Rancho Cucamonga Crew Roll Call

You ever get hot water aligned to that system? Or did you already have it aligned?

 

Hot water is a whole other monster. The propane heaters are 100 to 200 alone. And other method of using the radiator heat im sure would add up as well. Im not sure how much interest it would generate for that price. Most people camp in summer and my water stays pretty luke warm throughout the day and night already. Wouldnt mind showering in it. If you winter camp, you can always boil some water on the fire and once it gets to a warm/hot temp just use that as your water source. Little more work but considering it saves 200 bucks and you dont have to start the truck or waste propane its probably easier. I think if someone wanted to buy my kit and really wanted tankless hot water id help them explore options and modify the kit to fit with the heater they choose but i probably won't put the R&D time and money into making it an option. At least not at this point. Maybe later if this thing even picks up and there is a demand

 

Getting water to the front for a heat exchanger would also require a much larger pump and thatll take the pump cost alone from about 30 bucks up to 120ish. Then longer lines will add to cost as well. And the pump will no longer fit where my kit is designed for. It would be a whole redesign and even with bulk discounts would still easily run $400-500 and would likely be mounted in the engine bay somewhere with lines running to an alternative location.

 

@Spencer will be at big bear. You can pick his brain as well. He's got a killer hot water system on his rig. He uses a plate heat exchanger that recovers heat from his radiator and passes it through a small rv booster pump. It has a thermal regulator to control water temp. Uses a pop up pooper tent as the shower room. I'll be installing the same. Stoked to see your set up. A meeting of the minds we shall all have.

 

No doubt. Your system is more cost efficient. He and I flirted with the idea of making kits as well with the whole heat exchanger thing but it'll cost way too much dough for the recreational camper. Thus we threw that out the window and just installing it on our rigs.

 

How much did the setup cost you guys?

Considering my kit will sell for about $200 max maybe a little less would it be worth it to pay more for hot water? In your opinion. I agree thought that for most recreational campers it wouldn't be cost effective though. But definitely a badass setup it sounds like

 

All depends on the qulity of heat exchanger used. You can get a janky version for 50 bucks or the Cadillac for 600 bucks. Looking at about 3-400 for a mid level set up. The rest is just parts from the hardware store. Simple stuff. Ball vlvs, air hose (use air hose because people can use their on board air hose as the shower water line rather than carrying a second hose just for the shower), the booster pump, hose clamps, and some other miscellaneous doo dads. Still, 3_4 bills is a lot for people that are only out for a day or 3.

Here's the real issue: Getting people to feel comfortable with tapping in/re-routing their radiator. I'm a heat transfer/power plant operator by trade (Homer Simpson) so I understand it -- theory and mechanics. Spencer is a mcgyver himself so he gets it. Getting a weekend warrior postal carrier can be difficult to show the way. And I don't blame them. That's a lot of coin to spend and all theyre going off of is a couple dudes they dont know telling them it's going to be ok. Go ahead, get into the middle of nowhere and align a shower pump to your only radiator." Haha!

 

Definitely would be interested. Let me know!

 

Hahaha last time I use that candle at Grand Canyon stupid crows ate it.

 

I would love to get a hot water set up eventually. It's mainly for my girl though.

 

Sandz, we all say it's mainly for our girl. But let me tell you, taking a hot shower in the morning while we were in the middle of the Joshua Tree desert to freshen up was outstanding! Haha. I won't lie, my shower is going to be equally for me as my girl. Having one just makes our women more likely to say yes to camping. Secretly it's for us, too. Haha

 

I believe you man but I have the nemo helio pressure pump. I used that. before that I have the cheap kind like solar bag works great but it's just to heavy to hang.
Edited: agree with our women more Kily to say yes to camping lol.

 

Really ate the son of bitch huh?
That pretty funny

 

I bring mine to cook, But she always wants to camp....don't think there has been a time where she didn't want to go but Charitys a little different lol
Loves her beer and cooking!

 

Word. I'm a lucky guy as well. Sara loves to camp. Much rather be in the great outdoors than the city.

 

Yes

 

I like both. I like living in cities, weekends in the tent. Lindsay is the same way. It's a good combo

 

Used to live in the city. Santa Monica, Hollywood, and San Diego. In the city right now. I dont miss this:


30 mins to go 1 mile. Haha

But I agree the city tends to have more culture, the arts, better restaurants, and universities which brings an array of knowledge and better conversations

 

I like interweb too^

 

Restaurants! Best part