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Julie2Oregon
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# Posted: 19 Jul 2015 03:10am
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OK, trying this again because the good ole hospital internet glitched and apparently ate my first post on this topic. GRRRR. I'll keep it short and sweet.
http://zodi.com/hot-showers
I just saw these products online and was wondering if they might be adaptable for indoor cabin use since they don't use much (in some cases NO) propane and are fairly simple. I'm rather intrigued by the Fire Coil and using that with the battery-operated pump and an indoor, elevated water tank since the pumps are submersible. That could be used with the wood stove in the winter and perhaps another outdoor fireburner in the summer. It doesn't take much.
Any ideas, y'all? Is anyone using these types of things in their cabin?
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turkeyhunter
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# Posted: 19 Jul 2015 06:50am
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Julie~~I bought two of the #6189 models for $15 for both at a yard sale ....they both work GREAT!!
I took then on my camping trip last summer to the great North Woods of Maine...
I also have a hose that you can hook it to a "grill size " propane tank...this would last a VERY long time for daily use. The gas line was from Cabela's...I think?
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davestreck
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# Posted: 19 Jul 2015 08:07am
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We have an Extreme S/C at our place. We like it because it uses no electricity and the tank can be heated over any heat source. We usually use the included propane burner, but you could also use a woodstove or even a campfire. Once its heated up sufficiently, you can carry it to wherever you want to use it. It gives great pressure just using the hand pump, and you can top off the pressure mid-shower if it starts to slow down.
All in all, it was one of the best purchases we've made for the cabin.
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buckybuck
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# Posted: 19 Jul 2015 08:35am
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I've been playing around with one of these Zodi water heaters. I removed the D-cell battery pack and wimpy pump and replaced it with a RV-style on-demand 12-volt pump, and put a garden hose nozzle on the output side. It works fine. You do have to remember that you need to keep water moving at least a little bit when the propane flame is on, or you're likely to end up a mass of molten copper.
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SE Ohio
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# Posted: 19 Jul 2015 08:40am
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I could never get through a whole shower without having to pump the Zodi. I got a 12 volt bilge pump, switch, tubing and a low-flow shower head and assembled. The pump drops down into the tank and I hit the switch for a nice shower. I usually save the last few drops for the Mrs...
Hot shower in the winter, cold shower in the summer, both improve one's demeanor!
12 volt pump with shower head
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silverwaterlady
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# Posted: 19 Jul 2015 10:09am - Edited by: silverwaterlady
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I have the x-40. It is used as a backup. Stopped using it because there is no safety shut off if the battery ran out of juice. There is a roar of sound and heat that comes out of this one at the top of the unit. The same as my on demand shower. I would not use either one indoors. It is a safety issue.
The Extreme Shower looks as if you could heat it up outdoors on the burner and bring it inside. I would use that inside without any problem. If I was going to my cabin in the winter I would buy this one because you don't need a pump. A pump is something I wouldn't want to have to worry about freezing if say for instance I had to go away for a few days and couldn't be home to keep the cabin warm. I know people on wood heat that need somebody home 24/7 and/ or not be away from the house more than eight hours to keep everything from freezing.
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SE Ohio
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# Posted: 19 Jul 2015 12:25pm
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The cheap bilge pump I used (see previous note/photo) is self draining, just set aside (out of water) after shower. Freeze-friendly.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 19 Jul 2015 02:16pm
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Julie, I have that exact unit, brand new in the box, unused. I didnt like the fact its not easy to turn off and back on. I have a shower with a limited water supply and turn it off, soap up etc and then turn it back on to rinse.
If you have a steady stream of water or even sucking it from a creek, it would be great.
I ended up going with the Mr Heater Aqua Cube (but much more $$$ at $379), that was to replace my 15 yr old Coleman Instant hot water heater with the shower option that was starting to become unreliable.
I'd sell it for half price. And that is my price to you if you want that Zodi.
I have the Hot Tap with bag (6189)
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Julie2Oregon
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# Posted: 19 Jul 2015 02:34pm
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Thanks, all! Yeah, what intrigues me with these things are all of the options. The Fire Coil, heating the water outside and bringing it in, various pumps and modifications available, etc. I think that using the battery-operated pump with some gravity feed into the shower would give me enough pressure.
