Title: Shower sorted
Post by: Snoring Rhino on May 31, 2005, 12:15:08 am
Having some time to think, set about putting together a portable shower with some form of heating after last year’s straight connection to the stand pipe, which was bl**dy cold.
The shower head is a hanging basket watering pole with adjustable spray setting from Robert Dyas (£10).
The "heater" is a Lorry inner tube - taking a lead from the "solar" showers which are basically black bags which absorb the suns heat. The biggest challenge was to secure the connections into the tube without leaking. I used ½ bsp cold water tank unions, it needed a patch of 3 x3 inch sticking around it with impact adhesive and binding around the tube circumference with gaffer tape to stop the pressure expanding the tube too much and causing a leak. These unions are the same size as Hozelock connectors so once secured standard hose’s connect directly. The pump is a small pump that cost about £5 ages ago to pump out a soak away that didn’t. This is driven by a rechargeable cordless drill.
All in it cost about £30 excluding the pump and drill.
The idea is that it will take the chill off rather than steaming hot, will either fill it and let it heat up in the sun and pump or let it heat and then feed in the cold water and pump so the temperature drop is gradual but longer lasting. Need to do some more tests but the outer tube temp got to 34 deg C on a sunny / cloudy day of about 20 deg C and the water temp got to 23 deg after a couple of hours. So banking on a sunny weekend in France, it should work OK.
The shower head is a hanging basket watering pole with adjustable spray setting from Robert Dyas (£10).
The "heater" is a Lorry inner tube - taking a lead from the "solar" showers which are basically black bags which absorb the suns heat. The biggest challenge was to secure the connections into the tube without leaking. I used ½ bsp cold water tank unions, it needed a patch of 3 x3 inch sticking around it with impact adhesive and binding around the tube circumference with gaffer tape to stop the pressure expanding the tube too much and causing a leak. These unions are the same size as Hozelock connectors so once secured standard hose’s connect directly. The pump is a small pump that cost about £5 ages ago to pump out a soak away that didn’t. This is driven by a rechargeable cordless drill.
All in it cost about £30 excluding the pump and drill.
The idea is that it will take the chill off rather than steaming hot, will either fill it and let it heat up in the sun and pump or let it heat and then feed in the cold water and pump so the temperature drop is gradual but longer lasting. Need to do some more tests but the outer tube temp got to 34 deg C on a sunny / cloudy day of about 20 deg C and the water temp got to 23 deg after a couple of hours. So banking on a sunny weekend in France, it should work OK.
Title: Re:Shower sorted
Post by: smokie on May 31, 2005, 12:28:05 am
Peoples imagination never ceases to amaze me...
The inner tube is a blinding idea...
btw we have some of the portable showers you mention. About £6 each IIRC :)
The inner tube is a blinding idea...
btw we have some of the portable showers you mention. About £6 each IIRC :)
Title: Re:Shower sorted
Post by: Mr. Invincible Mou on May 31, 2005, 12:57:52 am
Great thinking lads, but how about a series of two or three inner tubes?
Now that the mind is running, hows about a series of looped metal pipes, which could be stood in a bbq and allow some actual heating?
Now that the mind is running, hows about a series of looped metal pipes, which could be stood in a bbq and allow some actual heating?
Title: Re:Shower sorted
Post by: rcutler on May 31, 2005, 01:26:15 pm
Great thinking lads, but how about a series of two or three inner tubes?
Now that the mind is running, hows about a series of looped metal pipes, which could be stood in a bbq and allow some actual heating?
Now that the mind is running, hows about a series of looped metal pipes, which could be stood in a bbq and allow some actual heating?
That was seen at sebring! ;D It worked very well however make sure you can add cold water as it would scald you very quickly.
Title: Re:Shower sorted
Post by: Nobby Diesel on May 31, 2005, 01:54:28 pm
What about putting a gas fired water heater in place of the inner tube.
something like a Burco boiler ?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=53306&item=7520053166&rd=1
You could even use a regular domestic shower mixer, connecting the cold feed up aswell.
