Lynette de Vries
8 juli, 2021 (bijgewerkt op 30 januari 2024)
Find out everything about the water tank in your caravan or camper
When you go on your well-deserved camping holiday, a well-filled water tank is indispensable. There is nothing better than travelling with your own clean water immediately at your disposal. This way you can enjoy a delicious cup of tea or coffee at any time. In addition, cooking your food is no longer a problem and you no longer have to go back and forth to get water from a local tap.
Most caravans and campers are equipped with a clean water tank as standard. With this water tank you can cook, wash dishes, shower and flush the toilet. But how exactly does it work? When you would like to use a water supply in your caravan or camper, you can have a water tank installed or install it yourself.
However, when using a water tank, you must take a number of things into account. For example, it is important that you regularly clean your water tank and replace the water to ensure the quality. This article tells you everything about the operation and use of the water tank, including tips for maintenance and cleaning. This way you can enjoy your camping holiday without any worries, with all the comforts of a well-filled water tank.
Contents
1. How do you clean your water tank?
It is essential to clean your caravan’s water tank and water pipes regularly to prevent possible contamination, even if you are using clean drinking water. Here is how to clean your water tank, some methods and tips:
Preparation:
- Empty the water tank completely.
- Also drain the boiler.
- Open the taps to drain all the water from the pipes.
1.1 Cleaning with Steradent:
- Steradent, usually used for dentures, is a suitable product for cleaning your caravan or camper water tank.
- Use one tube of Steradent soluble tablets per 30 litres of water in the water tank.
- Place the tablets in the tank and fill it with water.
- After the tablets have dissolved, open the water pipes and turn on the taps to clean the pipes.
- Empty the water tank and refill it with tap water, flush the pipes again.
1.2 Cleaning with bleach:
- Refill the empty water tank with water and add a small amount of unscented bleach (not too much!).
- Let this mixture sit in the tank for 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, open the taps to flush the pipes.
- Refill the water tank with clean drinking water and let the taps run until the tank is empty.
1.3 Cleaning with cleaning vinegar:
- Cleaning vinegar can also be used to clean your water tank and inhibit bacteria and algae.
- Use half a litre of cleaning vinegar for a 50 litre water tank.
- Follow the same procedure as when using bleach, leave the mixture in the tank for 24 hours and then rinse thoroughly.
After cleaning the water tank and pipes, it is important to refill the tank with clean drinking water before using the water. This cleaning should be carried out regularly to maintain the water quality in your caravan or motorhome and prevent potential health problems.
1.4 Cleaning with special products from specialist caravan dealers
Of course, specialized caravan dealers also sell special cleaning agents for the water system of caravans and campers. Their effect is similar to that of the household products Steradent, bleach and vinegar cleaner. However, the strength of the agents is adjusted to the amount of water in the caravan and camper. Dosing is therefore much easier and is also described in detail in the instructions for use. Just like the cleaning process.
2. Is it safe to drink water from my water tank?
It is strongly discouraged to drink water from your water tank for several reasons. The condition of the water hoses that run from your water tank to your tap is difficult to check for contamination. These hoses are susceptible to contamination and can affect the quality of drinking water. In addition, the water in these hoses can in some cases promote the growth of bacteria due to the higher temperatures.
In addition, drinking water quality varies from country to country, and it is not always as high as in the Netherlands. To ensure your health, we recommend that you only drink bottled water. You can also keep bottled water in the refrigerator for a refreshing cold drink.
If you do not have access to bottled water, it is advisable to bring the water from the water tank to the boil and let it boil for at least 3 minutes. This kills harmful bacteria and makes the water safer to drink.
3. How much does a water tank cost?
How much does a water tank cost? Water tank prices can vary, but you can already purchase a water tank for your caravan from €55. However, the costs can go up to around €319, depending on various factors. The price differences are mainly due to the available options and the size of the water tank. For example, a 23-litre plastic water tank is considerably cheaper than a 150-litre tank.
