8-Gallon Freshwater Tank Installation

[Syzygy]

If you enjoy the convenience of the portable water jug that I hear is standard equipment on the Eclipse, you may not be interested in reading any further. My Eclipse did not come with a water tank or jug, so I designed a system to contain one. If you are thinking of something more permanent, but still removable for service, this may be interesting (or not...).

I chose a commercially available tank from Ronco Plastic Tanks. What I liked about the tank is that it fits like a glove in the space available. The tank is a B-280 and is shaped such that it's slanted back nests well into the far port-side lazarette area. The images attached display this feature. You get three free perforations in the tank so I chose two for the top, one at 1.5" NPT as a fill inlet, one at ½" NPT for a vent and one ½" NPT at the bottom as the outlet. The top two are centered fore and aft, and are roughly 1/3 (vent) and 2/3 (fill) of the way from the forward end.

A marine plywood box to contain the tank was built (see images), epoxied, and lined with closed cell foam on four sides to prevent condensation. I left some room below it for the plumbing. Included in the design are a cam-lock detachable hose coupling to the fill port, located on the port-side access port. An external  fitting for water was used that unscrews when required. A vent fitting was attached to the tank via some hose. On the tank bottom, a plastic ball valve that can be closed, if necessary, was attached. The valve then splits between the run to the faucet and the run to the level indicator tube.

The ½" tubing faucet line has an inline low-pressure activation check valve to keep the pump primed. The level indicator line is necked down to ¼" to prevent suction in that system from distorting the level indicator tubing, top and bottom. In the middle, there is opaque ½" tube for easy readability. The level indicator plumbing is attached to the vent plumbing on top of the tank. Custom brackets were made from T6-6061 aluminum to hold the level indicator plumbing. Basically, a 90 degree angle, two mounting holes on one surface, and a large mounting hole for the through wall connector.

The entire design nests in the space behind the port-side backrest.

The intent was to have a tank that was removable for cleaning so all fittings, except where noted, are push-to-connect. It can be removed via the port side quarter berth.

Anyway, that's a rough description. I can answer any specific questions or provide part numbers for components upon request.

Keep the keel side down!

[crazycarl]

Nice addition. That's where I purchased my tank way back in 2009.

[passagesfromtheheart]

Wow, that's really cool -- so glad that you shared that here -- such helpful info -- thanks!!!