my view much nicer than packaged water.

The only smell I presently notice from my vans reticulated water supply system seems to be coming from the sink drainpipe.
Trakka, in its wisdom, didn't install a straight drop pipe which would have been very simple to clean. Instead it has a righthand bend in it, making it problematic to clean effectively & thoroughly.
One hopes their R&R in the intervening years has remedied this.
Ken



-----Original Message-----
From: Hartmut Kiehn <hartis@live.com.au>
Sent: Tuesday, 31 August 2010 10:46 AM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: trakka question



[The entire original message is not included]
1) I reckon a dead possum in your water tank gives billy tea its special flavour. Oh and a gum leaf of course.
The only problem I have with my (non-Trakka) set up is that the water tank keeps getting pumped dry. Strangely seems to coincide with my grandson coming round.
Does seem that Trakka learned from their mistakes on subsequent conversions.
2) Can't find the email from our member with the superb high top T3 which I think mentioned that it was fitted with a 12/240v airconditioner. Could you tell us a little more about this please -model? effectiveness?  photo? etc.
3) Finally Phil regarding your insurance query I have my Syncro comprehensively insured with Apia for $20,305 at a premium cost of $589.It also has $10million public liability (see  1  above). Shannon's brokers also advertise a lot that they cater for enthusiasts like yourself. If you wanted to tackle it from the "justifying your valuation in the event of a claim" .Wasn't there a (U.S.) Derek Drew article on this topic. I may have a copy but reckon your records are better than mine.
Cheers
Roger


--- On Tue, 31/8/10, Ken Garratt <unclekenz@hotmail.com> wrote:

From: Ken Garratt <unclekenz@hotmail.com>
Subject: RE: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: trakka question
To: "syncro_t3_australia@yahoogroups.com " <syncro_t3_australia@yahoogroups.com>
Received: Tuesday, 31 August, 2010, 10:53 AM

The best drinking water I sourced on my recent trip north was from rainwater tanks at particular locations ... all unfiltered. In my view much nicer than packaged water.

The only smell I presently notice from my vans reticulated water supply system seems to be coming from the sink drainpipe.   
Trakka, in its wisdom, didn't install a straight drop pipe which would have  been very simple to clean. Instead it has a righthand bend in it, making it problematic to clean effectively & thoroughly.
One hopes their R&R in the intervening years has remedied this.
Ken



-----Original Message-----
From: Hartmut Kiehn <hartis@live.com.au>
Sent: Tuesday, 31 August 2010 10:46 AM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: trakka question



[The entire original message is not included]


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When Bruce came to stay with us, he noticed that some of my taps had warning signs on them that they were tank water. This is a legal requirement in Sydney as they regard tank water as non drinkable. Just a bit of a laugh at the millions of homes in rural Australia that have had tanks for hundreds of years with no problems.



> Hartmut Kiehn <hartis@live.com.au> wrote:
>
> Point taken , Phill, but what about the daily dose of chlorine and
> fluoride
> councils dish out with your health as their prime concern.
>
> We are now for 18 yrs on tank water, however we do filter the water by
> using an Amway E Spring device, not cheap, but (arguably) regarded on of
> the
> best available.
>
> However none of these filters gets rid of fluoride, a real worry for our
> kidz in town, as they might end up with all sorts of health problems.
>
> Hart
>
>
>
> From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
> plander@optusnet.com.au
> Sent: Tuesday, 31 August 2010 8:38 AM
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: trakka question
>
>
>
>
>
> ........and be careful of tank water.
>
> > Alison & Bruce Black <royalb@aapt.net.au <mailto:royalb%40aapt.net.au>
> >
> wrote:
> >
> > Ken
> > You shouldn't really use a garden hose. Apparently
> > carcinogenic. You just have to smell the water coming out of a normal
> > hose, particularly on a hot day. Should be using one of those food
> > grade hoses. Ken, won't worry us at our age but think of the kids or
> > grand-kids.
> >
> > Bruce
> >
> >
> > >
> > > Greg,
> > >
> > > Yep ... totally civilised.
> > >
> > > For my Trakka, I added a snap-on garden hose fitting to the drain
> > > outlet
> > > of the water tank, (the inline on-off swivel plastic on-off gate
> valve
> > > should be left as is) meaning I very quickly and easily fill the
> tank
> > > using a garden hose. So now,to prime the sink tap, just get the
> > > filling
> > > process happening first then go to the sink and turn on the tap. It
> > > should self prime simply enough using that sequence.
> > >
> > > Cheers.
> > >
> > > Ken
> > >