Shower options

[The punter]

For some background, I've just returned from another run with hot water issues.
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=37835.msg649817#msg649817

Regardless of what they say at the shop, this 3 week old Aqua cube is getting returned or going to the tip

Not sure if I build my own with one of those tankless systems an a pump, or buy the Coleman unit, or just go back to heating water on the stove every time.

Any advice? I need a really reliable option that is really easy and no fuss that my wife can do. She's not happy after this weekends camp..... Help!

[jk]

We've had the Coleman unit for a few years now ( since about 2008 ) and had no real issues with it at all ! The submersible pump stoped once but that was after a long period of not being used and a couple of gentle taps on the edge of the water bucket had it working fine again !
I have heard of people having troubles with the temp dial but to date ours has been fine. The gas cylinders last quite a long time and it's easy to carry as the whole thing is in it's own carry bag !!
We use it to heat hot water for coffee, dish water and showers, so far happy with the unit 

All the best with your search 

[Aaron Schubert]

Have you considered an underbonnet one?

Aaron

[The punter]

FJ Cruiser is petrol, so under bonnet is not an option

[smanson]

Coleman has worked well for me- great for dishes water as well and the gas cylinder does last a surprisingly long time.

[dazzler]

Any advice? I need a really reliable option that is really easy and no fuss that my wife can do. She's not happy after this weekends camp..... Help!

I commented on the other thread by mistake.

It is only meant to heat to 50 or 55 so you don't scald yourself.

If you are on your third I occams razor would suggest the simplest thing is cause.  Most probably user error.  (no-one wants to hear that of course) 

[The punter]

I commented on the other thread by mistake.

It is only meant to heat to 50 or 55 so you don't scald yourself.

If you are on your third I occams razor would suggest the simplest thing is cause.  Most probably user error.  (no-one wants to hear that of course) 

I don't buy user error sorry, No1 unit had some sort of blockage and slowed down to a trickle and would not heat at all, No2 battery would not charge, No 3 Heats to 55 on the lowest heat setting and cuts out, then does not cut back in. User error? More like steaming pile of shyte assembled by idiots and designed by bigger idiots.

[briann532]

We have 2 of these.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/181528072913

One on the camper and one at the property.

We had 13 people on the long weekend and all had hot showers with no problems.
Not heavy on the gas, works almost instantly (around a 3 second delay to actually get hot enough at shower rose.)

There have been numerous threads on them, but the biggest gripe seemed to be the lack of Aust approval, but they now have it so Bob's your aunty.

The 50 degree limit isn't a problem. Its more than hot enough and you will find that the regulation applies to ALL hot water systems.
I do know a bloke who knew a bloke who's uncle bought a dog off a girl who's brother knows how to get it hotter if you have to.............

[The punter]

We have 2 of these.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/181528072913

One on the camper and one at the property.

We had 13 people on the long weekend and all had hot showers with no problems.
Not heavy on the gas, works almost instantly (around a 3 second delay to actually get hot enough at shower rose.)

There have been numerous threads on them, but the biggest gripe seemed to be the lack of Aust approval, but they now have it so Bob's your aunty.

The 50 degree limit isn't a problem. Its more than hot enough and you will find that the regulation applies to ALL hot water systems.
I do know a bloke who knew a bloke who's uncle bought a dog off a girl who's brother knows how to get it hotter if you have to.............

What's the lowest flow rate on these? I read some arcticles saying similar units would not light withou a high flow, which translates into a very quick showere with limited water.

Cheers

[GGV8Cruza]

We have 2 of these.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/181528072913

One on the camper and one at the property.

We had 13 people on the long weekend and all had hot showers with no problems.
Not heavy on the gas, works almost instantly (around a 3 second delay to actually get hot enough at shower rose.)

There have been numerous threads on them, but the biggest gripe seemed to be the lack of Aust approval, but they now have it so Bob's your aunty.

The 50 degree limit isn't a problem. Its more than hot enough and you will find that the regulation applies to ALL hot water systems.
I do know a bloke who knew a bloke who's uncle bought a dog off a girl who's brother knows how to get it hotter if you have to.............

