Building Our Sprinter Van's Plumbing System - Part 1 Van Build Ep 13.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ธ.ค. 2019
- The 13th episode of our van build/conversion is all about building out the plumbing! This is part 1 of the plumbing series starting with the water compartment that will reside next to our garage. This doesn’t cover testing out the water pressure or testing for leaks yet, however, it goes into detail how our design is set up!
Check out our blog post on this episode for more information including our plumbing diagram!
Plumbing Diagram: www.mathersonthemap.com/plumb...
Previous Episode (Framing The Shower): • Framing Out The Shower...
Van Build Series: • Van Build Series
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and if you enjoyed this video or found it helpful, please give it a like!
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Amazon Affiliate Links to the Tools and Items Used In Video:
Essentials:
* 33 Gallon Fresh Water Tank: amzn.to/2XTni2i
* Bosch 2.5 Gallon Hot Water Heater: amzn.to/34i2oHH
* Seaflo 12v 33 Series Water Pump: amzn.to/38xMP1I
* Push to Connect Shower Hose: amzn.to/36cCUQi
* KUS Water Level Gauge: amzn.to/2CwZpme
* KUS Water Meter: amzn.to/32fa4No
* Water Inlet: amzn.to/3lGApLn
Hoses and Tubing:
* 3/8” ID Vinyl Braided Tubing: amzn.to/2YSO8nt
* 1/2”ID Vinyl Braided Tubing: amzn.to/2EfbdHH
* 3/4” ID Vinyl Braided Tubing: amzn.to/2Pn80fj
* PEX Hot and Cold Tubing: amzn.to/2Pnn6lh
Hoses and Tube Fittings:
* 1/2” MPT 90 Degree Elbow Barbed Fitting: amzn.to/34kVnpA
* 1/2” FPT 90 Degree Elbow Barbed Fitting: amzn.to/35oQZqC
* 1/2” Tee Barbed Fitting: amzn.to/2YSTNKf
* 1/2” MPT Barbed Fitting: amzn.to/2PQuXGK
SharkBite Fittings:
* 1/2” MPT to 1/2” Push to Connect: amzn.to/2EiDI7p
* 1/2” FPT to 1/2” Push to Connect: amzn.to/2PlV0GQ
* 1/2” FPT to 1/2” Push to Connect 90 Degree Elbow: amzn.to/2EiEb9F
* 1/2” 90 Degree Elbow Push to Connect: amzn.to/2qSpNBF
* 3/4” MPT to 1/2” Push to Connect: amzn.to/2EkiaXV
* 1/2” Push to Connect Tee Fitting: amzn.to/35yZVdr
Ball Valves:
* SharkBite 1/2” Push to Connect: amzn.to/2ElIAIQ
* 1/2” FPT to 1/2” FPT Brass Ball Valve: amzn.to/36yirlW
Tools Required:
* PEX Pipe Cutter - amzn.to/35qglEA
* SharkBite Deburring Tool - amzn.to/36xjxyz
* Blue Monster Pipe Thread Tape - amzn.to/34ihooN
* PVC Primer and Cement - amzn.to/2tj5Vso
Screws for water compartment:
* Malco HW7X1/2ZT Zip-in Screw 1000 Count: amzn.to/2KDsgH2
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Subscribe to our channel, if you want to watch our entire van build/conversion!
Blog: www.MathersOnTheMap.com
Instagram: / mathersonthemap
Facebook: / mathersonthemap
Music: Infinite by Valence
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This was super helpful! And I really liked that you walked us through what each component was and what size it was as well
"... and then I use my pencil like this."
ah, yes. I need this level of detail. Subscribed 👍😁👍
Thank you so much for these videos, helped make my van life possible!! Couldn’t have done it without you guys
I am just now tackling my water system. This video helped A LOT. Thanks
really, really helpful! This is probably the clearest video i've seen yet about plumbing and how to mount the components. Thank you!
Thank you thank you thank you for going into such details about all of this. My husband and I are building out our van and I can't express how much this helped.
You’re welcome Rachel! Thanks for watching!
Im very lucky! I found you channel! So many useful information!
Thanks a lot!!
Thank you and You’re welcome!!!! thanks for watching!!!
