watch this first!
Before beginning your plumbing system in your van conversion, we’ll run you through our standard plumbing setup. You can download the plumbing diagram as well as get all the plumbing materials at the links below.
Basic Plumbing diagram
Your plumbing system will vary based on your van layout and the features in your van like a sink, indoor shower, outdoor shower etc. This guide is a basic review of a standard plumbing system for a van with a 33 Gallon Freshwater Tank, 3 GPM Pump, 2.5 Gallon Water Heater and a built in Wet Bath and Sink.
Water from your freshwater tank is plumbed directly to the pump. This should be done using flexible nylon hose. From there you will need to split the water into 2 lines using a 3 way connection.
The First water line will supply cold water for the shower and the sink. You will need one additional 3 way on this line to split the water to both the sink and shower. The cold water line running to the sink will also run through a water filter before it is plumbed to the faucet.
The Second water line will run to the Water Heater. It exits the Water Heater as hot water and splits at a 3 way connection. Once connection will run to the sink where it is plumbed to the faucet. The other hot water line will run to the shower and plumbed into the shower mixer.
This is a simple diagram. Add shut off valves and drain valves where you feel there are needed. Ensure that your system can do the following:
Freshwater Tank can be drained quickly if needed
Water lines can be drained for storage if needed
How to run plumbing lines
We use a combination of potable braided nylon hose and PEX tubing as water lines. Determining how to run these is one of the challenges aspects of plumbing in a van. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle of hose, fittings, valves and 3 ways.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU WRITE A LIST OF YOUR ENTIRE PLUMBING SYSTEM. DETAIL EACH FITTING YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE EACH CONNECTION.
EXAMPLE:
FITTING ON FRESHWATER TANK = 1/2” FEMALE PIPE THREAD (FPT)
1/2” MALE NATIONAL PIPE THREAD (MNPT) X 1/2” ID (INTERNAL DIAMETER) BARB
1/2” ID BRAIDED NYLON HOSE
1/2” ID BARB 3 WAY
FIRST BRANCH = 1/2” ID NYLON HOSE
1/2” ID BARB X 1/2” MNPT FITTING
1/2” FPT SHUT OFF VALVE
1/2” MNPT X 1/2” ID BARB
1/2” ID BRAIDED NYLON HOSE (THIS HOSE LINE DRAINS OUT THE VAN AS A MASTER DRAIN FOR THE TANK)
SECOND BRANCH = 1/2” ID NYLON HOSE
1/2” ID BARB X SEDIMENT FILTER
WATER PUMP
1/2” ID BARB HOSE
1/2” ID BARB 3 WAY
CONTINUE…
As you can see there are quite a few parts and MANY connections that will need to be made to complete your plumbing system. Detailing the system out will help to save you time running back and forth to hardware stores to pick up materials you may have forgotten or not realized you needed.
plumbing materials
We have tried to provide you with a comprehensive list of materials you can purchase via Amazon. However there are times when you need to go to a store for something quickly. Here is what I have found local stores to be best for:
Home Depot /Lowes
10ft pieces of 1/2” ID PEX
Sharkbite Fitting
1/2” ID Nylon Hose
PVC Fittings
Ace Hardware
Barb Fittings
PVC Fittings
WONDERING HOW TO INSTALL GREY WATER TANKS UNDER YOUR VAN?
Check out the post on how to install grey water tanks and what we use by clicking the button below