Hot Water Appliances ? External shower for small caravans.
Ole Grizzly said
06:26 PM Jan 23, 2017
Am somewhat confused, flustered and now not up to speed with what is available on market as retro-fit water heaters.
Suburban, gas or gas/elec, gas fitter certification, fitment and mega $$$$$
Companion Aqua Cube, portable, bit fiddly and require gravity or pressured water, gas (canister or bottle connection) plus ignition source.
Coleman on Demand....much same as above.
Small instantaneous units....all are ventilated so safe enough for this ole bloke.
Anyone had success with similar units for shower tent use ?
-- Edited by Ole Grizzly on Tuesday 24th of January 2017 09:31:17 AM
Bagmaker said
07:30 PM Jan 23, 2017
Sure Grizzly, had an ebay special hooked up to gas bottle and within toilet style tent for a few years. Excellent. A bit cool if you like really hot ( I use really hot, clean water for a skin condition) but can be metered down in pressure to suit. Or recycled in a bucket to pre-heat. Ours supplied with townwater bladder. Most family thought it marvellous. Hooked into van supply using side tap to pump water.
Other folks in our camp use straight (Murray) river water through same system but you only get 3 years or so before the heater blocks up from silt. Remote battery and bilge pump in container or direct suction dipped is popular. Not a bad $ ratio.
Ole Grizzly said
08:47 PM Jan 23, 2017
Thanks for the rapid response 'Bagmaker'
Seems I really need to study internet sites to learn (ouch) ease of operation and longevity of these units.
Be great to link it to A frame gas bottle and 12v van water pressure pump. Then a nice long hose to shower rose.
Back to 'drawing board', but am sure I'll get there eventually.
Thanks again.
Dougwe said
09:36 PM Jan 23, 2017
Dennis, give the instantanious one a massive wide birth mate. I have one and it is nothing like a house one. Rubbish. Luke warm water only, if that. I have spoken to the suppliers and done what they said and still no good. I am about to try something else soon with the assistance of a local young plumber I have got to know here at Greens Lake, Nth VIC.
macka17 said
10:49 PM Jan 23, 2017
Depends which one you get.
Ours throws out real HOT water at other end of van.
As long as you have a decent water pump.
(Those little $40 units a waste of time and money).
and turn DOWN the water flow.
535 van. Heater outside front door in front of.
Shower tent\shower set up on side of van. other side rear.
with T Piece to sink mixer tap.
Showers, Washes dishes, fine.
It's the one a few camping parks are using for showers outside.
Ole Grizzly said
08:47 AM Jan 24, 2017
Thanks Chief......have a sore head now with 'door banging'.
Where to next....wait for your 'Greens' plumber ideas? Be interesting to read later.
Macka wrote an interesting reply, but my being not very technical doesn't allow grey matter to form a mental picture...lol
Not sure which unit you are using Macka, but result is hot...like that. Can you give me a pic and more info please.
Gosh, these Forums are priceless.....love it. Thanks.
Dougwe said
09:05 AM Jan 24, 2017
Dennis, I was going by your subject heading "For small caravans" but then noticed after I posted my reply that you said "Similar untits for shower tent use".
Mine is in my caravan not a shower tent. That said, I spose it could be in a shower tent, inside my aluminium tent
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Ole Grizzly said
09:29 AM Jan 24, 2017
oops....apologies....will have to try to edit heading....Thanks Chief.
madaboutled said
10:16 AM Jan 24, 2017
Prior to having the motorhome we had a 16 foot caravan and for showers we used a shower tent. We heated the water the water with solar bags layed out in the sun for a few hours. When the water was warm enough we just poured all of it into a 40Lt Plastic Container (heavy duty black plastic with removable lid) that we could stand in and used a $30 12 volt bildge pump from BCF , added a power lead with a waterproof inline switch & placed the in pump in the water.
If the water wasn't hot enough we'd add a jug or two of water heated from the stove. Using this method allowed for a reasonable 5 minute shower and in 5 years of travelling was most acceptable to us. The beauty of this simple set up is that all the shower gear could be stored back in the container. The empty water was emptied ussualy onto the base of a thirsty tree.
That was back then.... These days there's more and more camping areas (free and paid) that insist on grey water retention, so this type of set up isn't permissable in those camps.
macka17 said
01:27 PM Jan 24, 2017
HOTTAP.
