Camp showers - what's good in 2020?

[Matto]

Hi team,

Long time no speak.

Question - what is everyone using for a camp shower these days?

I had a Glind heat exchanger setup on the last car, which I loved. Endless hot showers, good water pressure for blasting off sand, mud and sunscreen, and not much in the way of "things to pack" - it was always just with us. However, we swapped cars a couple of years back and while I kept the Glind stuff (it's still taking up room in my shed), I've not been able to figure out a way to mount it in the ute - the engine bay is just too cramped. While I certainly did love it, it had it's downsides as well (had to shower at the car, had to have the engine running, etc).

• My plan was to pick up a HotTap unit. I loved the original, and helped the father-in-law set up his on his Jayco a couple of years ago. It's a great thing, but these days I find myself concerned that it's too big for what I want. Plus, $500.
• I like the Helio LX pump-up showers, but I'm concerned about the longevity of them and the piddly water flow. Is the pressure high enough to rinse off sand and such? Can you have a proper shower? Am I going to get sick of boiling the kettle to heat up the shower water?
• I like the Rainman showers, and I like that you can set them next to the fire to heat up. But they're rather expensive and I've got concerns about the pressure they provide and how much you'd need to pump them during the shower to keep the pressure up. Wife and kid need reasonably low-fuss showers.

I expect the state of the art has moved on since I last looked into this. What's everyone using these days?

Cheers,
Matto

[austastar]

Hi,
    We pump hot water from a 10L billy of hot water.
The shower head sits in the billy for the first few liters circulating till the water temperature stabilizes. Some cold tank water can be added (if too hot)  till the temperature is just right.
Cheers
 

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[tryagain]

The Hottap has a pretty good form factor and ease of use, but you do pay for it. You can get similar gas water heaters  on eBay for a lot less, but probably not as good quality or customer service.

I think the future is instant electric (240v), a big inverter and lithium batteries, this also has the advantage of then using induction cookers and totally doing away with gas. It can be done without costing the earth, but not if you want all brand name/proven stuff.

[Lobster]

Yes ditto on the Hottap We had the original one for years.

[edz]

Second hand $130  instant gas hot water unit ..  AnMeny brand [ ebay years ago  ]  8ltr per minute ..  12 lpm 12v pump, fed by a stand pipe from 4 x 25 lt plastic drums for portable water supply ..
 Middle of winter in a 25 knt wind, Steaming hot shower,   water flow  / heat,  set to give  42* C water temp,  we get just on a 6 minute shower  from a 25 ltr drum without recycling it ..  Water resupp always close to our usual camps ..
Be aware that you realy need to set up a recirculation of water  through the shower instant heater till you totaly prime the lines and heat exchanger, otherwise you waste a few liters till it fully prime and gets rid of the air in the unit .
A tub to stand in and draw water from is a good idea to extend shower time and use less water /  till you want to soap up and rinse off ..

[austastar]

A tub to stand in .....

Hi,
   I use the sand grabber floor mats from the vehicle.
Keeps feet clean and bull ants at bay.
Cheers



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[6knights]

We have an Hottap unit as well, great thing when they work  but l find they are VERY sensitive to any slight wind that is blowing and therefore goes out which isn't good when showering in southern Tasmania.

Not sure if anyone else has found this but l would be interested in finding out how they can be improved so it works better.


  Here is an interesting read on the smarttek heaters, has anyone used one and able to comment on them?

  https://www.snowys.com.au/blog/smarttek-joolca-hot-water-systems/



Trevor

[duggie]

HI Matto .


Nothing wrong with the Hottap unit , but I have been using a Chinese ebay unit , half the price and works just as well , ( the Hottap is also Chinese made but you pay for the  Joolca name )

First thing that I did was got rid of the battery pack and wired in a 12 volt to 3 volt step down .

