quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
It is an established dry camp with some infrastructure and buildings, etc. I have permanent access to non-pressurized potable water. I will eventually work on getting a storage unit and getting it pressurized. There are some components already on site. But it is not going to be set up any time soon. I do not have short term plans for a conventional style hot water heater.

would like to keep this hot water shower system and facility to under $250 max. Less would be better.

We are talking about six to eight, maybe 10 showers total a week, max

So it needs to handy, clean, simple and enjoyable.

Heating 3 gals of water on a propane heater every other day seems like it would be doable. I would think five minutes and you would have 100 degree water.

When we took our first trip to the African bush we used a pvc container with a shower head on it that after you warmed some water up and mixed it with the regular water to get the temp you wanted you poured it in and used a rope to hoist it up. The shower head had a simple valve and it worked great.
Here’s what was used so you get an idea but you could probably make one locally.

https://www.kalahari-kanvas.co...c-shower-bucket-25lt

When I was a kid, it was 5 gallon buckets of water hauled uphill from the lake and heated over an open fire. Now we have a 5th wheel with two 30lb propane tanks, a generator, a 100 gallon fresh water tank, and a roomy shower with glass doors. I don't have any experience with any in between.

I have to say the talk about heating water with wood and the piping sends out warning signals... as long as this is an 'open' system you might (and I mean MIGHT) be okay... one of the first things I learned as a young chimney sweep (37 years ago) was about people blowing themselves and their homes up by trying to heat water in their fireplaces or wood stoves by installing piping inside them.

Thanks guys. This has helped me think about this situation.

We may hang a loop from a tree branch and attach a shower curtain(s) to it. Put down a nice base. So the actual shower space is nice, clean and is comfortable. Once that task is done. Then figure out the hot water answer.

Since we will be heating the water, probably via propane of electricity. I could just hoist and secure a watering can full of heated water in a tree or a pole. Then have a pull rope around the neck of the can to dump the water as needed with a simple tug.

This site has a lot of neat idea's. Some pretty elaborate. But still interesting to see options.

https://www.apieceofrainbow.com/diy-outdoor-shower/

Our little fish camp is pretty cool and this will make it just that much better.

I appreciate the idea's and thoughts guys.

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Ok guys I think I have found our solution. Also great for the boat and car besides our camp. USA made too.

The Big Kahuna 8 gal. shower

I did not go with the heater. But may add later. $350 was a big pill to swallow. I can heat four or 5 gallons of water on my propane stove for a while.

This looks like a great set up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoii2h0QeCg

I wish they would have been around when we were camping in the south west outback.

Update. I received the shower. Excellent customer service. I mean top notch. The unit is simple, well put together. No real installation other than connecting the provided water hose the the unit. Simple connection.

The unit fired right up and worked as advertised. Intended unit will be to use inside with no indoor plumbing so we tested in as it will be used in the field. We had a few other things to set up. But those were unrelated to the unit itself.

I am thoroughly impressed with this unit. Yes it was a bit spendy at $180 which included shipping.

We will need to heat the water for a warm shower. If using it for other purpose's just add water connect to 12Vdc and go. This thing is going to be very useful.

In my research I found nothing even close to this for the money.

I may buy their heater unit for it down the road. It plugs into 110v AC to use that.

Overall I highly recommend the USA made unit to anyone who wants or needs to have pressurized water outside of their home or luxury RV set up.

The Bid Kahuna portable shower.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: old rugged cross,