I like the submersible pump. Drop it in to use it, remove and let it drain when you're done. There's no worry about it freezing. I also like the containers you fill -- it allows you to "budget" your water and/or see how much you're using for the shower and dishes.
I wonder if you could use the Fire Coil in the summer with some sort of solar setup? That would be magic, to use it with the woodstove in the winter and solar in the summer!
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Julie2Oregon
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# Posted: 19 Jul 2015 02:54pm
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Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech I'd sell it for half price. And that is my price to you if you want that Zodi. I have the Hot Tap with bag (6189)
Thanks, Toyota! I'll keep that in mind! I'm kind of toying with "no propane" options at the moment but that may and probably will change, lol.
I was looking at the Mr. Heater. I haven't looked at the Coleman water heater. Is there a reason you didn't buy another Coleman?
Quoting: SE Ohio I could never get through a whole shower without having to pump the Zodi. I got a 12 volt bilge pump, switch, tubing and a low-flow shower head and assembled. The pump drops down into the tank and I hit the switch for a nice shower.
Yeah, that's a neat option! I saw the 12-volt pump at the Zodi site and have read reviews in which people modified it fairly easily to attach to a 12-volt battery. It has a long power connector. Are you running yours off a battery?
I'd want a better shower head, too! Cabela's sells a kit that includes a good Zodi shower head meant for the big, expensive heaters. It's really pricy, though.
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SE Ohio
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# Posted: 19 Jul 2015 04:21pm
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I got the 12volt pump online elsewhere, didn't know about a Zodi option. Nicer shower head was a freebie from local gas utility (Columbia Gas) as a hot water/gas saver. Yeah the Zodi shower head is a bit cheap. I accidentally pulled it apart several times when merely attempting to pull open for flow. Added a long cord to attach to 12 volts, so yes, running off a battery. Pump pulls 4-5 amps but tank empties rather quickly, not much battery needed. Two lantern cells would provide for many showers.
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Julie2Oregon
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# Posted: 20 Jul 2015 01:36am
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Thanks, SE Ohio! This looks like a doable, low-energy, solution for hot water inside!
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silverwaterlady
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# Posted: 20 Jul 2015 11:19am - Edited by: silverwaterlady
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I also have the Coleman on demand hot water. That was my first on demand hot water purchase. I never used it as a shower. You can buy the shower attachment separately. I used it to heat water for dishes inside the cabin. Now I just heat water on the stove.
It has a built in battery to run the pump. I charged the battery in my van while driving to town or out to visit family. This would be your easiest option since everything is self contained as long as you can keep the battery charged.
It is also rated to use outdoors only since it uses propane canisters. In the summer I have all the windows in the cabin open so I didn't worry about emissions.
I don't know how I would use something rated for outdoors,indoors in the winter if it's unvented. If you open a window you are going to let all the heat out of your cabin. If you are using wood heat and unvented appliances I would be worried about a propane leak leading to a possible explosion. If you are insured using unvented,illegal appliances in your cabin will invalidate your policy.
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drb777
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# Posted: 20 Jul 2015 03:06pm
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Quoting: davestreck We have an Extreme S/C at our place. We like it because it uses no electricity and the tank can be heated over any heat source. We usually use the included propane burner, but you could also use a woodstove or even a campfire. Once its heated up sufficiently, you can carry it to wherever you want to use it. It gives great pressure just using the hand pump, and you can top off the pressure mid-shower if it starts to slow down.
Like Davestreck, I've used the Extreme S/C for a number of years, but since the spray head is so flimsy and hard to open & close when your hands are soapy, I swapped-out a push button kitchen sink spray head. That makes it not only function better, but also saves hot water. The S/C also works well for dish rinsing. I wouldn't go camping w/o my Zodi, also no hanging needed like a solar bag.
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davestreck
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# Posted: 20 Jul 2015 04:57pm
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Quoting: drb777 I swapped-out a push button kitchen sink spray head
Yeah, the included spray head was pretty chintzy. I swapped mine out too and it works much better:
Its also great for washing dishes & dogs.
