Portable gas heated shower for camping

Resting in nature in tents or using a cramped caravan, one can only dream of a hot soul. Tourists usually use a suspended container of water, which is heated under the sun, but it is warm only after lunch and until the evening. An excellent solution to the problem of the lack of hot water in the campaign is the use of a home-made shower based on a propane flow heater and a pump. This device is costly in terms of materials, but its presence makes outdoor recreation really comfortable.

The main materials:

• flowing propane heater;
• 12V pump with integrated pressure switch;
• shower head with constipation and flexible hose;
• garden hose;
• gas hose;
• propane tank;
• gas reducer;
• a cigarette lighter plug with a cord of the required length;
• adapters from the exits of the heater to the garden and gas hose;
• clamps;
• fumlenta.

The main elements of the system are a flow heater and a 12V self-priming pump with a pressure switch. These units must be compatible with each other. Typically, 12V water pumps deliver 5 l / min, which is enough. A water heater with a minimum capacity of up to 5 l / min is selected for such a pump. Such columns can operate even at a water flow pressure of 0.15 bar, so connecting a mini pump is not dangerous for them.

Portable shower assembly

Shower making must begin with the assembly of the T-shaped frame. It can be made of plywood, as in the photo.
First, a water heater is hung on the frame. There are mounting holes on the column, so there is no difficulty in connecting. Since the supply of gas and water will occur at the back, then in the frame you need to make 2 holes for the supply of hoses.
Depending on the diameter of the necks of the standard water inlet and outlet, as well as the factory equipment with fittings, adapters with a nipple for the garden hose are selected.
A watering can is installed at the exit from the water heater.
At the input of the column, a short hose is connected to the outlet of the pump, mounted on the back of the frame. Another piece of hose is placed on the water intake of the pump. Its end will be immersed in any container with water or a river. Ideally, installing check valves on the water will not hurt. All connections are tightened with clamps, and a fumlent is pre-wound on the threads.
A gas hose is also connected to the propane supply on the heater using a suitable adapter. It connects to the gearbox screwed onto the bottle.
A wire with a plug for a cigarette lighter is clamped in the terminals of the pump. If necessary, an extension cord can be additionally purchased for it.

How to use a shower

To use the shower, it is necessary to connect a refilled propane cylinder to it, and lower the intake hose from the pump in a container of water. After that, the power plug of the pump is installed in the cigarette lighter. The pump operates for a few seconds, pumping up the water pressure in the system. After that, you need to open the gas supply from the cylinder. Next, the burner is ignited on the column and the minimum heating temperature is set.
After opening the stop valves on the shower head, the pressure in the system drops, so the relay starts the pump. A moving stream leads to a complete ignition of the heater chamber, and the water passing through it is heated. After that, the degree of heating can be added to the column with the adjustment wheel to get a hotter stream. If you shut off the watering can, the pump will turn off, the combustion in the water heater chamber will stop and only the flame on the burner will remain.

Original article in English