Water heater product from Coleman

[RadioRental]

I have some REI vouchers burning a hole in my pocket and plans to refit my '87. So, with a blank canvas I was wondering about hot water (mostly for showers after surfing)

I could go the lo-fi route of the black shower bag (I've seen pictures on the samba of a nice install with shower curtain hanging from the rear door) Or I could geek out and plumb in this thing
http://www.rei.com/product/723274

What are people thoughts on that?

thanks /pauric
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'87 2.1. 125K 4spd Not rebuilt "Red Dwarf"

[dobryan]

[dhaavers]

Pretty good reviews - I say go for it.
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[j_dirge]

[dipple]

I bought one of these for an extended trip (40 000km) last year and it worked really well. My only criticism is the amount of room it takes up and the actual amount of time we used it. It was great for showers after extended periods of no campgrounds or parks and is quite versatile overall. It is great for dishwater but will not make tea. I will continue to bring mine as it solved the problem of needing to pay for campgrounds for showers and was great for a warm rinse after surfing. You are only limited by your access to water. I also bought a Honda 2000 generator to deal with recharging batteries.The systems while slightly bulky fit on my hitch rack and served it's purpose at a reasonable cost.
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1987 Syncro
1998 Syncro TDI Passat

[RadioRental]

[dipple]

Plumbing it direct will be my next project.
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1987 Syncro
1998 Syncro TDI Passat

[RadioRental]

[j_dirge]

[erdonline]

I bought one of the Coleman hot water heaters a few years ago, and got a pretty good deal on it, It included a carry bag, and I bought the adapter separately for it to connect to a pressurized hose if you want to use that instead of the 5-gallon collapsible water bag.

There are several things I like about it and a few that I don't. Once you get it set up, it's nice to have almost instant hot water at an adjustable temperature. When I use mine for showering, I set up an enclosure around my back hatch with tarps, and put a tarp where the hatch would be if it were closed, to keep water outside that van. I usually put the heater itself on the rear cushion, because as I recall the directions tell you to keep it raised. It delivers a good amount of water at a reasonable pressure.

It is bulky and heavy, though. Between the unit itself and the water bag, there is quite a bit of room taken up. You can place the pump inside any standing water supply, but the pump screws right onto Coleman's 5-gallon water bag. I had to replace my water bag as the collar cracked that screws onto the bag itself.

There is an adapter to use if you connect it to a pressurized supply. I haven't tried it yet, but I think it somehow disables the attached pump.

I found it a bit inconvenient to keep having to reach over and turn the unit on and off as I showered. I didn't want to leave it on the whole time as I didn't want to waste water.

Mine stopped working a year ago and I haven't taken the time to troubleshoot it yet. It doesn't fire up- piezo clicks, but nothing happens.

I have been using a solar shower bag since then, something I did sometimes even when I had the Coleman working, in order to save space in the van. I don't rely on the sun to heat my water- I fill the shower bag about 2/3 to 3/4 full of cold water. Then I boil a pot of water on the stove, and add that with a funnel to get the overall temp nice and warm. I lay the bag on the raised rear hatch, and route the hose and head down to my enclosure. I'm willing to trade that slight inconvenience of adding the water the way I have to, for the advantage of not carrying such a bulky item. I only go away a few times a year to places without showers anyway, so this works for me.

I had thought at one time of trying to plumb this into my existing water system in the van as well, but again, I wouldn't use it often enough for it to be worth it to me.

I'm not trying to talk anyone out of using one of these- if it meets your needs, then go for it. But for me, the expense and loss of my space wasn't worth it.

Ed
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'85 Vanagon Westfalia
'84 Vanagon 7-passenger
'98 Mexican air-cooled Beetle

[Bruce Wayne]

I went with one of these instead of the Coleman,mostly because of the cost of the Coleman is outrageous.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Zodi-Instant-Water-Heater-and-Hot-Shower/4698021

add one of these:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-Shower-Utility-Room/8571890

and your set. you can also use the Zodi for your dishes and the shower for a change room/latrine. about $100-$125 less than the Coleman. not sure if the Zodi is available at REI though.

[Classicvibe]

[dipple]

I would say it does not make water hot enough to steap my tea properly especially if you add milk. If you like luke warm drinks it works. I seem to remember it being advertised that way and was disappointed.
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1987 Syncro
1998 Syncro TDI Passat

[Classicvibe]

Link

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On a mission, the destination is just an excuse.

Syncro Solstice 2022...see you there!

1986.5 Wolfsburg Syncro Westfalia Poptop Weekender Transporter

[fixedgear]

[dipple]

I have not tried that method. It seems logical there would be a fail safe. I will take another look at the manual and see what it says.
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1987 Syncro
1998 Syncro TDI Passat

[Classicvibe]

Dude! It shows the doobie in the video turning to "hot" and holding it while he fills his tea cup! Well, your world is a happier place now...no complaints!

I have been kicking around that unit for years. I have this dream that I can make hot chocolate and shower simply from the same unit. The shower pressure looks weak on that thing. Wondering if it is enough for a decent camp shower?

The portable on demand systems looks sweet as well, but probably don't work so well for a cup of Jo. Sometimes its easier just to wear the dirt for a few extra days!
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On a mission, the destination is just an excuse.

Syncro Solstice 2022...see you there!

1986.5 Wolfsburg Syncro Westfalia Poptop Weekender Transporter

[a914622]

Iv tryed a bunchof the shower options listed here in hunting camp. The best by far is the Hudson water wagon.

http://www.amazon.com/Hudson-3-Gallon-Water-Wagon-Soft-Shower/dp/B0000AXDT7

I dotn have the handle on mine for space saving. You can get 2 showers out of one tank of water. No power needed. It works like a garden sprayer but the head has a shower sprayer with a on/off valve. You do have to heat the water first on the stove.

jcl
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87 gl powerd buy 2.5subaru
75 914 getting 2.2t subaru scratch that SVX subaru

[populuxe59]

I have one (Coleman) and for safety, there is a dead-man switch on the temp knob. It has to be held "HOT" to get the highest temp. As long as your starting water temperature isn't too cold it will be hot enough for tea or instant coffee. However, I've never used it for tea and measured the temp which is important to making tea--right?

*I just re watched the video, and the high-limit is set at 160. Not hot enough for tea, if you ask me, but it would be a great head start for getting a pot on the boil.

It helps to run about a cup full of hot water first to warm up the system if you need it the hottest.
I've always been interested in re-engineering the whole thing to make it work while installed in a cabinet. I'm sure it could be done, but I like having it portable. I could bring it in the house temporarily if my home water heater ever gives out.

It really is amazing you get get an on-demand heater with the spark ignition, rechargeable battery, pump, on-board propane storage and the safety features in one small package.

I've never had trouble making a decent hot shower. I do have problems getting rid of the water in a public camping area.
I've seen the Colemans on sale for $175 at the local farm & fleet store.