HWS

Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 03, 2024 at 20:51
ThreadID: 149246 Views:838 Replies:3 FollowUps:5
Looking for recommendations for portable HWS for forward fold camper trailer - my husband is concerned about water usage for showers and wondering if water would be hot enough for dishwashing - any advice gratefully appreciated
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Reply By: RMD - Tuesday, Dec 03, 2024 at 21:56

Tuesday, Dec 03, 2024 at 21:56
G'day Roslyn.
I bought a Smarttek system, they have a number of options available, plus there are many other brands which all do similar. Looking closely at the features of each will enable you to choose which best suits your needs.Mine uses two D cells to fire the igniter when there is water flow and with the water flow and temp set to what you need it seems reliable to run at 40C each time it is used. If there is NO FLOW, ie, tap OFF, or shower head OFF, the pump stops and it then relights again when pressure is released and flow resumes. The 12v pump shuts off at around 40psi. I use a remote switch to control the pump on/off. Run it, soap up and stop until ready to rinse saves water. About 6 litres a min used, so used sparingly it is good. If you have a large water source then longer showers are the go. You do need a gas bottle to supply the heating of the water, ie, to run burner in the unit.
With heat turned higher, haven't tried that, they should be quite ok for washing up water if hotter than 40 is required!
I previously used, or rather tried to use a HWOD Coleman unit and I wouldn't recommend them to my enemies. Uncontrollable when regulating heat and simply hard to get going. The first one had internal battery failed and second HWOD was too hard to control. Freeze or Boil.
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Follow Up By: Member - Warren H - Wednesday, Dec 04, 2024 at 22:17

Wednesday, Dec 04, 2024 at 22:17
There are now a number of suppliers such as Joolca, Drifta, Kings who sell shower tent bases that allow water recirculation when using these small hot water on demand systems. I haven't used them but much the same as showering in a large container and recirculating.
With very cold water, we have recirculated in a 20L jerry can to get the temperature to an acceptable level.
On another note, our Joolca was used successfully by our son in a Canberra winter when their hot water system died. The system was setup on their deck, connected to the mains and piped into the bath using a potable water hose as the smell and leaching of plasticiser by the hot water from a regular hose was overpowering and likely not good, even if it wasn't being ingested. This worked for the nearly two weeks it took to get a replacement system.
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Follow Up By: Member - Happy Explorer - Thursday, Dec 05, 2024 at 15:19

Thursday, Dec 05, 2024 at 15:19
Hi Roslyn.
We have a hybrid camper which I designed and built. We enjoy most of the modern conveniences including pressurised hot water to the kitchen and ensuite. All very nice, however this does place a lot of stress on the water supply.
We only have 130l of tank storage so if top up water is available we can enjoy the privilege. However when supply is short we need to economise as my wife and I can empty that supply amazingly quickly if not economising. We find that a couple litres of warm water in a bucket for a wash will go a long way when water is short. In our case just sit on the toilet seat with the bucket in front on the shower tray and go for it with sponge and soap. I understand your situation is much different but I am making a point here about your husband's concerns around water usage.
We grew up in a bygone era where water was always a premium in our farm houses. Interestingly it was a bit self regulating with the gravity feed from the rain water tanks. When the tanks were full the flow was faster and it was easy to fill a kettle and stand it on the wood stove to heat for a bath. As the tank level dropped the flow reduced and it was usually easier to part fill the kettle rather than wait for it to fill.
Pressurised hot water is fantastic, but you do sort of loose that fifth sense I explained above so you do need to be vigilant around water usage. If you are more than a couple then I would suggest pressurised hot water is a no go for showering and unnecessary for washing up unless a top up hose is readily available.
Enjoy what ever decision you make.
Cheers,
Roy G.

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Reply By: Member - peter_mcc - Wednesday, Dec 04, 2024 at 08:35

Wednesday, Dec 04, 2024 at 08:35
I'd recommend just boiling a kettle for washing up - you don't need much water and it's easier than setting up the HWS. I think they are also pretty limited in terms of temperature - they will raise it by a certain number of degrees with an upper limit (so if you're putting cold water the output will be lower temp than if you put in 20C water).

One suggestion for the shower - get some foam mats to use for the shower base but shower standing in a 60l "flexible tub" - it catches the water so that the ground doesn't get muddy where you shower. We found the first person was ok just standing on the mat but by the time a few people had showered the ground turned to mush and they got muddy feet.

Link to higher quality 55l tub
Bunnings link to cheap 60l tub

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Follow Up By: RMD - Wednesday, Dec 04, 2024 at 17:44

Wednesday, Dec 04, 2024 at 17:44
If water temp became a challenge from a low C temp the water can be preheated by recirculating it in a container/ bucket and then shower. Hot water systems in houses usually are 50c or less because of tempering valve so washing up is done below that temp and showers around 40c . I don't see the temp achievable as a problem unless you shower with melted snow.
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Follow Up By: Sir Kev - Thursday, Dec 05, 2024 at 07:40

Thursday, Dec 05, 2024 at 07:40
RMD,

If you have a decent plumber then the tempered water should only be run to the bathrooms.

Cheers Kev
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He was presented with a difficult decision: push on into the stretching deserts, or return home to his wife.

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Reply By: AlbyNSW - Wednesday, Dec 04, 2024 at 20:04

Wednesday, Dec 04, 2024 at 20:04
We just boil the kettle for dishes and showers, you use less water and it is a simple process

For showers we use a bucket with one of these
https://www.snowys.com.au/12v-shower?srsltid=AfmBOoqQJUuV3TOwZ31ek5wtaNjEp-ALzQpHquqQMHERNqOENQcMX26epXE

They work really well and again are frugal with water
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