Pricey propane or solar shower or PVC on the roof?

[datac]

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.

Mine claims a 58 psi max pressure (4 bar) and frankly, if you left the pump tight, it would blow out that seal IF you were ignoring the built in pop-off valve that would be whistling no different than an old pressure cooker with the gauge off of it.

 

[datac]

I've been thinking of getting a 1 1/2 gal SS Weed Sprayer. Seems simple enough. Kind of depends how much effort one wants to put into it. Not looking for a full blown shower, more like a warm water rinse.

What have you been using for a spray head?

I can't even point you to a single thing I use, as I have a variety of things. I use the traditional sink sprayer when we are using it for dishes, I've also used it for showers. I also have a variety of home store shower heads and if you do not limit their flow, they use the water pretty fast. I do have one that works quite well though, but have no clue what brand it is... just some imported thing.

The 1.5 gallon thing though.... it would seem a bit small, at least for me. If I am going to heat some water, I may as well heat enough to last a while, and if I heat mine to 120ish, My insulated tank cover seems to hold it in very well for 8 hours also/ish. My insulated cover is black automotive vinyl sewn large enough to include 5/8" of dense closed cell foam.

 

[datac]

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.

>>>I also disliked having to pump it back up when I was wet and cold.

I also am not a fan of "pumping"... another option I have available is I purchased a 12v "air brush" compressor on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ATEKB5G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It has setable pressure stop point which does make it take care of itself. However, if you want to be picky, the CFM of the pump is a little lower than it should be to enjoy a continuous water shower, but its not bad if you turn the water on and off while your soaping. It just kicks in and out automatically. The more air space you can leave in your tank, obviously the more time you will have pressure in each event.

 

[CosmickGold]

This is great info you've given us!

. . . . if you left the pump tight, it would blow out that seal IF you were ignoring the built in pop-off valve that would be whistling no different than an old pressure cooker with the gauge off of it.

Since they are only meant to be pumped up by hand, I didn't know they had any high-pressure safety features. It's a relief to know that they do. But not all of them. The one I've pictured below says in the description: "Material ‎Metal" and also "Pressure relief valve none". Yikes! So you could set it on the stove to heat its water and then get distracted by a phone call. I hope they all have some feature to make them safe, like "blow out that seal" as you said.

>>>I also disliked having to pump it back up when I was wet and cold.
I also am not a fan of "pumping"... another option I have available is I purchased a 12v "air brush" compressor on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ATEKB5G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It has setable pressure stop point which does make it take care of itself. However, if you want to be picky, the CFM of the pump is a little lower than it should be to enjoy a continuous water shower, but its not bad if you turn the water on and off while your soaping. It just kicks in and out automatically. The more air space you can leave in your tank, obviously the more time you will have pressure in each event.

I had never thought about there being a way to pump it up with a tiny 12v air compressor. That's so much better than having to stop and pump it up again by hand.

 

[bullfrog]

If you are old enough you might remember the shiny stainless fire extinguishers that were refillable with water and air pressure that hung in the hallways of many schools. The top valve assembly screwed off to fill and had a Schrader (tire) valve to fill with compressed air as well as a gauge. By changing the hose end you could use one without water as a portable air tank. I used one to dispense lube into differentials. They had lots of uses as they held several gallons and could shoot a 1/4” stream of water about 25 feet when full.

 

[LoupGarou]

I do know some are using the Zodi Extreme Shower.