Pricey propane or solar shower or PVC on the roof?

[rruff]

I've been thinking of getting a 1 1/2 gal SS Weed Sprayer.

It depends on how and where you live. I like to be in sunny moderate climates for the most part, so using the sun to heat water is very effective. On rare days when it's a cloudy or rainy I can heat a pot of water on the stove. If you are in cloudy, wet areas a lot then it might make sense to have something that can only be heated by fuel... or if you just don't want to go outside... or really need hot water early in the morning.

A weed sprayer might eventually warm up in the sun if one side is painted black... especially if you insulate the other side.

 

[CosmickGold]

A quality Stainless Steel "Weed Sprayer" tank can be found to hold from 2 to 5 gallons of water.

I've been thinking of getting a 1 1/2 gal SS Weed Sprayer.

What have you been using for a spray head?

I shudder when people speak of using a metal weed sprayer, due to the temptation to heat it on your stove as you would a teapot. The extreme danger is that the water could easily exceed the normal temperature of boiling and then explode the container, coating you -- confined in your van -- with steam much hotter than boiling water. The burns on your skin that could result are too horrible to describe. Please don't do it!

I explain the way I happily shower above in comment #18, which -- my having tried a plastic weed sprayer -- know is actually easier to use, and the water is always safely open to the air.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Simplest shower I used when living out of a Subaru Forester:

2 liter pop bottles, painted flat black, with screw on shower head.​

- use as many as you need; I used 2​

- heat in sun -or-​

- - fill 3/4 with cold water, finish fill with boiling water​

- hold upside down to spray down -or-​

- - squeeze to squirt up​

 

[towboater]

I shudder when people speak of using a metal weed sprayer, due to the temptation to heat it on your stove as you would a teapot. The extreme danger is that the water could easily exceed the normal temperature of boiling and then explode the container, coating you -- confined in your van -- with steam much hotter than boiling water. The burns on your skin that could result are too horrible to describe. Please don't do it!

I explain the way I happily shower above in comment #18, which -- my having tried a plastic weed sprayer is actually easier to use, and the water is always safely open to the air.

I don't understand, if the top is off when u put on stove how will it explode?

 

[CosmickGold]

I don't understand, if the top is off when u put on stove how will it explode?

If the top is off, it won't have a problem. But there can be unexpected situations, like when someone showering thinks, "Brrrr! That water is still too cold. I need to heat it longer." and doesn't stop to take the top off again before sliding the bottle back over the stove burner. And then their cell phone rings, "Hello?" It might just be forgetfulness because of being uncomfortable and in a hurry, but stuff like that happens. It's not worth the risk.

 

[BelgianPup]

If you are in an area with chipmunks, tho, be watchful where you lay it out as they will chew a hole to get to the water.

Carry a steel dog dish with you, fill it with water, and put it somewhere near the perimeter of your camp. Make it easy for them to get a drink, and they shouldn't bother you.

 

[BelgianPup]

I shudder when people speak of using a metal weed sprayer, due to the temptation to heat it on your stove as you would a teapot. The extreme danger is that the water could easily exceed the normal temperature of boiling and then explode the container, coating you -- confined in your van -- with steam much hotter than boiling water. The burns on your skin that could result are too horrible to describe. Please don't do it.

Some people would use a blow torch to heat the closed container. You can't fix stupid.

 

[Happy Camper]

Some people would use a torch to warm up their vehicle. Stupid fixes itself sometimes.

 

[Tinman74]

We used a pump up weed sprayer with a spray head made from the small thumb controlled sink sprayer used to rinse dishes on some of the older home sinks. I would imagine they can still be had. Worked well and did not use excessive water. We put cold water in the sprayer and added hot water to suit.

 

[afblangley]

(4a) I use this German 12-volt pump dropped into the bucket with a plastic tube that connects it to a shower head meant for low-pressure water.
(4b) Notice I said 12-volt pump. My experience with USB-powered (5-volt) pumps is that they are far too weak.

That's really interesting. Since your shower is movable, how is the pump hooked up to power?

 

[CosmickGold]

We used a pump up weed sprayer with a spray head made from the small thumb controlled sink sprayer used to rinse dishes on some of the older home sinks. I would imagine they can still be had. Worked well and did not use excessive water. We put cold water in the sprayer and added hot water to suit.

I tried that old sink sprayer. It looks like this:

But home kitchen sink sprayers are made for the high pressure of city water (150-200 psi), not the low pressure of 12v RV water pumps (40-50 psi).
When I tried that sprayer on my RV water source, the water just dribbled to the floor. You could probably pump up your sprayer tank to city pressure, but why do that much work every time you want to shower?

I searched Amazon.com with the key phrase "RV shower head with hose" and quite a few offers came up. (Most say "high pressure" meaning the way it feels on your skin, not what's in the pipe. Just be sure it also says it's for RVs).

I use my RV shower head with this 12v pump that drops right into the small mouth of a standard 5-gallon water jug. It's small but powerful!