Used by a few camping parks for their showers.
Some reckon not hot enuff. ME. I can't hold hand under it.
I'm happy.
Layout.
Front Kitchen with sink. door at front nearside.
Heater mounted on external wall . In front of door.
Near side of van.
Piping goes under and across front of van to T piece,
with one line up to H.Water tap in sink.
Other line along side (under) to rear offside of van
where shower tent frame mounts on ext of van with tap on end,
Mounted under side edge of floor.
Shower unit clips onto that
and mounts on little bracket at top of tent frame.
Plus Porta Potti kept in there when not showering.
Neat. Tidy. efficient little External bathroom. Private.
AND Cheap.
Real cheap??.
Shower bag on roof of car.
Stand under in jocks if anybody else around.
Cold clime.
Showerbag. Same.
but boil kettle and heat up contents first.
Caravan Park. Use theirs.
Water pump. Bucket. Kettle, shower head with hose..
The list goes on.
I never go on a fishing trip without a coupla shower bags
kettle, stove, cup.
.
hako said
01:55 PM Jan 24, 2017
We simply use a flannel and a bowl of hot water inside the popup ensuite - heat the water by whatever means available. Used this for 3 months 50/50 with caravan parks doing the lap and found it pretty easy once you get into the habit. This method costs nothing and is trouble free! The Hottap that Macka uses seems pretty good but they do seem to have quite a few quality control problems, however I'd buy one if we ever get sick of the flannel method. The reviews for Hottap are in the link: http://www.productreview.com.au/p/joolca-hottap.html
Good Luck.
PeterD said
03:54 PM Jan 24, 2017
Ole Grizzly wrote:Anyone had success with similar units for shower tent use ?
I used one you could look at whilst staying at Left of Field CP, National Park, Tasmania. Adrian was using these as the council would not let him put a shower block in the park.
The equipment he had is the HOTTAP Portable Heater equipment. Adrian had 240 V models but the ones in that page look like 12 V models. You can see a heater in the background without its cover.
Being an Australian company they are fully compliant with the relevant regs. There are cheaper models but I would suggest asking for the Australian approval numbers before committing yourself.
We simply use a flannel and a bowl of hot water inside the popup ensuite - heat the water by whatever means available. Used this for 3 months 50/50 with caravan parks doing the lap and found it pretty easy once you get into the habit. This method costs nothing and is trouble free! .................
Same here, but as we don't have a bathroom in our van, we often use the kitchen sink and place the towel on the floor, because we do tend to splash about a bit.
Have a $20 battery powered (rechargeable) submersible pump for the hair which is always done first so one has nice shampoo water for the rest.
Carry a 20 litre white paint bucket (Bunnings $11 ) for using river water and tip in a full kettle of hot seems about the right mix, and they also make perfect washing machines. Whilst you are driving around, slosh slosh.
Sarge9 said
10:23 PM Jan 24, 2017
Ole Grizzly; I too went down this long and winding road, got the bright fluorescent green shower tent (it was cheap???) and after all my research went for the Joolca HOTTAP: I am a very happy camper, I bought the accessory pack version so I could use it other than with the van, it shoots water from the shower head at least three metres if you want it to.
Hot enough to not want my hand in the water and with plenty of flow. I am mounting mine on the rear bumper (in a box) the shower tent will then stand alongside. The caravan gas will be run under the van to the unit and the water will be connected to the van pump/supply. It comes with enough delivery hose to wash a horse, I think there is enough to wash the horse while it is doing laps... so I will shorten the hose to a more suitable length. And the accessory pack.... I lift the unit from the van and put it in the ute and with a small gas bottle fire it all up alongside some different water supply, including lake or river.
Very happy with the unit, not as cheap as some similar evilbay units (there seems to be a different brand that comes as three cloned variations and without the same heat gains).
Hottap claim a greater heat increase from ambient temperature than the other mobs. (that is why people have to run water through a bucket or use solar bag water)
Good luck with your choice.
Sarge. (pink and squeaky clean)
Lancelot Link said
01:23 AM Jan 25, 2017
I've an outside shower on my van. Hot weather, no shower tent, just a pair of shorts and a quick spray down to cool me down, it is great. Only problem has been the people who want to release the beached whale back to the sea!
