I have been researching water heaters and have found that most units are fairly complicated, large and expensive. I came across the following products and would like some opinions if anyone has used them or what you might think about their possible use as a marine shower. Tim Reilley Athais 1976 P28-1 #117 Portland, Maine
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Why not boats
mentioned? Offhand, I see no reason why not. Would sure beat a solar shower. But I wonder that they don't mention boats except for kayaking and rafting. And how much are they?
mentioned? Offhand, I see no reason why not. Would sure beat a solar shower. But I wonder that they don't mention boats except for kayaking and rafting. And how much are they?
Propane
You do not want to store propane canisters anywhere but outside. And, that includes outside the cockpit in most cases. Other than that, no reason why not. You could use the 2.5 gallon one and just heat it on the stove. RD
You do not want to store propane canisters anywhere but outside. And, that includes outside the cockpit in most cases. Other than that, no reason why not. You could use the 2.5 gallon one and just heat it on the stove. RD
Why outside?
Other then obvious reasons of accidental ignition why can't you store them in a storaqge locker? I have always stored my camper's stove bottles inside. They certainly are stored in my car when camping and most people I know that have the barbeque propane stoves that store them in a locker on the boat. Please advise Tim
Other then obvious reasons of accidental ignition why can't you store them in a storaqge locker? I have always stored my camper's stove bottles inside. They certainly are stored in my car when camping and most people I know that have the barbeque propane stoves that store them in a locker on the boat. Please advise Tim
Water heaters aren't complex
They're all just well insulated tanks with a heating element inside...some also have a "heat exchanger" which is nothing more than coiled piping inside the tank that recirculates hot engine coolant (closed cooling required) to heat the water it without the need for electricity. Size might be an issue on a small boat, but not on many bigger than about 28'...and yes, they are a bit pricy. The units at your like require both batteries and a heat source...mostly camp stove propane cylinders (which should never be stored belowdecks)--one model heats on a gas stove burner. Ok for camping in the woods, but they don't appear to be very practical for storage OR use aboard. Seems to me that heating water in a pot and transfering it to a pump-up garden spray jug would be just as easy and a whole lot cheaper.
They're all just well insulated tanks with a heating element inside...some also have a "heat exchanger" which is nothing more than coiled piping inside the tank that recirculates hot engine coolant (closed cooling required) to heat the water it without the need for electricity. Size might be an issue on a small boat, but not on many bigger than about 28'...and yes, they are a bit pricy. The units at your like require both batteries and a heat source...mostly camp stove propane cylinders (which should never be stored belowdecks)--one model heats on a gas stove burner. Ok for camping in the woods, but they don't appear to be very practical for storage OR use aboard. Seems to me that heating water in a pot and transfering it to a pump-up garden spray jug would be just as easy and a whole lot cheaper.
I understand the complexity but..
The downsides that I see are another point of failure on your engine cooling system for the heat exchange type not to mention having to run your engine to get the hot water. The electric ones use too much current, are slow and present an electrical hazard. What I like about the propane units is that they can work off your existing fresh water supply with no holding tank. 1 propane cylinder can last a long time. They claim 30 5 minute showers on the single tank type. Where do people usually store their barbeque propane tanks when not in use? What are the chances of one of these tanks leaking? I know of some people that use full size propane tanks that are stored in a vented locker. Tim
The downsides that I see are another point of failure on your engine cooling system for the heat exchange type not to mention having to run your engine to get the hot water. The electric ones use too much current, are slow and present an electrical hazard. What I like about the propane units is that they can work off your existing fresh water supply with no holding tank. 1 propane cylinder can last a long time. They claim 30 5 minute showers on the single tank type. Where do people usually store their barbeque propane tanks when not in use? What are the chances of one of these tanks leaking? I know of some people that use full size propane tanks that are stored in a vented locker. Tim
You have the picture.
Tim: You obviously have the picture on the propane tanks. I believe that they are more of a problem once you have used them part way and remove them from the device that they where attached to. I have had them leak. The propane is heavier than air and can sink into the bilge..... (then we can get the big bang theory). You noticed that they did not recommend that these be used on boats! My guess is that these units are probably going to rust out very quickly if you are in a seawater environment too. I would think that the only safe place to use these devices would be in the cockpit. Personally it just does not look like a great idea. Just from the safety and idea that it is not built for the marine environment. Looks great for a camper. As for simple 110vac water heaters, you can get them at Home Depot and Loews and they are not very expensive. You just plug them into an outlet, plumb them to the water supply and away you go. PS: Do you have a diesel or a gas engine on your boat?