(Before that, I bought a USB/Battery-powered pump, but it was too weak due to USB power limitations. So I was really thrilled the first time I showered with the above 12v pump. Like WOW! Be sure you can reach the off switch!)

And store your shower head higher than the tank, lest all your water siphons out of the tank to the floor.)

That's really interesting. Since your shower is movable, how is the pump hooked up to power?

It's wired it to my 12V house battery using extra wire (with a switch near the pump, and a fuse near the battery).

 

[VanFan]

I tried that old sink sprayer. It looks like this:
View attachment 33369
I use my RV shower head with this 12v pump that drops right into the small mouth of a standard 5-gallon water jug. It's small but powerful!
View attachment 33370

Those 12v pumps really deliver! How long have you had this one? (I went through two 12v shower pumps in a few years. The housing cracked on them, which probably was the result of being stored in Texas heat.)

 

[VanFan]

That's really interesting. Since your shower is movable, how is the pump hooked up to power?

Not CosmicGold, but I'll chime in on what I've done, which is to set a 12volt power pack (mine is not big) outside the shower tent when used there. The shower tent I have has a convenient opening near the floor for easy plug in. I have also used a pack which holds 8 D cell batteries for that purpose, but it delivers slightly less power and is clearly not cost effective or ecological.

In upcoming weeks, I will not have a way to recharge my power pack without driving, so will revisit the solar shower bag concept.

 

[VanFan]

We used a pump up weed sprayer with a spray head made from the small thumb controlled sink sprayer used to rinse dishes on some of the older home sinks.

I carried one of these for years, using it more often for washing dishes than showering. It was handy, but eventually lost its place on van island because of 1) the bulk, and 2) having to fuss with it too much. It seemed I was always having to lube the seal or unscrew the top and reseat it. I also disliked having to pump it back up when I was wet and cold.

Still, all-in-all, workable.

 

[CosmickGold]

Those 12v pumps really deliver! How long have you had this one? (I went through two 12v shower pumps in a few years. The housing cracked on them, which probably was the result of being stored in Texas heat.)

I have had the same 12v pump all three years. Maybe mine has not cracked because of no temperature extremes. In the summer, I keep the Fantastic Fan running full blast, sucking the hot air out, 24/7 whether I'm there or not. And in winter, I never set the thermostat below 38F. Maybe you are right, maybe steady temperatures made the difference.

 

[Dingfelder]

Really the spray head for a garden sprayer should be more than enough. They are very adjustable and the one I've got -- in common with others I've seen -- has interchangeable nozzles if you want to get things just particularly right. I think I got a 2-gallon for a very reasonable price and it looks like it will last forever.

 

[VanFan]

I have had the same 12v pump all three years.

Thank you! If/when my marine pump quits, I may replace it with that model. BTW, we are in the same general area, I believe, and I am amazed at how well you have "weathered" the extremes! Kudos!

 

[LargeMarge]

...if the top is off when u put on stove[,] how will it explode?

.
a)
Imaginings of the potential disaster, imaginings of terrible disfigurements.
Not Real-World.
.
b)
For showers:
We still employ our 'sous vide' circulation heaters in our stainless-steel retired Pepsi kegs...
... although our new Craftsman 20v garden-sprayer is pretty nifty, too.
.
The circulation heaters are set at 140°f, so by the time we use it, the temp is just right.
The new -- dark red -- garden-sprayer sat in the sun, and got just right in about an hour or so.
If they were in the exploding business, we would know about it.
.
And, for your viewing pleasure, we would post the grody portraits of the carnage.

 

[towboater]

Now I get it! woulda, shoulda, coulda. Kinda like don't use a garbage disposal as your hand could fall in it and then everyone would call u stubby. Ha, I already get called that. I m being facetious, sorry

 

[LargeMarge]

Now I get it! woulda, shoulda, coulda. Kinda like don't use a garbage disposal as your hand could fall in it and then everyone would call u stubby. Ha, I already get called that. I m being facetious, sorry

.
a)
Show of hands (or in the case of 'stubby', nod vigorously):
.
How many would prefer to see only the applicable area of a quoted post?
In other words, do you need to read the entire message from earlier in the thread...
...a second time in the response to that post?
.
I am guilty of trying to value your viewing time by eliminating anything unrelated.
I include only the relevant section.
How say ye?
.
.
b)
I think propane is a bargain.
It cooks good, and it runs the Wave 3 catalytic heater just swell.
.
Eugene, Oregon.
Lifestyle Propane on Ocean Street is local-owned family-operated.
They stock an enormous selection of:
* heaters
* garden display burners and fire-pits
* repair and replacement parts for furnaces in RecreateVehicles and stand-still houses
* hoses, connectors, gadgets and doo-dads.
And their gas price is a couple dimes cheaper than everybody else in the area.
.
I like filling our bottles at Lifestyle, because they have a punch-card...
...eight fills, and the next is free.
.
'Free' is in the budget.
.
https://lifestylepropane.com/