Ole Grizzly said
09:24 AM Jan 25, 2017
Many thanks to everyone with great replies to my query. All making this Forum wonderful.
Reckon after doing the sums, ease of installation/assembly and not forgetting them $$$$$, a Joolca just might be the ant's pants.
Gosh, hot water shower, privacy of popup tent, portable potty combination should allow me to slip an extra cold beer out of esky before she finishes.
Once again, thanks for responding.
Cheers
Dougwe said
10:23 AM Jan 25, 2017
Just remember the 'shower scene' in the movie Mash, OG You could end up with a lot of ladies sitting around in their deck chairs mate.
Mr 'Hot Lips'
macka17 said
07:03 PM Jan 25, 2017
Yea Doug.
THAT was then.
THIS (with all it's wrinkles and rolls.) Is NOW.
Like me, I think he'd be safe. I lookedin the mirror today.
Yikes.., is THAT. ME.
They wouldn't have deck chairs,
More like running shoes. And NOT towards me hey.
Am somewhat confused, flustered and now not up to speed with what is available on market as retro-fit water heaters.
Suburban, gas or gas/elec, gas fitter certification, fitment and mega $$$$$
Companion Aqua Cube, portable, bit fiddly and require gravity or pressured water, gas (canister or bottle connection) plus ignition source.
Coleman on Demand....much same as above.
Small instantaneous units....all are ventilated so safe enough for this ole bloke.
Anyone had success with similar units for shower tent use ?
-- Edited by Ole Grizzly on Tuesday 24th of January 2017 09:31:17 AM
Other folks in our camp use straight (Murray) river water through same system but you only get 3 years or so before the heater blocks up from silt. Remote battery and bilge pump in container or direct suction dipped is popular. Not a bad $ ratio.
Seems I really need to study internet sites to learn (ouch) ease of operation and longevity of these units.
Be great to link it to A frame gas bottle and 12v van water pressure pump. Then a nice long hose to shower rose.
Back to 'drawing board', but am sure I'll get there eventually.
Thanks again.
Ours throws out real HOT water at other end of van.
As long as you have a decent water pump.
(Those little $40 units a waste of time and money).
and turn DOWN the water flow.
535 van. Heater outside front door in front of.
Shower tent\shower set up on side of van. other side rear.
with T Piece to sink mixer tap.
Showers, Washes dishes, fine.
It's the one a few camping parks are using for showers outside.
Thanks Chief......have a sore head now with 'door banging'.
Where to next....wait for your 'Greens' plumber ideas? Be interesting to read later.
Macka wrote an interesting reply, but my being not very technical doesn't allow grey matter to form a mental picture...lol
Not sure which unit you are using Macka, but result is hot...like that. Can you give me a pic and more info please.
Gosh, these Forums are priceless.....love it. Thanks.
Dennis, I was going by your subject heading "For small caravans" but then noticed after I posted my reply that you said "Similar untits for shower tent use".
Mine is in my caravan not a shower tent. That said, I spose it could be in a shower tent, inside my aluminium tent
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
oops....apologies....will have to try to edit heading....Thanks Chief.
Prior to having the motorhome we had a 16 foot caravan and for showers we used a shower tent. We heated the water the water with solar bags layed out in the sun for a few hours. When the water was warm enough we just poured all of it into a 40Lt Plastic Container (heavy duty black plastic with removable lid) that we could stand in and used a $30 12 volt bildge pump from BCF , added a power lead with a waterproof inline switch & placed the in pump in the water.
If the water wasn't hot enough we'd add a jug or two of water heated from the stove. Using this method allowed for a reasonable 5 minute shower and in 5 years of travelling was most acceptable to us. The beauty of this simple set up is that all the shower gear could be stored back in the container. The empty water was emptied ussualy onto the base of a thirsty tree.
That was back then.... These days there's more and more camping areas (free and paid) that insist on grey water retention, so this type of set up isn't permissable in those camps.
Used by a few camping parks for their showers.
Some reckon not hot enuff. ME. I can't hold hand under it.
I'm happy.
Layout.
Front Kitchen with sink. door at front nearside.
Heater mounted on external wall . In front of door.
Near side of van.
