shower on 12V??

happy campers

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well we've just picked up our first motorhome :)

but.....the guy we bought it off has got it set up so the shower only runs off 240V mains hook-up....is this normal, or should it be able to work on 12V as well? ie the carver water heater.......if it CAN be run off 12V is it easy enough for us to sort out?

we're planning on doing a lot of wild camping so obviously we're not always gonna be near a hook up :rolleyes:
 
I'd doubt that you can get a water heater running on 12V, usually its gas or 240V or both.

The current draw on 12V would be horrendous to get the water upto temperature in a reasonable time - even 240V will probably take an hour for a 10 litre system.

I'd explore which model Carver you have and see if it is a gas/240V unit, if its only 240V then its cold showers, hot water from a saucepan or campsites and 240V. If its both you need to find out why it wont run on gas.

For longer term wild camping you really need to get as many items running on gas as possible - fridge, water heater, stove, heater (or diesel) or have solar panels and large batteries to power the electrical items.

If the unit is only 240V you need to do the sums on buying an inverter (converts 12V battery power to 240V) of an adequate size or buying a gas water heater and having it plumbed in (water, gas and exhaust).
 
in my truck i use a morco instantanious water heater .uses 12v pump but gas to heat the water you use. they are made by fagor in spain. much cheaper in spain. i buy some in maroc now for use in truck conversions come with battery operated ign. turn tap and zipzip hot water .no pilot light. much safer. i only use mine for showers .find it better to heat a kettle when washing pots etc.
 
Hi there, having just come back from Glastonbury I can recommend 'solar powered shower bags'. They are simply strong black bags that you fill-up with cold water and leave in the sun. We left ours on the south facing dash of our transit during the day and had a lovely hot shower each evening. They cost £4.50 from camping shops - as cheap as chips. No good in winter though.
 
thought you only had mud baths at glastonbury? are you trying to confuse us.HeeHeee
 
happy campers said:
well we've just picked up our first motorhome :)

but.....the guy we bought it off has got it set up so the shower only runs off 240V mains hook-up....is this normal, or should it be able to work on 12V as well? ie the carver water heater.......if it CAN be run off 12V is it easy enough for us to sort out?

we're planning on doing a lot of wild camping so obviously we're not always gonna be near a hook up :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

My van has a gas/mains electric water heater and the shower is linked to the 12v pump which also supplies the sink. It works well but we do use a lot of water.
 
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Have you checked to see if you have a 240 V pump ? IE is the pump running directly from 240 V or is it being supplied via a transformer at 12 V.

D.
 
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