Just wondering how you find the gas usage

GG

[gec]

FJ Cruiser is petrol, so under bonnet is not an option

I dont get it, unless you have fitted an air cooled Vdub engine then an under bonnet heat exchange unit is an option.

[dazzler]

I dont get it, unless you have fitted an air cooled Vdub engine then an under bonnet heat exchange unit is an option.

The beetle engine option is service pack "DREI"


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[Bird]

I dont get it, unless you have fitted an air cooled Vdub engine then an under bonnet heat exchange unit is an option.

Yep, if you have a water cooled donk, your right to go.

[Footy Shorts Shane]

I dont get it, unless you have fitted an air cooled Vdub engine then an under bonnet heat exchange unit is an option.

Might have read the recent thread about bore glazing

[The punter]

I dont get it, unless you have fitted an air cooled Vdub engine then an under bonnet heat exchange unit is an option.

Idling petrol motors for long periods isn't a great idea - plus who wants all that carbon monoxide in the camp?

[Nay-DMAX]

We have the coleman and it isn't bad but unless you set it up to run constantly itself or put a cut in/out switch in like some have done then you have to have the unit in with you to turn shower on and off if you want to save water or have someone out with the unit doing it.  Since we got the ozpig the coleman has not come on the last I guess 5 trips depends on how long we are going for like this time was 2 nights didn't set shower up might not be the best option but had deodorant and only us there, so we showered Sat morn before we left and Monday when we got home.  When we do set the shower up we have the double shower tent so in one side small table with bucket of warm water done in the billy on the ozpig or gas stove and the submersible 12v pump plugged into the car near the shower tent. You can turn water on and off as required and then have the other side to get dry and dressed. I am the female half of our camping party but if it is warm enough during the day I am just as happy to jump in the river it is not quite the same as a wash. More than 2 nights I would set the shower up or if it was really hot then you smell worse haha.  I am not sure yet but we might end up just selling the coleman it is 2 heavy things to cart with the ozpig. I could see it being of use if you were set up somewhere for an extended period.  Really if you are camping then surely there is time to set up warm water in a bucket. I often think are there better options and I bet there are like under bonnet or the actual hot water units but this does the job and is pretty simple

[edz]

Hear ya go build one of these http://www.campertrailers.org/diy_hot_shower.htm
Or make up a fire heated donkey or gas heat it .http://www.4wdadventurers.com/showthread.php?448-Bulk-water-heaters

[The punter]

Hear ya go build one of these http://www.campertrailers.org/diy_hot_shower.htm
Or make up a fire heated donkey or gas heat it .http://www.4wdadventurers.com/showthread.php?448-Bulk-water-heaters

That first one looks the goods!!!!

[briann532]

Just wondering how you find the gas usage

GG

For both previous posts............

Flow rate is 4.3 litres per minute as per the pump supplied. It really boils down to how long you shower for, but for us it is a good flow. Not too light so you have to run around trying to get wet, but also not too fast that you use a lot of water.
You can adjust the flow on the unit, but I just set everything at max and all is good. For those who don't like it too hot, just turn the gas down.

As far as gas usage goes, its pretty instant so there is almost no waste in gas.
We find that using the HWS on the camper for cleaning and showering, also using the gas for cooking and running the fridge, we get about 25 - 30 days use out of a bottle.
This is only a rough estimate as sometimes we don't use the HWS and sometimes we don't cook a lot. But I have never actually checked consumption because it is not high enough to be a concern.

The bottle at the farm has been used to put over 500 litres through the HWS and is still over 2/3 full. So I'm guessing its not that bad.

Also as far as gas consumption goes, I can fill a bottle for $29 and if this lasts me a month for hot showers, cold beer and cooking - Then I really don't care.

[Rumpig]

Just wondering how you find the gas usage

GG

we've had one of them (or similar thing but different brand) on Fraser Island used for a 10 night period of beach camping running water through a sand spear (so not ultra fast showers by any means as water was unlimted). We had atleast 10 adults and 6 kids on the island for that period and only used one 9kg gas bottle with everyone having a nightly shower in that time period.