Piping goes under and across front of van to T piece,
with one line up to H.Water tap in sink.
Other line along side (under) to rear offside of van
where shower tent frame mounts on ext of van with tap on end,
Mounted under side edge of floor.
Shower unit clips onto that
and mounts on little bracket at top of tent frame.
Plus Porta Potti kept in there when not showering.
Neat. Tidy. efficient little External bathroom. Private.
AND Cheap.
Real cheap??.
Shower bag on roof of car.
Stand under in jocks if anybody else around.
Cold clime.
Showerbag. Same.
but boil kettle and heat up contents first.
Caravan Park. Use theirs.
Water pump. Bucket. Kettle, shower head with hose..
The list goes on.
I never go on a fishing trip without a coupla shower bags
kettle, stove, cup.
.
We simply use a flannel and a bowl of hot water inside the popup ensuite - heat the water by whatever means available. Used this for 3 months 50/50 with caravan parks doing the lap and found it pretty easy once you get into the habit. This method costs nothing and is trouble free!
The Hottap that Macka uses seems pretty good but they do seem to have quite a few quality control problems, however I'd buy one if we ever get sick of the flannel method. The reviews for Hottap are in the link:
http://www.productreview.com.au/p/joolca-hottap.html
Good Luck.
I used one you could look at whilst staying at Left of Field CP, National Park, Tasmania. Adrian was using these as the council would not let him put a shower block in the park.
The equipment he had is the HOTTAP Portable Heater equipment. Adrian had 240 V models but the ones in that page look like 12 V models. You can see a heater in the background without its cover.
Being an Australian company they are fully compliant with the relevant regs. There are cheaper models but I would suggest asking for the Australian approval numbers before committing yourself.
11 IN 1 Outdoor Portable Gas Water Heater for Showers (I don't see a water switch on the hand piece.)
Rio Grande Instant Portable Gas Hot Water Heater LPG Gas Camp Shower
.
Same here, but as we don't have a bathroom in our van, we often use the kitchen sink and place the towel on the floor, because we do tend to splash about a bit.
Have a $20 battery powered (rechargeable) submersible pump for the hair which is always done first so one has nice shampoo water for the rest.
Carry a 20 litre white paint bucket (Bunnings $11 ) for using river water and tip in a full kettle of hot seems about the right mix, and they also make perfect washing machines. Whilst you are driving around, slosh slosh.
Ole Grizzly; I too went down this long and winding road, got the bright fluorescent green shower tent (it was cheap???) and after all my research went for the Joolca HOTTAP: I am a very happy camper, I bought the accessory pack version so I could use it other than with the van, it shoots water from the shower head at least three metres if you want it to.
Hot enough to not want my hand in the water and with plenty of flow. I am mounting mine on the rear bumper (in a box) the shower tent will then stand alongside. The caravan gas will be run under the van to the unit and the water will be connected to the van pump/supply. It comes with enough delivery hose to wash a horse, I think there is enough to wash the horse while it is doing laps... so I will shorten the hose to a more suitable length. And the accessory pack.... I lift the unit from the van and put it in the ute and with a small gas bottle fire it all up alongside some different water supply, including lake or river.
Very happy with the unit, not as cheap as some similar evilbay units (there seems to be a different brand that comes as three cloned variations and without the same heat gains).
Hottap claim a greater heat increase from ambient temperature than the other mobs. (that is why people have to run water through a bucket or use solar bag water)
Good luck with your choice.
Sarge. (pink and squeaky clean)
Many thanks to everyone with great replies to my query. All making this Forum wonderful.
Reckon after doing the sums, ease of installation/assembly and not forgetting them $$$$$, a Joolca just might be the ant's pants.
Gosh, hot water shower, privacy of popup tent, portable potty combination should allow me to slip an extra cold beer out of esky before she finishes.
Once again, thanks for responding.
Cheers
Just remember the 'shower scene' in the movie Mash, OG
You could end up with a lot of ladies sitting around in their deck chairs mate.
Mr 'Hot Lips'
THAT was then.
THIS (with all it's wrinkles and rolls.) Is NOW.
Like me, I think he'd be safe. I lookedin the mirror today.
Yikes.., is THAT. ME.
They wouldn't have deck chairs,
More like running shoes. And NOT towards me hey.