Hot water systems

[LandyAndy]

Hi Guys
I always intended geting one of those Primus or Coleman camping hot water systems for my camper trailer.
A lady I do farm work for has a coleman on her farm caravan and finds it hard to deal with.
I visited a camper trailer website that I havent been to in some time.
You can buy an instantanious 6 LPM LPG hot water system on Ebay for around $200.Battery LPG ignite and temp display.Buying one of these and a 12V pressure pump on Ebay works out at the same price as the overpriced camping jobs,but these do the job properly.
Andrew

[ezyrama]

Hi Guys
I always intended geting one of those Primus or Coleman camping hot water systems for my camper trailer.
A lady I do farm work for has a coleman on her farm caravan and finds it hard to deal with.
I visited a camper trailer website that I havent been to in some time.
You can buy an instantanious 6 LPM LPG hot water system on Ebay for around $200.Battery LPG ignite and temp display.Buying one of these and a 12V pressure pump on Ebay works out at the same price as the overpriced camping jobs,but these do the job properly.
Andrew

Hey Andy
I have one of the Primus one's and they are a pain to ignite and the water is either cool or steaming, I had to replace all the hose because it gets kinked in the storage compartment and if the water flow stops the burner goes out. Once I replaced the hose that side of it is good. I now have to work on the ignition and temperature regulator. Saying that a mate of mine has one of those things off fleabay and its a ripper, we set it up on his farm on a 9kg bottle when we had a get together and bonfire and it was fantastic. We then fitted it to the front of his Jayco and set the shower tent up next to it,brilliant..

Cheers Ian

[Ranga]

Hi Guys
I always intended geting one of those Primus or Coleman camping hot water systems for my camper trailer.
A lady I do farm work for has a coleman on her farm caravan and finds it hard to deal with.
I visited a camper trailer website that I havent been to in some time.
You can buy an instantanious 6 LPM LPG hot water system on Ebay for around $200.Battery LPG ignite and temp display.Buying one of these and a 12V pressure pump on Ebay works out at the same price as the overpriced camping jobs,but these do the job properly.
Andrew

Got a link for these units?

[Remy]

I have been looking at these but not sure if it is the same?

Instant Gas Hot Water Unit """Free Delivery""" - eBay, Hot Water Heaters, Systems, Appliances, Home. (end time 27-Aug-09 08:25:10 AEST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Instant-Gas-Hot-Water-Unit-Free-Delivery_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27ab04751fQQit emZ170372920607QQptZAUQ5fHomeQ5fAppliancesQQsaleno tsupported)

Cheers,
Remy

[Jezzaol]

I'm not sure if this is of any interest but I was in an Autoelec Shop a few weeks ago and I saw a Diesel powered heater and stove top ? I think there was also a water heater ? Seemed interesting stuff !

Does anyone know how these things go ? Expensive ?

Cheers


Hi Guys
I always intended geting one of those Primus or Coleman camping hot water systems for my camper trailer.
A lady I do farm work for has a coleman on her farm caravan and finds it hard to deal with.
I visited a camper trailer website that I havent been to in some time.
You can buy an instantanious 6 LPM LPG hot water system on Ebay for around $200.Battery LPG ignite and temp display.Buying one of these and a 12V pressure pump on Ebay works out at the same price as the overpriced camping jobs,but these do the job properly.
Andrew

[spudboy]

Were they Webasto brand?

If so, the diesel cooktop is $1800 + GST, and the heaters are betwee $2858 + GST and $3838 + GST depending upon the model.

Am hoping you have found another brand, as I can't justify those prices to get the Webasto units

[spudboy]

I have been looking at these but not sure if it is the same?

