Thanks for the insights. For a third of the price, I'll give the Zodi extreme a try and pass it along if we don't prefer it.
Helton On-board Shower for the 100-Series
- Thread starter SupraTuRD
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
cboyd
GOLD Star
Great install. For some reason I like it better on the side like you have it. Need to do this sometime, until then maybe I can figure out how to have heated baby wipes.
What about one of those burrito cookers that mount in the engine bay? Baby wipes wrapped in tin foil!
cboyd
GOLD Star
Finally got around to finishing my Helton install. Found some color coded quick connects at northern Tool that make sure you only hook it up right.
Adapted the shower kit from CruiserOutfitters to be able split and run right from the bumper or from a pre-heated Jerry can. Former for when it is just me and no modesty required (or extended stays with the Shower Hut at the bumper). Latter for when the Shower Hut is away from the vehicle. Added a hose length to get to source water from a Jerry can, Rackmounted water tank or trailer tank.
This project has high WAF. (Wife acceptance factor). It makes really hot water!
Only wish is I could have found some heat rated blue like Kurt had, but wasn't able to source it locally.
Adapted the shower kit from CruiserOutfitters to be able split and run right from the bumper or from a pre-heated Jerry can. Former for when it is just me and no modesty required (or extended stays with the Shower Hut at the bumper). Latter for when the Shower Hut is away from the vehicle. Added a hose length to get to source water from a Jerry can, Rackmounted water tank or trailer tank.
This project has high WAF. (Wife acceptance factor). It makes really hot water!
Only wish is I could have found some heat rated blue like Kurt had, but wasn't able to source it locally.
cboyd
GOLD Star
From a dead cold engine to water almost too hot touch in 5 minutes of idle. If recirc it once in the can, it would be really hot.. The Helton plumbed inline with the heater on the UZJ makes heat fast! I've got fresh coolant from my recent 90k service, so I'm sure that's helping.
Slick!
That turned out very nice, really digging those red/blue connectors. How tough would it be to swap out the blue hose? I could snag some locally and mail it out... didn't realize it was so tough to source. I think I just need to bite the bullet an buy 100' rolls of it, send 10' (should be plenty for most installs) with the kits? It's not the cheapest hose but it's high temp, thick walled and super tidy.
Slick!
That turned out very nice, really digging those red/blue connectors. How tough would it be to swap out the blue hose? I could snag some locally and mail it out... didn't realize it was so tough to source. I think I just need to bite the bullet an buy 100' rolls of it, send 10' (should be plenty for most installs) with the kits? It's not the cheapest hose but it's high temp, thick walled and super tidy.
I think that would be a great idea, Kurt. It's these 'pre-formed' kits that I think could separate you from the pack. Makes it MUCH more convenient for the regular Joe, like me. I'd much rather pay a few (or more, when needed) extra bucks to have something like this included in the kit, even the ends and other bits as well. It's the peace of mind knowing I got the correct parts as well, as I trust you've used or researched the proper items to be used in these kits. I believe there is a nice size portion of the market that falls into this line of thinking.
cboyd
GOLD Star
Slick!
That turned out very nice, really digging those red/blue connectors. How tough would it be to swap out the blue hose? I could snag some locally and mail it out... didn't realize it was so tough to source. I think I just need to bite the bullet an buy 100' rolls of it, send 10' (should be plenty for most installs) with the kits? It's not the cheapest hose but it's high temp, thick walled and super tidy.
Kurt, I think that would really make a difference. The issue is really finding the rated hose that can take the internal water temperature but also the heat associated with the engine room. I ended up going with silicone impregnated hoses. The easier to find PVC hose was just too close to the heat limits of about 250° for my taste. Not sure of the engine compartment would really get that hot... But at least part of it passes a few inches away from the exhaust manifold on the driver side
The stuff was less than $1 foot. So for the kit You could just include 15-20 feet of each color and call it done. You need some colored hose for outside the vehicle for connection to the bumper. I used about 10 feet internally. $40 ($20 x 2) more on the price of the Helton kit is nothing really... I spent more on my time than that trying to source the hose.
The only real issue on the color-coded bumpers connectors is they each are both color different and physical connector different. I happen to like that. But the red is actually the more common air hose connector and so that might create issues down the road, but for me I like it. My wife can even hook this up. In the dark.
I have a third color connector which is green for the source water. Also I got a strainer basket from a pump inlet and I'll use that for the connection to my pump box. The next phase of this project is to build a flow jet demand pump in a small pelican case which will connect to Anderson connector mounted near the bumper. This will allow me to run higher rate water pressure when water quantity isn't as much an issue. Also be able to draw natural sources like a stream or bucket with the strainer basket on the end of the hose. The pump box will have green for pump input and blue for pump output which will go to the bumper. All the accessory hoses and showerhead stuff will go in the pelican box as well.
