How to Connect Water in a Camper
Connecting water to a camper is done through a city water inlet. A city water inlet is a threaded female swivel connector, typically encased in a gripper device, which is sized to accept the male end of a standard hose. The inlet is fastened flush to the outside of the camper, usually in the rear quadrant of the driver's side. The inlet and all metal parts should be of brass or copper to prevent corrosion, and be complete with a plastic press-in cap which excludes insects and dust.
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Instructions
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Check the manufacturer's literature to ensure your inlet valve is complete with a check valve and/or regulator. This device prevents surges in main pressure from being transferred to the vehicle systems.
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Check the manufacturer's literature to ensure your inlet valve is complete with a back-flow preventer. This device stops the demand pump on your water tank from pumping water out of the camper and into the water line, which can happen if the pump's pressure is greater than the main pressure.
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Attach a pressure regulator to the spigot provided for your campsite or -- if using the camper at home -- to an outside tap on your house. The plastic hoses rated for potable water to avoid the unpleasant tastes and odors associated with garden hoses, are typically clear or white with a blue stripe. They are rated for 45 pounds of pressure, just like the plumbing systems in your camper. Such hoses must not be attached directly to the spigot, which will convey the main's water which may be at 100 pound of pressure.
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Fit an adaptor to your city water inlet that routes downward in a 90-degree bend. This will allow your attached hose to hang straight down and thus removes the probability of kinking, which leads to premature wear and eventual fracturing.
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Attach the hose to the spigot regulator by spinning the hose's female swivel connector on to the male thread of the regulator. Check a sealing washer is present in the connection before starting, and turn the connector only hand tight.
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Attach the hose to the 90-degree bend by spinning the bend's female swivel connector on to the hose's male thread. Check that a sealing washer is present in the connection before starting, and turn the connector only hand tight.
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Turn on the city water spigot's tap.
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Tips & Warnings
Quick-connect devices are available which snap on and snap off, obviating the need to screw the hose ends in and out.
Forgetting to turn off the main pressure at the spigot before unscrewing any part of your city water connection system will result in water spraying out of the connections when they are half disconnected.
References
Resources
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