Heating water for shower?

[LandCruiserPhil]

Over the years I have owned and tried several hot water showers from an on board hot exchange to what Im using now a Bottle Blaster. Most all water systems waste too much water IMO until I found Bottle Blaster to satisfy my minimalist ways. Using a JetBoil to heat the water to comfortable level and a 16oz Fiji water bottle because it holds up best with hot water I can do it all. I like to wash my hair every 3 days when on th road and using a Bottle Blaster I can do it with 16oz. total. You can do your whole body with 2-3 when you use Dr Bonners. If you are a minimalist you will pleased with the Bottle Blaster.

This idea comes from one of several girls I follow that live in vans full time. I have learned a lot tips and tricks from these full time overland girls.

 

[izzyandsue]

I have 20 gallons of water tank were the spare tire was...

I need to fined a way to heat the water for shower, there is nothing better then warm shower after a day of over-landing

Any ideas or experience?

I use a collapsible bucket that I fill with warm water. Heat water to boil in the stovetop and mix it with cold water from a 5gal container to whatever temp I want. Then this https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WWNJVF8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 , the battery last for a long time and easy to recharge with USB. During shower, I don't turn the water off, I just let it recirculate back into the bucket.

 

[clx16]

water bottle

This is one of those most economical and space saving options out there, especially if you also use those same types of bottles for your water filters like I do.
https://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Produ...recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1545348269&sr=1-5&th=1


this is something I've been thinking about getting for a while. You don't have to squeeze the bottle to get the water out nor wait for the air to back fill. Might come out too fast though.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DVXXIQ...olid=33OECYXLN89XH&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Bottles tend to be fairly light too.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

This is one of those most economical and space saving options out there, especially if you also use those same types of bottles for your water filters like I do.
https://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Produ...recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1545348269&sr=1-5&th=1


this is something I've been thinking about getting for a while. You don't have to squeeze the bottle to get the water out nor wait for the air to back fill. Might come out too fast though.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DVXXIQ...olid=33OECYXLN89XH&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Bottles tend to be fairly light too.

I only carry filtered water with a filter if Im ever in need. By carrying 13.5gals I never run out but I always top off water when I top off fuel.

I have used the Simple Shower and did not like it because it was to big and harder handle and control the flow. The heavy duty Fiji water bottles hold up best with hot water for the shower application.

When it comes to water and staying clean there is not one solution because everyone needs seem to be different.

 

[Cruzerman]

Here's a picture of the heat exchanger I have. Many years ago I purchased two of them, one for my 40 and one for my 60. I never got around to mounting the one on the 60. May end up on the outback 80.

 

[clx16]

The heavy duty Fiji water bottles hold up best with hot water for the shower application.

Thats good to know about the heated water. I dont carry as much water as you, but like you i try to take all that I will need so I don't have to use the filter. I am a fairly long distance backpacker so filters are necessary and for overlanding just a good backup. I like to take distilled water with me when overlanding as i can use it in my radiator also should the need come up.

 

[Desert Dino]

I use a collapsible bucket that I fill with warm water. Heat water to boil in the stovetop and mix it with cold water from a 5gal container to whatever temp I want. Then this https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WWNJVF8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 , the battery last for a long time and easy to recharge with USB. During shower, I don't turn the water off, I just let it recirculate back into the bucket.

@Izzyandsue that is how i did it for meany years my pump kit like yours but it is cigarette lighter operated

 

[Desert Dino]

i just ordered this

SWEP Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger, B5THx10/1P-SC-M 4 x 3/4"&16 [B1BD] | eBay

it will be installed on PHH bypass i will report with pics

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Thats good to know about the heated water. I dont carry as much water as you, but like you i try to take all that I will need so I don't have to use the filter. I am a fairly long distance backpacker so filters are necessary and for overlanding just a good backup. I like to take distilled water with me when overlanding as i can use it in my radiator also should the need come up.

