Date:         Wed, 11 Dec 2013 12:56:34 -0700
Reply-To:     Robert Stevens <mtbiker62@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Stevens <mtbiker62@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Anyone have a good rear heater core for sale?
Comments: To: Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca>
In-Reply-To:  <FE955410-CB2E-4763-863E-0BE587CF538B@shaw.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252

On Dec 11, 2013, at 12:38 PM, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:

While I like the idea of a hot water tank I have some reservations. I don’t like the thought of having water held at less than scalding temps for fear of breeding nasties in the tank. If you are diligent at maintaining high water temps and cleaning the tank then it would be ok.

I lean towards an on demand system. Either one of those small Ecotemp propane heaters (http://www.eccotemp.com), a zodi, or even an engine coolant heat exchanger (http://www.hotcampshowers.com/vehicle_mounted_shower).

A friend who did 5 years of living pretty much full time on the road, had that system in his van. He put a long hose and shower nozzle on it, hung it just aft of the driver seat
at a modified kitchen sink bulkhead, so he could use it either out the slider, out the rear hatch or out the driver door, either in a shower tent, or if privacy allowed "out in the buff";
never did have any problems with "bugs" in that tank. It got used/cycled often enough and a periodic flush with vinegar stays any biosphere from developing in there.
He had a "water heater" in his spare tire well that drew water from that storage tank, into the HW heater, which had about a 5 gallon tank attached to it.

bob