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vanagonjr
Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2010
Posts: 3431
Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
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 Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2014 4:35 am Post subject: |
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| djkeev wrote: |
You need to recognize that COPPER (your proposed heat transfer coil) and ALUMINUM (a good portion of your engine and cooling system) HATE each other and seek to destroy!
If you pursue this, use aluminum or Stainless steel for your transfer coil and other bits. Do not go introducing copper into an already trouble prone cooling system.
Dave |
Stainless and aluminum may not hate each other, but they do tend to bicker incessantly. They are usually fine until someone shows up with a 6-pack of electrolytes, then it can get ugly. 
_________________
John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
LiMBO (late model bus club) www.limbobus.org
LiMBO is on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798 |
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chojinchef
Samba Member
Joined: February 17, 2011
Posts: 1539
Location: Central Massachusetts
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| Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2014 5:49 am Post subject: |
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| vanagonjr wrote: |
| djkeev wrote: |
You need to recognize that COPPER (your proposed heat transfer coil) and ALUMINUM (a good portion of your engine and cooling system) HATE each other and seek to destroy!
If you pursue this, use aluminum or Stainless steel for your transfer coil and other bits. Do not go introducing copper into an already trouble prone cooling system.
Dave |
Stainless and aluminum may not hate each other, but they do tend to bicker incessantly. They are usually fine until someone shows up with a 6-pack of electrolytes, then it can get ugly. |
Break out the Gatorade!
_________________
Its a mistress; an expensive, whiney, needy bitch of a mistress. She is a chunky, dirty girl with bad skin, little motivation and yet she always makes me smile. She sure has been around before shacking up with me. She has a direct line to my wallet, plays with my emotions, is consistantly jovial yet with a sarcastic and sardonic side, is consistant in her inconsistancy, and every once in a while gives me a great ride and a fantastic memory. |
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davevickery
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005
Posts: 2887
Location: Fort Collins, CO
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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This was a failed attempt at a simple solar shower.
It sucked so I removed the details on it. It doesn't get hot, it is inconvenient to use, it looks stupid, and now I have 2 new holes in my poptop to show for my trouble.
Last edited by davevickery on Fri May 23, 2014 5:12 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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tarandusVDub
Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2010
Posts: 1649
Location: Between Here and There
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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I like it Dave! Do give us results of your field testing! 
_________________
1990 Syncro 16" DoppleKabine 2.1 DJ 112i
________________________
Sold: 1972 Bay Campmobile; 1984 Westy, base model, 2WD. |
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davevickery
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005
Posts: 2887
Location: Fort Collins, CO
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| Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 3:44 pm Post subject: |
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deleted
Last edited by davevickery on Fri May 23, 2014 5:09 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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wtcumby
Samba Member
Joined: September 26, 2010
Posts: 114
Location: PORTLAND
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| Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 7:44 pm Post subject: |
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Spring and plunger inside so its pressurized? It would need to be a really long spring with a low spring rate such that hose pressure could compress it or even simpler some surgical tubing inside the tube? I'm inspired to try one myself. What a luxury after being in the ocean!
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I've got the vanagon fever |
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Bruce Wayne
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2007
Posts: 1210
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| Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 8:59 pm Post subject: |
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| nice work Dave. I may add that to my van. my Zodi's pump went kaput on our last trip. what about adding a Schrader valve,and putting a couple of lbs of pressure behind it? |
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Sir Sam
Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2009
Posts: 1688
Location: Fort Collins Colorado!
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| Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 9:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Bruce Wayne wrote: |
| nice work Dave. I may add that to my van. my Zodi's pump went kaput on our last trip. what about adding a Schrader valve,and putting a couple of lbs of pressure behind it? |
Ya I would be thinking about that as well, the problem is you would need a fairly large accumulator on the pneumatic side. I was thinking about a small tube running along side the upper that was tied at the top solely for the purpose of providing pneumatic pressure on the larger tube.
The problem is that even if you had another tube up there the same diameter to provide pressure, by the time your water is half gone your pressure has dropped in half.
It would be better really just to have an electric pump and sink style hose sprayer like some other people have used, coupled to this solar heater.
