Camp Shower Showdown

[PHXtaco]

Just want to add that Zodi has great customer service. I have had a Zodi extreme for over 5 years. Back before I did the sink sprayer conversion that Corey mentioned (highly recommended), I busted the “stock” shower head and ordered a replacement. They sent me 2 for the price of one. I just recently I ordered a replacement pump (actually ended up not needing to replace it, just had to clean and relube the pump), I asked about ordering a thermometer strip at the same time because the thermometer on the outside had gotten beat up over the years, they sent 4 no charge.

 

[Dave Bennett]

Just want to add that Zodi has great customer service. I have had a Zodi extreme for over 5 years. Back before I did the sink sprayer conversion that Corey mentioned (highly recommended), I busted the “stock” shower head and ordered a replacement. They sent me 2 for the price of one. I just recently I ordered a replacement pump (actually ended up not needing to replace it, just had to clean and relube the pump), I asked about ordering a thermometer strip at the same time because the thermometer on the outside had gotten beat up over the years, they sent 4 no charge.

That's good to know.

 

[woooody]

Tankless?

I've been using a tankless heater that I bought from Paul Decker. It's a reasonable set up, and works awesome. We had it set up at Rubithon last year, easily ran twenty+ showers off of a small (5lb) propane bottle and didn't run out.

He sells a "turn key" set up, as well as individual parts.

http://www.hotcampshowers.com/inc/sdetail/4070

tankless alone
http://www.hotcampshowers.com/inc/sdetail/1257

I got just the tankless unit (much like a home tankless) and an rv pump

 

[adventureduo]

We run a Helton and love it. In many cases like Kurt said we can roll up to camp, setup whatever we need, i can start in on dinner and Yosh can still wash up with warm water from a hot engine from the road. It's very reliable and will deliver impressive heat in subzero temperatures - ask me how i know

We have ours plumbed into our heating system so where we adjust the temp of the shower off the climate control slide on the dash and it works great. Also, we use the stock shower head and pump that comes with the kit with quick disconnects on the bumper instead of plumbing even more junk through the rig. We use a 5 gal. Sceptor to grab the water. It's always been plenty and if we run out there's plenty elsewhere on the rig/trailer or in a river/lake. I tend to setup a PETT directly off the bumper for any basecamp situations.

For back up or for Support trips i use a Zodi Xtreme. One thing that i like about it, is that it's portable and i can get the shower away from my direct camp for groups. It's also easy to understand, can be refilled quick and easy. Other than that.. its burns plenty of fuel getting warmed up, can be a bit of a wait to get up to temperature and the bug spray pump gets a little irritating having to pump time after time. It's an over all fine setup though.

All i have to add, most has been discussed already.

 

[ETAV8R]

Just want to add that Zodi has great customer service. I have had a Zodi extreme for over 5 years. Back before I did the sink sprayer conversion that Corey mentioned (highly recommended), I busted the “stock” shower head and ordered a replacement. They sent me 2 for the price of one. I just recently I ordered a replacement pump (actually ended up not needing to replace it, just had to clean and relube the pump), I asked about ordering a thermometer strip at the same time because the thermometer on the outside had gotten beat up over the years, they sent 4 no charge.

That is great customer service...heading over to check em out now
:coffeedrink:

Ok, checked them out. I had seen the big stainless pump version before...not the "hot tap" version. That is slick and seems better due to the electrical pump.
Reading reviews on Amazon most people like the stainless version better.

 

[bob91yj]

Got the pump and battery I ordered for my Coleman On Demand unit yesterday.

I decided to try to charge the original battery, surprisingly, it took a charge. I'm generally pretty lazy, true to form, I figured it worked, so why bother with swapping batteries.

Quick recharge, screwed on a new propane bottle, drop the pump in the sink, turned it on, and BAM, hot water!:wings:

Momma is going to be happy on our Baja trip next month!:sombrero:

I really like the fact that it's right now, unreal how fast/hot the water is.

 

[tpatching]

I vote Other. This is the set up I will be using this season. I may use this in conjunction with a stove top heat exchanger. I went the electric route, pumps, batteries, and on and on, I always had a few failures. Now I am going simple. I love the modular nature and cross compatibility of the components in this system. The run time seemed to be about 12 to 15 minutes, if i kept the pressure up. I did put a filter on the pick-up end, to avoid getting particles jammed in the sower head.

Cheers! & stay clean out there.

 

[ETAV8R]

What or where did you get that adapter?

 

[tpatching]

I just posted my first write up. http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59357

 

[Co-opski]

Other......Seventh Generation baby wipes. Just a good daily wipe down in the field. I don't see these showers working well in my environment. :Wow1:

 

[VicHanson]

After my solar shower started leaking I've settled on a gallon plastic jug with a handle (like a milk jug). Leave it in the sun for the day (or better yet on the dash of my camper facing west). Wash hair, rinse, wash body, rinse, wash feet, rinse - done!

 

[Fireman78]

Zodi Hot tap single burner . When it works, it's fine. Portable, fairly affordable, fairly simple to use. Having to depend on 4 D batts. and a working battery housing are a drag. I have gone through two complete shower sets and three battery packs in the last three years. They just aren't durable enough for my needs. I will be getting the Extreme style soon.

 

[jim65wagon]

Triton Water Heater. It uses the 21 gallon tank and RV pump for a water source and a 10 pound propane tank. It auto ignites with water flow and takes seconds to heat to shower temp. We use it not only for showers but for heating dish water....it's quicker than heating the pan on the stove.

It would probably be great for washing your truck too.

The ShurFlo pump means no little trickle of water like the Zodi battery powered unit we had.

Note to parents: Don't let your kids shower without some supervision....they think it's like home and leave the water running too long = empty tank!

 

[djpandemic]

I have used the Zodi for two summers while working as a river guide in NC. I changed the pump to a 12v model to run off my vans battery and use my 5lb propane tank with a hose for fuel. The little pump that comes with the Zodi is pretty shabby and green 1lb propane tanks are a waste. My system works pretty well (I even took a quick outside shower with it this winter at 38 degrees!!) With the higher flow pump you have to cycle the water a bit to pre heat it and the piezo igniter on the Zodi crapped out after a week (that was the second one....I just kept it rather than return to the store) so I have to use a stick lighter to light it. It works well for me as in the summer time the van does not get started often so an on board, coolant heated shower would not work for me.

 

[Wes Craiglow]

I just purchased a vehicle with a Helton exchanger already mounted to the firewall, however I know very little about it. There are two hoses that terminate with some sort of brass ball valve couplings, and I was told that one was intake and one output, of course. There were not other accessories provided, so no matter what, I'll be buying hoses, pump, shower head, etc.

Kurt or Dave, it sounds like you guys have a thorough understanding of the Helton system. What do you recommended I do to make this heat exchanger most functional for both showering and general hot water needs? Actually, how do I make it operational first?! Should I be looking for a switch? (No, seriously. Help me. I'm a shower newb.)

I'll grab a couple of photos here in a bit. I'm sure that will help.

Thanks!