Camp Shower Showdown

[cactusjk]

Assume these bilge pumps are all 12V? How do you run the power for them?

I also use the hot zodi hot tap. For years I have hated the the pump and the need for D batteries. So after years of complaining I stopped at harbour freight and purches an off brand bilge pump for seventeen bucks now my zodi weak tap rips. I can even have a water fight now if I want to. I think I may give all my friends that have hot taps bilge pumps for a nice spring gift.

 

[spressomon]

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!

With a hot running engine (you may be able to get water up to shower temp just from the residual heat in a hot engine block without running the engine) pump fresh water through your Helton water heat exchanger via the ball valve couplings. You'll need some type of water pump to do this but any 12v small-ish Shurflo/Aquajet/etc. will do the job. I use a kitchen type spray handle for easy on/off...cheap and reliable.

I use my Helton to heat enough shower water to temp in a 20L Scepter/any suitable water container will do. I usually have limited water availability at any given moment so water conservation is key most of my trips. By pre-heating the water and then pumping for a shower you can do military style showers, turning the flow on and off to suit without a blast of pre-heated water you'd otherwise get from using direct from the Helton.

OTOH if you have an unlimited supply of water you can use engine RPM and/or heater controls, depending how the Helton is set-up/installed, to dial in the right water temp and shower until the cows come home

 

[TangoBlue]

Sent you a PM Wes.

 

[Regcabguy]

Yeah.

I use a homemade version of what Corey uses. IIRC, 2 gallon stainless bug sprayer and fittings. Thats enough water for me and my son to get clean.

Ditto. Baja proven setup. The sprayer tip atomizes the water,stretching out your water supply enormously. I just lengthened the supplied hose with vacuum line from O'Reilly's and shortened the wand a bit. Sit it out in the sun and supplement with a coffee pot of boiling water and you're ready to go. Cleans out all the nooks and cranny's also. Packs into the duct-taped reinforced box. Done deal for maybe $40 otd.

 

[Cabrito]

I be lovin' my Zodi extreme.

Had to let it thaw out a little one morning.. Check the frozen drip..

 

[cactusjk]

Agree the Helton looks good. Just don't know where it would fit in my FJC!

The Zodi Hot Tap is super easy to setup and use, but the water pump leaves a lot to be desired (not surprising, on mere "D" batteries). Another minus is if you leave the flow off too long it can burn up the coils. The obvious plus side is it is extremely portable and not vehicle-dependent.

I lean towards the Helton with a proper marine-grade water pump. Despite the higher flow (it'll drain a jerrycan quick), we went through less water because the increased pressure made it easier to rinse off quickly. It was also nice to not have to worry about burning up the heater. Down side is you're tethered to a vehicle, but it does make a perfect anchor for the shower shelter and a convenient place to get dressed. Use quick-release fittings for the install and setup at camp will be as quick as plugging in 2 hoses and starting the vehicle.

Here's a link to the Helton install we used: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43197&highlight=helton
Finding room under the hood seems to be the biggest hurdle.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

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!

Grab some pics and I would be more than happy to walk you through the operation. The concept is super easy, move fresh water through the heat exchanger when your engine is up to temp... the water goes in cold and comes out hot. Everything else is just details

It would likely be beneficial to see some pics of your plumbing, routing, etc as there are so many different ways to install the Helton kits, each based on your needs, vehicle specs, space allowances, etc. For example Jeremy did a more complicated install on his 80 series here: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59876

Agree the Helton looks good. Just don't know where it would fit in my FJC!

Plenty of FJC owners using Helton systems. That said it does get tight under the hood of an FJC if you've got an assortment of other accessories.

 

[Jeff Wanamog]

Obviously I am a bit jaded but like my on board AT water tank heat exchanger the best. It is very simple to use, reliable and effective.

My next best favorite for utility, simplicity, and price is the Zodi Extreme with the tap changed to an on demand sprayer. I hate their stove solution though and always use my Partner Steel camp stove instead.

Mario, do you have any pics of where and how you have the heat exchanger mounted?
Thanks.
Jeff

 

[Wes Craiglow]

Grab some pics and I would be more than happy to walk you through the operation. The concept is super easy, move fresh water through the heat exchanger when your engine is up to temp... the water goes in cold and comes out hot. Everything else is just details

It would likely be beneficial to see some pics of your plumbing, routing, etc as there are so many different ways to install the Helton kits, each based on your needs, vehicle specs, space allowances, etc.

Thanks for the help, Kurt. Here are the pics from under the hood:

You can see the type of fitting I have down at the front bumper, too. All I think I need is a male end for that, some tubing, and a pump and shower head, eh? Is this accurate? Can you help me out? Got that stuff in stock?

Thanks.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Thanks for the help, Kurt. Here are the pics from under the hood:

You can see the type of fitting I have down at the front bumper, too. All I think I need is a male end for that, some tubing, and a pump and shower head, eh? Is this accurate? Can you help me out? Got that stuff in stock?

Thanks.

Yup, looks like you need to match up those fittings with a couple of male ends, one leading out to the pump and the other to the shower head. Theoretically there is a cold input and a hot output, given yours are not marked you may just have to do some experimenting. I've got the 12V shower kits loose if your interested. LMK

 

[kb7our]

With 6 people voting that they use the AT heat exchanger unit, how about some install pics, especially if mounted inside a JK or J8? Hose routing, power for the pump, etc. I'd like to boost this number up 1 more and don't mind doing the install.

 

[Jeff Wanamog]

Yes, I am very interested too. Remember, on this forum, if there are no pics, it didn't happen!
Thanks
Jeff

With 6 people voting that they use the AT heat exchanger unit, how about some install pics, especially if mounted inside a JK or J8? Hose routing, power for the pump, etc. I'd like to boost this number up 1 more and don't mind doing the install.

 

[Borrego60]

Still waiting for my helton to come in,should be at Kurt's in a week or so. Hint Hint!! Kurt just shoot me an email and will send funds. Borrego 60 AKA Rich Collier.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Still waiting for my helton to come in,should be at Kurt's in a week or so. Hint Hint!! Kurt just shoot me an email and will send funds. Borrego 60 AKA Rich Collier.

Lol, you just had to choose the special order one I need to get with Helton on an update. If I don't hear more from them in the next day or two I'll get up early and ring the other side of the world.

 

[Borrego60]

What time ya getting up?make it a conference call.