BOSS

[desert_sailing]

I picked up a BOSS xw18 portable propane hot water shower thing.

I am reading the instructions and have a question maybe someone would be kind enough to help with.

This is the rechargeable model that powers the pump/tap. The instructions say "do NOT use a AC to DC converters. I just want to be sure.. that I can rejuice through an inverter?. I figured that would be the case and would save over time buying an inverter to recharge instead of dcell batteries every other day.

I guess I will have to figure out what kind of inverter...LOL

This system also uses the 1 pound propane bottles. I swear I saw a picture of someone connecting to a 20pounder. The instructions doesn't say if I can indeed use a 20lb... If it is indeed possible to use a 20pounder.. do I need any dif equipment? I do already have a long hose and some kind of filter thing on it that I bought when I tested out a mr buddy.. (sucks) Can I just plug that up to the water heater then to the 20 pounder?

Sorry for being so clueless. I don't want to gas myself or blow myself up OR ruin an item that probably cost far too much.

Thanks for taking a moment to offer your direction!

 

[B and C]

Buy rechargeable D-cell batteries and use your solar to charge them. From what you wrote it sounds like they don't want you to get electrocuted.

If the hose will attach to the tank and heater, I see no reason it would not work. Best to ask the manufacturer directly though. Don't take my word for it as I am just some guy on the internet.

 

[desert_sailing]

Thank you. I wish I had thought about rechargeable d cells.
I bought the rechargeable BOSS system.  I am wondering if they are counting an inverter as a converter?..language barriers  etc..

Everyone has their own definition nowadays for things. I am looking at youtube as well for  any additional info. Not finding much even on a search.

 

[B and C]

Ah, rechargeable system, guess I missed that. I don't know if a modified sine wave inverter would work. You may need a pure sine wave. These are really questions for the manufacturer. Barring that, I would get the pure sine wave to hedge my bet. As long as you don't have it in water while you are charging it.

 

[highdesertranger]

what Brain said. highdesertranger

 

[desert_sailing]

I guess I will take this back and pay the xtra 50 bux to get the next model up that has 12v charging as well.

I tried to call the manufacturer but it ofc.. eastern time.. bleh and they been closed for nearly an hour. I assume the proper inverter is going to cost me more than the 50 bux upgrade to 12v.

 

[B and C]

That and you would lose battery capacity in the double conversion, 12v dc to 120v ac and then back to 12v dc. Wise choice going for the 12v option.

 

[desert_sailing]

That and you would lose battery capacity in the double conversion, 12v dc to 120v ac and then back to 12v dc.  Wise choice going for the 12v option.

So I just got back from exchanging the shower unit. The 12v model was not 50 bux more..it was 150 bux more.. and I am not paying 379 bux for a shower system. I went for the model xb-13  with the dcells to power the pump.  I will try to find rechargeable d cell system thank you for the suggestion.

150 bux buys an awful  lot of dcells.

 

[desert_sailing]

Alrighty... I just tested the shower out of the BOSS XB13...it actually  takes 6 d cells and not the 4 the box says.

The instructions are horrendous.. I really hate Chinese made crap.

I think it is going to be  ok. The shower head connection leaks however. Water is everywhere. I did double check to see about the seal inside, it is there and appears to be correctly placed. I didn't mess with it too much at this time. I may just have to cinch it down or get a better gasket.

It heated up the water fast and was plenty warm. I started with cold water from the yard tap. So I am happy with that. The water flow is kinda slow and the shower head has no way to stop the flow and then resume. I had planned on getting wet, soaping up and then rinsing. I am going to have to devise a new plan I guess. I don't know if shutting off the pump while the burner is going would be bad...my gut says not to do it. Maybe ill just keep a bucket nearby  to put the sprayer in ..or maybe I could just replace the head with one that I can stop the flow?


I am pretty happy with it for the 5 minutes I had it running. I can't wait to try it out and put it to the road test. It did not come with a propane hose unlike the model 18 which does.
It is very light and will be easy to move around but there is the intake hose, the outflow/nozzle flow hose.. and the propane hose. I can see myself getting tangled in all those hoses, slipping and busting a hip. naked, wet and helpless in my rig at the Walmart.

I hope this doesn't crap out on me after 3 months/weeks and I get at least a year out of it.  There is no doubt this is quite the luxury and I am certain to really appreciate it.

 

[desert_sailing]

Ohhhh thats perfect.

Shutting off the flow for a few moments won't cause any kind of pressure issue inside? Do you think the water coming out after being held inside will be scalding?

That is a nice shower head.. hi pressure and FIVE settings!

Thanks for the share. It is exactly what I need.

 

[highdesertranger]

the problem with instant hot water heaters is when you shut the flow off it turns the heater off. so if you leave if off for more than a few seconds the water gets cool. in the winter it gets cold. so when you start the flow again you get a burst of cool/cold water then the heater must turn back on and heat up all over again. so all that water in the line is cooler/cold and the water that first comes out of the heater is freezing. in really cold weather all that water is usually wasted down the drain. I have heard reports of people using a lot more water when taking a shower in the winter, than with a normal tank water heater.

also remember none of the cheap instant water heater are rated for use indoors. for safety the heater should be outside which just exasperates the problem.

I was convinced an instant water heater was the way to go but if you are taking Navy showers and the weather is cold you will use a ton of water. for this reason I decided to go with a standard tank unit and just turn it on when I need it. yes the water in the line still cools off but with insulated lines and a tank full of hot water it's not near as bad.

don't get me wrong if you have an unlimited water supply so you just leave it on or only using it in the heat of summer they are great.

highdesertranger

 

[desert_sailing]

Thanks for all the input everybody.

I think I am going to need an extra bucket nearby so I can reclaim cold/excess water that may linger in the line. Getting a showerhead that will stop the flow is pretty darn important. I will just have one 7 gallon jug for showers and such and just pour that excess water back into the main shower jug afterward.

I have  much to learn on how things really are and what my melon assumes.

 

[B and C]

I would be careful of an off the shelf system that you modify. Putting a cutoff valve where none existed might break the pump or could deliver scalding water. Be careful. This system evidentially was not designed to have a water cutoff.

 

[desert_sailing]

I just got back from the camp store where i bought it. I apparently don't know how to attach a hose to a splitter. I swear the in hose was much smaller than the splitter thhreading.. The workers plugged it right in. talk about embarassing. I spent over an hour easily last night trying to attache it..I have no idea what I was doing wrong.

Anyhow...

While I was there I asked them if I could use a shut off head. They said they didn't think the lower end model that I purchased allowed for that. So I will have to check out what the mechanism is about on this el cheapo model.

As Caravan Carolyn says.. "I am not going to trust a minimum wage worker to keep me safe" JK.. I don't care how much anyone earns.. I like to follow up on even my Dr's advice.