I know how much work you put in filming this plumbing installation. Thank you for sharing. Continue your great work. I followed your windows installation as well
You got it! Thanks for watching! check out the testing the water video where I updated some of the pieces to get the setup water tight
Big Shout Out! I've watched so many camper van videos and I love the level of detail. Thank you so much for your time and effort since doing the work and the videos are very time consuming. If you are ever in Dallas, TX hit me up and we can go out for dinner on me. All the best.
Haha thank you Phil I appreciate that! The build series is a little dry and boring but helpful I hope!
I like your instructional videos, You explanations are so clear, easy to understand, videos of the work are very good and I think the tool table display before you start is a great idea.
Thank you I wish I did the tool table display but for some projects I didn’t know what I needed until I was half way through!
Thanks for your video. It helps me a lot
You’re welcome Hoang! Thanks for watching
Thanks! Nice video
Hi Kevein,
I really like your set up here and I am going to use the same thing. I have found a van (Ford transit LWB 2004 2.4 Turbo Diesel, I will pick it up on Wednesday. I am very excited.
Awesome Dirk! Best of luck with your build!
I like the idea of metal studs ( less weight than wood ). What about using stranded wire rather than romex, it may withstand the vibration that the van that you do not have in a house. Amazon has stranded wire for RV use.
Paint the bolts on the threads too after tight so they wont vibrate loose from the pump.
I know it’s a little late but the nice thing about the sharkbite fittings is they can be taken apart to change the length of pipe. You just need the little removal tool to get it apart. Nice work though! Really enjoy the channel! Thanks!! I just watched the second plumbing video and seen you have the tool to take it apart! Lol
Haha yeppers love the shark bite fittings minus the price!
I opted to use steel braided washing machine hoses for all my water lines. They are far cheaper than pex and I know they won't ever leak. I've had my current washing machine hooked up for 15 yrs and the hoses are still going strong and I think that tells the tale considering how much vibration there is in washers.
Also they are easy to replace.
That’s a solid play John, honestly I didn’t think of steel braided for my water lines. PEX is super easy to work with but pretty expensive especially if you’re using shark bite. Best of luck with the steel braided! I’m going to look more into it
I looked into this after reading your comment, that's a great idea! The only issue I see is there isn't much customization with those hoses. I don't think you can cut them. Since everyones van build is different, adding Tee's and getting the right length to run the hoses to different areas is not as simple. I may use it in conjunction with the pex? I'd love to see a set up with those hoses.
This is one of the best plumbing videos I've found. thank you for sharing. Please explain using the vinyl tubing with the pex for the cold water. Why not just one or the other?
Appreciate the comments!!!! From what I heard through the grapevine is that you need to use vinyl around the water pump due to the vibrations.
@@MathersOnTheMap Why not a pex tubing clamp on the vinyl hose?
A suggestion on the Pex, you can buy 90 degree plastic brackets to hold the pipe and eliminate some fittings. The beauty of Pex is that it bends. Every fitting is at least 2 potential leak points. There are 2 types of Pex, type A and type B. Type A is more bendable , type B is what most box stores carry because it’s a little cheaper. Pex universe is a good source. Nice job.
Thanks Ian ill check that out!!!
I would use a pvc electrical conduit fitting through the floor to isolate the pipes from the sharp edges. Male thread to female glue joint fitting and use a flame nut to secure, then stuff steel wool in the hole and silicon both sides. Great stuff won’t stop mice.
I'll keep that in my for the next build!
Clicked on this cause that insulation looks cool. Also Kevin looks a lot like the late Paul Walker. Would be cool if you were in Fast and Furious X or what ever numbers next, racing your van with nitrous 😋 I gave you a like, informative video.
Thank you!!! Haha tell fast and furious to sign me up!
Thanks for posting this video, it's really well done and very informative! I was wondering if you could tell me how you wired the water guage and the water tank level? Did you put an on/off switch on the water guage? Thanks for your time!
