portable hot water units? any suggestions?

[mickbarb]

Hi guys,
after weeks of looking at different ads, websites and classifieds, we finally purchased a camper. now the wife wants a hot water unit for the camper and i dont know to much about them. i dont really think we need hot water but if it keeps her happy and willing to go on extended trips it will be worth it. wondering if you guys could give me some suggestions? ive only seen the coleman and companion aqua cube and a friend of mine does not recommend the coleman as he has had nothing but issues.
the unit wont necessarily need to be in the camper either as im making a cage for my ute for different accessories.
thanks heaps for your time and have a merry christmas - Mick and Tor

[Muckinhell]

my mates have all had probs with their hot water devices of some deicription, i just have a bigger jug and put it on straight after i finish cooking dinner or during so hot water ready for washing up etc. we use one of those cheap water pressure sprayers you use for spraying weed killer around the yard (a new one of course) and leave it out all day to warm up for showers and to wash feet off and a miriad of other uses.

[sol]

G'day Mick and Tor, we've got one called Country Comfort.

   www.countryoutdoorsupplies.com

We've had it over a year and not a problem.

   

[DaveR]

I don't have 1 yet, but the small green Coleman is with out any tricky circuit boards. The bloke at my locally owned camping store recons he can fix them blind folded, where with the trendy cubes, he sends them away.
My guess is it is like everything, look after it and it will be reliable for you.
I am referring to this type:

[dazzler]

We have the green Companion Cube one.  Very happy. 


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[shrek4]

We had a green Aqua Cube Series II and used it once. About 13 months later went to use it again and it was dead as a dodo. Tried to fix myself looking at all the obvious things, power, fuses etc and nope, no luck.

Thing went onto the bin.

That's an expensive shower for the one camping trip we actually got to use it 

[jk]

We've been using a Coleman Hot Water on Demand for about 5 years now, very happy with it  never had an issue.............we use it for showers/washing up water and pre heating the water for the kettle for coffee !  Would buy one again 

[gordo350]

We've got the campanion. Use it for showering only and hasn't missed a beat in two years.  Not hot enough for a cup ot tea but other than that, perfect

gordo350

[bobnrob]

I don't have 1 yet, but the small green Coleman is with out any tricky circuit boards. The bloke at my locally owned camping store recons he can fix them blind folded, where with the trendy cubes, he sends them away.

Sounds like he gets a lot of practise 

Minister was always happy with just having a pot of water boiled up at the end of the night.
Then we got one of them 20 ltr black bags you stick in the sun for the day, and a pop up ensuite tent thingy, and she thinks she's livin' in luxury 

[Barra]

I reckon its hard to beat the heat exchanger under the bonnet. Always with you wherever the vehicle is. Had one on the last 2 vehicles.

[DaveR]

Sounds like he gets a lot of practise 

Yep, and he sell a lot as well.

[mickbarb]

we are planning a trip through the centre next year and Tor wants to be able to shower, so the idea is to have a tub of some sort, a hose adapter on the bottom with the idea that the hot water system can draw from and re use the water, dont know if this is a silly idea but i think out there conserving water is a must. plus we could have a 20 litre jerry for shower water only. would this be enough?

[gordo350]

Quick shower will use 10 liters in my experience

gordo350

[D4D]

We have a Coleman that has worked ok, this thread reminded me to get it out and give the battery a charge

[jk]

For a quick shower we find that we can squeeze four showers from a 20l water can, that's adults....not kids, double that usage for children 

[jimc1]

I have a Thurma storage unit and it has never missed a beat. If in caravan parks uses 240v...if remote uses gas and 12v. The down side is you have to have electrics in trailer to run, gas plumbed and water pumps as it's pressure fed.
Dunno how much they are but well worth it!
Stores 15 liters in boiler and heat up quickly...using minimal gas and 12v power.

[xcvator]

we are planning a trip through the centre next year and Tor wants to be able to shower, so the idea is to have a tub of some sort, a hose adapter on the bottom with the idea that the hot water system can draw from and re use the water, dont know if this is a silly idea but i think out there conserving water is a must. plus we could have a 20 litre jerry for shower water only. would this be enough?

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=34181.0
and you can use it at home, just connect the gas and the water up to a tap to wash the dog etc 

[mickbarb]

that unit looks ideal

[haywas]

Check out Anaconda at the moment, the coleman for $199.00

[SteveandViv]

Those Coleman's are great, we have one although it back in Sydney under the house (That almost burnt down ) and has been ever since the motor in the pump burnt out ,4 years ago by turning it's self on accidentally during our 6 Month across Aus.

We ended up with a heat exchanger under the bonnet. Great thing and all you do up here any way of pull up to a stream and throw in the hose and off you go

[blackie66]

I have a gasemate hot water system you can't kill it with a stick , it's a little old fashion but its made of steel and no tricky electronics I've had it for five years now they are worth checking out. 

[Kit_e_kat9]

We mainly use a milo tin with a fencing wire handle on the fire (you'll have one of those anyway right?) ... but in winter time, the HWS is only for winter and is a bit of a PITA I think.  Handly when really cold, but otherwise, PITA.  And I'm a sheila!   

Kit_e

P.S.  We have this.

[topcat]

Then we got one of them 20 ltr black bags you stick in the sun for the day, and a pop up ensuite tent thingy, and she thinks she's livin' in luxury 

Been in Flinders Ranges / SA Coast for the last 10 days - used a black solar bag with hose, but saw a great tip in a recent mag - lie it on the bonnet and it heats faster.
Bloody ripper.
TC

[SteveandViv]

Been in Flinders Ranges / SA Coast for the last 10 days - used a black solar bag with hose, but saw a great tip in a recent mag - lie it on the bonnet and it heats faster.
Bloody ripper.
TC

I saw a French couple and their kids trying to use one of them at the Bungles. I offered them the use of our shower, the 17 year old Girl gladly took up the offer and even asked me to pass the soap

No really it's true, you can even ask the wife

I think they are OK but I love it that I can run the car for 5 mins and get hot water - just IMO.

[shakey55]

Topcat

I saw a bloke leave one if those bags on his bonnet for a long time on a really hot day.

Result - wrecked the paint.

From what I saw I wouldn't recommend laying them on the car paint work. IMO


'shakey'