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Julie2Oregon
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# Posted: 21 Jul 2015 03:42am
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Quoting: silverwaterlady I don't know how I would use something rated for outdoors,indoors in the winter if it's unvented. If you open a window you are going to let all the heat out of your cabin. If you are using wood heat and unvented appliances I would be worried about a propane leak leading to a possible explosion. If you are insured using unvented,illegal appliances in your cabin will invalidate your policy.
Right now, I'm mostly contemplating the non-propane types and methods of heating water. But most of the others seem to use the little one-pound (slightly more) propane canisters to heat the water. If one is using it for a shower in the bathroom with the window open, would that short amount of time and small canister create a high risk of explosion?
Aside from an outdoor barbecue grille, I have no experience with propane so that's why I'm asking. Do you disconnect the canister and store it separate from the unit when it isn't being used, or is that too much of a pain?
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Julie2Oregon
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# Posted: 21 Jul 2015 03:50am
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Quoting: davestreck We have an Extreme S/C at our place. We like it because it uses no electricity and the tank can be heated over any heat source. We usually use the included propane burner, but you could also use a woodstove or even a campfire. Once its heated up sufficiently, you can carry it to wherever you want to use it. It gives great pressure just using the hand pump, and you can top off the pressure mid-shower if it starts to slow down. All in all, it was one of the best purchases we've made for the cabin.
:D
If you heat the water on another source rather than using the propane canister/stand, do you find that the container keeps the water hot for a while?
I'm debating whether to use the Fire Coil and keep the water in a well-insulated water container for use longer or just keep it simple and go with this one using fire for heat and the battery-operated submersible pump.
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SE Ohio
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# Posted: 21 Jul 2015 09:34am
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The Zodi tank will keep the water warm for a bit on its own. Mine has a built-in thermometer, great feature. In winter I put it on a trivet on top the wood burner to keep it from getting too hot- nice to have on-demand off-grid hot water.
Also, the propane burner/tripod in previous post will heat the water just fine outdoors in the winter. No need to heat it indoors with that setup.
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Julie2Oregon
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# Posted: 21 Jul 2015 01:01pm
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Quoting: SE Ohio The Zodi tank will keep the water warm for a bit on its own. Mine has a built-in thermometer, great feature. In winter I put it on a trivet on top the wood burner to keep it from getting too hot- nice to have on-demand off-grid hot water. Also, the propane burner/tripod in previous post will heat the water just fine outdoors in the winter. No need to heat it indoors with that setup.
Thanks, SE Ohio -- that's just what I was wondering. How much heat would be lost heating the water on that small propane canister tripod outside in the winter and then bringing the tank inside for use.
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SE Ohio
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# Posted: 21 Jul 2015 02:22pm
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Julie,
No thermostat control on this, so when it gets to temp just shut down the burner and lug it indoors. At room temp it doesn't lose heat quickly. We've had as many as three (short-1 gallon per person) showers in a row with one warm tank, no "chilly" complaints.
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FishHog
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# Posted: 21 Jul 2015 02:38pm
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I agree with SE Ohio. I love my zodi extreme. Had the batter operated one, that I used to just circulate into a 5gal bucket until the water was the right temp, then shower. Would either just shut the pump off, or throw the nozzle back into the bucket while soaping up. But the extreme was so much simpler and no need for batteries.
The tank is just steel, not insulated, so its going to cool down, but not that fast that its going to be an issue unless you leave it sitting for an hour. At first when the tank is full, you might need to pump up again mid shower, but that's not a big deal to me. Once it gets lower and there is more air to compress, its not an issue. Easily 2 nice showers out of one tank. 3 short ones if you don't waste any water.
I love the extreme, think its the best simple solution. I'm going to install a eccotemp in my cottage, but will be keeping the extreme for the winter months so I don't have to worry about freezing.
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silverwaterlady
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# Posted: 21 Jul 2015 04:23pm
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I'm interested in knowing how many of you use the Zodi or other portable showers in a full time home..
If I'm not mistaken most of us are using these showers in a seasonal or weekend cabin. These showers are not designed to be used as a full time solution.
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FishHog
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# Posted: 21 Jul 2015 08:08pm
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well I use my for 2 week stints at the cottage as I have to go home to work. but if it works for 2 weeks, I see no reason why it wouldn't work for 52. Although for the summer months I'm going to go with an eccotemp just for more convenience.
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