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portable shower

11K views 36 replies 17 participants last post by  surly Bill 
#1 · (Edited)
I use my truck for work, yet have it set for camping that a bed and items can go in, yet come out when finished.
Needed a shower last venture for 11 days in No CA.
Wanted to mount a tank and motor on a piece of plywood to make it portable. Plug in when needed using my auxiliary battery.
Was thinking on making this, do not want a big tank in or under the my T-Rex permanently.
Anyone do this crazy mod?
 
#2 ·
I've thought about it a lot and looked at all kinds of contraptions. The heating is the hard part. Those tankless propane heaters are pretty good, ecotemp L5, but you need a pump to send water through. Electric heating uses too much power and would drain a single battery after just a few heating cycles. The Coleman portable hot water systems are a decent setup, they have a pump built in and use 1lb propane cylinders, all you need is a water container for it to suck water from. Like a 5gal bucket. And since it's completely stand-alone, you can use it away from your van, too, like in a shower tent.

As for containers, I've seen beer kegs, coolers, 4-8" PVC pipe with caps and spigots, etc. One guy used a 700 watt fish tank heater in a 5 gallon water dispenser type cooler, said it took almost a couple hours to heat the water to 90+ degrees, which he did while driving, but it stayed warm for a long time because it was in the insulated cooler.

I think the Coleman and a 5 gallon bucket or two is the least problematic for a portable system. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C7HF0N...t=&hvlocphy=9032086&hvtargid=pla-310294708737

You could mount the coleman and a water container on a dolly or in a cabinet with handles for easy use.
 
#3 · (Edited)
Electric heating uses too much power and would drain a single battery after just a few heating cycles.
I had a electric shower water heater that worked very well in the sold Sprinter. System consisted of these parts:

1. A 600 watt pure sine inverter powered by the Sprinter 12 volt system.
2. A 5 gallon SS beer keg.
3. A 425 watt (6 gallon) RV conversion kit to convert a RV propane heater to electric.
4. A inside shower enclosure.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Leisure-...0&wl14=rv water heater conversion kit&veh=sem

Had to drive the vehicle for about 45 minutes to obtain 5 gallons of 90 degree water in the keg. A cylindrical 12 volt DC pump was installed in the tank and that was connected to a garden hose with a on/off nozzle. All the water in the keg was at the correct temperature so no hot/cold water mixing required and no plumbing needed. The 90 degree temperature setting for the thermostat was determined by taking a bucket into the shower at home and measuring the temperature I like.

Simple system since I already had the inverter that was used as a backup method of charging the house battery. Primary method of charging the house battery was a 205 watt solar panel with a MPPT charger.

Disadvantage was you had to drive the diesel Sprinter because they should not be idled.

So based on the Sprinter system I have made some improvements for the Transit build:

1. Bought a 625 watt (10 gallon) RV conversion kit.
2. Eliminated the beer keg and replaced it with a custom 14 ga. SS tank that is also the support pedestal to bring the portapotti up to the correct height. Used the wasted space under the toilet.
3. Bought a gas Transit so I can idle the engine to heat water instead of driving.
4. Changed from a 205 watt solar panel to a 300 watt panel. Will now have excess solar power.
5. Revised the electrical so I can heat the water from shore power or from the vehicle powered inverter or from the house battery/inverter.
6. Added a indicator light that is on when water is heating and off when thermostat stops the heating.
7. Made the shower enclosure a multipurpose enclosure. When not used as a shower the enclosure has the portapotti at the bottom, a pivotable/removable bottom shelf, two storage containers on the bottom shelf, a pivotable/removable upper shelf that doubles my counter space and 3 removable towel rods at the top. Rods, containers and the two shelves are removed to make it into a shower.

So heating water electrically works.

The improvements should heat the water in about 30 minutes. Will not waste space with the beer keg, can heat water without driving on clear days to heat the water without engine running. Using the house 255 amp-hr battery will deplete it down to about 90% SOC so should get back to 100% in a day of clear weather.

Waiting for the water tank before I can complete the Transit install. Tank has been laser cut and formed and is now at the welders. Should be able to post some pictures soon.
 
#4 ·
Dave, I was sharing info gleaned from this and Sprinter forum on other people's experiences. A single battery in a non-running van, relying just on the battery, would drain the battery below 50% after just a few heating cycles. Assuming 5+ gallons of 60 degree water to above 90 degrees. Your system is a great use of materials and space. The OP wants to put in a removable hot water system so he can just load it up for the trips when he'll use it.
 
#9 ·
Agree. Without any battery charging and a small battery, electric heating of water is not logical. If there is a method of charging and a large battery, it becomes logical.

Lots of different ways to accomplish the goal. Just wanted to explain one way that works well for my use. That may be of help to others.
 
#5 ·
We use the Mr Heater BOSS propane portable shower and 7 gallons aquatainer. It's not the cheapest, but you get what you pay for. It's very portable and simple to setup.

Advantage:
- The Mr Heater has it's own pump
- Will shut down propane if it tips over
- Can be run on it's internal battery or from 12V socket
- You can use 1# propane bottles or 20# BBQ tank (with the appropriate adapter)

Mr Heater BOSS:
http://amzn.to/2sKPdx6

Aqua-tainer:
http://amzn.to/2sKKBHx
 
#11 ·

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#14 ·
Here's a little proof of concept that will give you some privacy. I carry two of these tarps and a couple clamps all the time. Just needed to add a ball of twine and boom, I have a little privacy in the shower. I can eaisly plumb a flexible shower handle at the rear and hang a propane water heater if I think I need hot water. My concern while boon docking is water consumption so I added a plastic tote to catch as much as possible and re use it if possible. Not sure about the latter yet. It's just a proof of concept, I'll replace the string with some other form of fastening. Magnets slipped into the seam of the tarp come to mind.


