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Subject Topic: Shower in a van
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27/2/2018 at 2:39pm
 Location: Leicester
 Outfit: Hymercamp
View Samantha P's Profile View Profile   Reply to Samantha P Reply   Quote Samantha P Quote  
Joined: 24/3/2015

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Hi Stella
In our motorhome we have a 75 litre plastic freshwater tank that sits under one of our bench seats in the dining area. Inside the tank is a 12v immersible pump that draws water from the tank to the kitchen taps/bathroom taps and shower and also the small gas boiler which is under the other bench seat and heats the water. The 12v pump runs off of the leisure battery or the EHU and the boiler runs off of our calor gas bottles, but it also has electric ignition. That's roughly how it works but there's a lot to think about with water, gas and electric and then you'll need to get rid of the waste water and have a waterproof shower tray. Maybe you could get all the parts laid in position and get an electrician and gas fitter to connect it all and check it for safety?


27/2/2018 at 3:23pm
 Location: crewe
 Outfit: Elddis Xplore 302 and Nissan Campervan
View dinkum's Profile View Profile   Reply to dinkum Reply   Quote dinkum Quote  
Joined: 04/2/2008

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I would suggest an off the shelf Ring 12v Shower consisting of pump, hoses , battery pack and switch all complete. £2o or so from Ebay or Amazon. You then use this from a standard water bottle topped up from a kettle.You can also buy plastic shower tray sized to match the space in your van. To add a heated system will cost a lot more unless you can break into a existing system already fitted. You will need a good craftsman either way.
Here's my conversion of a Freedom Mcrolite washroom

https://youtu.be/nSRHU2b70-k

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cramming for my finals in the twilight zone


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27/2/2018 at 4:56pm
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View Penelope pit stop's Profile View Profile   Reply to Penelope pit stop Reply   Quote Penelope pit stop Quote  
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Thanks Samantha
I want to keep the van off grid what do you recommend for the power ? solar is fine for the summer but I'm thinking a generator ?


27/2/2018 at 6:35pm
 Location: Leicester
 Outfit: Hymercamp
View Samantha P's Profile View Profile   Reply to Samantha P Reply   Quote Samantha P Quote  
Joined: 24/3/2015

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I'm not sure I'm the one to answer that one Stella. We've always got by with the leisure battery and EHU and gas. I'm sure someone else on the forum can give you some clues on power supplies. i think a good quality solar panel will still store power in the winter though and I'd imagine a generator could be noisy which you might not want.


27/2/2018 at 7:30pm
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View Penelope pit stop's Profile View Profile   Reply to Penelope pit stop Reply   Quote Penelope pit stop Quote  
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The solar panels will store but means more batteries. You can get silent generators but expensive but then good solar panels aren't either. I think I will get both just to be safe one initial out lay and it's done other than the petrol.


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27/2/2018 at 8:34pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Various tents
View Hacksaw Bob's Profile View Profile   Reply to Hacksaw Bob Reply   Quote Hacksaw Bob Quote  
Joined: 26/7/2009

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I'd forget the generator unless you need mains voltage electricity for some purpose other than the shower, and even then you'll find most sites will disapprove of even the "quiet" ones and if they do allow them at all will restrict the times they can be used.

As suggested, use gas for heating water and a 12v pump for the shower.

You already have a generator in your van anyway! You can fit (or have fitted) a split charge relay to the alternator circuit to top up your leisure battery (which should be securely fitted in its own compartment sealed off from your habitation area but vented to outside) once the vehicle battery has been topped up.



28/2/2018 at 9:55am
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View Penelope pit stop's Profile View Profile   Reply to Penelope pit stop Reply   Quote Penelope pit stop Quote  
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Hi at the moment all I have is a micro wave an x box a tv and a fridge freezer. The guy I bought it off had it all running off of a hook up the only thing that runs off the battery is the lights. I want to go off grid so need advice on power. I think I will take the advice of the gas heated water shower just not sure about the power ?


28/2/2018 at 11:34am
 Location: crewe
 Outfit: Elddis Xplore 302 and Nissan Campervan
View dinkum's Profile View Profile   Reply to dinkum Reply   Quote dinkum Quote  
Joined: 04/2/2008

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If not already done, swap your lights for LED., they cost a bit but save lots of energy. If you have space , fit an extra leisure battery.When we had a big motorhome with seven people aboard wanting showers, hot food etc etc we did use a small Honda petrol generator off grid. Usually not on a campsite and in the winter, we ran it on laybys with nobody around. We chained it to the vehicle to prevent a grab and run type theft. As said above, a lot of sites don't allow generators and/or any neighbouring campers may complain. Solar panels work on light , not heat spectrum, so if it's sunny, they will charge leisure battery in the winter. You can also buy small, wind powered generators if you are really serious about being off grid with no EHU.Try Marine Chandlers and tell them what you need it for. I would stick with 12v personally. Again, not cheap but once you have one, it just keeps "giving".

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cramming for my finals in the twilight zone


28/2/2018 at 12:19pm
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View Penelope pit stop's Profile View Profile   Reply to Penelope pit stop Reply   Quote Penelope pit stop Quote  
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Will another leisure battery run all that I have ? Main lights are led as he said the other ones ran out after about 3 hours. Can I ask what an inverter does ? Will I need one ?


28/2/2018 at 12:48pm
 Location: Turriff Aberdeenshi
 Outfit: Romahome R30 Dimens
View Capt Lightning's Profile View Profile   Reply to Capt Lightning Reply   Quote Capt Lightning Quote  
Joined: 17/8/2006

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Instead of thinking about what gadgets you would like, try thinking of how little you actually need and reduce your power requirements. You can make a reasonable 'guesstimate' at how much power you will need and then use that to see how much battery capacity you will need.

I do not recommend that you use an inverter except for low power appliances. If you want to be off-grid, go for all 12Volt gadgets.




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Two drifters off to see the world.

I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.


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28/2/2018 at 2:22pm
 Location: None Entered
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View Penelope pit stop's Profile View Profile   Reply to Penelope pit stop Reply   Quote Penelope pit stop Quote  
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I could do without all I have except the tv I've seen them on a 12 volt but that can wait till later. My main concern is getting the power in. So much to learn and consider.


01/3/2018 at 3:11pm
 Location: Ayrshire
 Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs
View Fiona W's Profile View Profile   Reply to Fiona W Reply   Quote Fiona W Quote  
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I'm with the person that said don't bother to fit a shower. The space is better used for storage, a bigger bed, the essential toilet etc.... Less frequent need to refill the fresh water tank too. A bowl of hot sudsy water & a flannel is all you need if you're camping off grid.
If you want to wash hair daily, there are mixer taps where the shower head can extend on a flexible tube over the washroom or kitchen sink.
I've seen shower heads mounted on the tailgate door so you're showering outside, underneath the rear door, with a curtain (or not). A bit nippy in this weather though.

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2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.



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