Instant Gas Hot Water Unit """Free Delivery""" - eBay, Hot Water Heaters, Systems, Appliances, Home. (end time 27-Aug-09 08:25:10 AEST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Instant-Gas-Hot-Water-Unit-Free-Delivery_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27ab04751fQQit emZ170372920607QQptZAUQ5fHomeQ5fAppliancesQQsaleno tsupported)

Cheers,
Remy

How can they sell it for $199??? Amazing. It would cost you more than that for the materials :confused:

[austastar]

Hi,
there is quite a bit of 'shower talk' over on MySwag.org link here (http://myswag.org/forum/index.php'topic=1078.0)
cheers

[Bigbjorn]

Andrew, use exhaust heat. Russ Industries used to make a truck bullbar which incorporated a water reservoir and a pipe plumbed into the truck exhaust system with a cut out-in valve to divert exhaust gases into a pipe running through the water reservoir. Add a shower head and, in the case of trucks some brake air to expel the hot water through the shower head. I would suggest a drum you can hang up on a tree limb to gravity feed the shower head.

I often wondered about the reaction of tourists to seeing a truckie, brick red except where covered by the blue singlet and stubbies, and fish belly white elsewhere, having a roadside shower.

[The ho har's]

In our camper we hava a "truma" brand 14ltr instant hot water system which is temp ajustable.

Dometic.com Dometic (http://www.dometic.com/enie/)

works a treat and cause it has a holding tank when finished showering you have enough hot watet to wash up:D


Mrs ho har:angel:

[austastar]

Hi,
if I was building a camper to be permanently mounted on the back of a truck, I would use a glind heat exchanger to heat water cycled from a 15L insulated cylinder.
Free heat from the engine cooling system, and no need to run the motor just for hot water like the recommended usage.
15L would suit us for end of the day showers and maybe some left over for wash up etc.
Haven't figured out how to adapt the idea to a camper trailer or slide on yet, but may give it more thought.
cheers

[Sith]

i have a portable Glind and it is sensational . Wouldn't trade it for the world , even my girl loves camping now :cool::cool:

[inside]

Pfft, hot water systems. How about a healthy dose of HTFU!

[LandyAndy]

Hi Remy
Yes those and another very similar with"Mercury" brand.Both in the $200 to $220 pricerange.
If you are fitting a pump on the camper trailer anyway,these work out cheaper.They need a pump,as far as I know the Primus/Coleman have their own pump,but no good if you want cold water under pressure too.
Andrew

[LandyAndy]

Hey Insider
Im happy to use what Ive used for over 30 years,a SOLAR SHOWER.They dont go down that well with family members.Now Im building MY CAMPER TRAILER,it will get lots of MODERN touches.
TIME TO SOFTEN TFU
Andrew

[spudboy]

Pfft, hot water systems. How about a healthy dose of HTFU!

You are obviously a single, childless man :D (Although I see you ironically drive a Freelander!!! :) :))

[x-box]

Well, I for one have found this thread interesting and informative and have followed the links provided, and have found solutions to a hot shower that I would previously not have known about, so all in all a good thread and what this forum is intended and aimed at doing. So thanks to all who posted here for the info!
On the one hand I agree with Insider, but really, it is very nice to have a hot shower after a hard day out in the sun and sand on Fraser, smelling like fish (and bait) and sunscreen....... Then a hot shower, cold beer and some good food is what life is all about :)
Plus we are all gadget freaks - so why not plumb in a hot water system in my camper?????

[ezyrama]

Pfft, hot water systems. How about a healthy dose of HTFU!

I'm with you Inside,
but it's the only way I can get the missus to come with me, OMG What am I saying?????:p somebody ****** slap me please!

[Jamo]

I've got a primus one, but like someone said in an earlier post, they are either all on or all off. The instructions say you can switch off the water at the head and then on again, which you can, but it exinguishes the pilot and you have to relight it to get hot water again.

[ezyrama]

I've got a primus one, but like someone said in an earlier post, they are either all on or all off. The instructions say you can switch off the water at the head and then on again, which you can, but it exinguishes the pilot and you have to relight it to get hot water again.

