cactusjk
Explorer
Found the perfect valve on Amazon - Cole-Parmer 3 Way. I used their quick disconnects with my Helton DC pump/shower head so should be a great system.
Camp Shower Showdown
- Thread starter Dave Bennett
- Start date
What I did with mine at least to get the water hot at first was just stick the shower head back in the reservoir until the water in there was nice and warm and then started to shower with it. No valve needed for this.
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jwilson2598
Adventurer
I added this valve after doing some research in here:
http://www.amazon.com/Flair--16900-...8&qid=1442892592&sr=8-7&keywords=Bypass+valve
I picked up some extra tubing from Lowe's and attached the valve near the shower head, and used the extra tubing to run back to the water bucket. Works great and allows me time to get in and out with no issues.
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brentbba
Explorer
Looks like the old AquaCube is no more and they have a new version out? Looks like the new, less expensive version does NOT have the shut off switch at the shower head. That's the one feature I liked about the AquaCube over the Coleman, which I used to have. I know someone on this site I believe posted how they'd made a diverter valve to direct water back to the reservoir with the Coleman, but without one, there's no way to shut off the flow without reaching out of your shower enclosure of choice to shut off the unit to conserve water while you soaped up.
jwilson2598
Adventurer
The bypass valve I got doesn't have an off per se. It always lets water flow to one of the 2 other outlets. That why I got the extra hose to bypass back to my bucket. That way water is either flowing out of the shower head, or back to the bucket where it's being recirculated to stay warm.
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cactusjk
Explorer
Can you post a picture of your valve and recirc setup? Would like to see where you attached the recirc hose.
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jwilson2598
Adventurer
Sorry, I missed this yesterday, I'll see if I can pull it out tomorrow and take a couple pictures.
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cactusjk
Explorer
Many thanks!
I just bought a Zodi Hot Tap, a trekker Fold-a-privy, and a nice thick rubber matt (35x33) from HD for a floor... Will test it all out this weekend and report.
Be nice to have a shower after a long day on the trail.. should be wet and muddy in Pembroke VA this weekend so that will be a true test of the gear.
Be nice to have a shower after a long day on the trail.. should be wet and muddy in Pembroke VA this weekend so that will be a true test of the gear.
cactusjk
Explorer
jwilson2598
Adventurer
Sorry it's taken so long, I've had a week including a sick wife, unplanned school closures, pretty much anything that could be out of the ordinary. Anyway, I pulled it out and set it up for a couple pics. Pay no mind to the sanitary kitchen setting, or the current length of tubes as I'm working on it to figure out the best length for them. Basically the pump and black tube from it goes to the inlet on the heater. One of the clear tubes goes from the outlet of the heater to the valve. Coming out of the valve is a second clear tube that runs back to the water source as a return. The other valve outlet is the black tube that feeds the shower head.
When you set up with your water supply, you put the pump and return line in the water bucket, and I have a shower enclosure, so I put the valve and shower head in the enclosure. Start with the valve in bypass mode so that the water is being returned right back to the bucket. That way you can fire up the water and then heater and let it get your water good and warm while you get in the shower and setup. Once you're ready, switch valve and get warm water from shower, then switch back to bypass while lathering up. You can switch freely on and off without worrying about the heater burning up because water will always be flowing through it.
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jwilson2598
Adventurer
Yep, that's exactly how it is. The main thing is that it needs to be a bypass valve, instead of a regular tee so that water to the shower head can be shut off.