Jeep Wrangler Habitat Official Release

[kb7our]

Any decision to share yet on the interior finish of the hardtop?

Looking forward to pics of refined interim tent V2.1 and the next hardtop off the line showing the various planned tweaks like thicker hinges for the torsion rod, etc.

As of today, and realizing it could change, is end of July still the target for delivering Habitats with the V2.1 tent?

[DingusKahn]

Hurry up and wait....
This is the only camping I've done lately.



Getting close to doing the Hemi install though!!!

[will]

Rather than bouncing e-mails with AT, I figured others might have similar questions, so I'll post here. Sorry if this has already been discussed, but I didn't see it:

Is it possible to install the AT Water Tank Heat Exchanger system in the JK without the Stage 2 storage system? So that when you want to use it, you hook up water from a Jerry can or other portable container? That way when you can retain the full rear seating?

Or if that system is not really adaptable for this type of application, would one be better off using some other heat exchanger system such as a Helton?

Thanks,
Will

[DingusKahn]

Is it possible to install the AT Water Tank Heat Exchanger system in the JK without the Stage 2 storage system? So that when you want to use it, you hook up water from a Jerry can or other portable container? That way when you can retain the full rear seating?
Or if that system is not really adaptable for this type of application, would one be better off using some other heat exchanger system such as a Helton?
Thanks,
Will

I've been thinking of the same thing. The other issue I have with the location is heat in the cab. It has been 100+ degrees here for weeks now. For daily driving just include a shutoff valve and turn it off. but on a trip to Costa Rica where you want the water often I don't want to be forgetting to turn the HOT on. So how much extra heat at 180+ degrees is going to come off of that heat exchanger?? A significant amount I say, even with that wrap of foam insulation. The only disadvantage of putting the heat exchanger under the hood is that you will have to let the water run a while to get the hot water our of the tap. So another option would be under the body inside the frame, on the exhaust pipe side.
During colder months it would not be even warm the next moring, but 10 or 15 minutes of the engine running would give you hot water.
But I really like the idea of having 13 gallons of water all the time. more would be better. If I can figure out what to do with the exhaust I can fit 17 gallons in the back where the cubby is and not have the muffler there.
The problem with the Helton is the overall size. It is so small I think you would have to run the motor most of the time you are wanting hot water.
I don't know what the very best answer is.
DK

[elcoyote]

Rather than bouncing e-mails with AT, I figured others might have similar questions, so I'll post here. Sorry if this has already been discussed, but I didn't see it:

Is it possible to install the AT Water Tank Heat Exchanger system in the JK without the Stage 2 storage system? So that when you want to use it, you hook up water from a Jerry can or other portable container? That way when you can retain the full rear seating?

Or if that system is not really adaptable for this type of application, would one be better off using some other heat exchanger system such as a Helton?

Thanks,
Will

The application you are describing without a tank and using a jerry can of water would be better accomplished with a Helton. The Hot water heater we use requires an on board water tank and pump system.

[elcoyote]

Any decision to share yet on the interior finish of the hardtop?

Looking forward to pics of refined interim tent V2.1 and the next hardtop off the line showing the various planned tweaks like thicker hinges for the torsion rod, etc.

As of today, and realizing it could change, is end of July still the target for delivering Habitats with the V2.1 tent?

The intererior of the hardtop will be carpeted. No pictures of tent V2.1 yet. UMV is working on this now. July has unfortunately been pushed into August. I will be visiting UMV at the end of this week to install and test a new cap that we started to build 3 weeks ago, it has an improved interior frame that we need to test.

A 1.5 weeks ago I spent time with NEMO going over changes with the 2012 tent from them. We prepped a chopped down top to ship to their sample room in Taiwan. It will be at least 60 days before it arrives there and we will see a new sample that reflects the design changes. The goal is to show the new sample at SEMA.

The other issue I have with the location is heat in the cab. It has been 100+ degrees here for weeks now. For daily driving just include a shutoff valve and turn it off.

We do have an electric model available as well. We install them with a relay system so they only heat when the ignition is on and the engine running. POwer consuption is 200W.

But I really like the idea of having 13 gallons of water all the time. more would be better. If I can figure out what to do with the exhaust I can fit 17 gallons in the back where the cubby is and not have the muffler there.

The cubby when measured our holds slighty less that 5 gallons. Cutting our the cubby, relocating the exhaust and creating a custom drop in tank is no small feat. We have opted to take the less structurally invasive route with the stage 2 cabinet. We recently developed a 57 AGM battery system that fits in the cubby. The folks with AEV Hemi conversions have no room under the hood for a second battery so this is our solution. Once I get the pictures cleaned up I will post.

[jrueppel]

Thanks for the update Mario!

[DingusKahn]

So Mario, how did it go at UMV?

Tell us more about the electric water heater.

DK

[kb7our]

So Mario, how did it go at UMV?

Tell us more about the electric water heater.

DK

Also interested in hearing more - 200W hardly seems enough???

[AZUnlimited]

I've had a couple of conversations with Mario regarding hot water options as a permanent install of the heat exchanger hot water bottle behind the passenger seat will not work for me. (I'd like the option to re-install the 60% rear seat if needed)

Here is the info I have from him regarding the electric water heater:
- 200 watt, 12vdc
- 6 liters at a high temp (165F)
- Blended with the cold it will yeild about 3.5 gallons of shower temp water @ 100F.
- recovery time is about 20 mins so if the 1st person uses all the water, the wait is not horrible.

I believe I have read somewhere or heard that the recovery time to heat up the heat exchanger hot water bottle is about 10 minutes.
Both need the engine running to heat up water.

The electric water heater seems like a nice option, but I still like the idea of the heat exchanger hot water bottle using the excess heat of the radiator fluid to heat water.
I've been hoping that there are other potential locations to permanently install it.