Need a Hot water shower and soon

[xcmountain80]

I Know I Know search search search, but who makes a reasonable propane (preferred) hot water shower unit? I found a cheepy privy from sportsmans guide for $39.

Aaron

 

[Corey]

Go for the Zodi, I like mine.
Both my vids below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9hrjcbRsYM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzI-sXNrIFA

 

[Quietrover]

I second that. We really like our Zodi. We use the shelter from P.E.T.T. (multi-tasker). Spend the money, cry once....

 

[xcmountain80]

Single burner or dual burner? Figure this time around 3 people using it (not at the same time). I will need some water tanks (will work on that tomorrow).

Aaron

 

[Desert Dan]

Check out the Coleman Hot Water Shower.

It its kind of heavy and bulky but it works great.

 

[Martyn]

Single burner or dual burner? Figure this time around 3 people using it (not at the same time). I will need some water tanks (will work on that tomorrow).

Aaron

Showers use up water at an alarming rate.

I'd suggest if you want a propane shower you go with the Zodi Hot Tap. It limits the shower to 4 gallons of water. The single burner works fine. 3 people can take showers one after the other, no problem.

Learning to take "sailors showers" is the key here. Turn on the water to wet your hair, turn the water off and wash your hair, use this wet soap to wash your body, use a minimum amount of water to rinse. A full shower with under 20 seconds of water use.

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

Showers use up water at an alarming rate.

I'd suggest if you want a propane shower you go with the Zodi Hot Tap. It limits the shower to 4 gallons of water. The single burner works fine. 3 people can take showers one after the other, no problem.

Learning to take "sailors showers" is the key here. Turn on the water to wet your hair, turn the water off and wash your hair, use this wet soap to wash your body, use a minimum amount of water to rinse. A full shower with under 20 seconds of water use.

I agree with Martyn here and the Hot Tap is the shower I've been thinking about picking up for my trip. All contained in a nice small box, I think 4 gallons should be more than enough for one person. Besides, I'm not expecting some fantastic shower while I'm in a pop-up tent in the middle of nowhere...if I was I'd just stay in a hotel! :sombrero: Having hot water is the most important thing on my list!

It really makes you think about how much water you waste at home everyday in the shower.

 

[Corey]

Aaron, two different type of Zodi's were mentioned here too.
The Hotman Extreme like mine is four gallons:
http://www.zodi.com/web-content/Consumer/zodiextremeshower.html

You have to heat the water first with the included burner which can also double as a stove for big pots.
I modified mine with a kitchen faucet sprayer which gives me more control.

Then there are the other two ones that have the single/double burners.
Hot Tap On-Demand Hot Shower
single
http://www.zodi.com/web-content/Consumer/zodihottaptravelshower.html
double
http://www.zodi.com/web-content/Consumer/zodihottaphpshower.html

I went for the bug type sprayer for ease since it is all self contained pretty much, saves me some space which is not a lot in the FJ Cruiser.

 

[OverlandZJ]

In my experience you wont need a dual burner Zodi.

We shower as Martyn described when we need to conserve water, but it's nice to not have to. Last camp 3 of us showered with under 5 gallon.

You MUST have the pump running whenever you have the burner lit, otherwise you risk a meltdown of the heating element. But thats easy to avoid. I preheat the water before showering. The Zodi pump drops into the Scepter/LCI MWC spout nicely, i keep one can for shower supply.

Another tip for decent pressure is to raise the source to waist level or close and the exchanger to shoulder height. I stole one of the wife's iron flower pot hanger for this purpose. Works fantastic.

 

[xcmountain80]

Got one on hold at Bass Pro. Zodi single burner.

Aaron

 

[xcmountain80]

Picked up a Zodi single, and a outback porta privy. Do hope I don't regret the outback unit ($49) the reviews seemed mixed. Any quick tips on using the Zodi?
1. Keep the water source elevated 1/2 or above the shower, plan to use the vehicles roof rack where the water is. SHould I replace the nozzle it comes with with something else? If I go a faucet spray deal will it burn up the water pump with back pressure?

Aaron

 

[Martyn]

Yes, people are correct the pump and shower head have to be kept running when the burner is on.

I just drop the head into the water bucket and have it circulate in there when I'm not using it for washing.

When you do this the temperature of the water in the system gets warmer so you can turn the burner down or completely off once the water reaches temperature.

I've had my Hot Tap for about 5 years now and it still runs well.

 

[hidesertwheelin]

Is it possible to use river/stream/lake water with the Zodi? I do a lot of camping in the mountains, I would rather use the water I pack in for drinking and cooking (my wife does not buy that boiling water makes it safe ).

 

[Corey]

I have heard that some do use the intake hose that way.

 

[highlandercj-7]

I wouldn't be affraid to use the mountain water. It's probally better quality than that of most cities, straight out the creek.