_________________
'91 Carat Westy
87' Syncro + '87 Westy conversion coming soon |
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davevickery
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005
Posts: 2887
Location: Fort Collins, CO
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| Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 9:59 pm Post subject: |
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deleted
Last edited by davevickery on Fri May 23, 2014 5:08 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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wtcumby
Samba Member
Joined: September 26, 2010
Posts: 114
Location: PORTLAND
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| Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 11:32 pm Post subject: |
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I also love the simplicity. A hunk of styrofoam cut with a hole saw the exact diameter of the pipe with a hole drill out to pull the surgical tubing through and knot it. The buoyancy force would help a lot I think keeping the plunger where you want it above the fluid being pulled by the outstretched tubing. This would be an easy add  . Poor mans hydraulics! Hose pressure through a simple ball and socket valve could easily stretch pretty stout tubing and the valve would allow hose removal without water loss.
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I've got the vanagon fever |
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bikesarebetter
Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2009
Posts: 8
Location: minneapolis
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| Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2015 7:56 pm Post subject: Re: Ultimate Westy Shower? |
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I'm thinking about this problem. I want to heat the water in the factory tank to a precise temp while driving. I don't want to loose any storage space, or have complicated systems prone to failure. Here's my solution:
Digital temp controller mounted on the dash.
http://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-All-Purpose-Temperat...mp+control
Exchanger mounted in factory tank, I'm thinking 1/2 stainless.
http://www.amazon.com/Super-Efficient-Stainless-St...rt+chiller
And the final piece I can't find: A 12v three-way coolant diverter. Any suggestions or leads?
Set the temp on the dash while driving. The control unit will divert hot coolant through the tank until the temp is reached, then it will send it back through the heater core. What do y'all think? It might cook the in-tank pump, but if it does I'll replace it a more powerful one. |
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Farf
Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2009
Posts: 463
Location: Colorado
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2015 6:16 am Post subject: |
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| danfromsyr wrote: |
not to rain on your parade.. but won't that get your bed wet and feet muddy? I'm not a fan of campground shantys (tarps) but I'll give ya points for a nice green one.
your ideas are sound, but not sure I'd want to tap off my fridge/stoves propane supply for hot water.. maybe a 3# portable like the icefishermen use.
also as much as I'm planning a back hatch tent extension.. for space& ventilation.
they make a seperate free standing shower tent thingie..
then again I also have an idea to make a back 'loo' as well .. seen images on some german van had a back extension made of fiberglass that attached to the van, sealed up and offered a john & sink.. I'd add a shower and elevated roof (my own ideas anyways)..
yes you can get quick connect propane fittings froma reliable propane supplier,. or theres Nat gas ones for home BBQs. |
Dan, did you ever follow through with these ideas??
Dave
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Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert |
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davevickery
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005
Posts: 2887
Location: Fort Collins, CO
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| Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2015 9:28 am Post subject: Re: Ultimate Westy Shower? |
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| bikesarebetter wrote: |
And the final piece I can't find: A 12v three-way coolant diverter. Any suggestions or leads?
Set the temp on the dash while driving. The control unit will divert hot coolant through the tank until the temp is reached, then it will send it back through the heater core. What do y'all think? It might cook the in-tank pump, but if it does I'll replace it a more powerful one. |
Regardless what tank you use, a 12 volt selenoid valve is all you need to control coolant flow, it doesnt need to be 3 way. You tee into the heater feed line, and tee into the heater return line and if the valve is open, coolant gets diverted through the shower tank.
My setup was not much different (page 3) except I think a separate water tank has a lot of advantages. I kept my big tank for drinking water, and to refill the shower tank if needed. If you use that big water tank for heated water, you probably won't be using it for drinking anymore, so you still need to carry another jug. Mine would be a little nicer with a custom made SS or aluminum tank, but I don't know how much that would cost or where to get one. It could have a heat exchanger compartment built in with fittings already on the tank, and sized to exactly fit the space.
To control the temperature, I glued a thermostat (snap disc limit switch) to the tank. Power goes to the thermostat and out to the selenoid valve.
I got power by cutting the high speed fan wire and using that. Then I could switch it on from the dash and still had fan speed one and two. On my new van, I just removed the rear heater anyway.