Yes
that's the problem I have with mine, might have to find the thermostat an see if I can adjust the range on it. Maybe one day I will get to it;) but for now Ralph is a callin'

[Safari]

I've got one of the Ebay $200.00 ones installed permantly in a bush barn and it works great. Had it now for two years. The biggest drama is having the right sized pump to run it. If you by too big a pump the heater can't handle the flow and does not get hot enough or if you turn down the water control valve on the unit it causes the pump to "Chatter". My kids shower straight out of a shower head, but I prefer to fill a canvass bucket from the heater and shower under that. the pressure out of the unit is not excellent. For two hundred its worth a try.

[LandyAndy]

Here are 2 links to the DIY instant gas heaters and another method.
instantaneous hot water when camping (http://www.campertrailers.org/instantaneous_hot_water.htm)

portable gas water heater for hot showers when camping (http://www.campertrailers.org/water_heater.htm)

diy hot bush shower (http://www.campertrailers.org/diy_hot_shower.htm)

Andrew

[Remy]

Any recommendations on the right pump combo.


I've got one of the Ebay $200.00 ones installed permantly in a bush barn and it works great. Had it now for two years. The biggest drama is having the right sized pump to run it. If you by too big a pump the heater can't handle the flow and does not get hot enough or if you turn down the water control valve on the unit it causes the pump to "Chatter". My kids shower straight out of a shower head, but I prefer to fill a canvass bucket from the heater and shower under that. the pressure out of the unit is not excellent. For two hundred its worth a try.

[JamesH]

On our camps we put some water in a large bucket and get it very hot by the camp fire. We then cool it off to our desired temperature with added cold water.

The take it into the shower tent with the little 12v shower pump and away you go.

It's handy I admit if you haven't been in for a dip for a day or two and the women seem to find it satisfactory. Mind you they haven't heard about these built in jobbies you are talking about, and they never will either.

[The ho har's]

[quote=JamesH;1053723]On our camps we put some water in a large bucket and get it very hot by the camp fire. We then cool it off to our desired temperature with added cold water.

The take it into the shower tent with the little 12v shower pump and away you go.

It's handy I admit if you haven't been in for a dip for a day or two and the women seem to find it satisfactory. Mind you they haven't heard about these built in jobbies you are talking about, and they never will either

you have now cursed yourself...they will know about them soon enough:D:p:wasntme:


Mrs ho har:angel:

[Binford]

One of my friends who is a camping fanatic has come up with a home-made water heater that's essentially made up of a copper coil that is placed in the coals of a campfire. Apparently it could be placed over a Coleman stove too. He runs water through it (by gravity, I believe) for dishes and, I think even showers.

This website shows a commercial version of the same basic setup. Look for the "Zodi Fire Coil Water Heater" at the bottom of the page: Campfire & Stovetop Water Heaters (http://www.hotcampshowers.com/campfire___stovetop)

[Redback]

There is also this;
Aussie Camp Showers (http://www.aussiecampshower.com/)

Baz.

[Hoges]

See also Camping shower. The RainMan hot camp shower (http://www.2daloo.com/camp_shower.htm)

[PhilipA]

I know its a bit off topic but the best Donkey I have seen was an old copper with a car radiator dunked in it. Boil the copper and pass the water through the radiator.

Maybe there is an idea there somewhere.
Regards Philip A

[jmkoffice]

I've got a primus one, but like someone said in an earlier post, they are either all on or all off. The instructions say you can switch off the water at the head and then on again, which you can, but it exinguishes the pilot and you have to relight it to get hot water again.
Jamo, I believe the next generation Primus has introduced a pilot light so the burner can be more responsive to the water flow. I was advised the current model doesn't actually have a pilot light, that's why there are many complaints about having to get out of the shower to re-light the unit when it blows out. These new units were due in Oz last month. Worth checking BCF etc...

[RobHay]

In our camper we hava a "truma" brand 14ltr instant hot water system which is temp ajustable.

Dometic.com Dometic (http://www.dometic.com/enie/)

works a treat and cause it has a holding tank when finished showering you have enough hot watet to wash up:D


Mrs ho har:angel:

You know the rules Carolyn....we need pictures of it being used :angel::twisted:

[Bushwanderer]

Mrs HH,
I went to the Dometic website and the best results I got was a generator and a vacuum toilet. :o

Can you please give me more (doubtless polite) directions.