Sure thing, I didn’t create an on/off switch for the water tank level or water gauge but can certainly add one. the water level (what’s in the tank) has two wires, one is a ground and then one connects directly to the water gauge (the monitor in the cabinet). Then the water gauge has three wires, ground, positive, and one connects to water level
I’ve been watching your progress and you seem like a good guy that’s trying to do it right so keep up the good work but could I suggest that you fit an expansion valve to your pressurised water system or your water pump could randomly switch itself on and off. I’m from the UK 🇬🇧 and if I could suggest you look up Greg Virgo’s you tube vids as he is very knowledgeable, but keep up the good work and keep the vlogs coming
thanks Peter for kind words appreciate it! I’m definitely not an expert and trying to learn as I go so I really appreciate the tip and I will check out Greg’s videos!!! Thank you and happy new year!
Thanks Mathers! Helped get me get over the hurdle to keep moving forward. Freezing temperatures - did you use some type of heat blanket to keep the water from freezing on a cold trip?
Still trying to find the best solution for that, not sure what I’m going to use yet. Preferably something 12v DC (usb would be even better)
Yet again great video, great explanation.
Questions,
1) Do you not have hot water for the outside hose?
2) Do you only have one water tank?
Thank you! Yep you're right on both questions, only cold water for outside, I figured I'd really only use it when it's hot out for showering which I'd want it cold (or the same temperature as outside) and we only have one 33 gallon freshwater tank.
Came across your channel few days ago and have been binge watching 😀😀 I live in the Midwest (WI) our winters are pretty brutal. I also have the Bosch water heater and struggle with winterizing it. I remove the heater drain the water then store in my basement until spring. I’m assuming in N.J. It freezes Any thoughts ?
Your are allowed to use clear primer people. Purple primer is required to pass inspection from a inspector.
Awesome video. I am binge watching them planning my build. Any reason why you didn’t go with the 4 gallon water heater? It only appears to be a few inches deeper.
I use the 4 gallon, makes more sense to me.
If you make a mistake the shark bites come apart. Just use a Cresent wrench close on pipe then slide it up to rim on shark bite the the shark bite comes off and you can cut the right size pipe to length. Im a plumber so I use uppounor connections which are less expensive but you have to have the machine to install which you might be able to rent.
Great video, very informative. I am also installing a water tank in a bench just like yours and I am struggling with the infill. I see that you have reduced to 3/4". What does your final infill point look like? How do you fill your tank up? Thks!
Hi Valerie, I am sorry for the delay we fill it up via the water hose mount on the back of our platform benches which is gravity fed into the tank
DUDE - what do you do when you don't have a hose with pressure to fill your tank? I'd like to stay at campgrounds that have the old-school hand pump water faucets. The only thing I've seen online is rigging up a 5 gal water jug with a hose connection or using a cordless drill with a crazy attachment that pumps water. I don't want to be limited to RV sites to fill my fresh water tank. Thanks a TON! Love your content. It's SUPER helpful :)
It’s still gravity fed so we would just need a jug with a hose adapter and hold it up hire. However, we don’t have that currently so I guess we would be kind of screwed? Haha haven’t thought about that. Now you got me thinking though! Thanks for the comment
Holy cow, that's a LOT of money in sharkbite fittings.
Great video. Love the detail, one question though, so you have to use the pex tubing? Could you have used the braided line for the whole set up?
Thanks Jose!! I guess ya could but that has a better chance of leaking I think... but I’m not a plumber so not sure!
do you have any issue with this plumbing in your van? I asked bc there are other diagrams that are too complicated and yours is something I can understand and do.
We did not, but upgraded our plumbing system in our new van and it's a bit more complicated.
I bet when you installed that screen, if you could see into the future you would have done it how you now have it. Am glad the tank didn’t burst .
Me too we got so lucky!!
What did you change about the screen? Was it not able to breathe enough? We were thinking of doing a PVC coupling through the hole in the floor, dropping the pipes through that and then attaching an elbow so nothing can get up into the hole from the road. Then we were going to put a screen on the end of the elbow and clamp it. Should we not?? Lol
Hi! Are you finding the 2 gallon water heater is too small for showering and doing dishes, or is the size right?
I see you stood the water tank up vertically to show us.... but would it be acceptable to keep it vertical in order to save space? ty! Also does the metal water sensor decrease the quality of the portable water?
Hey! How did you do the grey water plumbing system and the kitchen plumbing one? I'm not sure which kind of tube it's better to use for the grey water and if I better threw a hole directlly on the floor...
thanks!!
