Portable tankless waterheater

[spressomon]

I've seen new Coleman units on ebay for less than $100. Just a thought. I know you usually get what you pay for and all.

The Coleman works OK. However it's kinda bulky IMO & won't run without a charge on the battery. If you have it plugged into a 12v source (I didn't realize you had to have the battery charged for the whole system to work...found that one out in camp on the first time I used it) it won't function...the battery needs to be charged, the adapter disconnected before it will work: Bizarre! But it sure was nice to have virtually (about a 2-3 second delay getting hot water...not bad) instant warm to hot water for washing hands & dishes at our hunting season opener for the 6-of us! I didn't get the shower attachment as I have a Helton HE on my LC for showers.

[Gregny]

The Coleman works OK. However it's kinda bulky IMO & won't run without a charge on the battery. If you have it plugged into a 12v source (I didn't realize you had to have the battery charged for the whole system to work...found that one out in camp on the first time I used it) it won't function...the battery needs to be charged, the adapter disconnected before it will work: Bizarre! But it sure was nice to have virtually (about a 2-3 second delay getting hot water...not bad) instant warm to hot water for washing hands & dishes at our hunting season opener for the 6-of us! I didn't get the shower attachment as I have a Helton HE on my LC for showers.

I noticed that you have the Helton HE on your land cruiser. Do you like it and any pros and cons? I had recently bought one and plan on installing it on one of my atv's for a Utah trip next year and would like to know if they produce hot water well. I plan on installing mine in the next couple of weeks.

[OS-Aussie]

Used to have a Zodi dual burner and hated it, got a coleman on demand and have had no issues with it, other than directly showering with it is too bulky so we purchased the coleman battery powered shower.


We use the on demand to heat from one expandable water container to the other until the desired temp is reached then connect the battery shower which has a foot switch and use it for the shower. It allows a lot better water conservation.







That Omega 2000 sure does look good however

PS
I forgot to say you can skip the heater part and boil the billy/kettle and add the very hot water to water already in the container and start your shower - easy and simple, and very little space required

[Shovel]

I bought a wet/wet heat exchanger from an industrial refrigeration unit, which I had planned to plumb into my engine coolant system for hot water showers... uhh... 3 vehicles ago?

Then a friend of mine showed me his water heater... he wrapped some copper tubing around his exhaust pipe. Doesn't get any cheaper than that and... it works! When I finally get a Round Tuit, that's the way I'm going.

[Nullifier]

The omega works really well. I have used one several times and really like it.

[spressomon]

I noticed that you have the Helton HE on your land cruiser. Do you like it and any pros and cons? I had recently bought one and plan on installing it on one of my atv's for a Utah trip next year and would like to know if they produce hot water well. I plan on installing mine in the next couple of weeks.

Sorry...I just saw your post. Yes I like the HH. I use my hand throttle to adjust the shower water temp. You'll need some method for temp adjustment if you don't have a way to adjust the engine RPM's.

[rayct77]

I have a buddy who has a brand new Aquastar in the box that he bought several years ago. He is not sure of the model but advised it's a portable unit designed to work with one lb. propane bottles or a hose adaptor off a bigger LP tank. He is offering it to me at a good price (I think). I was thinking about using it with my '64 Alaskan. Anyone using one of these?

Chris

[wyojoe]

I have the smaller Camp Chef on-demand water heater which is very similar to the Ecotemp L-5. I've used it on several occasions while camping and like it, but it does take some effort to get it set up. I have a 12V on-demand pump that runs off a deep cycle battery and is plumbed into my water tank on the inlet, then into the water heater for the discharge. I use a 20 lb. propane tank to fuel the water heater, then run the hot water to the included shower head in my shower tent. All in all, it makes for a great warm shower, and the flow rate is acceptable. The biggest drawback is the amount of setup it requires (I don't have it permanently configured yet). Oh yeah, one more thing... I also have a 45w solar array that recharges the deep cycle battery. I rarely set up all the components, but if I do, it is usually when I'm planning to stay in one place for several days. For short stays, I don't worry about recharging the battery, so the solar array stays home, and if there's a faucet to connect to, then I also don't need the 12V pump. In that case, it's just a water hose and propane connection that are needed, and that's not too difficult.

Here is a rundown of all the components I can (and sometimes do) use for my system:

Water heater (w/shower head)
20 lb. propane cylinder (w/hose)
Water tank
12V pump (w/hoses to connect to tank and to water heater)
Deep cycle battery (w/wire to 12V pump and an on/off switch for pump)
Solar array (w/charge controller and wiring to battery)
Shower Tent
large tote to carry water heater, hoses, shower accessories, etc.
(and my truck and trailer to carry it all!)

All in all, it's a lot to carry if I take everything with me, but I can also be fully self contained until I run out of water or propane.
As I said above, unless I'm staying put in one place for several days, it doesn't usually make sense to take everything with me.
I'm working on a more permanent mounting system so it is easier to set it all up, but, so far, I haven't worked it all out (yet).

[Stumpalump]

Considering the maximum legal showerhead flow rate is 2.5 gpm, 1.0 gpm isn't too bad for a camp shower.

Yes it is. Considering you are probably an extra day or two dirty and its cold outside. Thats when you want to get it over with quick. My zodi with a stronger 12 volt bilge pump is still way too weak. I wind up using the garden hose thru my main tanks pump to take a fast cold blast shower. Then I can dry off fast and be done. If its real cold Ill wet down and soap up with zodie and rinse off with both. It's really nice if the wife is there to hose me down faster. If I'm with just guys ill wash just my head and have them blast the soap out real quick. The solo part of the shower goes quick then.

[DUTCH]

http://www.eco-camper.com/e-shop/por...-heater-detail

Diesel/electric powered, but oh so pricey!