Portable Camping Showers

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Portable Camping Showers

I use one of those 12v shower units that are available from camping stores for around $20. They generally last around 12 months so I have a spare one.

8 months of the year out here you can use the water straight out of the jerry can or water tank in the trailer. Occaisionally you might need to put it in the shade to cool down or wait until dark to shower. The other two months of the year I chuck a galvanised bucket onto the camp fire and heat up a enough water for a quick shower.

I have a shower tent for the missus which is one of those nylon types with external frame. I set it up next to the trailer so it's nice and close for her. I have two wooden mats, one for inside the tent and one for outside. You did a hole, put the mat and tent on top, water falls through into hole, feet don't get muddy.

If I'm out bush without the missus I'll drop the pump straight into a container with some water and stand next to the car and have a quick tub.

[embi Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close embi]

Re: Portable Camping Showers

Here's how we did ours.
http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=52

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

Re: Portable Camping Showers

We've generally got away with cups and a bucket filled with heated water up until now... although with our new camper trailer and battery set-up, the 12v portable shower system is certainly looking like the way to go.

I like the portability and simplicity of the 12v portable shower units (shower head, cord and power lead only) over the more impressive set-ups that need the vehicle engine for power or needing to use the shower system adjacent to the vehicle. Much cheaper too.

[jeff s Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close jeff s]

Re: Portable Camping Showers

We use the 12volt cheap drop in type mentioned by others, Just heat a pot up on the gas and drop all ingredients in a bucket.
We use one of those internal frame shower tents, Its one of those things that is so easy to collapse if done right, but can drive you crazy if you forget how its done.
We have both had a try and gave up before, This is not a big problem with the camper trailer, we just fold it flat, then chuck it under the tent cover on top of the tent and then its half ready the next day. .
But, the last rip to steep point it was a chore I was not looking forward to and had given my self some extra time to get done, But it behaved and was back in the bag in 2 mins... I felt like a pro..

About our 12volt shower, It is about 3 years old. About $20. but when I pulled it out of its bucket nothing worked.. Checked and the impeller was tight, but after a few turns freed up alright, but it still didnt work. Checked the fuse in the ciggy lighter plug and it was blown, no spare, so wrapped some wire around it (enter bodgy comments here) So after the 10hour slow blow fuse was installed the shower lasted 3 showers before it fried itself.

So We are in the market for a new one also. Glad it happened at the point and not on the GTG trip, A good reminder to check out all your gear before a trip, especially if its been a while.
Jeff.

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Re: Portable Camping Showers

Hello I know this is an old thread but I was reading through and thought I could offer a suggestion.
With those 12V "drop in bucket" showers I was sick of the motor packing up after a few uses ( seems the seals are not that great )
I happened to have a small 12V bilge pump lying around so removed the old pump and used that instead. Also re-used the orignal 12V lead and in line switch.
I thought the bilge pump would be too powerful and suck the water up too fast, but it works very well. You can control the flow with the valve on the shower head.
It is certainly a lot better quality than the motor that comes with the orginal set - they are designed to sit in the bilge of boats after all - I think I got it for about $25 from a caravan place.

[flyingwil Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close flyingwil]

Re: Portable Camping Showers

We use an aluminum bug sprayer. The sprayer uses far less water if you are conserving on your water usage than a typical shower. You can heat the water one of two ways, heat the water in your stove then fill the sprayer, or put the water in and heat on your stove directly. Basically it is the poor mans version of the Zodi Extreme, but with parts available at your hardware store.


If your really lazy, you can add a tire stem and pressurize the system from your air compressor. One more hint is to use one of the stick on fishtank water temp gauges so you know how hot your water is.

[Andy_B Member Find all posts View Profile Close Andy_B]

Re: Portable Camping Showers

I have a $25 shower pump, and a steel bucket, which I put on the stove to warm up. And there a go a cheap hot shower when you're camping.

Andy

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: Portable Camping Showers

Today I purchased a Coleman HWOD unit at the Anaconda sale. I also bought the mains pressure adaptor however I can't work out what coupling I use to connect the hose. Has anybody done this? http://www.colemanaustralia.com.au/temp ... =2300-511A

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

Re: Portable Camping Showers

Has anybody done this?

Can't say I have... and the pic doesn't help much.
It doesn't say you need any extra bit though... just mentions a 'standard' household hose :?
Good luck

[tinkera Member Find all posts View Profile Close tinkera]

Re: Portable Camping Showers

how many liters per hour does that bilge pump rated at.as water is sometimes scarce were we camp.i use $25 turbo at the moment but have same life span as everyone else.

[LenGXV6 Member Find all posts View Profile Close LenGXV6]

Re: Portable Camping Showers

Looks like I have the same setup as every one else. $20 12v shower head, shower tent and solar shower bags. Had the 12v shower head for 1 1/2 years now and have never had a problem with it, but I do like the idea of using a bilge pump.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: Portable Camping Showers

Has anybody done this?

Can't say I have... and the pic doesn't help much.
It doesn't say you need any extra bit though... just mentions a 'standard' household hose :?

Picked up a standard 3/4 inch adaptor today, the thread must be different as it binds about 1/2 way in...

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Re: Portable Camping Showers

If you measure the inside diameter of the threaded hole (or the outside diameter if it is a male thread) and the spacing of the thread and whether it is parallel or tapered and post the measurements here or pm me I will try to track down what the thread is. Also does the threaded portion have a square end like it seals against a washer?

Michael

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: Portable Camping Showers

Went to an irragation place this morning and got the rights bits. In the end we removed the supplied Coleman fitting and replaced it with an adaptor that allows a standard 3/4 inch adaptor. A picture says a 1000 words so here's 2000 words

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

Re: Portable Camping Showers

which are the original Coleman bits :?

Good to see it was a simple fix.