Propane Shower

cb32863 · Oct 23, 2012

This pretty much says it all for it..... From the description "*Intended for outdoor use only. "

Merlin Clark · Oct 23, 2012

Yeah, I think "on demand" is an excellant alternative to wasting energy storing hot water or, in our case, cold showers!
I wouldn't have room for one on my boat either so will stick with a solar shower bag.

capejt · Oct 23, 2012

We used a ZODI

We tried the solar water bag route.... takes too long and doesn't deliver temperature or quanity desired. I then found a ZODI on demand style water heater on EBay. At the time I think it was about $100. It performed well for about two or three years but it is now corroded and I feel unsafe to use. I will admit the "outdoor use only" warning had me concerned. Whenever we used it you can be sure the ports were open and ventilation was a primary concern.
I've been contemplating installing one of those bulkhead mounted units, mounted inside a well ventilated (to the outside) yet airtight locker in the lazerette area (similar to a propane locker).

Rob2435 · Oct 23, 2012

Re: We used a ZODI

have a friend with a 1987 Cal 35 that has a Wolter propane heater, vented outside the boat of course. It's in need of minor repairs so haven't tried it yet.

Don12364 · Oct 23, 2012

The problem is this type of shower does not have a proper chimney to direct the exhaust gasses out of the boat.
These gasses are deadly (monoxide) and are the cause of numerous camper van deaths every year.
In most countries they are outlawed. Pity because, if they did have a chimney they would be fine.
Try asking the manufacturer about this as he may well have something that does meet the relevant legislation and has passed the necessary tests.

Barnacle Bill · Oct 23, 2012

These types of heaters were used in a lot of Canadian built boats and they loved them (I guess) and were nice because they didn't take up much space and were efficient. But, they must be vented outside. I have heard that some of those models were not acceptable in the U.S. of A, but then I think some are. So, maybe check with your insurance guy and boating laws in your area to make sure they are acceptable.

alexco38 · Oct 23, 2012

Use this in the cockpit

http://www.basspro.com/Coleman-Hot-Water-on-Demand-Portable-Water-Heater/product/50149/

catsailor · Oct 23, 2012

Barnacle Bill said:
These types of heaters were used in a lot of Canadian built boats and they loved them (I guess) and were nice because they didn't take up much space and were efficient. But, they must be vented outside. I have heard that some of those models were not acceptable in the U.S. of A, but then I think some are. So, maybe check with your insurance guy and boating laws in your area to make sure they are acceptable.

My boat was built in Canada and has such a heater. It has been through three surveys.

External stack w/gasketed seal for when underway (located on bow).
Compliant propane tank installation (special locker with tanks and regulators and a separate hose for each appliance, and a vapor drain).
Propane detectors (2) linked to solenoid and monoxide detector.
Heater in bulk headed compartment; no monoxide risk. only ignition protected hardware in compartment, propane vapor drain, and high vent.

Works very well.

----------

As for solar shower and cockpit solutions, forget it. Tried them. If it is hot enough for them to work, you don't need heated water and so the temperature control and heating time issues aren't worth the trouble. Just keep the water jug in a warm location. I have a heater and in the summer I generally use the unheated transom shower instead. If it is truly cold, warm water on the stove and take a sponge bath. Mostly, you won't want a shower and a small boat can't tolerate the humidity (everything will sweat).

Seriously, showers are nice, but sometimes we over complicate. I like my heater install and it has been 100% trouble free, but if someone stole it I wouldn't notice right off.

Merlin Clark · Oct 23, 2012

Ok then, since you don't like a solar bag in the cockpit, I'll just quit doing it that way.

Dunlookin · Oct 24, 2012

Thoughts on Showers

During twenty years in the Army, and deployments all over the world, I always carried a solar shower with me. There are a few things that rejuvinate the soul more than a refreshing hot shower (yes, we know what the other things are and we usally shower even after then).

The soal shower is inexpensive, works well with adequate sunshine, and extremely simple to replace. However, if you like a hot shower first thing in the morning...not an option based on no sun during the night. I have heard of people who heat water through whatever means, and then simply pour it in the solar shower. I am generally too lazy for all that effort. I have several aboard for the sumer so guests can "rinse" off after swimming.

This year I installed a wall mounted on demand unit. Since I have one in my house, I expected the unit to work well. The theory is simple. The unit rases the temperature of the water as it passes through coils (similar to a radiator). The problem with the unit is the issue we all deal with...water conservation. You run the water and adjust the faucets. The temp is now perfect. You use the shower head to stop the water, lather up, then open the shower head. The water coming out is cold until the flow rate, and demand, of the unit cycles on and heats the water. When I am home I turn on the shower, grab my girlfriend and shower (or whatever) as long as I like. The limited water tankage on the boat causes the water temperature problem. When I just turn on the boat shower...the water is perfect as I pump precious water over myself at the rate of 4.5 gallons a minute, Hell, in Iraq I lived on a gallon of water a day.

This past summer a member was kind enough to give me a cruise-air air conditioner (BEFORE you start cussing me, keep in mind he offered it on this site and you could have contacted him before I did. : )

I bought a Ryobi 2000 watt generator to power it ($ 599.00 at Home Depot). I plan on removing the on demand shower and giving it to a friend of mine who camps. I will replace it with an electric how water heater that I will run with my generator. Defender offers severl for less than $ 250.00. All of the models are rated at 1500 watts, or less.

I don't live in a whole in the ground anymore. Everything I own is not in a (far too heavy) rucksack.

I want all the creature comforts I can get.

MrBill_FLL · Oct 24, 2012

I have the battery pump type zodi. use it mostly in the cockpit but have used it in the cabin w/ pop top up.

it works, but its really easier to just boil some water and mix that into a solar shower. less to carry/break.

the zodi can be very hot when you turn on the water if its been sitting in the coils for long. zodi and the one you posted is good, when you have pressure water but no heater. no as great when you have limited supply.

