How to build an DIY 12 V Portable Water Pump Box with filtration system for RV / Camping

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Access to clean and safe drinking water is essential for human survival, particularly in outdoor environments where there may be limited access to clean water sources.

 

 

That’s why many camping, RV, and outdoor survival enthusiasts look for ways to create their own portable water filtration systems that can turn any available water source into safe and potable water.

 

 

This project offers a solution in the form of an off-grid portable water pump and filtration system. This system is designed to be easily transportable and can be powered either by solar energy or directly from a car battery.

 

 

It’s a 12V system that can be used to pump water from a freshwater source, filter it, and then store or use it in case of a survival situation.

 

 

The system includes a water pump that can be submerged in a water source, such as a creek, lake, or river, to draw water into the filtration system.

 

 

The filtration system consists of a series of filters that remove impurities and bacteria from the water, ensuring that it is safe and clean for drinking. Once the water has been filtered, it can be stored in a container or used immediately.

 

 

STEP 1 : MATERIALS REQUIRED

 

To build this off-grid portable water pump and filtration system, you will need a number of key materials and tools.

 

 

The first essential item is a sturdy and durable tactix storage box, which will serve as the housing for the water pump and filtration system. Additionally, you will require both inlet and outlet hoses to connect to your water source and to transport the filtered water to your storage containe

 

 

 

The heart of the filtration system is the inline water filter or twin carbon 0.5-micron filter. This filter is critical for removing any impurities or contaminants from the water, ensuring that it is safe and clean for drinking.

 

 

You will also need pex pipe and garden hose pipes to connect to the filter and the water pump, as well as a 12-millimeter barb strainer to protect the pump from any debris that may be present in the water.

 

To power the system, you will require a rocker switch and a 12V Shurflo water pump with a flow rate of 11 liters per minute.

 

 

This pump is powerful enough to draw water from a freshwater source and push it through the filtration system, producing clean drinking water.

 

You will also need a 50-amp Anderson plug and 10 meters of heavy-duty wire to connect the pump to a power source, such as a solar panel or car battery.

 

 

In addition to the above materials, you will also require a set of basic tools, including wire cutters, long nose pliers, and solder, to assemble the system.

 

STEP 2 : THE WIRING

In this step, you will be completing the wiring for the water pump inside the tactix tool box. It is essential to do this step carefully and thoroughly to ensure that the system functions optimally.

 

 

 

Firstly, you will need to mount the 12V rocker toggle switch at the center of the tactix tool box lid. This switch will be used to turn the water pump on and off, so it needs to be placed in a convenient and accessible location.

 

Next, you will need to mount the power input plug, or the Anderson plug, to the left of the switch. This input plug will connect to either the car battery or a solar battery, depending on your power source.

 

 

Once you have mounted the switch and input plug, you can start wiring them together. The positive red wires from the switch should be connected to the Anderson plug through an inline fuse.

 

This fuse is crucial as it will protect the system from any power surges or overloading.

The negative black wire from the Anderson plug should go straight to the switch. This will complete the power circuit for the system.

 

 

Finally, you will need to connect the remaining wires from the switch to the water pump, which will be installed later. Make sure that all the wires are connected correctly and securely, and cover them with corrugated split tubing to protect them from any damage or wear and tear.

STEP 3 : INSTALLING THE STRAINER

In this step, the filter strainer is installed on the inlet side of the water pump to prevent any debris from entering the pump and potentially causing damage. This is a crucial step in the filtration process to ensure that the water is safe and clean to drink.

 

 

 

To install the filter strainer, an elbow and thread tape are used to attach it to the inlet side of the pump. The elbow helps to direct the flow of water into the pump, while the thread tape ensures a tight seal and prevents any leaks.

 

The filter strainer is chosen based on the size of the pump and the type of water source it will be used with.

