Considering Camplux 5L... Hose length woes...

[dbhost]

So after looking into the Joolca HOTTAP V2, I am looking at alternatives as the Joolca is, well, expensive. And none of these units seem to have sufficient length hoses anyway, so...

I am considering maybe the Camplux 5L with the pump https://amzn.to/3ilhsyM

The Joolca has hoses that are 1.2m, the Camplux has hoses that are 5'.

Now I am no metric to imperial expert here, but... Is't that kind of the same thing?

Either way I go I am going to need longer hoses...

Now my thought process is this...

#1. Camplux 5L with pump.
#2. 1/2" ID potable water hose, 25' for intake side. Simply use it to extend from the bottom of the camplux to the OE hoses for the pump.
#3. 3/4" garden hose thread x 3/8 hose barb male and female fittings + 10' of 3/8" food grade high temp silicone hose, and clamps.

Mount the Camplux shower head and hose into the Joolca Ensuite Double, and leave it in place as if it were a Joolca. Seek out and use leak free quick connect fittings for all water fittings. Not sure such a thing exists...

This begs the question of. Will this work? Will the little 1.2GPM pump be happy pushing water basically close to 45 feet?

Would the Joolca be able to handle this?

If not, what would?

 

[dbhost]

If you know pressure specs of the little 1.2 GPM pump on your 1/2”hose, its pretty easy to figure out...
Are you extending pump power another 25’ also ?

Just to be anoying, I suggest buying the heater itself and a bigger pump. I suspect they would specify the supplied pump is near the minimum to work. Not counting on somebody adding 25’ resistance extra 1/2” hose.
If you get a bigger pump, You can always throttle down if its too powerful, you cant throttle up if distance or elevation requires it.
Btw,
Why the mention of ”potable” and ” food grade”, You plan on drinking your hotwater ?

To answer the questions. Yes, adding additional wire to get power to the pump is a negligible issue.

Nothing annoying at all. I just have no clue what pump specs I would need to look into.

The reasoning behind potable water / food grade hose would be I am planning on using the water heater to heat water for dishwashing / rinsing as well and I don't want contaiminants in the water to be left behind after the rinse...

So to build a system as it were, right or wrong, I am thinking.

Camplux 5L https://amzn.to/3iAOtr5
Seaflow 3GPM 12V water pump. https://amzn.to/3g9p8l2
3/8" ID Clear food grade high temp braided silicone water hose from my local Ace Hardware
M and F brass 3/8" hose barb to garden hose thread fittings. Again Ace Hardware.
3/8" brass hose barb Y fitting.

To get hte power to the pump...
14 ga Pos + Neg conductor pair, silicone jacket. Typically car stereo wire. Local Walmart Auto center.
Solder, shrink tubing, clear silicone, and male 12V power plug.

 

[NatersXJ6]

If you really are concerned about food grade or potable water service, you need to look closely at those brass fittings from ACE. They may not be NSF 61 certified (potable water contact). The reality is that you are likely to never run enough water through those to create an issue for yourself even if they were made of something really nasty.

 

[dbhost]

If you really are concerned about food grade or potable water service, you need to look closely at those brass fittings from ACE. They may not be NSF 61 certified (potable water contact). The reality is that you are likely to never run enough water through those to create an issue for yourself even if they were made of something really nasty.

Fair enough, and to be blunt, I grew up drinking from a standard water hose back then the fittings were partially made with lead. That may explain a bit though...

 

[dbhost]

Nevermind its Chineseium mystery metal theatexchanger...

Dumb question then... aren't all the portable hot water heaters made in China?

 

[Wilbah]

I like what you're laying out and am contemplating something similar. Here's my $0.02 and as with anything....it worth what you're paying for it. ?

The reviews on the pump seem to vary from "its perfect" to "cheaply made"/"if a fitting breaks, you have to replace the whole thing". Not sure if a different version (more expensive likely) pump that has metal fittings might make more sense. The specs reference the duty cycle too so you might want to double check that too just to be sure it meets your needs.

The only thing I would say to what you've outlined is when doing dishes rinse with scalding water. The heater wont get it hot enough to do that. I wouldn't worry about potable hoses for dishwashing if I'm also boiling water on the stove to scald rinse at the end. Might save the $ on the portable hoses and spring for a stronger pump.

I tried to see the gauge wire on the power and couldn't tell but sounds like you've checked that, just want to be sure what you're proposing is enough. I like the idea of getting rid of the battery clamps. Good luck!