Author |
Message |
delta9007 Samba Member
Joined: March 17, 2008 Posts: 106 Location: Arcata,CA
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
luVWagn Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2008 Posts: 1340 Location: Snoqualmie (WA)
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
thatvwbusguy Samba Member
Joined: April 18, 2007 Posts: 1712 Location: Newmarket, New Hampshire
|
Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 3:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
The EccoTemp products are pretty good, but you need city water or a really strong 12V pump to run them. If you always stay in campgrounds with power and water hookups, this shouldn't be a problem, but that type of campground usually has shower houses available as well.
For hot water on demand without city water, check out the Zodi products at http://www.zodi.com. They make a range of propane water heaters that use a small pump powered by four D-Cell batteries. You can often find basic units on sale for $100.00 or less. I picked up a single burner #6185 model for $89.00 shipped a couple years back and it works well for showering and washing dishes. _________________ Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
4x4BNB Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2012 Posts: 274 Location: PNW
|
Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 7:08 am Post subject: |
|
|
thatvwbusguy wrote: |
The EccoTemp products are pretty good, but you need city water or a really strong 12V pump to run them. |
I always wondered what would be the right amount of pressure to operate one of these? I believe they say like 3 GPM??? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
delta9007 Samba Member
Joined: March 17, 2008 Posts: 106 Location: Arcata,CA
|
Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 7:48 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for the responses.
Judging by the specs I thought the OE pump would be sufficient, no? _________________ '89 2wd, 4spd, 2.1 Westfalia. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
thatvwbusguy Samba Member
Joined: April 18, 2007 Posts: 1712 Location: Newmarket, New Hampshire
|
Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 7:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
From www.eccotemp.com:
"The ideal operating range for the Eccotemp L5 portable tankless water heater is 20~80 PSI. The system also works great on modified water systems such as a 12 volt pump. The L5 will offer a 30 to 35 degree rise at 1.3 gallons per minute."
Figuring out how to get 20PSI plus with a 12V pump at the proper flow rate could be kinda tricky when you factor in restriction from the shower head and pump head pressure from water source etc. I would probably try to shoot for the low end of the flow range to allow for enough heat exchange time to get water output around 110-120F.
I don't think the OE pump would even come close to what you would need. Maybe an email to EccoTemp would yield some pump recommendations. _________________ Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
One more islander... Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2010 Posts: 399 Location: Canada: British Columbia West Coast
|
Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 11:03 am Post subject: |
|
|
We used to have a hot-water heater like this, a Paloma brand, in our sailboat, for heating the water in the head (bathroom) for a shower and the handbasin.
It used a 12V Jabsco pump. The pump system, which served for both cold and hot water, had a small pressure tank so that it didn't continuously cycle when you were running the water.
Similar pump to this:
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-pumps-water/12-volt-electric-water-pumps.htm
Accumulator tank:
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-pumps-water/water-pump-tank.htm
Worked well enough, but in those days, the tankless heaters had a piezo-electric spark and a pilot flame (kind of like the Westy refrigerator). We eventually got rid of the system and went with a solar shower, just because it seemed too complicated for the advantage gained and I hated leaving the pilot flame on. We went to hand and/or footpumps for the head and galley sinks, and a good hot kettle-full of water when it wasn't solar shower season, and we weren't near a washroom with a shower.
I suspect the same would be true in the Westy. The system would cost quite a bit, take a fair bit of room, require a separate 12V pump and probably a pressure tank, and how often would you use it? Unless you were living in your Westy and boondocking, I think it would be overkill.
If you decided to install one, note this comment in one of the EccoTemp reviews:
"Make sure to plumb this thing outside like I did if your going to use it as a permanent fix because the exhaust is smelly and deadly." It's true!
---
Kathy |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jon_slider Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2007 Posts: 5091 Location: Santa Cruz, Crowdifornia
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
delta9007 Samba Member
Joined: March 17, 2008 Posts: 106 Location: Arcata,CA
|
Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 3:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Ah, there we go, very helpful/informative. Thank you Basil _________________ '89 2wd, 4spd, 2.1 Westfalia. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dubbified Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2010 Posts: 1406 Location: Redmond, WA
|
Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 3:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I have a west marine 28 gallon waterbag, a 1.1 gpm automatic sensing pump, and the eccotemp.
Works like a champ.
The nice thing about the Eccotemp, fires right up, turns right on/off when there is/is not flow. The zodi does not do that.
ALso, the eccotemp is adjustable flow/flame, and I've seen zodis, and I felt the eccotemp was a better answer.
The Zodi has its application, and is a good device as well.
To me, its a small hot air baloon sorta heater, the open element, requirement of the connection and setup were not needed with the eccotemp.
Take a look at the videos for each on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmqAM6azSm8
that is the eccotemp in action.
next, the Zodi single and double.
