CAPTAIN COORS
Adventurer
12 volt, 300 watt, looks small in a 20 gallon tank but it can put out some serious heat
hot water heater
- Thread starter CAPTAIN COORS
- Start date
Scott Brady
Founder
Nice job Randy. That will take the chill off 
articulate
Expedition Leader
That's a great place for the tank. Excellent use of space, I think.CAPTAIN COORS said:
So yeah, the heater element and tank fitting???? What's the scoop? And did you have to do a battery bank in the tool box for this or have you always had two yellow tops back there? Are you running with 3 batteries?
I think something like this is the perfect solution for simplcity. I can't wait to check it out.
Mark
CAPTAIN COORS
Adventurer
i just added the second yellow top, like TIM THE TOOLMAN saids "you can't have too much power", got the heating element from www.hydrogenappliances.com and the bulkhead fitting from WWW.PLASIC-MART.COM, the only problem i had with the instillation was the switch, it was too small to handle the 25 amps (it got real hot) i'am not a very good electrician but i'am learning
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articulate
Expedition Leader
ARGH ARGH ARGH!
Gotcha.....you are the pioneer with that drop in heating element then. Some of the other boys brought up the amp requirements and all that jive, as though this would't be practical. I see that you have a thermometer attached, very cool. I've got to do this.
I take it that your intention is to get a feel for how fast the water gets to a reasonable temperature from say, oh, 60 degrees (pulling that from my hip pocket)? If it has a switch, you probably had to install a relay, too?
Nice work. I'm now very inquisitive.....
Gotcha.....you are the pioneer with that drop in heating element then. Some of the other boys brought up the amp requirements and all that jive, as though this would't be practical. I see that you have a thermometer attached, very cool. I've got to do this.
I take it that your intention is to get a feel for how fast the water gets to a reasonable temperature from say, oh, 60 degrees (pulling that from my hip pocket)? If it has a switch, you probably had to install a relay, too?
Nice work. I'm now very inquisitive.....
Tucson T4R
Expedition Leader
CAPTAIN COORS said:
Flyingwil suggested the right solution to your "hot switch" problem. Just like when you add extra driving lites, you don't want the current feeding the lites to run through your switch. Use the switch to just pick or activate the relay. Then the relay points will connect the 12V source to your heater element. That way, the only current going through your switch is the minimal draw required to pick your relay. You defintley want to use a relay curcuit to supply anything that is drawing any significant current.
Does that make sense?
CAPTAIN COORS
Adventurer
no relay, but i will try to install one, how big of a relay with 300 watts, 12 volts, 25 amps?
Tucson T4R
Expedition Leader
I'm not sure of the relay ratings. I would think an electrical supply place should be able to recomend the correct size for your application. Similar to sizing a fuse...understand what your total current draw will be and then pick a size larger than that to give yourself an operational buffer.
Since your circuit is drwaing 25 amps, I would look for a relay that is rated at 30 amps or more.
Since your circuit is drwaing 25 amps, I would look for a relay that is rated at 30 amps or more.
CAPTAIN COORS
Adventurer
first test run, 20 gallons @ 62 deg., 3 hours raised the temp to 89 deg, everything seems to be working fine
$25 poly tank - $50 heating element - hot shower at the end of a long day priceless
$25 poly tank - $50 heating element - hot shower at the end of a long day priceless
CAPTAIN COORS
Adventurer
the water is not for drinking but we do keep it clean so we could use for drinking if needed, 20 gallons will last us for 4 days for showers and cleaning up after meals (we do share with the less fortunate)
Grouseman
Adventurer
hot water
I'm wondering if a person had say a 5-10 gallon tank, how long would it take to heat up to say 100?
5 gallons would be enough for two people to clean up each day.
This item might be a great answer for hot water showering while camping.
SS
Update. I asked about a 5-8 gallon tank with the 300 watt heater and they said it would take 10 minutes to heat the water up to 100. If we could figure out a very easy way to use the battery in your truck for heating the water that would be great. I have a blue top, but after a few heat ups it would probably need charging.
I do have a heat exchanger on my cruiser but it does not heat the water up well.
SS
I'm wondering if a person had say a 5-10 gallon tank, how long would it take to heat up to say 100?
5 gallons would be enough for two people to clean up each day.
This item might be a great answer for hot water showering while camping.
SS
Update. I asked about a 5-8 gallon tank with the 300 watt heater and they said it would take 10 minutes to heat the water up to 100. If we could figure out a very easy way to use the battery in your truck for heating the water that would be great. I have a blue top, but after a few heat ups it would probably need charging.
I do have a heat exchanger on my cruiser but it does not heat the water up well.
SS
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