Simple off-grid water system using the Lifesaver Jerrycan
Our goal with our van conversion was to keep things simple yet thoughtful. One of our top priorities was finding a water system that didn’t require being plumbed in, take up too much space or require maintenance and that’s when Lifesaver Jerrycan was introduced to us!
What is the Lifesaver Jerrycan?
The Lifesaver Jerrycan is a portable water purification system designed for off-grid use. With a capacity of 18.5 litres, it filters out 99.99% of viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other harmful contaminants from water sourced from rivers, lakes, or unreliable taps. It's perfect for vanlife or camping, ensuring you have clean, drinkable water wherever you go.
Why the Lifesaver Jerrycan?
Space-Saving: Our camper van needed to serve dual purposes—a family adventure vehicle and a daily work van. We didn’t want bulky water tanks or plumbing, and the Lifesaver Jerrycan’s portability fit our needs perfectly. It’s easy to store, move, and use without taking up valuable space.
No Plumbing Required: It simplifies van builds by eliminating the need for integrated water systems, saving space and weight. Installing a complex water system felt like one think we didn’t have the time to learn from Youtube, so the Lifesaver Jerrycan provided a perfect, low-maintenance alternative!
Drink from almost anywhere! We can fill it from natural sources or taps and purify water instantly, eliminating the need for built-in water tanks or a constant clean water supply. It's great knowing that we can safely drink water from almost anywhere.
Flexibility: The Jerrycan isn’t just for drinking water. It’s hose attachment can be used to rinse off after beach trips, clean dishes etc. without needing to be tied to a fixed plumbing setup.
How does the Lifesaver Jerrycan work?
Fill with water: Whether from a river, lake, or tap, fill the Jerrycan with up to 18.5 litres of water.
Pump to pressurise: Use the built-in hand pump to pressurise the can. This pressure pushes water through the ultra filtration cartridge which removes 99.99% of contaminants, ensuring the water is safe to drink.
Dispense clean water: Once pressurised, simply open the tap for clean, purified water on demand.
With a filter lifespan of up to 20,000 litres, it’s a long-term solution for off-grid adventures, providing drinkable water in seconds. Replacement filtration cartridges and other parts are available should you ever need to replace.
How we use it in our van
We keep the Jerrycan near our kitchen area, ready to fill up at lakes, rivers, or even roadside stops. It’s capacity is big enough for drinking, cooking, and cleaning on the go. The filtration system allows us to use the water for:
Drinking: We can easily fill our reusable water bottles or cooking pots directly from the Jerrycan’s tap.
Cooking and cleaning: The portable design lets us move it around as needed, even outside the van, to wash dishes or prep meals.
Rinsing off: With the optional shower attachment, we can use it to rinse off sandy feet or gear after a day of adventuring.
No Sink, No Problem
In our conversion, we opted for a flexible layout that doesn’t include a fixed sink or shower. The Jerrycan makes it easy to wash dishes outside or clean up without the need for a permanent setup. When we need hot water, we simply boil some in a kettle and use a portable pop-up sink. For showers, we rely on gyms, leisure centers, or wild swimming spots.
Final Thoughts
The Lifesaver Jerrycan has been a game-changer for our off-grid van conversion. It’s a simple, effective, and reliable way to get clean water without the hassle of a full plumbing system. Whether you're a weekend adventurer or living full-time in a van, it offers the flexibility and peace of mind that makes vanlife easier.
If you're looking for a no-fuss water solution and don’t want to commit to a plumbed in system, we highly recommend giving the Lifesaver Jerrycan a try. If you’ve got any questions regarding our water system or campervan build just send us a dm on Instagram!