Tim: You obviously have the picture on the propane tanks. I believe that they are more of a problem once you have used them part way and remove them from the device that they where attached to. I have had them leak. The propane is heavier than air and can sink into the bilge..... (then we can get the big bang theory). You noticed that they did not recommend that these be used on boats! My guess is that these units are probably going to rust out very quickly if you are in a seawater environment too. I would think that the only safe place to use these devices would be in the cockpit. Personally it just does not look like a great idea. Just from the safety and idea that it is not built for the marine environment. Looks great for a camper. As for simple 110vac water heaters, you can get them at Home Depot and Loews and they are not very expensive. You just plug them into an outlet, plumb them to the water supply and away you go. PS: Do you have a diesel or a gas engine on your boat?
Does not seem to be worth the risk
Thanks Steve. I only run 12 volts on my boat with about 220 amp hours. I do have an inboard with salt water cooling. I have thought of building some sort of heat exchanger. I also restore cars as a hobbie and know the theory of heat exchange. Tim
Thanks Steve. I only run 12 volts on my boat with about 220 amp hours. I do have an inboard with salt water cooling. I have thought of building some sort of heat exchanger. I also restore cars as a hobbie and know the theory of heat exchange. Tim
Propane Storage
Tim, I keep an extra bottle in a mesh bag on the rail. I also know a lot of people who keep them in a cockpit locker. That's certainly better than below. Having had one new one and one used one discharge, I just get concerned about having them stored where the propane might pool if it leaks. Of course, a locker open to the bilge won't do you any good. We use a five gallon solar shower to which we added a long hose extension in order to bring it into the head. Works good. Rick D.
Tim, I keep an extra bottle in a mesh bag on the rail. I also know a lot of people who keep them in a cockpit locker. That's certainly better than below. Having had one new one and one used one discharge, I just get concerned about having them stored where the propane might pool if it leaks. Of course, a locker open to the bilge won't do you any good. We use a five gallon solar shower to which we added a long hose extension in order to bring it into the head. Works good. Rick D.
Storage.
Another way to store 1lb propane bottles is to get a piece of 4" pvc pipe. Put a cap on the bottom and a plug on top. This allow you to strap the PVC to a rail, stanchion or pulpit without worrying about salt water corrosion and you do not need to worry about propane finding it way aboard too.
Another way to store 1lb propane bottles is to get a piece of 4" pvc pipe. Put a cap on the bottom and a plug on top. This allow you to strap the PVC to a rail, stanchion or pulpit without worrying about salt water corrosion and you do not need to worry about propane finding it way aboard too.
I've used my freinds "Zodi" many times and...
It works pretty well. We had the double burner version. The actual water pressure coming out of the shower nozzle was lacking, but putting tape over 20% of the nozzle holes left more water pressure for the remaining holes. The ambient temp of the water up in the Northwest is pretty cool, so we found that recirculating the water in a bucket for about 5 minutes got the water really toasty. Enjoy!
It works pretty well. We had the double burner version. The actual water pressure coming out of the shower nozzle was lacking, but putting tape over 20% of the nozzle holes left more water pressure for the remaining holes. The ambient temp of the water up in the Northwest is pretty cool, so we found that recirculating the water in a bucket for about 5 minutes got the water really toasty. Enjoy!
Bottle Storage
I made one just as steve descibed. Instead of a plug and a cap I put a reducer at the bottom so that any propane that leaks from the bottles is able to escape and disapate into the air.
I made one just as steve descibed. Instead of a plug and a cap I put a reducer at the bottom so that any propane that leaks from the bottles is able to escape and disapate into the air.
Perhaps they don't mention marine applications...
...because the unit is not built to handle the marine environment. Maybe it does not resist corrosion too well. I installed a compact marine water heater in my boat that works very well. Made by Atlantic Stainless. Linkage below to my website and pictures. Cheers, Bob
...because the unit is not built to handle the marine environment. Maybe it does not resist corrosion too well. I installed a compact marine water heater in my boat that works very well. Made by Atlantic Stainless. Linkage below to my website and pictures. Cheers, Bob
Sometimes known as drilling a hole.
Rick: I forgot to add that to the post (thanks). You may also want to consider drilling a 1/4" hole in the bottom to allow for vapor to escape and/or water to drain. Or you could use Ricks method (whatever works for YOU).
Rick: I forgot to add that to the post (thanks). You may also want to consider drilling a 1/4" hole in the bottom to allow for vapor to escape and/or water to drain. Or you could use Ricks method (whatever works for YOU).
I've used one for 2 years now, no complaints
Fantastic when hooked into the pressure water and you haven't run the engine in a few days to make hot water. All the issues about propane storage should be noted. The dual burner one is a bit over kill if the starting temp is about 65 or more. I run mine outside tied to the rail and light and control it though the head window when showering. Nothing beats instant hot water when you want it for showering or dishes. Works great as an after dive warm water rinse too.
Fantastic when hooked into the pressure water and you haven't run the engine in a few days to make hot water. All the issues about propane storage should be noted. The dual burner one is a bit over kill if the starting temp is about 65 or more. I run mine outside tied to the rail and light and control it though the head window when showering. Nothing beats instant hot water when you want it for showering or dishes. Works great as an after dive warm water rinse too.
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