If it's worth doing it's worth overdoing, no?
--
By the way the hose numbers you gave me for the UZJ were a perfect fit. throw those in for the 100 kit too! I changed out my Tees while I was in there.
Not meant to degrade your color code idea...but since, at least in the USA, hot water is typically the left side/tap and cold water is typically the right side/tap I oriented the input/output couplers for my Helton system the same way: Hot on the left, cold on the right. Otherwise I'd need color coding, or labeling perhaps, like you've done.
The Helton water heater is one of the very few mods that, on my truck, has not needed attention downstream of the install. A great product if hot water is desired in the backcountry...for any reason.
The Helton water heater is one of the very few mods that, on my truck, has not needed attention downstream of the install. A great product if hot water is desired in the backcountry...for any reason.
cboyd
GOLD Star
Not meant to degrade your color code idea...but since, at least in the USA, hot water is typically the left side/tap and cold water is typically the right side/tap I oriented the input/output couplers for my Helton system the same way: Hot on the left, cold on the right. Otherwise I'd need color coding, or labeling perhaps, like you've done.
The Helton water heater is one of the very few mods that, on my truck, has not needed attention downstream of the install. A great product if hot water is desired in the backcountry...for any reason.
Agreed. Wasn't space behind to go side by side. Partially the reason for color coding. Was going to do heat shrink on the base in blue and red until I saw these connectors.
cboyd
GOLD Star
A great product if hot water is desired in the backcountry...for any reason.
Or the driveway. Turns out, it makes a great dog wash when you don't want to trash the bathroom and it's on the chilly side.
cboyd,
I forgot to ask: What's your plan to keep the bumper fittings clean/from getting packed with mud/dirt?
Hmmm...good idea on the portable dog wash station!
I forgot to ask: What's your plan to keep the bumper fittings clean/from getting packed with mud/dirt?
Hmmm...good idea on the portable dog wash station!
I think a dust cover for hydraulic lines would work.
How about these?
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/hydraulic-dust-cap
Or even nicer....
http://acehose.com/hydraulic-quick-connect-type-fittings.htm
hoser
SILVER Star
UV resistant ones are difficult to find.
I think if you're buying the cheapie rubber/plastic ones in bulk, they're cheap enough to toss when they start to crack. I bet you get at least a year out of one.
A dozen would probably last as long as you needed. A spritz of UV protectant would probably add some life to them too. Some red/blue covers would be my choice over standard fittings.
cboyd
GOLD Star
I have these little caps that were used to cover ends of coax cable that I get at work. They fit a little snug, but then I've lost one already. Was thinking of 3d printing a combo cap, but paflytyer's links are kind of interesting. Need to explore those more! If I end up 3d printing something it will cover both of them and look a bit like a bar of soap that will have a lanyard. Not sure how survivable that will be. Or how it will look.
The other option is just using the associated quick connects and just making caps out them by filling with silicone. Kind of expensive option and probably prone to being snatched.
The other thing from a maintenance perspective was was hooking up the power tank every so often and lightly blowing it out. Don't need to be making hot mud. Ih8mud.
Hey Kurt , still haven't mounted the Helton I bought from you a few months back. Can you give me more specifics as to how you mounted yours in the Death Star? One of your colleagues sent me some pics but not an explanation of how you exactly mounted it. Did you drill holes and then have to get back behind the firewall from inside the cab with nuts/washers? Any additional info you could provide would be great. Thanks!Slick!
That turned out very nice, really digging those red/blue connectors. How tough would it be to swap out the blue hose? I could snag some locally and mail it out... didn't realize it was so tough to source. I think I just need to bite the bullet an buy 100' rolls of it, send 10' (should be plenty for most installs) with the kits? It's not the cheapest hose but it's high temp, thick walled and super tidy.
I got on McMaster and found a rubber/silicone cap with a pull loop that fits over the food grade stainless female disconnect I have mounted on my front bumper. Going on about 8mo and 8k miles and it shows no signs of aging.
It honestly looks like the end to a broom handle.
It honestly looks like the end to a broom handle.
^ been running these on my female couplers for the past couple of years and they hold up great! Mucho better than the rubber type hydraulic covers that start cracking from UV @ 1 year or less...
cboyd
GOLD Star
Turns out the caps for the female fittings are more prevalent. Not finding much for the male nipple covers. I thought about switching back to the female couplers, but they are a bit big a visible for my placement. The other thing that I didn't like was that these females keep any water trapped and the males allow the system to drain. No judgement either way, just an observation.
I'll try and remember to grab some better detail shots for you. Nothing had to be deal with inside the cab, all in the engine compartment.