Hey Corinna! We are going to have our grey water tanks underneath the van. We'll have two 5 gallon tanks one for the kitchen and one for the shower on each side of the van. Kitchen will be passenger side and we'll use 3/4" ID braided Vinyl clear tubing through a hole in the floor. We'll likely use a 3/4" barbed to 1/2" MPT fitting to connect it to the tank. Hope this helps!
Thansk a lot! Great, I’m just worried about the possibility that the tubes ice if they run underneath...
Nice explanation. Are you planning to install an accumulator tank and a shurflo pipe strainer?
No I am not, I did look into it, but watched a lot of other van lifers and noticed they do not have it in there’s. We will see how it goes and may adjust depending on the performance of our current set up.
Our water pump comes with a pipe strainer which you screw on to the intake side
Do you do anything for or to the floor to protect it from condensation on the tank?
Sorry if this has already been asked, being that you need to remove the water heater and turn it upside down to drain- have you had any issues with freezing in colder weather?
Hi! Thanks so much for the detailed videos!
Are you finding the 2 gallon water heater is too small for showering and doing dishes, or is the size right?
Hey Simon to be honest rarely use the hot water heater for the kitchen sink. The 2 gallon hot water heater is fine for one shower but if two people are showering then ya need to heat it again. Not that big of a deal but something to consider.
Thank you for a great video. I am wondering about your pump. Is it on a switch to turn the water on or do you just turn on the tap?
It’s on a switch check out our video about a 3-gang switch panel!
Great video. Do you recall the dimensions of the tank that you used as well as the capacity? Unfortunately, the hyperlink no longer works.
33 gallons I don’t recall the dimensions unfortunately
Avoid plastic with metal parts. avoid gear clamps totally, especially on plastic. avoid sharkbites ( they are a fix under hard circumstance iteam, not a new build.)
I love you.
Hi Mathers On The Map, for your fresh water vent hose was there any particular reason you decided on that size? Many thanks.
Hey Alex, For air to escape it doesn't have to be nearly as large as the intake hose. Sorry for the delay!
you need to support your pet better theta will get shaken up. Also the sell plastic pipe straps that fit around the pipe. Instead of using Plumbers tapes. To seal your hole you can get a rubbernecked plug and drill it out. also you could have connected your overflow and your drain line before it exit so you only had to put two lines out the hole. The water heater release valve must be separate . You should have used pet for drain since cold won't effect it. That plastic will be effected by both cold and hot weather and break. also it will get cut on the metal easier than pex. But good job for your first time. Shark bites are ridiculous $$$$
Hey Michael not sure why this one fell through the cracks, this is great feedback and something I will consider in my next van build when the time comes! You're not kidding with the sharkbites so much money!
Do you have a link to the outdoor push to connect shower hose you highlight in the video? Video series will be very helpful to me during my build! Reference your videos and content frequently! Thanks!!
Hey Scott, I am sorry I took so long to respond... this one well through the cracks. Here's the link to it (it's an affiliate link FYI). amzn.to/3jm26Iv
If ya don't want to use our link, simply search "Dura Faucet DF-SA188" on amazon. Best of luck with your build!
What size galvanized straping did you use and how did it hold up to the weight and moving?
Do you have all the fitting to build the water tank?
hi! what are the dimensions of your fresh water tank? i was looking for it but the link you provided does not work anymore.
Thanks so much for this video! How are you liking the Seaflo water pump? What are you thoughts on an accumulator ?
I’d get an accumulator if I could do it again!!! They’re cheap and easy to install
Definitely add an accumulator.
hey! did you experience any leaking with push-to-connect fittings? Would you do them again or would you go a different route if you could start again?
You could do cpvc pipe and fittings. Prime glue twist. May be cheaper than what he done. Copper pipe could burst I surpose if freeze. Guess pex shark bite is better 200 degree rated. Cpvc 200 degree f. Could use the cpvc for the cold and hot water I guess. Better to use copper above 180 degrees.
This is probably a dumb question but that outdoor hose slot is how you fill the water tank too right?