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/GASLAND-Portable-Gas-Hot-Water-System-Camping-Shower-Outdoor-Instant-LPG-RV/331943181191?epid=2085243830&hash=item4d495afb87:g:olcAAOSwTm1dv9mV:sc:AU_StandardDelivery!4887!AU!-1

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Waterproof-DC-DC-12V-to-3V-3A-15W-Car-Power-Adapter-Converter-Step-Down-Supply/201709622758?epid=2114323100&hash=item2ef6d495e6:g:SUMAAOxyGstSAsXr

cheers duggie

[Bird]

Shoot Bart a PM see what he can do for you on price... maybe try arranging a bulk buy with other forum members

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=39656.0

He has always been straight up with forum members since he joined.

[shakey55]

Another vote for the Joolca Hot Tap.  I’ve used one for a few years and still very happy with it.


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[Fizzie]

+ another!

We put one in the CT & it was great, especially with a long hose that could reach the kitchen for hot water there, as well as the shower tent

We have an Hottap unit as well, great thing when they work  but l find they are VERY sensitive to any slight wind that is blowing and therefore goes out which isn't good when showering in southern Tasmania.

Not sure if anyone else has found this but l would be interested in finding out how they can be improved so it works better.

Must admit I never noticed any problem after it first lit up

As Bird says, have a chat to Bart, either via PM or over in the Showroom & see if they've got any suggestions / thoughts

[6knights]

As Bird says, have a chat to Bart, either via PM or over in the Showroom & see if they've got any suggestions / thoughts

Thanks, I have been in touch and they have offered a few suggestions but l am yet to try it out in an outdoors setting.

[GBC]

I have the Joolca V2 on the camper. I haven't had any issues with wind blowing it out. If you camp in sub zero, a brand which has the extra Low/High or summer/winter selectable dial will give you a higher final water temp. I only noticed the Joolca didn't quite get to wash up dishes water temp a couple of times down south in Winter. I had another brand with the extra dial and it would crank out the heat (and chew gas). It also failed within 2 years, which the Joolca has not.

[Fizzie]

I only noticed the Joolca didn't quite get to wash up dishes water temp a couple of times down south in Winter.

One option there is to run the water through the Joolca a couple of times - cold to 25, 25 to 50, 50 to 75 (if you want it that hot!)

[daveco]

Something like this (in a bucket of hot water) is another compact cheap(ish) option:

https://www.tentworld.com.au/buy-sale/companion-rechargeable-camp-shower

Dave

[Kegs1972]

we have a Kickass rechargable shower in a bucket of hot water, simple and easy and does the job

[Matto]

Thanks guys - sounds like the Joolca is still a good unit, so I might just need to pony up and buy one. I've got to admit, after having endless hot water with the Glind unit I would be apprehensive going back to having to boil the kettle every time. I can just see "bath time" involving everyone else having a bath while I just ferry hot water to them. Plus I really did like the pressure provided by the 12v pump - perfect for blasting off sand and sunscreen at the end of the day.

A gas hot water system coupled to the kickass awning-mounted shower tent and the new drifta shower base/tub seems like a good, reliable and fast-setup combo (albeit an expensive one).

I like Duggie's idea of ditching the batteries for a step-down system - might have to investigate that whichever way we go. I hate having individual batteries.

Cheers team!
-Matto

[Matto]

Question for the Joolca owners while we're here - do you use it for hot water in the kitchen as well? Obviously Fizzy and GBG do based on their comments above. How do you clean it inside (and in the pump)?

Previously I'll either pump water from a creek, or fill up buckets from the creek to use as shower water. Stuff using previous fresh water in the camper's tanks. But the obvious concern is that the creek water includes all manner of crap - algae, whatever else, etc. Do you just pump a few litres of fresh water through the system after,  or use some oxyaction or similar in it? Or has it just never been a problem for you?

Maybe I just camp near dirty creeks?

Cheers,
Matto

[tryagain]

Question for the Joolca owners while we're here - do you use it for hot water in the kitchen as well? Obviously Fizzy and GBG do based on their comments above. How do you clean it inside (and in the pump)?

I just use fresh/tank water ATM and have quick showers, I have a plan to be able to pump from a creek with a good filter system and then be able to refill the tanks with the now filtered fresh water but that is probably still a few projects/years down the list at the moment.

[Fizzie]

Previously I'll either pump water from a creek, or fill up buckets from the creek to use as shower water. Stuff using previous fresh water in the camper's tanks. But the obvious concern is that the creek water includes all manner of crap - algae, whatever else, etc. Do you just pump a few litres of fresh water through the system after,  or use some oxyaction or similar in it? Or has it just never been a problem for you?