The beauty of this is, when everyone has had their shower, there's still lots of hot water for a cuppa !
something like a Burco boiler ?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=53306&item=7520053166&rd=1
You could even use a regular domestic shower mixer, connecting the cold feed up aswell.
The beauty of this is, when everyone has had their shower, there's still lots of hot water for a cuppa !
Title: Re:Shower sorted
Post by: Stu on May 31, 2005, 02:11:46 pm
Mine this year will consist of an old fire extinguisher with the bottom sawn of. This has micro bore piping coiled up the inside and will sit on top of a gas burner. Water is re-circulated back into the cold tank until it reaches required temperature. Hopefully the water will be hot enough stright from the heater to do the dishes. Also have cubilcle made from pushfit 11/4" waste pipe and tarpaulin. (which will be built on the day of arrival this year before the beer fairies put me under their spell). Not tried the heater out yet but can't see how it will fail. total cost for heater was around £15. I like that hanging basket pole though.
Title: Re:Shower sorted
Post by: Chris (Liverpool Boys) on May 31, 2005, 06:06:41 pm
Are you sure this will be built on the day of Arrival I feel a challenge coming on.
STU FANCY A BEER????
Nah man I gotta build this shower!!!!
FLUCK THAT DO IT TOMORROW!!!!
Ahh gis a beer then!!!!
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
STU FANCY A BEER????
Nah man I gotta build this shower!!!!
FLUCK THAT DO IT TOMORROW!!!!
Ahh gis a beer then!!!!
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re:Shower sorted
Post by: Stu on May 31, 2005, 07:33:50 pm
You could be right. Have a cold one ready for Monday morning just in case.
Title: Re:Shower sorted
Post by: Snoring Rhino on May 31, 2005, 09:36:19 pm
Great thinking lads, but how about a series of two or three inner tubes?
Now that the mind is running, hows about a series of looped metal pipes, which could be stood in a bbq and allow some actual heating?
I do have a second tube, was contemplating fitting it, I think I will, that way the in-comming cold water will be buffered more.Now that the mind is running, hows about a series of looped metal pipes, which could be stood in a bbq and allow some actual heating?
Title: Re:Shower sorted
Post by: Chris24 on June 02, 2005, 03:33:31 am
Not wanting to spoil all your fun, buts whats wrong with a five minute walk, a 20 minute queue and then a nice hot shower
Title: Re:Shower sorted
Post by: rcutler on June 02, 2005, 09:26:55 am
Not wanting to spoil all your fun, buts whats wrong with a five minute walk, a 20 minute queue and then a nice hot shower
There not hot after 5 people have showered!!!!
Title: Re:Shower sorted
Post by: Chris (Liverpool Boys) on June 02, 2005, 10:23:18 am
Beer will be cold and waiting for monday morning Stu
Title: Re:Shower sorted
Post by: jpchenet on June 02, 2005, 11:10:19 am
Beer will be cold and waiting for monday morning Stu
Ah, breakfast on arrival!! How civilised!! ;D
Title: Re:Shower sorted
Post by: rcutler on June 02, 2005, 12:42:16 pm
Beer will be cold and waiting for monday morning Stu
Ah, breakfast on arrival!! How civilised!! ;D
Better make it Cider then Chris!!! ;D ;D
Title: Re:Shower sorted
Post by: Chris (Liverpool Boys) on June 03, 2005, 12:12:05 pm
Nah remember were from up north BEER it is!!!!
Plus I wont have any cider with me!!!!
But i must admitt my local sells westons black specialreserve 8.daft % I am quite partial to that
Plus I wont have any cider with me!!!!
But i must admitt my local sells westons black specialreserve 8.daft % I am quite partial to that
Title: Re:Shower sorted
Post by: chris78cpr on June 07, 2005, 07:01:16 pm
What a great idea! I know where to go if i need a shower now! :P
Chris
Chris