My current one is simpler. I just put a manual shutoff valve in the line going to the tank and use a wireless thermostat to keep and eye on the temp. The sensor is just laying on the tank (under a towel or shirt), with the readout laying on the dash. It is the same thermostat I normally keep in the fridge. With this setup I have to stop and manually shut the valve, but that is no big deal. With manual control I can let it get a little hotter if I want to hold off on taking a shower for a while after getting to camp.
The 4 gal tank is $15-$20, about 10 feet of heater hose ($15), 2 elbows ($8 ), a 3/4" pex valve($6), a dozen hose clamps ($10) and I already had the wireless thermostat ($10). A 1.1 gpm water pump is only about $30 and a cheap spray head with hose ($10) and fittings ($4). Maybe a total of $120 and most of it from Amazon or local stores. |
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Old_Ben_Gun
Samba Member
Joined: December 18, 2012
Posts: 30
Location: Spanaway Washington
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Noblecr
Samba Member
Joined: September 14, 2011
Posts: 103
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| Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 1:41 pm Post subject: Re: Ultimate Westy Shower? |
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Not sure if this is of interest, but here is what I use.
Modified the fresh water tank to allow it to be used to fill the shower bucket. Avoids hauling water to the campsite, and can have longer showers. Can fill the shower bag with a short fill hose or the water hose used to fill the tank...which is stored in the spare tire. Current shower bag is an old grey water bag. Have ordered a 40L / 10G solar bag to allow for warmish showers
Changed the city water hook up to a solar plug in and 12 volt plug...provides power to the camp shower. Also allows the ability to move to a more private place to shower...will reach the back of the van too.
In my perfect world I figure out a way to build a new water tank that is insulated and can be heated via the engine...but thats a bucket list item
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baltik
Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2015
Posts: 440
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| Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 7:31 pm Post subject: Re: Ultimate Westy Shower? |
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I've been researching a good hot water shower solution and stumbled on this video and seems like a neat solution
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGCMwsDYmAw
the DC native water heating element with built in thermostat, One could use this to heat a separate water container or a brave soul could potentially even install it directly into the westy water tank. I would install some sort of a hard stop on the manual thermostat at ~90....
seems like all it needs is a standard 1" NPT fitting
direct link
http://mwands.com/store/dc-water-heating-elements/adjustable-water-heating-element |
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jimf909 
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7468
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 9:55 pm Post subject: Re: Ultimate Westy Shower? |
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Few things are as pleasant as cleaning off the day's mud, dust and sweat before relaxing in camp for the evening...
BOSS XC-20 water heater (performs much better than expected)
https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-BOSS-XCW20-Basecamp-Operated/dp/B011TRLWIG
Pop-up shower tent (easy set-up and take-down, easy to pack - check out the vid in the customer reviews on the Amazon page). The tent also serves as cover for random gear when we leave the campsite.
https://www.amazon.com/Faswin-Privacy-Shelter-Camp...F2K40W1VFM
20 year old collapsible bucket from REI, holds about two gallons and is good for 1- 2 showers.
Cleanwaste portable toilet (a 5 gallon bucket is cheaper but bulkier)
https://www.rei.com/product/662980/cleanwaste-pett-portable-environmental-toilet
This set-up has proven to be relatively easy, effective and versatile. I like that it's not attached to the van so we can set it up and drive the van w/out taking it down. It also can be put in an out of the way, low traffic area of the campsite. The only thing needed at this point is some sort of shower mat.
That's what works for me. YMMV.
_________________
- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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figborg
Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2015
Posts: 338
Location: Northeast
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macjack
Samba Member
Joined: February 26, 2004
Posts: 357
Location: Colorado
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| Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2016 10:44 pm Post subject: Re: Ultimate Westy Shower? |
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I love the different methods and the creativity of approaches.
Fwiw, I put a pump and propane on demand water heater in the rear cabinet. Here is the samba install thread:
http://tinyurl.com/hhecer2
-macjack
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87 TDI Syncro Westy
81 Westy (sold)
80 Rabbit Wolfsburg (rolled)
Bike as primary transportation |
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