Sent from wherever I happen to be at the moment.
 
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#15 ·
If there are people around, I just leave on a pair of very thin Cool max skivvies
I can also move the shower head to another side of the van if needed since it suction cups anywhere

Tip: If you leave a dark colored 5 gallon bucket of water out in the sun, your shower water will be quite nice
Unless it's really cold outside :)
 
#17 · (Edited)
We keep a flexible rubber bucket in the van for wetsuits, towels, or dirty shoes. Tubtrugs is the brand and they're great! I use one of the pressurized rinse kits (Rinse Kit brand). I think they're $89 and hold two gallons. But I spray off standing in the bucket. Works well for spraying off kids feet and suits after a beach day.

The tubtrug is the yellow bucket, the Rinse Kit is the black box with the blue handle.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#18 ·
#19 ·
I've been using one of these for a couple years and it's worked really well.


https://www.amazon.com/Ivation-Mult...rd_wg=NmfFC&psc=1&refRID=QDNPP9G8Y5DME6W26RG2

I shower with it, wash sand off my surfboards, mud off the mountain bikes, wash the dogs, etc. It has a rechargable battery and will run off the charge or directly off 12v. I have it strapped in by the back door right next to the 12v outlet. In the summer the water is always warm because the van gets hot in the sun. Simple, effective, cheap and I can throw it in my Subaru as well, which also has a 12v outlet in the back.

JP
 
#20 ·
I've been using one of these for a couple years and it's worked really well.





https://www.amazon.com/Ivation-Mult...rd_wg=NmfFC&psc=1&refRID=QDNPP9G8Y5DME6W26RG2



I shower with it, wash sand off my surfboards, mud off the mountain bikes, wash the dogs, etc. It has a rechargable battery and will run off the charge or directly off 12v. I have it strapped in by the back door right next to the 12v outlet. In the summer the water is always warm because the van gets hot in the sun. Simple, effective, cheap and I can throw it in my Subaru as well, which also has a 12v outlet in the back.



JP


That seems like the best option for a kit in a box. Is there a shower setting or a pressure regulator?
 
#22 ·
Our Eccotemp L5 Portable Tankless Water Heater and 12 volt Flojet 2.9 GPM 50 psi Water Pump mounted on an under bed 4 ft pullout drawer has been a real game changer for our two month long excursions.
 

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#23 ·
Yep, THAT'S the way to go if you're on extended trips! I think that is the best combination of equipment for a van hot water system; minimal space required, easy to use, low power demand. The L5 and clones are very affordable.
For people with 2-5 day camping trips just a couple times a year, portable units make more sense to me.
 
#24 ·
I've had one of these for four years now used on extended sailing trips and more recently extended van camping in the West. No batteries/power required, add 2 gallons water set out in sun in the morning and ready to go at the end of the day pump up and shower. I use the open rear doors/tarp plastic tote set up. If not warm enough from the sun just add hot water from stove to required temp.


http://www.duckworksbbs.com/product-p/dw-pss-parent.htm
 
#25 ·
I just bought one of these to try; should be here this week and I'll give it a trial.
 
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#29 ·
Too bad the HOTTAP system uses cheap plastic bins, it would be great if they spent a little more on production and had a durable and sturdy polyethylene case/tub rather than a bendable Rubbermaid "tough" bin. Maybe the "hack" would be to find a cooler that has the about the same interior dimensions. Ooh, like one of the retro steel sided ones!
148607
 
#34 ·
I use a pop up pet bath for the shower base and make a large hula hoop out of 3/4 poly pipe that is suspended from the ceiling with a shower curtain attached. Works great, is portable and you can drain it thru the floor into a tank, onto the ground or empty it into a sink. Takes up no permanent floor space and folds up after drying. As for heating the water there are so many options you are on your own.
 
#35 ·
A simple shower water heater can be made with a 16 quart Igloo cooler, a cooking Sous Vide water heater and a 12 volt submersible water pump.

148613


Water heated electrically from solar power or shore power or "shore power" from the vehicle powered inverter.

Heat 3 gallons of water from 61 degrees to 95 degrees in 20 minutes and that uses 15 amp-hrs of battery capacity if house battery is used. No plumbing or hot/cold water mixing.

Made a portable 12 volt power supply for the pump so you can shower anywhere. Cooler in one hand and power supply in the other.

When not used for showering the cooler is my waste basket. All the parts fit in a plastic ammo can.

System can also be used for cooking. Meat in a plastic bag can cook as you drive to a campsite. Eat dinner and then use the water for a shower. In my case I have a separate shower water tank so any left over water can be pumped back into the shower water tank.

Orton DIY Transit | Page 8 | Sprinter-Source.com (sprinter-source.com)
 
#36 ·
Looking to rejuvenate this thread. Things have changed in the portable shower world, what is everyone using these days? I've had experience with both Waterport and RinseKit, and so far this year I'm loving my RinseKit PRO. The battery pressurization makes it super easy to use - no pumping or other work. Would love to hear what everyone else is using!
 
#37 ·
I got a great deal on a new Mr Heater BOSS portable unit last Summer, the XB13 for about $100. It doesn't have a built-in pump, there's one on the end of the intake hose to send water through it. Works great. I added a shut-off valve at the showerhead. I wanted one of these because it's easy to take it out of the van and set up a shower tent if you're in one spot for several days.
Gas Camera accessory Machine Auto part Kitchen appliance accessory
 
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