"Manual Backup" for Water Supply

[matthewp]

I'm having a connundrum about whether I should have a gravity-fed spigot from my water tank as a back up. I'm setting up with an on-demand pump but have a nagging concern it wouldn't hurt to have a plan-B in case my pump goes out. There is an extra output already in the tank and I haven't finished the bodywork to the back yet, so adding this would be no issue at all.

What say you all?

 

[AndrewDM]

You could also use it as a drain, unless the tank already has one. Backups are always good.

-Andy

 

[Texan]

I hadn't thought of a backup, but I agree with a drain. Slower, but you need to drain it for winter storage anyway. I was going to put in a T for that with a clear line on top to show the water level in the tank and put the clear line in PVC pipe with a view window.

 

[Mark Harley]

Manual is good.
Gravity flow from the tank to fill pots
I wish I would have put my hose bib lower on the tub side.

 

[matthewp]

Dang it Mark! You always have the good ideas first!

 

[Rezarf <><]

I agree, my first thought is my drain IS my backup fill spout.

 

[silvrzuki77]

What they said

 

[matthewp]

So I will... I'm going to run a "manual" tap to the rear of the trailer, underneath the kitchen area. I figure it can do regular duty like Mark does with his.

Thanks for the input guys!

 

[Xrunner]

It might be worth considering adding a ball valve inside the trailer so you can disable the exterior tap too.

 

[Robert Bills]

I have used a spigot with gravity feed for many years and never felt the need for a pump (My Zodi Hot Tap shower has its own pump). The simplest solution is sometimes the best.

My 16 gal Ronco Plastics tank drains through a tube out the bottom of the tub through an existing hole in the frame to a spigot. I can fill the tank from the top, or by using the adapter shown, from the bottom by attaching a garden hose. There is an extra shut off valve under the trailer to prevent inadvertently losing water if someone forgets to close the spigot all the way.