Merlin Clark · Oct 25, 2012

Dunlookin said:
During twenty years in the Army, and deployments all over the world, I always carried a solar shower with me. There are a few things that rejuvinate the soul more than a refreshing hot shower (yes, we know what the other things are and we usally shower even after then).

The soal shower is inexpensive, works well with adequate sunshine, and extremely simple to replace. However, if you like a hot shower first thing in the morning...not an option based on no sun during the night. I have heard of people who heat water through whatever means, and then simply pour it in the solar shower. I am generally too lazy for all that effort. I have several aboard for the sumer so guests can "rinse" off after swimming.

This year I installed a wall mounted on demand unit. Since I have one in my house, I expected the unit to work well. The theory is simple. The unit rases the temperature of the water as it passes through coils (similar to a radiator). The problem with the unit is the issue we all deal with...water conservation. You run the water and adjust the faucets. The temp is now perfect. You use the shower head to stop the water, lather up, then open the shower head. The water coming out is cold until the flow rate, and demand, of the unit cycles on and heats the water. When I am home I turn on the shower, grab my girlfriend and shower (or whatever) as long as I like. The limited water tankage on the boat causes the water temperature problem. When I just turn on the boat shower...the water is perfect as I pump precious water over myself at the rate of 4.5 gallons a minute, Hell, in Iraq I lived on a gallon of water a day.

This past summer a member was kind enough to give me a cruise-air air conditioner (BEFORE you start cussing me, keep in mind he offered it on this site and you could have contacted him before I did. : )

I bought a Ryobi 2000 watt generator to power it ($ 599.00 at Home Depot). I plan on removing the on demand shower and giving it to a friend of mine who camps. I will replace it with an electric how water heater that I will run with my generator. Defender offers severl for less than $ 250.00. All of the models are rated at 1500 watts, or less.

I don't live in a whole in the ground anymore. Everything I own is not in a (far too heavy) rucksack.

I want all the creature comforts I can get.

And you deserve those comforts!

thinwater · Oct 25, 2012

merlinuxo said:
Ok then, since you don't like a solar bag in the cockpit, I'll just quit doing it that way.

I so glad we got that straight.

I had a bag I used on my Stiletto 27. Sometimes it was nice. Sometimes it was scalding. Often I kept it on-deck but covered in the summer, because I didn't want the water hot, just room temperature. And up here in the winter it's too damn cold to shower in the cockpit in any case.

Once I was showering on-deck, bare ass naked but with all the lights out. We we in a cove with some houses on shore and folks outside, but it was moonless and dark as pitch. I misplaced the shampo, so my daughter (3 at the time) decided to help by turning the deck lightes on. I finished very quickly.

_____________

The water conservation issue is real. If you keep the pipe runs short, use an efficient nozzel and teach everyone navy showers, I find the long-haired teenage girls use about 5-7 gallons each shower, and perhaps 1/2 that for me. I have a 27 gallons water tank, so it still lasts a while, since they don't do the hair every day (I don't have enough hair for it to matter either way).

Maine Sail · Oct 25, 2012

Barnacle Bill said:
These types of heaters were used in a lot of Canadian built boats and they loved them (I guess) and were nice because they didn't take up much space and were efficient. But, they must be vented outside. I have heard that some of those models were not acceptable in the U.S. of A, but then I think some are. So, maybe check with your insurance guy and boating laws in your area to make sure they are acceptable.

And they killed people and were taken off the market for marine use. No on-demand vent-free propane units meet any of the US standards for marine use.

There are very few sealed combustion direct vented units available that also meet the standards, but there are a few.

Please be VERY, VERY careful buying any of these "vent free" or even sealed combustion units. There are a few companies outright LYING and/or GROSSLY misleading customers about them being designed to meet the safety standards for marine use..

When you see "On-Demand" "Propane" and "Marine" question EVERYTHING and be sure it is a vented and sealed combustion unit and that also meets the ABYC safety standards.......

Merlin Clark · Oct 25, 2012

We had a shack down in Costa Rica where the shower was made up of sheet metal and 2x4 framing. The thing was an adventure in itself with the creepy crawlies that would show up, so we bathed in a wash tub on the back "porch" (6x8 slab) with water heated on the stove. This was before I started using bags.
Neighbors about 100' away but no lights!
I'd offered the Mrs to build a real bathroom but she didn't want to spend the money until one morning she went out to the outhouse and there was a young fer de lance coiled up, soaking up rays. She first accused me of being so dopey that I used the facility with the snake between my feet and then asked how quickly I could get this new facility done.

JohnS · Oct 25, 2012

The only parts that NEED to be in the cabin are the hose and shower head. Leave the rest outside, and no CO concerns. It'd be ugly, but maybe you could put the heater/propane unit on the stern rail (away from hatches/companionway).

Bill Roosa · Oct 25, 2012

Yet another advantage of using CNG. Lighter than air and you can install inside the cabin (with vent for the flu of course) No worries about propane pilot lights going out and filling the bilge with gas!!!

Bill Roosa · Oct 25, 2012

So you folks are on the hook so long the hot water cools off..????? I have found that unless I'm spending several days at one location AND I'm not charging the batteries with the motor I always have hot water via the engine.
I will have to modify my routine (motor in the last 45 minutes to "charge up" and have hot water) for entering an anchorage when I get the larger solar panel up on the stern pole and can't (don't have to) justify running the motor to have hot water though.
Just a though, since we are installing solar why not put a solar thermal collector under the solar panel and collect the heat in the hot water tank...... things that make you go hummmm