Feedback needed for installing whale connector

Dilby replied on 04/12/2022 13:48

Dilby

Posted on 04/12/2022 13:48

Hi everyone - I'm in the middle of converting a van into a camper and currently doing the water system. I've got an underslung fresh water tank with a standard water inlet filler cap. However after visiting a motorhome showroom recently I've noticed a lot also include a whale connector and am wondering whether it's a good idea to include this at the same time.

We don't have a shower/bathroom so the only water use is general washing and cooking and we'll be using on site facilities where possible and won't have a water roll. We had one other campervan before where I would just fill the water tank where necessary, but I can see the advantage of connecting up at site and not having to drive around with such a full reserve of fresh water.

I know it's quite subjective, just some some feedback/experiences from other folks would be greatly appreciated. We don't stay on site for a long period of time, so gotta weigh up with the convenience is worth the hassle of connecting/disconnecting each time.

I'm also just curious a bit more about the whale connectors, and why they seem more common than a normal water inlet. I can't find much info online and am wondering is it because it's some kind of standard for another system? The whale connector itself seems to be cheaper and more common such as here as a normal hose connector cap as shown here. I know i then need to buy an inline connector to the hose, but perhaps whale gives me other benefits? Must be a raason it's so common.

Thanks so much!

5 replies

JVB66 replied on 04/12/2022 14:00

Member

JVB66

Campervanner

Posted on 04/12/2022 14:00

We just put water in our PVC tank with a watering as needed

JVB66 replied on 04/12/2022 14:41

Member

JVB66

Campervanner

Posted on 04/12/2022 14:00 by JVB66

We just put water in our PVC tank with a watering as needed

Posted on 04/12/2022 14:41

Ps read watering can

DavidKlyne replied on 04/12/2022 18:31

Moderator

DavidKlyne

Motorhomer

Posted on 04/12/2022 18:31

Dilby

From what you say I wouldn't bother, just have a straightforward filler which is much more flexible using an ordinary hose or a watering can.

My previous motorhome had the Whale system and as I had just changed from a caravan I had an Aquaroll. It could be quite useful on site as it just pumped water into the main tank and if you were on site for anytime the Aquaroll was probably easier to fill up rather than taking the motorhome to the service point. The only problem was with filling with a hose you had to also have the Whale fitting. Not a major issue but it tended to be slower than a regular hose. I now have a motorhome without the Whale system. Not only to I not have to cart around an Aquaroll I can fill using the hose at the service point/serviced pitch or by using a 10 litre watering can. I suspect most of those manufacturers offering the Whale system also make caravans so there might be a carry over of ideas?

David

young thomas replied on 12/12/2022 14:13

Member

young thomas

Motorhomer

Posted on 12/12/2022 14:13

Absolutely do not bother....

with a normal 'hole' inlet you can use a hose, nose with adaptor cap, watering can, 10 litre container with 'funnel'....anything you like.

with a Whale connection you can use....a Whale connection. They rely on electrics to open and close a solenoid, they need a pump to pump the water in which means you then need a container (a large one or you'll be forever filling it and pumping it) and then somewhere large to store the large container, usually an Aquaroll...

if it fails, you have no simple back up method of filling the tank.