Converting grey water tank for pressure washer (1 Viewer)

[Bstreet22]

Hi all,

First time posting and would really appreciate some help with some modifications I'm making to my Roller Team Zefiro, to allow me to use the grey water tank as a tank for pressure washing my motorbike. Basically with a friend I worked out a way to do this by installing a 3-way valve before the water from the shower, sink etc goes into the tank, which allows me to divert waste water to the floor instead of entering the tank (there are no rules about grey water going on the ground where I will be). So with the valve diverting to the floor I can use the tank for my pressure washer, after backfilling via the tap in the (bad) drawing. Then, if I turn the valve the other way, the water simply goes to the tank as usual for when I'm on campsites.

To do this I had to combine all the various drain pipes from the 2 shower drains, kitchen sink and bathroom sink into 1 pipe. I did this using the T's in the drawing. As standard the pipes for each drain went into individual entry points on the tank. Now I am only using one entry point and bunged the other 3 up.

These system seems to be great and I was really pleased, except the water is not draining away quick enough, resulting in overflowing shower tray etc. What could be causing this? I am using the same 25mm pond pipe that was on the motorhome, although the T's reduce the diameter to 19mm of course.

Is it the length of the pipe I have added? The reduced diameter at the connections?
The fact that all are combined into one?
All of the avove?

I tried removing the valve and letting the water drain straight out the pipe onto the floor to check of the valve was a problem, but the issue still remained.

Thanks for any help!
Ben

 

[gpat]

I suppose it depends on what you put into your grey waste. Anything particulate (like hairs/food/grit) will block your nozzle on the jet washer pretty quickly

 

[Landy Andy]

I’m reading as he is going to put clean water into waste tank (to use in pressure washer) and wanting to allow his grey (from all the separate items) onto the ground. And it’s that bit that isn’t working.

I may well be wrong.

 

[chaser]

Why can't you just connect your pressure washer to the hose.

 

[Bstreet22]

I’m reading as he is going to put clean water into waste tank (to use in pressure washer) and wanting to allow his grey (from all the separate items) onto the ground. And it’s that bit that isn’t working.

I may well be wrong.

That's exactly right. And it's not draining fast enough when I'm testing it with plain water. Whether I let it drain on the floor or go into the tank, the flow isn't enough to stop the sinks in the motorhome filling up.

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[gpat]

Why can't you just connect your pressure washer to the hose.

I am guessing he will be somewhere where there is no water supply.

 

[Itsmcb]

Possibly the air from the tank being displaced by the incoming water can no longer escape via one of the other inlets so causing the backup?

 

[Bstreet22]

I am guessing he will be somewhere where there is no water supply.

Yes that's right. I need to fill up the grey tank before travelling.

 

[Bstreet22]

Possibly the air from the tank being displaced by the incoming water can no longer escape via one of the other inlets so causing the backup?

I should have added that the tank has a breather hose.

 

[gpat]

That's exactly right. And it's not draining fast enough when I'm testing it with plain water. Whether I let it drain on the floor or go into the tank, the flow isn't enough to stop the sinks in the motorhome filling up.

We are all confused. Is the purpose for washing your motorbike, in which case why not use the drain from your clean water tank.

Or is the question why aren't my sinks draining into my grey water tank?

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[gpat]

Yes that's right. I need to fill up the grey tank before travelling.

I see

You would have to clean your grey water tank out every time as it will have residual stuff in it...or get a filter

 

[chaser]

That's exactly right. And it's not draining fast enough when I'm testing it with plain water. Whether I let it drain on the floor or go into the tank, the flow isn't enough to stop the sinks in the motorhome filling up.

How old are the pipes , are they partially blocked.

 

[Bstreet22]

We are all confused. Is the purpose for washing your motorbike, in which case why not use the drain from your clean water tank.

Or is the question why aren't my sinks draining into my grey water tank?

Because I need the fresh water in the fresh water tank in order to live in the motorhome, but the grey tank is not necessary where I will be because grey water can just empty on the ground. So I am trying to add the option to use the grey tank as a pressure washer tank.

 

[chaser]

Because I need the fresh water in the fresh water tank in order to live in the motorhome, but the grey tank is not necessary where I will be because grey water can just empty on the ground. So I am trying to add the option to use the grey tank as a pressure washer tank.

Wouldn't a five gallon drum under the seats be just as good.

 

[TheBig1]

You need a big breather on the tank for displacement and by combining all the inlets you are inducing an air lock or blockage. As it is, the internal bore of the drain pipes is always less than ideal without adding unnecessary extra joins and restrictions.

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

Another T with a open end higher than any of the outlets will act as pressure relief and vent, so careful location is needed. A dirgo type of valve will allow air into the system to aid faster clearance, but won't allow bad smells to vent to the outside.
Mike.

 

[pappajohn]

I would suggest all the pipes from sinks etc need to be in the top of the tank, not the bottom
That's what's causing the slow drain.
All pipes except an outlet for the jet wash at the top

 

[ChrisL]

Can you use a watemaster? They hold 38ltrs more then enough to wash a motorcycle.

 

[Fdhadi]

I think someone is waiting for a reaction/ argument to dropping waste/ grey water on the floor.

 

[gpat]

I think someone is waiting for a reaction/ argument to dropping waste/ grey water on the floor.

They will be waiting a long time.

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[DandG5515]

The water is falling by gravity, If any of the new pipes undulate slightly up and down this will act as a “U bend” which will dramatically reduce flow and can cause air locking. (Cannot tell looking at sketch heights evolved). I have seen someone put a drain in side of grey tank and feed grey waste into pressure washer. (I assume going into the side allows anything gritty to drop to bottom of tank and not into pressure washer.) never seen the guy again to ask how long the washer lasted.

 

[CAB96]

The water is falling by gravity, If any of the new pipes undulate slightly up and down this will act as a “U bend” which will dramatically reduce flow and can cause air locking. (Cannot tell looking at sketch heights evolved). I have seen someone put a drain in side of grey tank and feed grey waste into pressure washer. (I assume going into the side allows anything gritty to drop to bottom of tank and not into pressure washer.) never seen the guy again to ask how long the washer lasted.

Exactly. Gravity.

Fresh is pumped up with an electric pump so plenty of pressure to force it through the pipes ;

The waste is falling through similar diameter narrow pipes, the only thing that pushes it through is it's own weight. I imagine it is only just enough when working as designed.

Additional pipes, Ts, joints will resist that small amount of pressure and slow it right down.

As said above, better to tap into the tank.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Wouldn't a five gallon drum under the seats be just as good.

I think he is trying to save space.

 

[Otter Spotter]

I think someone is waiting for a reaction/ argument to dropping waste/ grey water on the floor.

No he is probably on private land (trail biking) and landowner won’t give a toss about water whatever colour.

 

[dunnah01]

Can't you just push a hose adaptor into the grey tank outlet pipe when needed

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[1967bowesj]

Looks like OP has hit the post limit, we may never know the outcome!!!
Years ago in a former life we had a wobbly box that had all the waste pipes plumbed together, basically what the OP has done in reverse, it was a pain to get it to drain properly until I split the waste runs.
If you still reading this thread Bstreet22 I would go back to basics and split all the waste pipes and see if any have crud in them that you have dislodged due to moving them. Run water through each straight to the floor, once all run free you can start to assemble the pipe run but test each new section when added. That way you will be able to see when it runs slow and you then make the choice what to do next

PS. Worth paying the subs!!