Thanks,
Peter

[Bushwanderer]

Hi Again Mrs HH,
Did you get the Dometic Truma brand of water heater? If so, which one?

Thanks,
Peter

[SteelNerve]

On our camps we put some water in a large bucket and get it very hot by the camp fire. We then cool it off to our desired temperature with added cold water.

The take it into the shower tent with the little 12v shower pump and away you go.

It's handy I admit if you haven't been in for a dip for a day or two and the women seem to find it satisfactory. Mind you they haven't heard about these built in jobbies you are talking about, and they never will either.

Yes James the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle works almost faultlessly.

I Travelled through the Simpson Desert and Fink River, had a shower everyday.

I used to boil the billy and pour that in a bucket, add cold water to suit. I then droped a 12v bildge pump from the local marine shop in the bucket, hooked to a shower head. I rigged up a water proof switch so I could turn it on/off from the shower. It emtied the bucket too fast so I made some holes in the pipe just above the pump so some bled back into the bucket, worked better than restricting the flow.
Pump $25
Shower & Hose $10
Bucket $5

After that I had hundreds of $$$ to spend on other gadgets.:cool:

PS. The cheap shower pumps from kmart I find have mild steel shaft and rusts. A proper marine pump is stainless and will work time after time.

[PhilipA]

Yeah, I bought a cheapie from BCF I think, same same as Primus etc everywhere.

The SECOND time I went to use it, it was seized, and when I pulled it apart it was full of water. Copious amounts of WD40 got it going again but it is garbage and I have no faith in it working again.
Anyone know of a small WATERPROOF pump of better quality I could graft onto the shower hose. I used to have a small bilge pump but it was too high a flow but maybe that is the answer with some relief holes.
Regard sPhilip A

[spudboy]

Have a look for ShurFlo pumps. We use them on our farm machinery and they are good quality and a reasonable price. When you say waterproof, do you mean you want to submerge it?

General Purpose Pumps (http://www.shurflo.com/pages/RV/rv_categories/general_purpose/generalPurposePumps.html)

Bilge Pumps (http://www.shurflo.com/pages/Marine/marine_categories/bilge2.html)

[MickS]

See also Camping shower. The RainMan hot camp shower (http://www.2daloo.com/camp_shower.htm)

I like that...simple and effective...

[Tote]

Bought a Coleman unit today, went to Rays in Canberra and asked them if they would match this deal :Down Under Camping*::*SHOWERS*::*Coleman Hot Water On Demand*::*Coleman-Hot Water On Demand Package (http://www.downundercamping.com.au/product.php?productid=16154&cat=258&page=1)

They agreed to match the deal including the $50 freight it would cost me to get the one from brisbane. In the end I got the heater, shower, bag, and Gas hose for $445. which I dont think is too bad considering I get to return it locally for warranty if necessary.
Went to BCF who had just the heater and shower for $450 but they wouldnt even consider dropping their price, "we're not interested in price matching"

Will post how it goes over the long weekend.......


Regards,
Tote

[Tote]

We used ours over the long weekend at Newnes and it worked well. Found without recycling that it used about 10 litres per shower so I'm not sure whether you'd be using it too much without a supply of clean water nearby. It is certainly nice to just run a tub of hot water to do the washing up etc rather than waiting for a billy to boil etc.
Regards,
Tote

[Cap]

Digging this thread up again... found this, looks pretty good for the price too. You can have 10ltr or the 6ltr at a good price I think. Anyone bought one?

Stainless Steel 10L Gas Hot Water Heater RV Caravan - eBay, Hot Water Heaters, Systems, Appliances, Home. (end time 22-Dec-09 09:35:49 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330386119467&ih=014&category=78973&ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1)

[123rover50]

You know the rules Carolyn....we need pictures of it being used :angel::twisted:
What... you wash dishes in used shower water??