Camp Shower Showdown

[Romer]

Years ago I bought the Zodi Hot Tap shower kit for camping. Then before I went on the Rubicon I installed a Tawin heat exchanger (Same thing as Helton) in my 80. This year with my 80 sold, I researched on here and bought a Zodi Extreme.

Zodi Hot Tap Shower - works great for hot water generation. I have used it camping to just heat hot water. Works ok for the shower. Problem is when you shut the water off at the nozzle, it gets real hot and will burn you when you turn it on so you have to remember to turn it away from you for a few seconds. Works fine'

Twain/Helton in truck Heat exchanger - Works great and you can have an unlimited supply of hot water (from a lake) controlling the temp from the heater. Great setup, but need the 12V pump in addition to the Heat exchanger, I would carry it separately and hook it up prior to running water through the truck.

Zodi Extreme - This setup was great. Heat the water to the temp I want, bring it in to the shower enclosure and have plenty of Hot water at decent pressure. Had to pump a few times during the shower to build the pressure and only used about 1.5 gallons. I did the mod to add a sink sprayer to the end for better spray and control. The nice thing about this is it also was a 3 Gallon water container for me. I used it for easy access to water. I would pump it up leaving it strapped in the truck and use the nozzle outside to wash dishes, fill the coffee maker, brush teeth, etc. This was a very flexible setup.

You can't argue with the coolness and capability of the Helton/Twain on board shower setup. Short of that, I was very happy with the Zodi extreme. I would recommend the Zodi Extreme for the shower and its flexibility for other uses.

 

[ETAV8R]

I have the same duckworks $35 shower and it's perfect for the money. Probably one of the best portable/compact shower solutions out there. Simple and effective. Give both of us (lady and I) a good shower. It's just over 2 gallons.

It's shorter than a zodi which I like and the showerhead is better than the cheap stuff most companies use. The on/off is great too.

It is basically a black garden sprayer with a thumb control on the shower head handle. Heavy plastic,holds pressure longer than expected and it works.

Here's the link : http://www.duckworksbbs.com/gear/shower/index.htm

This thing looks great for my needs but I find with the amount of gear I tend to bring it would be one more bulky item. With the solar shower bag I use it can be stored on top of my totes or up against the tailgate depending on how much water is left inside. When it is empty it stows with little space.

In the future if my situation changes from bringing so much stuff I will definitely look into this.

 

[mvbeggs]

Connect ARB compressor to Zodi Extreme?

Zodi Extreme - This setup was great. Heat the water to the temp I want, bring it in to the shower enclosure and have plenty of Hot water at decent pressure. Had to pump a few times during the shower to build the pressure and only used about 1.5 gallons.....

I've been using the Zodi Extreme for about 6 months. We love the unit. I've been toying with the idea of trying to attach the air compressor hose from my ARB on board compressor to pressurize the hot water tank. The idea would be to provide a constant tank pressure and eliminate the need for pumping the handle. Anyone done this? Does anyone know what pressure the ARB pressure limit switch is set to?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...Does anyone know what pressure the ARB pressure limit switch is set to?

~90 psi

 

[mvbeggs]

ARB Limit Switch Pressure Setting?

~90 psi

Thanks. I would guess that I don't get near 90psi pumping the handle. Not sure though...I'll have to do some experimenting with mine.

 

[Corey]

I think the Zodi Extreme works pretty good as is with the sink head mod on it, and I have only had to pump it up once extra when using it.

 

[southpaws3]

I also have a homemade heat exchanger w/ pump,intake filter . works awesome,

 

[JKJenn]

I might be oversimplifying this, so feel free to correct me.

If i use the Zodi battery powered shower (mod with kitchen sprayer) and heat water in a stock pot (place pump in said stock pot) will that be all I need?

The battery powered shower seems compact and I do not yet have a 12v battery. Also, the stock pot could serve more than one purpose.


Also, for those of you who camp in the southwest, do you find that water on the ground draws rattlesnakes?

 

[ETAV8R]

It's shorter than a zodi which I like and the showerhead is better than the cheap stuff most companies use. The on/off is great too.

It is basically a black garden sprayer with a thumb control on the shower head handle. Heavy plastic,holds pressure longer than expected and it works.

Hey hows this working for you?

 

[topofpalomar]

[Also, for those of you who camp in the southwest, do you find that water on the ground draws rattlesnakes?[/QUOTE]

Camping in the desert and showering outside, we find that water on the ground tends to draw bees. Generally not an issue, the bees are just doing their bee-thing and don't bother us.

Never had a snake drawn into camp. They tend to just hang out in the rocky brush.

Cliff

 

[Clutch]

My home made shower out of stainless bug sprayer needs new seals to hold pressure. Instead of new seals, because pumping it up gets old real fast!!! I just tossed in a hose-bib into the side of it, with a sprayer attachment, that I had on the end of the hose before.

All gravity fed now...no pumping needed. Nice and simple...(thank gawd!!!) Still throw it on the camp stove to heat the water, then hang it above my shower enclosure.


Now for the water drawing rattlesnakes...nope, no problem...but you have to watch out for the chupacabras though. they love water, but hate cinnamon...sprinkle a little cinnamon around the perimeter of camp to keep them at bay...

 

[Accrete]

Looking for info on the ABS TUBE on roof rack solar hot water heater....

Greetings,

SOMEWHERE in the EXPO forums i remember a post on what looked like an ABS ~4" x 6ft? tube with appropriate fittings and pressure relief valves and such mounted on someone's rig (roof rack on street side??) designed to soak up to solar energy and have a nice shower by day's end. Anyway, after searching the forums and reading dozens of pages in various threads i'm coming up empty. Anyone have an idea as to what i'm talking about and a link for info?

Thanks in advance,
Thom

 

[JKJenn]

[Also, for those of you who camp in the southwest, do you find that water on the ground draws rattlesnakes?

Camping in the desert and showering outside, we find that water on the ground tends to draw bees. Generally not an issue, the bees are just doing their bee-thing and don't bother us.

Never had a snake drawn into camp. They tend to just hang out in the rocky brush.

Cliff[/QUOTE]

Thanks, Cliff. I didn't think it would because it isn't a long-term source, but I had read an account of someone showering and having a visitor. That does not sound enjoyable.

Now for the water drawing rattlesnakes...nope, no problem...but you have to watch out for the chupacabras though. they love water, but hate cinnamon...sprinkle a little cinnamon around the perimeter of camp to keep them at bay...

Thanks for that. I plan on having my own personal Bigfoot handy to keep the Chupacabras at bay. You never know when he might come in handy.

 

[BlueCruiser88]

This is a new contender. I picked one up from cabelas and it is by far the slickest option for my needs.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/76769-New-Mr-Heater-LP-Hot-Water-Heater

 

[MANUCHAO]

Zodi Extreme.. have used it for 2.5 years now.. and we have managed to get two showers out of it .. of course with the sink mod in place.... best part of this is I can heat up the water at the shower tent or on top of my ATS50 camp chef ...