Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 10:37:44 -0800
Reply-To: Troy <colorworks@GCI.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Troy <colorworks@GCI.NET>
Subject: Re: Showers, was Solar Panel
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There are a couple of problems with this set-up. The greatest problem being
if you use that holding tank for both drinking water and water for a shower,
the hotter temperature encourages biological growth. I don't think it would
be long before you would have all kinds of things growing in that tank.
Trying to keep the coils clean without having to completely disassemble the
thing every time you clean it would present a major challenge. Lastly, is
convenience. What if you want shower in the morning or do your dishes
late-night, after the van has been shut off for a while? Don't think I want
to burn up a bunch of gas heating water.
You then have to figure out a way to get the water to a shower head. I don't
think this would be a major obstacle. Probably just insert a tee in line
with a shutoff valves to divert the water one way or another. An on/off
switch at the shower head would be ideal. To me, it's just a lot more
maintenance and things to break.
Having a way to regulate the temperature on demand would also be nice as
your body acclimates to the temperature you tend to want the water warmer.
All of these problems are solved very nicely with the Coleman hot water on
demand. The biggest complaint of course is the thing is just too big, but
it's rated at 30000 BTU versus the Zodi at 10000btu and the dual burner
one is at 20,000. The problem with the Zodi is the pump and flame are
controlled separately, so it's hard to shut it off in the middle of the
shower without getting scalded when you restart it-- just not very
practical. The smaller on likes to tip over as well.
Again, the Coleman takes care of this problem and also has the ability to
deliver 160° water for coffee and tea or just warm up some dishwater.
Sometimes, simple is better though and heating a 5 gallon bucket over the
campfire or boiling some H20 on the stove and mixing with cold water to
taste, and then using a portable $20 pump takes care of the problem nicely.
Troy
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Wilford" <kenwilfy@comcast.net>
To: "Troy" <colorworks@gci.net>
Cc: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2008 7:30 AM
Subject: Re: Showers, was Solar Panel
>I know this has probably been discussed ad nauseum (sp?) in the past but it
>would be super easy to put two valves in your rear heater system and shut
>hot water from your cooling system into a homemade coil that you could
>insert into your water holding tank. Turn on the valves, drive to your
>favorite campsite and by the time you get there your water should be nice
>and warm. Have a temp gauge in the water and if it is too hot let it cool
>to safe levels. Use your shower do hicky and you would be ready to take a
>shower. If you want privacy you could even rig a curtain to be attached to
>the rear hatch. Put down a rubber mat and you are ready for a quick
>shower.
>
> I don't know why but I woke up thinking about this, this morning. I don't
> have any intention on every taking a shower this way or even taking a trip
> in my westy any time soon. Your mind plays tricks on you.
>
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com
>
>
> Troy wrote:
>> You may want to take a look at Cabela's catalog. There is a submersible
>> pump that runs off of 4 D batteries, and has a little shower wand. It's
>> sold under the "outback brand name" Basically, heat up some water with
>> whatever source you choose and you've got an instant shower. Pumps out
>> about a gallon a minute, and has a little switch on it + clamp, so you
>> can hang it to turn it on and off. The whole thing, including the power
>> pack is water proof. The four D. batteries last a very long time. I carry
>> this little device with me mostly for transferring water from a stream or
>> lake into a 5 gallon jug, but it is actually designed as a portable
>> shower. Under 20 bucks from what I recall...
>> If someone would just come up with something like a Coleman hot water on
>> demand at half the size I would be a happy camper. It's the only hot
>> water device that actually heats up 40° water to shower temperatures +
>> turns the pump and burner on at once unkike the Zodi, which are very
>> poorly made to me.
>> Troy
>>
>
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