 

 

STEP 4 : CONNECTING THE HOSES

To prepare for the installation of the water pump, a couple of holes need to be drilled into the side of the tactix tool box. These holes are where the inlet and outlet hoses will connect to the water pump.

 

 

The holes should be drilled at appropriate locations, considering the length of the hoses and the placement of the pump inside the box.

 

 

After drilling the holes, the male fittings are attached to the holes using appropriate seals and thread tapes to ensure that the connections are leak-proof.

 

 

Once the fittings are securely in place, the water pump can be installed. It is important to ensure that the pump is mounted in a position where it can be easily accessed for maintenance or repair.

 

With the pump securely in place, the inlet hose is connected to the strainer and the outlet hose to the water pump. The hoses are secured using hose clamps to prevent any leaks or disconnections.

 

 

It is important to make sure that the hoses are cut to the appropriate lengths to avoid any kinks or bends that could restrict water flow.

 

STEP 5 : MOUNTING THE PUMP

After completing the installation of the filter strainer, it’s time to mount the pump inside the tool box securely. The pump should be positioned in a way that allows the elbows to face the two holes on the side of the box where the exterior hoses will connect.

 

This is to ensure that the water flows smoothly through the pump and out through the outlet hose.

 

Once the pump is in place, the next step is to connect the red and black wires coming from the switch to the positive and negative connections of the pump.

 

It’s important to ensure that the connections are secure and tight. Loose connections can cause the pump to malfunction or not work at all.

 

After connecting the wires, they should be covered with corrugated split tubing to protect them from damage and ensure that they are safe to use

To connect the water pump with the hose outlets, it is important to measure the distance between the two holes for the outlets and the pump.

 

Once you have the measurement, cut two pieces of pex pipe that are long enough to connect the pump and the outlets. Pex pipes are ideal for this project because they are flexible and durable, which makes them perfect for outdoor use.

 

To connect the pex pipes to the outlets, heat is applied to the pipes to make them more pliable. Hold one end of the pipe close to the heat source and gradually move it towards the center of the pipe until it becomes soft enough to bend.

 

 

Bend the pipe to the desired angle and hold it in place until it cools and hardens. Repeat the process for the other end of the pipe.

 

After both pipes have been bent to the correct angles, attach them to the pump and outlets. Tighten the fittings to ensure a secure connection.

 

 

Test the connection by turning on the switch and checking if water is flowing through the system without any leaks.

 

STEP 6  : CONNECTING TO THE POWER SOURCE

To ensure that the water pump and filtration system can be powered from a distance, a 10-meter long 50 Amp Anderson plug extension heavy-duty cable wire is used.

 

 

One end of the cable wire is connected to the power source, which in this case is a car battery. The other end of the cable wire is connected to the input Anderson plug located on the top side of the tactix box.

To use the portable water pump and filtration system, the inlet hose with the strainer attached should be placed in the water source such as a river, creek, or lake.

 

 

The strainer will prevent any large debris or sediment from entering the pump and causing damage. The other end of the hose is then connected to the intake pipe of the water pump located inside the box.

Next, the outlet hose is connected to the outlet pipe of the water pump located inside the box. The other end of the hose should have an inline water filter or twin carbon filter attached to it.

 

 

The filter helps to eliminate bacteria and other contaminants, ensuring that the water is clean and safe for drinking.

 

Once everything is connected, the power source, which can be a car battery or a solar battery, is connected to the input Anderson plug located on the top of the box.

 

 

The 10-meter 50 Amp Anderson plug extension heavy-duty cable wire is used for this purpose.

In conclusion, building an off-grid portable water pump and filtration system is a worthwhile project that enables you to turn any water from your creek, lake, or river into safe and clean drinking water.

 

 

This 12V portable system is easy to build and can be powered by solar or from your car directly, making it an ideal solution for camping, RV, or outdoor survival enthusiasts. By following the steps outlined in this project, you can easily build your own portable water filtration system and have access to clean drinking water in case of a survival situation.

Image Credits : XploringOz


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