For those times when we camped at sites that don't have fresh water, we also used to do the same with a jerry out of the creek.

Had a strainer filter like (not this one but similar) https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1pc-Irrigation-Water-Filter-Agricultural-Garden-Strainer-Pump-Mesh-Screen-Tools/193447178053 on the intake hose that we dropped in the bucket, & which kept all the big bits out. Never worried about microscopic debris or any bugs in the water

Also never used it with salt water - that would probably be bad

[db]

Question for the Joolca owners while we're here - do you use it for hot water in the kitchen as well? Obviously Fizzy and GBG do based on their comments above. How do you clean it inside (and in the pump)?

Previously I'll either pump water from a creek, or fill up buckets from the creek to use as shower water. Stuff using previous fresh water in the camper's tanks. But the obvious concern is that the creek water includes all manner of crap - algae, whatever else, etc. Do you just pump a few litres of fresh water through the system after,  or use some oxyaction or similar in it? Or has it just never been a problem for you?

Just fill up a pot to get hot water for the kitchen for washing up etc.

Being in SA, camping at a creek with water is a bit of a novelty, so usually use jerry cans or tank. Last time we camped on the Murray, used river water for showers, but ran fresh water through afterwards as the water was a bit murky.

[StormCamper]

The joolca or any hotwater system will suck your water fast even at 2L per minute. It ain't for the novice thats for sure. I use it for running water in my large fold table/stainless sink and you really have to watch the water flow like a miser unless you literally have 200plus L in your tanks. If all i have access to is tank water I use it, if river water I simply suck direct with long hose or fill up a 20l jerry of river water so tank water never gets any bad stuff in it. Its alot of setup and gets tireing fast for true overlanding. So I also use a cheapo pump in collapsible bucket with shower head held 200cm h on a very compact but stable camera tripod. To carry water specifically for it I use MSR tough 4L bags, good for 3 showers. Its the most water efficient shower I have used to date, on average a 38second water running shower used only 950ml of water and got all the soap off no probs, any less flowrate is simply not enough to do the job. Its a wicked small compact setup and for those who want a shower right before bed or on the side of the road.

[weeds]

We have two options

Re-chargeable drop in a bucket for when we want a hot shower, heat water on the induction cooktop.

25L Bazooka Solar Shower......it warms up during the day, take the edge off the water temp.

Had an early Jacoola which worked well when we had a camper trailer with a a good supply of water.


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[plusnq]

We have two options

Re-chargeable drop in a bucket for when we want a hot shower, heat water on the induction cooktop.

25L Bazooka Solar Shower......it warms up during the day, take the edge off the water temp.

Had an early Jacoola which worked well when we had a camper trailer with a a good supply of water.


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Hi Weeds,
Got a recommendation on a rechargeable shower?
Cheers

[GBC]

Question for the Joolca owners while we're here - do you use it for hot water in the kitchen as well? Obviously Fizzy and GBG do based on their comments above. How do you clean it inside (and in the pump)?

Previously I'll either pump water from a creek, or fill up buckets from the creek to use as shower water. Stuff using previous fresh water in the camper's tanks. But the obvious concern is that the creek water includes all manner of crap - algae, whatever else, etc. Do you just pump a few litres of fresh water through the system after,  or use some oxyaction or similar in it? Or has it just never been a problem for you?

Maybe I just camp near dirty creeks?

Cheers,
Matto

On Fraser I run 2 pumps and 2 feeds. The cold water tap in the kitchen is drinking/clean water out of the camper tank. I then run a separate pump to the HWS from jerry cans that we fill up in the creeks. This feeds the shower and the hot water tap in the kitchen for washing up. Fraser has pretty clear water if you go to the right places. I run a strainer but that’s about all. It is all on a nitto closed loop system so as soon as I unplug the extra pump, I can just run the hot tap in the kitchen and the HWS and all the lines are flushed through with clean water from the camper tank. Sounds convoluted but is really simple. I have never used a detergent or cleaner in the lines or the HWS. Hope this helps.