Off-the-Grid 12v Water Filter Pump Build - Water from any Source?

Hey all,

I wanted to share an off-the-grid water system that I have just made. This is intended to allow me to pull drinking water from any source I find while out in the forest or mountains here in Washington. Prior to this, I used my trusty MSR Trail Base gravity filter which only filtered 2 liters at a time. It was a passive task but still annoying. Time for automation.



The main parts consist of a 12 volt pump and a cannister filter. On my truck, I have mounted an 8 gallon Waterport tank on my roof rack and an Ecoflow power station to run this.

The pump was the main portion that required assembly. I hooked up a simple light up push switch, an in-line fuse holder, and a plug in port. The port and the switch were both mounted through the exterior of the case which is an Apache 2800 from good ole' Harbor Freight.



Inside the case, the plumbing was all super basic after I ordered all the right fittings. The pump itself came with the blue mesh filter element you see installed.



The filter cannister you see is this one here:

$120 Hansing RV Water Filter System, Anti-Clog Inline Water Filter for 25K Gallons with One-Piece 5-Stage Filtration, Removes Sediments, Chlorine, VOCs, Heavy Metals, Bad Taste, Odor, and More

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B086XGDKB7?ie=UTF8
This filter was only $80 on Amazon Prime Day (now $120).

It has a 2 part filter inside. A carbon filter with a 5 micron pore size and a pleated filter with a .2 micron pore size. This should be able to filter out most of what I'll come across in remote dispersed areas or streams and lakes along my way. Additionally, if water looks supsect, I've thrown in a small bottle of bleach and a syringe to measure. I think of the bleach as more of CYA component to this system as .2 microns is very small and a lot of backpacking filters do not go further than this. It's crazy how much water you can treat with a tiny amount of bleach.

Overall, this was super easy to build but will hopefully make my camp life more easy. I've seen similar off-the-shelf systems go for $800-$1200 online. This only cost me a fraction of that; probably less than $200 altogether. All the hoses and smaller parts fit within the case when not in use so it's only the case and cannister I have to load or unload.

I plan to use this to top off and refill the Waterport as needed on trips. It's sometimes hard to find a hose spigot you can pull the truck up to and fill with. I can now pump water through the filter cannister and then directly into the Waterport. Adding bleach would be done into the Waterport tank itself. Additionally, this could also be used as a shower but I don't do that often when camping if I can just jump in the water itself.

Can anyone spot any holes in my system? Anything I should add or overlooked? I'm mostly concerned about the level of filtration and purification. I have full confidence in this thing moving water into my tank.

 

Looks like a sweet setup there. Maybe mark your in/out hook ups.

 

Both are labeled! I just didn't photograph the sides.

 

LifeStraw - The original award-winning "straw-filter"

Just kidding - Nice work.

 

@Tacodog Parts list that you asked for:

• $68 SEAFLO 33 Series DC Diaphragm Pump – 4-Year Warranty! 12V, 3.0 GPM, 45 PSI, Self-Priming, Run Dry Safe, Built-In Pressure Switch | Ideal for Marine, RV, and Water Systems
  https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P8BE6S8?ie=UTF8
  
• $10 SinLoon Cigarette Lighter SAE Battery Charger Cable,12V 15A Cigarette Lighter Plug to Waterproof SAE Quick Release Adapter Extension Charging Cable with Fuse and LED Light(10FT,3 Meter)
  https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B073WW13PF?ie=UTF8
  
• $12 ELECTOP SAE Connector Power Socket Sidewall Port, Weatherproof SAE Quick Connect Solar Panel Flush Mount SAE Plug Adapter Cable, 12AWG SAE Extension Cable for Solar Generator Battery Charger(2 Pack)
  https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V6NJ37P?ie=UTF8
  
• $8 Anderson Metals - 07046-0812 Brass Garden Hose Swivel Fitting, Connector, 1/2" Barb x 3/4" Female Hose
  https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B006PKMU7U?ie=UTF8
  
• $14 Swpeet 60Pcs Assorted Sizes Hose Clamps Kit, 304 Stainless Steel Adjustable 6-38mm Range Worm Gear Hose Clamp Perfect for Plumbing, Automotive And Mechanical Applications
  https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FK796TC?ie=UTF8
  
• $9 Plastic Garden Hose Connector Set Male and Female - Quick Release Connect Kit, Water Hose Thread Fitting Adapter Set, from Quick Connector to Standard 3/4'' Thread Connector (Black, 2 Sets / 10 Pc)
  https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FC17FWH?ie=UTF8
• $14 Habitech 3-Pack 1/2" Drip Irrigation Tubing to Faucet/Garden Hose Adapter - Reusable Connector Fittings for Most Rain Bird, Orbit, Dig, Toro 1/2 or 5/8 Tubing x 3/4" FHT
  https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CBD4P16?ie=UTF8
  
• Garden Hose Adapter Kit, 3/4" Solid Brass Garden Hose Quick Connectors Adapters, Male to Male, Female to Female, Easy Connect & Disconnect Adapters,Garden Hose Fittings 4 Pack with Extra 8 Washers
  https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FRMJ9LK?ie=UTF8
  
• $21 DaierTek 19mm 12V Latching Push Button Switch ON Off Black Metal Pre-Wired 12 Volt Blue Led Light Illuminated Waterproof Button for Marine RV -8 Pack
  https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08RYWCYG1?ie=UTF8
  
• GJCrafts Suction Filter, Pressure Washer Water Suction Filter Drum, Brass Pick Up Filter Strainer Drum Suction, Efficient Filter Hose for Connection to The Suction Hose
  https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B091B3N6VX?ie=UTF8

Stuff from Lowes

• https://www.lowes.com/pd/EASTMAN-1-...einforced-PVC-Braided-Vinyl-Tubing/1000365045
• https://www.lowes.com/pd/B-K-3-4-in-Threaded-Street-Elbow-Fitting/1000505753

Already owned:

• Teflon tape
• inline fuse
• electrical connectors

 

Great build and idea. Might even be worth looking into a small UV chamber to fit in there, but I am not sure how rugged some of those units are. But I have seen them in some of the portable marine systems.

Backpacking systems such as your MSR system meets a NSF protocol P231 as a microbiological purifier. Systems that can also handle viruses normally follows P248 protocol, with most filters having a 0.02 micron rating, and with possibly some impregnated chemical (iodine used to be common) to deactivate the bad guys. When it comes to your health and safety. I am sure this is one area you don't want to cut corners or go cheap on. Especially if you plan on using this as your drinking water without boiling it.

Look for filters that have a NSF rating that matches with what you are trying to remove (think in levels or tiers of - sediments, toxins, parasites, bacteria, and viruses). Which may mean you need to do two or more stages of filters (not sure if the filter you have will remove any of these), and a chemical treatment after (bleach - with a minimum of 30 min exposure before use). Also pay attention to the flow rate, with the pump and filters being compatible with each other in this area.

Remember, that if you can get to the water source. So can anything else. Especially after the exponential increase of traffic in the backcountry over the last year and half. And all the waste and trash that has come along with it.


Here is a few good sources of information on the subject:
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/crypto/gen_info/filters.html
https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/making-water-safe.html
https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/travel/index.html
http://info.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/

When in doubt, boil it out.

 

FWIW - you (generally) don't need to worry about viruses in back country US water. I've used mostly gravity and chemical treatments when I need them, but generally get by with nothing. I have enough time and experience with water sources to where I can trust my instincts on whether I need to treat or not but wouldn't advise that to others and would always treat in a regional area I have no history with.

 

maybe a one way check valve some where in there?
not sure exactly