Why wouldn't I want to buy an Ecotemp L5

[austintaco]

I am deciding on a portable hot water/camp shower system for my trips. I have narrowed it down to these 3:
The ecotemp L5

The zodi hot tap single burner:

or the Zodi Extreme

I want the system to be portable, durable, and functioning. From reading on here, it seems that the both Zodi models will benefit with a change in sprayer nozzles.
The single burner Zodi, the cheapest at $88 from Wal Mart, has a 6 volt pump that is prone to fail, so I would have to buy a 12 volt pump.
The Zodi extreme seems to be the way to go except for the shower head mod.
I would pull the trigger on the Zodi extreme, but then I found the Ecotemp L5. The only thing that concerns me about the Ecotemp is durability, but that is just from looking at it. Are there any reviews that I missed that talk about how well the unit is built?

edit: I found this thread: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37677&highlight=eccotemp

 

[Need For Speed]

I am getting for my M416

$109 bucks shipped here

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250656191486&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[Martyn]

I have used all three units, the portable instant unit may have been a different brand.

The simplest unit is the Zodi Extreme, nothing to go wrong with it, the burner provided with the unit is junk so we throw it away and sit it on the stove to heat it up. Biggest problem is they are on national back order.

The Zodi Hot Tap is more complex because it has a small pump that needs batteries. I've owned a unit for years, the only problem I had was that the pump rusted up, I took it apart cleaned it, sprayed it with WD40 and it runs great. Operating issues are that the water needs to be circulating through the unit all the time, if you don't want to be sprayed you have to stick the shower head back in the water bucket. As the water needs to circulate all the time you can not use a shower head with an on off with this unit. My solution is to run the unit with the shower head in the bucket, recirculating the water until it reaches temperature. Turn the burner off and just use the submersible pump to shower with.

The Ecotemp style shower worked well. It is the one that inspires the least confidence. It has the most to go wrong with it as it has micro electronics and sensor and the sheet metal was paper thin. I always got the feeling that if it was dropped that would be the end of it. It's more applicable for a permanent outside shower for a remote cabin, rather than for camping. The difficulties are that it needs to be attached to a pressurized water source, typically a garden hose, and the whole unit needs to be elevated.

 

[Corey]

I have three seasons of use with my Zodi Extreme with the kitchen faucet mod.
Very simple setup, it has not failed me.

 

[Errant]

I use the Zodi single burner. Mine's an older model, with the plastic storage container that serves as water bucket and propane stand. It heats up quickly, and pumps enough water to wash and condition my hair, which is long and thick.

I've not had a problem with the pump, but I'm also using clean water and make sure everything's dry before storing. I've left the shower head alone, as I prefer to conserve my water. Like Martyn, I drop it back into the bucket to recirc, rather than turning it on/off between rinses.

 

[gasman]

i use a plastic weed sprayer 25 bucks at the local hardware store, just heat the water on the stove or fire , fill ,pump, and bobs your uncle, i can get two 5 minute showers outta that sucker, or 1 10 minute shower if the girlfriend is helping out,

simple lightweight and it works,

 

[evldave]

I have the ecotemp now, but haven't been out camping with it yet. It's currently being used as a warm-water dog wash in the garage...and it works great for that!

It is fairly light built - I don't know how well it will hold up to heavy camping usage, but Martyn's comments about stationary Cabin-type use seems to be the best use for it. Ask me again next year once I've been through a full camping season and I'll let you know how it goes

 

[Martyn]

Keep us posted on how it works out.

Keep an eye on it during freezing temps, the pump and heat exchanger are prone to freezing.

 

[austintaco]

Great discussion. I found one of the Zodi extremes, except its just the can, no burner. I might just try that out and see how it goes.

edit: I bought the Zodi extreme, bottle only, from Zodi on ebay. It was $99 after shipping, and I still need to buy a 10000 btu burner, but there are plenty of options for that.

I will use the camp stove to try it out first, and go from there. Any suggestions on a good one burner? I figure it will make redundant stove if mine craps out.

 

[austintaco]

When I went through the checkout process for the Zodi extreme bottle, I had the option to buy some accessories at the same time, with no additional shipping charges. I bought the burner, a travel bag, and the shower pole. I read one review on the shower pole that stated that it was very cheap, but it was only $10, so I went with it.

Apparently they only sell these items at checkout in conjunction with auction wins on ebay and other sites.