To me, there is really no comparison to a eccotemp, and reason i went that route.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYLCscbPGkE |
|
Back to top |
|
|
4x4BNB Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2012 Posts: 274 Location: PNW
|
Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 4:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
do you think that you can use the ecotemp with the smaller, green, propane bottles? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
shepherdsond Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2005 Posts: 439 Location: Bellingham, WA
|
Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 6:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I purchased a Zodi single stovetop unit while it was on sale. I used it once, it sort of worked but I had to recycle the water through the heater to get it hot enough. Since then (3-4 years ago) it has stayed in my basement. It's just too much to carry arround and too much effort to set up for the pay back for me (heating water in a kettle and pouring into a solar shower is much simpler if you want to have a hot shower but usualy I just go cold).The Eccotemp seems more plug and play especialy when setup like Cvbill's. _________________ 87 Syncro Hightop Camper
3 knobs + solid shaft
2.2 Phase II Subaru
Hi-Top build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=534517 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
|
Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 9:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
shepherdsond wrote: |
I purchased a Zodi single stovetop unit while it was on sale. I used it once, it sort of worked but I had to recycle the water through the heater to get it hot enough. Since then (3-4 years ago) it has stayed in my basement. It's just too much to carry arround and too much effort to set up for the pay back for me (heating water in a kettle and pouring into a solar shower is much simpler if you want to have a hot shower but usualy I just go cold).The Eccotemp seems more plug and play especialy when setup like Cvbill's. |
Agree, I also have a zodi (red box). You can get rid of the batteries for the pump and convert to 12v plug but even with that it's just too much paraphernalia unless you are setting up camp for several days in same spot. On top of that I have a problem with my unit. It builds a lot of condensation along the copper coils and this condensation drips over the flame eventuly killing It. My unit sits in the garage, barely used, maybe I can sell it for parts.... _________________ 1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jon_slider Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2007 Posts: 5091 Location: Santa Cruz, Crowdifornia
|
Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 9:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
> do you think that you can use the ecotemp with the smaller, green, propane bottles?
yes, if you buy the necessary adapter
it could give you about 15 showers, 4 minutes long, 2 gallons each, so 30 gallons of water needed.
Keep in mind the Ecotemp relies on a hose connected to street pressure, or you must also buy some kind of pump to push water through the unit.
If you use a Westy onboard water tank, you could get about 6 showers worth of water
As an alternative, consider
Hot Jugz
http://www.hotjugz.com/
Link
_________________ My Soapboxes: Inflation; Handling; Gearing; Decoupling; Swepco |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Timwhy Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009 Posts: 4002 Location: Maine
|
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 4:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thinking about getting one of these units to take along on a week long trip in Aug. Those that have the Zodi units
can you tell me about the shower head? Does it shut off and if it does shut off will it also turn off the pump or is that
constantly running?
Also would it truly convert to 12 volt or is that an assumption? I would like to have it be 12 volt or would I need
to buy another pump and make my own switch to shut off the water flow. What I am thinking is, I would like to
use a 7 gallon Aquatainer and be able to keep that somewhat enclosed as the water source with the ability to
recycle the water to get it to shower temperature. _________________ '15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary
http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee |
|
Back to top |
|
|
joseph928 Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2011 Posts: 2114 Location: flagstaff az.
|
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 6:09 pm Post subject: SHOWER |
|
|
Had a zodi sold it ,got warm not hot and the shower head does not shut off. You need water flowing to keep it from over heating. So what did I do- got a Coleman unit it is all in one . It cost more then the zodi but it works, it can make hot water for tea to that's hot! Used it at BBB it was great. Will use it in Moab in May. You get what you pay for. The zodi uses 4 d batters so that is like 6 volts you would need an adapter. So I would say no for 12 volt use. able Hot Water on Demand 5 gal. Portable Water Heater
(20 Customer Reviews) Write a review |
About this product
Print
Buy from Walmart
Shipping & Pickup
Online
$222.00
Quantity http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=col...5579,d.aWM _________________ 1987 syncro westy tin top sun roof , GW2.3, rear locker, decoupler, Gary Lee tire rack & winch mount, lift, south african grill, big brakes , rhein alloy ,15 BFG AT, Fiamma 10 foot awning ,140 watt rear 85 watt front solar , mppt, truckfridge, automatic fire extinguishing system, tencent oil cooler, And a RMW SS exhaust! - 1971 bug convertible 1776 engine- 2010 Subaru turbo - 1993 Toyota 4x4 truck - 1999 Harley 95 CI, big bore, Andrews cams . Also 80-84- vans. Stock 65 sunroof bug. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
whynotvw Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2004 Posts: 1322
|
Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2013 9:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I just got awesome portable shower heater today. I'll take some photos tomorrow and post it. The name is Aquacube Basecamp by Mr. heater. I tried it today on my driveway. WoW is the word. No more cold shower when warm shower is not available. Amazon review was all 5 stars by 7 reviews. Now I see why. The lowest price I found was at Emergency Essentials for $319. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
vweggie Samba Member
Joined: May 01, 2007 Posts: 219 Location: End of the road, Vancouver Island
|
Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 11:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Can anyone attest as to how hot the water is from their portable heaters? Some of them say the water is warm enough for coffee or tea. I'm looking for a portable system that can heat water up to 190F. _________________ 1990 Multivan 2.1 AT |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|