Great video! I have all the parts, but still have one question regarding the grey water tank. Almost every video show only two lines to this tank, from the drain and a hose fitting to dump the tank. No one shows an air line as in the fresh water tank to allow the air exhaust and expand with the filling and emptying of there tank. Thoughts?
I use an elbow Barb fitting for the other top hole angle the elbow facing northeast angle so air can escape and allows it to overflow if we run into a pinch
@@MathersOnTheMap Good. i was going to do that with a length of the tubing down through the same hole that the air vent for the fresh water goes. Thanks.
Hey I had a question hopefully someone could help. I have the same bosch hot water heater you bought and I noticed you attached a hose to the pressure relief valve, is this absolutely necessary since you guys have been using it for while? The part we are concerned is the pressure buildup with elevation change. Would this just release water whenever the pressure is building up?
We haven't been in the van through any serious elevation change yet so I am not sure, but it's relatively easy to throw something on the end of it and let it flow out, so I'd recommend doing it! just in case!
What did you use to have the external portion to add water to your 33 gallon water tank. i see the push to connect external hose. However, im trying to see what i should get for my water tank. Thanks!
Shoot didn’t realize it wasn’t in the description. We used the following! (It’s our affiliate link if ya don’t want to use it just search lead free water inlet off amazon) thanks for watching!!!
Water Inlet: amzn.to/3lGApLn
use a bike innertube under the metal and betewwn the plastic water tank
Too many jubilee clips for potential water leaks. Is there a reason why you didn't use push to fit connectors instead ?
When you drilled a hole into the top of your tank for your level gauge, did you then completely rinse the tank for plastic shavings? Did the screws go through?
Yep! we got the shavings out of the tank. Screws went all the way through
Great build! How do you fill your tank? Do you have an external fill outlet or something else?
Sorry carson, I missed this! We will have an external fill outlet of our water compartment which I'll show in a future episode. We will have to open the van's back door to access it. We were thinking of putting it on the outside of the vehicle but we weren't sure exactly where we wanted it at the time.
@@MathersOnTheMap Thanks!
I am wondering about an accumulator tank after the pump. Do you see any reason for it? Does your system run fine without?
It Runs fine but I’d put it in if I did it again less noise
Hi kevin, did you run the hot/cold water line to your sink on the floor or over the ceiling of the van? thanks
Floor!
You need to run your vent up before down otherwise when your driving especially uphill water will slosh out through the vent.
Yep that’s correct!
Hey Buddy. Did you put TEFLON inside your supply connection Plastic to plastic gallon tank? I am trying to use a PEX plastic connector (to Pex pipe) instead of your plastic barb connector. I have been told not to use teflon with Plastic? Your thoughts? Also, do you think its necessary to put JB weld on over to seal it off? Could the JB weld be used instead of teflon? Your thoughts appreciated.
I used tape and putty if I recall correctly. You can certainly use jb weld too I had to on our first one. Rather be safe than sorry with water
@@MathersOnTheMap Thank you!
I had a question. Have you found water pressure to be a problem since your water pump is mounted higher and gravity isn’t helping with the feed?
Nope because the pump self primes, that is required for a pump to be above the water line.
is there a way to get hot water and cold water to the outdoor shower?
Yea definitely, you could use a mixer like the one for a shower or you can have two ball valves exposed on the external side of the box (where you would plug in the hose) to adjust the amount of cold/hot water coming through and then join it in a T fitting into the water hose push connect fitting. Only problem is you have very limited space there (if your design is similar to ours)
is it possible to just use the vinyl hose and just curve it around without the need for all the pex and its fittings? why does no one do that? good vid tho..thanks for all the detail!
Vinyl with barbed fittings leak WAY easier than pex shark bite fittings. I would not feel confident with doin that
How do I setup all th extra stuff like pumps and water heaters power up since my inverter I'm getting only has the actual outlets for plugs I'm planning of having 3 extension leads anyway so if I need outlets to plug that stuff in then it's fine I'll just purpose buy the ones with plugs
My pump runs off DC not AC, but my water heater is AC. In terms of setup, Im not really sure how to answer your question, but Iwill be sharing my setup in a future video once it gets warmer in NJ and I can test my plumbing. Then I can finally build my electrical compartment
@@MathersOnTheMap how is your pump connected to electricity
It will be connected to my 12v fuse panel once I get everything set up. Right now I only have it wired to a 16gauge marine grade stranded wire running to where I plan to connect everything
@@MathersOnTheMap ok thanks
@@jakenash2735 no problem, you got it!!!
for the push connect hose on the outside of that plywood. Is that how you fill your water tank?
