Project DIY: Portable Pressurized 12-Volt Water

Project DIY: Portable Pressurized 12-Volt Water

I've been contemplating having on-board water on my Tacoma for a while. I came across some cool ideas and how-to's right here on Tacoma World and almost pulled the trigger on ordering a most-excellent kit. But I wanted to see if I could do something similar for less money, so I started researching. In my research, I was looking for the following in a kit:
- Quick-connect for the hose nozzle
- Quiet operation
- Pressure switch
- Reasonable AMP draw
- Flexibility of water source
- Simple and effective storage solution
- Portability

I believe I have delivered on these things. I would have actually preferred slightly less water pressure to conserve water, but that can be controlled by the hose nozzle. I would have also liked a lower wattage (I believe mine is 70W). But all in all, the price is right and the DIY aspect is minimal, as the pump was purchased as a kit, and all I did was mount it in a box. The best surprise came when I tested it: It was extremely quiet. I was also able to fit it all (although with a lot of fussing and Tetris-like skills) inside a small ammo container.

Parts:
12V High Pressure Self-Priming Electric Car Portable Wash Washer Kit Water Pump
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-High-Pr...able-Wash-Washer-Kit-Water-Pump-/152501421411
$28.49 (My price - these can be had for less money if you are patient)

Plano 1312 Ammo Can
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Plano-1312-Ammo-Can/23247620
$4.88

4 machine screws, 4 nuts, 8 washers - I think they are #10, 1" length
A pair of stainless nuts to act as weights for the intake tube
I got these at Home Depot and they cost under $1.00

5/8 in. Round Hose Washer (10-Pack) (But I only used one)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/PartsmasterPro-5-8-in-Round-Hose-Washer-10-Pack-58538B/206850094
$2.18

Lead-Free Brass Hose Barb Adapter 3/8 in. x 3/8 in. MIP
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt...-Adapter-3-8-in-x-3-8-in-MIP-800129/300096120
$3.74

Lead-Free Brass Hose Barb Adapter 3/8 in. x 3/8 in. FIP
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt...-Adapter-3-8-in-x-3-8-in-FIP-800159/300095957
$4.11

Teflon Tape - I won't include this in the price since the pump kit came with some, but I ended up using my own.

Total Cost (not including tax): $44.40

Assembly: I mounted the pump on the SIDE of the Plano ammo box. I aimed to center it on the side wall, with the quick connect for the hose facing upward. The Brass fittings I mated together in a hole on the lower front of the box. I cut about a 4" length of the feeder hose and permanently connected the pump to the brass fittings. I also drilled two small holes in the "feet" of the ammo box to let water drain out. It's a tight fit, but I am able to cram everything inside. The only down-side is that I was unable to find plumbing fittings to route the hose disconnect to the outside of the box. This means you have to have the box open to use it. That being said, the current setup allows me to do it in the future if I am ever able to find proper elbows and fittings.

Note: Don't go by the chairs for scale - those are toddler sized.

Here is how it looks all buttoned up:


Once you loosen the top, you can see how tight of a fit it all is.


All the removable bits (it looks wet because I tested it):

How the pump mounts inside the box:


Edit: Now that it's daytime, here's some more photos of the thing all set up:


Everything all hooked up:


Short video of the whole thing in action (cameo appearance from my first gen)

 

Pics of this all connected and videos of it working?

 

Group buy

 

Subscribed to see how everything works!

Great concept on a portable water pump

 

Ive been trying to figure out how to get water for showers on my truck for sometime now. I have looked at several different ideas like the tubes that mount on the roof and water pump ideas. It seems to always come down to water capacity.
Here is what I am going to use. Its a 15 gallon container, comes with a pump, cut the sprayer off and splice in a hose sprayer instead. And for the price, its worth it to me knowing that it all comes together, all I have to do is put water in it.
And it comes with straps so you can remove it when you want to.

$257 Chapin International 97300N Chapin 15-Gallon 12v Deluxe Dripless EZ Mount ATV Spot Sprayer, Translucent White

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HO3IWH4/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

OP updated with some more photos and a video. It sounds awful loud in the video, but you can judge by the loudness of the running truck... seems to be about the same. I was really expecting this to be obnoxiously loud based on other videos I've seen, but it's actually not so bad. The idea behind this project was to come up with something flexible for those on a budget. As you can see, the entire thing can be had for under $45 and can use just about any container for a water source. The hose is pretty long and I've considered cutting it down, but I wanted to keep the amount of work down to a minimum - I have much cooler projects in the works.

If you have a drill and a pair of wrenches, you can do this project.

 

That's a cool concept. 15 gallons is a pretty decent sized tank. I like this kind of out of the box thinking.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL6tge8E8mg

 

The only thing I'd do different is use a better shower head... Something that's easier to operate with one hand. What's cool is the second outlet. You can run that to a sink which is related to my next project (pullout Kitchen).

 

I'd have to have a super long hose or power cable for either setup. Showering right next to/in camp/truck is messy.

 

I totally agree. Different shower head and then you still have the outlet for a sink or something. They make a 26 gallon container too. I'm just trying to figure out how much water I really want to pack with me on trips. When I get a trailer, this wont be an issue.

 

Extending wire for power is pretty simple if that's the only issue you have with the set up.

 

The portable box I just made has approx 10ft of power cable and 25ft of hose. The AMP draw is between 5 and 6 amps. There are some cheaper carwash pump kits but they are higher pressure/wattage. This was the lowest draw pump I could find as a kit. As for water... On my last trip ... which was about 3 days, 2 adults and 2 kids, I had the 7 gallon Aquatainer, 2x 2gallon drinking water jugs, and 5gal Rotopax containers. We ended up using one of the 2gal drinking containers and I emptied out the rest. That's why I think 15 gallon container is probably just about right (for me), if an occasional shower and daily dish-washing will be involved. Again, your mileage will vary on number of people and how much water you end up using. That's already 120lbs or so, so I'd be hesitant to go too large.

 

By the way, combining the portable kit, with something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AX5PO?psc=1

Still under $90 and you have the flexibility of a portable kit as well. I would drill a hole in the top, run a pipe almost to the bottom with a screen mesh filter, put a hose barb on the top end and run it to the portable pump. It won't have a second connection, but I suppose you could find a tee fitting with a shut-off valve to splice into the quick-connect hose.

If you want to store drinking water, then this container won't do, as it's not approved for potable water, but then again a pair of aquatainers are pretty cheap:

$20 Reliance Products Aqua-Tainer 7 Gallon Rigid Water Container, Blue , 11.3" x 11.0" x 15.3"

https://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Products-Aqua-Tainer-Gallon-Container/dp/B001QC31G6/ref=sr_1_1