Thetastycat

Hey all - just got a 5-gal Wavian water can that will ride next to my jerry can that's full of gas. I guess it would make sense for it to be usable both for drinking and for radiatoring; do you all treat the water in your water cans? Seems like a little something to keep it from growing green fuzz would probably be a good idea, but I also don't want it to eat radiator fins. What does everybody do?

Thanks a lot!

Jim Malcolm

According to the CDC, you can add up to 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of plain bleach, none of that scented crap, just plain bleach, to cloudy water to make it drinkable, 1/8 teaspoon per gallon for clear water. You should be starting with DI water anyway to keep from clogging the radiator, so I'd wager that 1/16 teaspoon per gallon would be sufficient to keep it usable for quite a while...

https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/eme...ter-safe-H.pdf

Iodine would be another option

https://www.rei.com/product/406032/p...alizer-tablets

One of those filter straws that allows you to drink straight from a stream would be another option...

https://www.rei.com/product/860034/l...w-water-filter

4.3L XJ

That being said, you don't want to use water with electrolytes in your engine cooling system. If you are worried about a true dual purpose water, fill it with distilled water before leaving. Nothing should grow in distilled water since it has no nutrients in it. But if you are worried about it get some water purification tablets and add before drinking

00t444e

You don't keep water in it all the time, if you are just using it for a few days fill it up before you leave and don't worry about treating it. Don't use distilled water either, it will dehydrate you if you drink it.

Rogue4x4

I agree with only putting water in when you're going to be wheeling, and to just use regular tap water. Remember what it's for-emergencies. It's used to get you off the trail/home in an emergency. Once you get home, you'll flush the system and then put distilled in, tap water forms deposits over time. I'd also suggest NOT drinking it,unless it's a survival situation. Carry drinking water in a separate container.

Just my opinion.

Thetastycat

Ok, great info here. I was hoping for a "set it and forget it" solution - something I could just fill up and be done. I've been in a few non-wheeling situations where water has come in handy, so it would be nice to be able to just have it full for whatever I needed it for (drinking would certainly only be for an emergency!) Is there any decent way to do this? Sure, distilled would be great for the radiator, but not so great for drinking - tap water with a little bit of chlorine should be good to go for drinking, but would it be OK for the radiator? Again, just long enough to get home and flush/refill...

Certainly makes sense to just fill it up before a wheeling trip but if anybody's had any luck with a long-term solution I'd love to hear it.

Thanks for the input!

00t444e

Tap water is fine in the radiator for emergency use, I have even used it mixed with antifreeze for years without issue.