Nope that’s for our outdoor hose to spray off surfboards, sandy feet, etc
@@MathersOnTheMap is there a video that shows how you fill up your water tank?
On Electirc
Are you connecting on sher power or 110 volt from inverted
Please let me know
Can you restate your question? I’m not sure I’m following
maybe you can help me out? i have the same water pump and size of holding tank how long to do you get out of a shower? im not sure how to restrict the flow of my pump as it empties my holding tank in minutes.
We limit showers to 2.5 gallons so rinse turn water off soap up, rinse and done. We do not take normal showers like we do at home and let the water run!
I just finished building a recirculating shower for my van. We can take long hot showers now. I have a separate system for the shower with it's own pump and used water filters down to 5 microns before the water goes back into the heater. Whole setup uses about 5-10 gallons of water that is separate from the drinking water and is reused many times during a single shower.
What is your outside push to connect hose called ?? Is there a link ?
Hey Sharon! Here's the link amzn.to/36cCUQi I added it to the description as well!
By By ear drums if your using headphones.
Oops! Still learning back then
Hi Kevin! Where it the water fill valve located? Thanks
Hey Tam, in the back of the benches where you open the back doors, check out a later build episode to see where
the link to the fresh water tank is broken. Can you post the name of it?
thank you here it is amzn.to/3zktyhi
Why does the air drain have to be vented to the outside of the van??
It doesn’t technically but if it overflows you’ll have water spill in the van and no one wants that
what size wire did you use for the water pump?
Hey Nic! 16 gauge!
@@MathersOnTheMap awesome thanks!
I used 12 since my Shurflo 4008 can draw 7.5 amps. There's a chart that has wire gauge to use depending on length and current. 16 gauge can support 5 amps over 15 feet.
Is there a reason why you didn't go with the bigger 4gl water heater?
If you can make it word I’d say go for it, but that’s if the amperage draw is the same
@@MathersOnTheMap I think the draw is the same but it will take longer to heat up. How happy are you with the 2.5gl? Does it give you enough hot water for a quick but comfortable shower?
It does but you have to turn the water on and off as you shower or you will use all of it. But honestly you need to do that anyway to conserve water. Also I’d recommend going bigger than 5gallon gray tank if possible. Since it’s basically two showers and you have to unload
Those pumps don't last for ever: I hope you can remove the wall to rebolt a replacement unit.
That’s a good point and I didn’t think of that. It shouldn’t be too hard to remove the wood wall if I do ever need to replace it. My pex lines have some play if I ever need to move the wall
Where’s a link for the water meter??
Here ya go! I’ll add it to the description! 👍🏻
* KUS Water Level Gauge: amzn.to/2CwZpme
* KUS Water Meter: amzn.to/32fa4No
If the water is hot why are you heating it?
Won’t be hot in the winter!
Dear sir. I think you forgot the accumulator tank after the water pump.
It’s not required, but definitely a nice to have!
The only problem I see that you're going to have is if you don't put you a hose in to suck up out of a gallon jug of antifreeze if you ever want to winter rise your van you need to have that stuff to be able to suck in to all the faucets can't just drain that tank
Hey Bill thanks for the comment, can you provide a little more detail, I’m not sure I’m following and want to make sure I understand. I’m planning on having two gray water tanks one for the drain of the kitchen sink faucet and one for the drain of the shower
@@MathersOnTheMap I'll try to explain it, he's correct. On my RV I have a hose coming from my water pump (I think it's between the fresh water tank and the water pump, there's a T in the line and a valve to close it ) that I stick into my 1 gallon RV anti freeze when I winterize it. So all you have to do is turn on the water pump and go to all the faucets/shower and let them run till it comes out pink and the van is winterized. Hope that helps? I drain the hot water tank separately and close the valve so no anti freeze gets in the hot water heater.
Brutal? Bro
Is the outlet GFCI? Also what is the meter used for in the side?