Heat exchangers for hot water?

[Hoohaa]

Originally Posted by mtarcher

We use a camp shower when on anchor for awhile. Can be purchased on Amazon or sporting outlet store for under 20usd. It answers quite well in lower latitudes, although, maybe not so well in colder climates.

Yep! We have one of those.

[cj88]

If you're happy with running the engine whenever you want hot water then the Glind is a simple, compact and reliable solution. There are also a number of similar products used on 4WD's other than Glind. You can even make your own if you feel so inclined.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Hoohaa

I take your point. I might look at reinstalling it. But want to explore the other options before.

Hi Jeff, if the tank you have is a woody's water heater get it back in there somehow, worth their weight in gold . If it is and you decide that you don't want it and it needs to go then pick me pick me.

[HankOnthewater]

Originally Posted by Hoohaa

Sorry. That question was meant for Hank

Sorry just noticed your question.
My unit is as old as the van is: 23 years, it gives adequate hot water, but the engine needs to be running. Therefore this (outdoor) shower gets little use.

[cadmus]

BUMP.

I rarely use the engine and I almost never have shore power. I do not have, nor do I ever want, a generator. I think more moving parts is a liability and a time sink, so I see no point in installing an on-demand water heater, especially one that runs off electric or propane and takes up precious space or expects me to pressurize my quite effective NON-pressurized water tanks. Again, I try to never run the motor, but anchoring under power is better for obvious reasons. So I do it every night. Anchoring under power typically is a few minutes of puttering around and getting a feel for depth and contour, setting the anchor, and a few minutes of running the engine just so we do not turn her off before she is warmed up. Might as well make use of that heat if possible. I personally am fine bathing in the soup even when cruising glacial fjords. My wife however, would love 2 of 5 min of luke warm or hot water out of a dish washing sprayer for a quick shower when we anchor. Salt water is fine. That would put her and her grease-ball hair in such a good mood (don’t tell her I told you all about her grease-ball hair issues).

@Hoohaa, did install one and I hope he posts the outcome here. I am eager to see photos or hear a description.

[kev_rm]

Originally Posted by cadmus

[FONT=&quot]. I think more moving parts is a liability and a time sink, =

literally no moving parts in a hot water heater.

[cadmus]

> literally no moving parts in a hot water heater.
Hahaha. good point. you know what I mean.

[Hoohaa]

Originally Posted by cadmus

@Hoohaa[/SIZE][/FONT], did install one and I hope he posts the outcome here. I am eager to see photos or hear a description.

I will be onboard tomorrow so I will try and get some pics of the install.
Cad. It will certainly give want you want.

[sailormed]

Have a look at the installation of Two at Sea, he uses a plate HE with thermo bypass valve, link here:


I Took a Shower! – Two At Sea

[Hoohaa]

Here are some pics of the installation.

[cadmus]

I just wanted to thank everyone for posting information and photos.


I surely do not have the desire or space to use electricity to heat water. Nor will I pressurize my plumbing. But it sounds like the heat exchangers here do have potential to warm salt water enough to allow for a warmer than glacial melt shower. I need to do some thinkering about if I need a proper water storage tank (as presented here) to make that work or if can simply run when the engine is running with a secondary water pump. I think our way of life when boating is more like camping than most people on this website. Alaska is really the only place we NEED this feature because swimming in glacier bay was not to my wife’s liking. A bucket of warm engine water would be all I need to make her love me again. These heat exchangers and some off the shelf parts could easily do what I need without risking damage to the engine. Thanks.