When choosing a water tank, it is important to ensure that you select a tank that does not allow light to pass through. This has significant advantages in terms of preventing contamination in the water tank, regardless of the price range.
4. Different shapes of a water tank
Camping in the wild is a trend that is becoming increasingly popular. Campsites are getting busier and you might find it much more fun not to be on someone’s lips all the time. In Germany, for example, wild camping is not allowed, but new apps such as WinzerAtlas allow you to book a pitch in the wild directly with a farmer at the foot of the Alps. That’s why the temptation to camp in the wild is increasing. It’s beautiful and gives you the ultimate feeling of freedom and adventure, but you have to be self-sufficient – not only with a sufficient gas supply but also with a water supply. That’s why water tanks are becoming increasingly popular.
The shape of water tanks in campers and caravans can vary greatly, with rectangular, cylindrical, flexible and integrated designs. Rectangular tanks maximise space efficiency, cylindrical tanks are resistant to vibrations, flexible tanks adapt to limited spaces, and integrated tanks integrate seamlessly into the vehicle design. The choice of a specific shape depends on available space, storage capacity and vehicle design, but all water tanks play a crucial role in providing comfort during camping holidays. However, maintenance and cleaning are essential to ensure water quality and trouble-free travel.
5. How do I replace the water pump in my caravan or camper?
Caravans and campers often have water pumps that are responsible for supplying water to the toilet and taps. These pumps, usually submersible pumps, are located at the bottom of the water tank. A water pump can become defective if it is switched on in low water, if the water is heavily contaminated, or if the water in the water tank or pump freezes.
Fortunately, replacing a defective submersible pump is a relatively simple task. In most cases, the pump connection is located on the outside of the water tank, so it is not necessary to make the connection waterproof. Below are the steps for replacing a submersible pump:
Step 1: Buy a new pump.
Make sure that the new pump has at least the same specifications as the broken pump. These specifications can be found on the old pump.
Step 2: Disconnect the water pump from the power supply.
Step 3: Remove the old pump.
In the case of the fresh water tank, the pump connection is often located outside the water tank. The pump can usually be disconnected by unscrewing the terminal block screws. Once the pump is disconnected, the wires can easily be pulled through the tank cap of the water tank. If your pump does not have a terminal block, you can simply cut the wires about three centimetres behind where the pump is attached to the caravan or motorhome network.
Step 4: Prepare to connect the new pump.
Carefully remove 1.5cm of the outer insulation from the power wire of the new pump using a knife or pliers. Also remove about 8mm of insulation from the remaining blue and brown wires.
Step 5: Connect the new pump.
Feed the wires through the hole in the cap and connect them to the terminal block (brown to brown, blue to blue) and tighten the terminal block firmly. If you had to cut the wires in step 3, you can fit a terminal block yourself.
Step 6: Fit the new pump.
After connecting the pump, you can reconnect the water hose to the new pump and then lower the pump into the water tank. Tighten the tank cap and restore the power supply.
With these steps, you can easily replace the water pump in your caravan or camper, so that you can enjoy a properly functioning water system again.
6. How do I monitor the water level in my water tank?
When using a water tank, it is often not easy to know how much water is still available, which can lead to unexpected situations. Manually checking the water tank in a caravan can be an option, but this is not always practical. In some cases, new caravans and campers have a built-in water level meter as standard that indicates the filling in steps of 25%.
E-Trailer aims to offer everyone a safe and comfortable camping holiday. Our E-Waterlevel ensures an even more pleasant camping experience. Thanks to the E-Waterlevel, you are always accurately informed of the amount of water in your water tank, down to the percent. You can easily read this data on your smartphone via the E-Trailer app. In addition, you will receive notifications on your phone when the tank is almost empty, and you can see exactly how full your water tank is, accurate to the percent, while filling it. With E-Waterlevel, you retain full control over your water tank. Now also if you have a large water tank in your camper or caravan, because E-Waterlevel XL measures up to 80cm deep!