RO filtered water works for everything cooking, washing, radiators, batteries, and drinking.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

i just ordered this

SWEP Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger, B5THx10/1P-SC-M 4 x 3/4"&16 [B1BD] | eBay

it will be installed on PHH bypass i will report with pics

View attachment 1859793

How do you fill your undermounted water tank?

 

[cody c]

Here's a picture of the heat exchanger I have. Many years ago I purchased two of them, one for my 40 and one for my 60. I never got around to mounting the one on the 60. May end up on the outback 80.

View attachment 1859590

I've got a EGR unit off a superdooty 6.0 that looks like that but stainless. I've been contemplating cleaning out (CLR?) and adding it to the coolant system for a heat exchanger.

For anyone else considering it might be a good junkyard donor exchanger. Certainly didnt cost much.

I might just cut the ends off, try and retain the weld as a flare and clamp in the middle of a section of hose somewhere. Would almost be better to run a secondary coolant loop to the water tank though to avoid any freezing/cracking coolant leak issues.

 

[Jorgito]

I am in process of something big, but this is how I will do the water in my rig: KIT CALEFACCION WEBASTO-AGUA CALIENTE - URO-CAMPER

I am a big fun of uro-campers from Spain, the build quality is top, just take a look into their flickr gallery: Uro-Camper’s albums | Flickr

In my opinion uro-camper is much better then german built campers (i.e. maltec, custom campers, innovation campers and others), german build campers are top quality but too much sterile and doesn't feel like home.

 

[thelal]

.. barn doors for the 80 will be here in March..

Interested in what you find out for the barn doors (may do the same) as I hear that you'll need extra reinforcment and don't quite fit as a direct replacement; hence need welding work

 

[thelal]

it will be installed on PHH bypass i will report with pics

View attachment 1859793

interested in hearing how this works

 

[1973Guppie]

for the simple hobo solution simply take the 5 gallon crystal geysers jugs and put them by the fire for awhile, great how water shower.

 

[Desert Dino]

for the simple hobo solution simply take the 5 gallon crystal geysers jugs and put them by the fire for awhile, great how water shower.

@1973Guppie try to fined wood for fire in the desert LOL good luck with that....

It is forbidden in Israel to burn natural wood in the desert you will get 300$ ticket dead wood is food for insects and rodents

 

[mrjohnsmitt]

There is no way to regulate the temps with a simple wrap of copper around the exhaust. If temps exceed boiling, then you have a BIG problem with pressure, and possible explosion. I suppose you could use a pressure regulator valve, like on a home hot water heater, but it wouldn't be much fun if it was always opening and dumping your water/steam out (need to re-fill more often). If you were to try to make such a system, I would use an old 5-10 gallon home hot water tank and remove the elec/gas parts that heat the water, using a pump to send water through the copper system to return to the tank. The pressure regulator is already in place. I diverter valve to send water from the pump to a shower head instead of the copper would be needed, but there is no cold water to mix it with, so no temp regulation (two water tanks?).

The easiest way for a hot shower is one of the several portable camping systems for under $200 that use propane and a battery powered pump. You draw water from whatever tank you want and heat it.

 

[Desert Dino]

@mrjohnsmitt In RV or SUV the no need to use a pressure regulator valve never mined the way you heat the water tank because it is open to atmosphere at home it is close because you want to use the water pressure to make it flow

you can control the temp of simple wrap of copper around the exhaust by controlling a small 12 V circulation pump and thermostat or manual switch

 

[Rwhat]

10 plate will be plenty. I recommend you use a thermostatic mixing valve. The mixer uses a wax element, so mount it away from engine heat. It will get too hot sitting in the exchanger when not in use while showering and soaking up. The heater control valve works only ok.
I have had mine for 7 years. Use a shurflo RV pump. That switches off when you close your hose or spigot when pressure builds up.

 

[Rwhat]

Cold water from hose on right, plumb from the heater control valve.