Heat Exchangers

What sort of advice?

If it is brand preference, then I will add a vote for the Glind, mine has been on three trucks now and is still good for the warm shower when needed. Never replaced anything on it in nearly ten years.

Trevor.

http://www.mcs.net.au/~grungle/shower.html

I use a Twine in mine but they are all good if installed correctly. A happy wife = happy life. Gotta look after the financial manager

I have a glind ready to go in.

I have installed the FloJet pump (on the cargo barrier) already basicly as a wash down for kids feet and backsides (two 20 litre tanks in the 'dead space' behind the Engel) as we come off the beach. I have my plumbing all sorted for the Heat exchanger, but still haven;t found a satisfactory place to put it.

My advice to you re: heat exchangers, is to not park within 200 metres of any other campers who are trying to enjoy a peaceful morning or evening.

From experience, the sound of a clattering diesel engine a few metres from your camp is second only to the sound of a baby crying for annoyance value. Not to mention the fumes.

Buy a couple of those shower bags that you leave out in the sun. You'll make more friends.

Cheers,

Russ.

I have a McPauls Heat Exchanger (now Piranha) fitted to my Petrol Patrol.

As my Patrol has Climate Control I found getting the correct settings difficult , so I fitted both a Hot and Cold Line through a standard shower mixer.

Its like having a shower at home.

We also use a 100l tub to recycle the water through.

Once piece of advice is to check what pump you are getting.

The Shurflow pump in the Glind shower kit was marine grade , whereas most of the others include RV grade pumps.

I think all the brands mentioned are as good as one another afterall the design is not rocket science.

Think about where you may use it the most. By that I men if you have an abundance of water like say in the High Country then get a 14lpm pump because they will draw from several metres below the pump level and over a longer distance.

Think about how many will use it. Remember a 14 lpm pump empties a jerry in 1 1/2mins.

If you have a family I would drop down to a 4lpm pump to conserve water.

I just picked up a second hand heat exchanger for $80 and fitted it up to a 7lpm pump and that is more than enough in my opinion.

The safe way to use these is to allocate ration the water. Ie Decide how much water you want to use and fill a bucket. place suction and shower line in and run engine to heat water. When it reaches the desired temperature then switch off engine and then just run the pump that way you won't burn yourself. If you buy the components separatley then make sure the pump has a pressure cutout switch so that when the shower rose is turn off the pump will also shut down.

Another tip for these units is do not use garden snap on fittings on the suction line as thes will eventually suck air in an the pump will not work. If you must use snap fittings then use air line fittings. I have a normal screw on fitting on my suction jose that way I know I can borrow a hose from anyone or easily buy one. Have snap on air fotting for the shower hose.

Also only use high pressure HOT water hose. There is a lot of heat under the bonnet and through the hose and other hose does'nt cut the mustard imho

I have a twine and have been very happy with it

Hi Derek

I think they are all good, just do not get one with a pump. Go to Whitwhorths boat chandlers and buy a real one. It needs to be able to have a head off at least three meters as you never camp at water level and if your pump is at the top of your engine bay that is another meter lost. Also the least joins you have before the pump the better as they hate sucking air, avoid the garden style filter and put a little one way valve in the end of your hose. The pump I have if on full hurts the kids, but my wife loves it as she can put it on full for just a minute to get conditioner out of her hair.

Have fun

Craig

G'day Derek
The Glind is excellent, as no doubt is the Twine and others. As far as pump size goes, save yourself a few $s and go for a smaller one if available (Glind offer such an option as far as I'm aware). We bought the larger one (sounded like a good idea at the time) but have never drawn water other than out of a bucket or drum so the ability to suck up water from a creek/dam is over the top for us. W could have gotten away with the smaller one.
A mate, with the same sized pump, used it once to draw water from a creek and sucked up a heap of sand that was suspended in the water - but not obviously so when one looked at the creek it looked really clear. Result was that he has never done it again.
Cheers from the Moose

I run a twine too and love it.. Agree with the policy of happy wife = happy life.
I have a "mixer" head and shower rose at the back as part of my storage system with an on board water tank. My system runs in a manner that the water is drawn out of the tank to the pump, it then branches, one to the cold outlet of the mixer and one to the heat exchanger under the bonnet. I can also switch the 'draw' to come out of a hose, so when there is plenty of water around I drive into the creek, drop the hose into the water and presto.. unlimited water for hot shower.. the temperature is easily adjusted as you are showering by moving the 'mixer' towards hot/cold, just like your kitchen tap at home. Thus increase/decreasing the amount of hot/ cold water and thus avoids the "scalding" issue. SWMBO can shower at the back of the car within 30 seconds of stopping and have water at any temp she wants.. in fact when we make a brew, we start it with hot water out the tap this way and then 'top it off' on the gas stove IF reqired. LOVE it.. best 'accessory we ever put on the Nissan