OBHS - On Board Hot Shower

[theksmith 3,667]

Like most of your mods, I will someday "replicate" I will get to this some day.

 

One thought about intake... Have you considered siphoning from a lake/river/creek? I thought if you got a good enough pump, 15 or 20 feet of intake could make a really nice long hot shower.

 

It just bugs me to need to carry 25 gals of water just to have two 5 min showers (or more, because I have 2 girls)

 

i did consider that as a possibility - this pump can "dry prime" up to 6 vertical feet, almost 4 of which are already taken up just in it being mounted high up in the engine bay... but i could definitely run a longer intake hose, so long as it it didn't descend more than another 2 feet. i guess most likely, i would have to fill the jerry can from the lake or stream...

 

i do have a "pneumatic muffler" to act as a strainer on the end of the intake hose already, and it also serves as weight to keep the hose end at the bottom of the can (so it doesn't want to curl up-wards back out of the water):

 

[fasteddy47 0]

i do have a "pneumatic muffler" to act as a strainer on the end of the intake hose already, and it also serves as weight to keep the hose end at the bottom of the can (so it doesn't want to curl up-wards back out of the water):

 

 

 

Man I would like to scan your Brain for a couple of hours..... then I could get all of it down on paper.....Sell it and retire....

Every time I click on your links....I say to myself "You gotta be kidding me"............ Nice stuff and thanks for the links....

Cheers

Eddy

[theksmith 3,667]

someone on another site asked if i would make them a shower and sell it, and then i was posting on yet a different forum about someone elses shower... i started thinking back about mine and wanted to offer up a couple things to anyone that finds this thread one day and builds there own.

 

- there's no need for all the separate hot and cold plumbing, outlets, etc. really. with the engine off, even the water going through the heat exchanger is back to outdoor temp within a minute. so basically you just run the engine for hot, and leave it off for cold.

 

- so far the "plate style" exchanger is holding up, but it still hasn't been put to the years of abuse that some of the other style like Helton have known to endure, so jury is still out on that. it is very efficient though.

 

- if you read the whole thread, you'll see that the first use of compressor fittings rusted and caused issue, make sure not to use those (see thread for alternatives)

 

- no problems with the hose type thus far even though it's at it's upper temperature ratings. do be double sure you route things out of way, one time i did have a hose rub a pulley and cause a hole (after my engine swap things didn't get put back together exactly the same at first).

 

- i can't wait to do a permanent water tank. i think i will use the system a ton more if i have to just flip a switch instead of getting out the jerry can. still plan to keep an external hookup too for dropping in a stream or whatnot.

 

- the simple vegetable/sink sprayer really was the right answer for the end rather than any lo-flo shower heads and valves and crap.

 

that's all i can think of right now! moral being KISS (even though the entire idea of having a shower in the woods isn't really KIS)

[Gecko 0]

Thanks for the great tips on this. I have aquired most of my parts to start building. How did you connect the thermostatic valve to the hoses? To the truck? The valve has a 1" thread or a 1/2 sweat fitting for copper. Also, did you use 1/2 or 3/8 quick connects? I am deciding if 3/8 will allow for enough flow.

 

Thanks,

Stefano

D-90

[thatoneguyaz 0]

Crazy cool setup. I would have no idea how to do any of that

[6x6pinz 1]

Nice set up for your compact situation.

 

The problem I see with using a hose from a lake/stream is the waste water running back into the source. Even with biodegradable soaps dumping it directly into the source would be a very bad idea. Your suggestion of fetching water would be much more eco friendly.

 

I use a system similar to the Eco shower you referred to. The sure flo pump has been working great with the system. We even had a large gathering of trucks and I was able to set up the shower unit for all to use. With a 1 1/2 gallon propane tank it never ran out of heat. The use of the one/off valve at the shower head really does conserve water. I think most used less than a gallon per shower. Great addition to an extended expedition trip, those sponge baths only go so far.

[theksmith 3,667]

Thanks for the great tips on this. I have aquired most of my parts to start building. How did you connect the thermostatic valve to the hoses? To the truck? The valve has a 1" thread or a 1/2 sweat fitting for copper. Also, did you use 1/2 or 3/8 quick connects? I am deciding if 3/8 will allow for enough flow.

 

Thanks,

Stefano

D-90

 

i think i used 3/8" hose everywhere. the valve comes in several different connections styles and i think i got 1/2" pipe thead on mine and was able to use a 1/2" NPT to 3/8" barb fitting to get to the hose.

[theksmith 3,667]

putting these links here so i don't loose them for some future plans for the shower:

 

http://www.itc-marine.com/product/stainless-steel-transom-shower

 

https://www.ambassadorfaucets.com/cart/recessed-shower-plastic-small-7/

[skygear 0]

Any updates? I'm going to tackle this on a Tacoma.

[theksmith 3,667]

nothing to report!

 

the last time i used it just for the cool water to rinse off during a hot summer camping trip and it worked fine.

 

i really want to upgrade to an on-board water tank, but i need to get a rear bumper and tire carrier built first to make room on the inside cargo floor.

 

there was a guy on expoportal that did one last year with an insulated plastic tank to hold warm water so that the vehicle didn't need to be running - not sure how it's working long term... in fact i think it was a Tacoma might look for that thread over there.

 

be sure to post up some pics of your install!