Hot water in California Ocean - its easy and possible - without loosing warranty

[Robert-ert]

I've gone through many solutions, read hundreds of posts and now I know having water in California Ocean is simple and inexpensive
(especially if you have the possibility of a 230V 660W power supply).
Additionally, we don't irreversibly interfere (we don't damage anything, we don't drill, etc.) with a car under warranty.
What do we need?
- A little courage, basic skills, and basic tools (a 7mm socket wrench on a long handle will make life easier)
- Ideally, space in a closet, which is sometimes taken up by a factory safe-box (and if it's not there, there's no way to even reach it)
- An Elgena boiler, available in 3 or 6 liters, preferably a combi version (12V 200W / 230V 660W) - it easily fits 6 liters and is as shown in the photos
- Hot/cold water mixer solenoid valve for boiler - Truma
- A suitable 2m hot water hose with a 10mm internal diameter, e.g., FAWO
Cost is about 550 Euro and about 4h of your time
and you have about 15 liters 38-40C water enough for 2 showers - in shower and in the sink.

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[Wannabecamperman]

I've gone through many solutions, read hundreds of posts and now I know having water in California Ocean is simple and inexpensive
(especially if you have the possibility of a 230V 660W power supply).
Additionally, we don't irreversibly interfere (we don't damage anything, we don't drill, etc.) with a car under warranty.
What do we need?
- A little courage, basic skills, and basic tools (a 7mm socket wrench on a long handle will make life easier)
- Ideally, space in a closet, which is sometimes taken up by a factory safe-box (and if it's not there, there's no way to even reach it)
- An Elgena boiler, available in 3 or 6 liters, preferably a combi version (12V 200W / 230V 660W) - it easily fits 6 liters and is as shown in the photos
- Hot/cold water mixer solenoid valve for boiler - Truma
- A suitable 2m hot water hose with a 10mm internal diameter, e.g., FAWO
Cost is about 550 Euro and about 4h of your time
and you have about 15 liters 38-40C water enough for 2 showers - in shower and in the sink.

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Cześć Robert! Looking at your photos, this seems very similar to the boiler we had in a Ford Nugget camper we rented once. A very innovative solution - well done!

 

[wildslammer22]

I've gone through many solutions, read hundreds of posts and now I know having water in California Ocean is simple and inexpensive
(especially if you have the possibility of a 230V 660W power supply).
Additionally, we don't irreversibly interfere (we don't damage anything, we don't drill, etc.) with a car under warranty.
What do we need?
- A little courage, basic skills, and basic tools (a 7mm socket wrench on a long handle will make life easier)
- Ideally, space in a closet, which is sometimes taken up by a factory safe-box (and if it's not there, there's no way to even reach it)
- An Elgena boiler, available in 3 or 6 liters, preferably a combi version (12V 200W / 230V 660W) - it easily fits 6 liters and is as shown in the photos
- Hot/cold water mixer solenoid valve for boiler - Truma
- A suitable 2m hot water hose with a 10mm internal diameter, e.g., FAWO
Cost is about 550 Euro and about 4h of your time
and you have about 15 liters 38-40C water enough for 2 showers - in shower and in the sink.

View attachment 140625

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Excellent! I’d love to know how you have done this, power etc

 

[sidepod]

Am I missing something? at 12v it'll eat a leisure battery so it needs to be run whilst driving? If there is 240v available then chances are you're on a campsite so use their showers?

 

[Mehdime]

I’d be interested to learn more as well about of it works in practice. It’s not really usable on a campsite unless it’s a nudist site (even then, I’m not sure people would be impressed with you soaking the pitch with soapy water).

But can be handy for wild camping. Certainly useful there for washing dishes in the sink. But how long does it take to heat up those 6 liters and how much battery does it use up?

 

[Robert-ert]

Am I missing something? at 12v it'll eat a leisure battery so it needs to be run whilst driving? If there is 240v available then chances are you're on a campsite so use their showers?

yep 12V while driving only, but 230V also on "wild camp" for example from ecoflow

 

[Robert-ert]

How to power up it while camping "wild" ?
- leisure battery only when driving - BUT when water gets hot 75C as this boiler can do ! it hold (just add some additional insulation, as I did - on the picture) for many hours.
I have 36C after 12h in my test.
- 230V - much better and faster, but... you need additonal power supply - in my case its Ecoflow Delta 2 + Ecoflow 800W alternator charger - solution described on this forum

Give me a bit of time will prepare full tutorial how to do it

 

[sidepod]

So you also need to carry around an enormous heavy lump of extra battery?

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

We had something similar in an eriba caravan 20+ years ago.
The memory generates 2 questions:
1. How is easy is it to drain down for winter?
2. When you forget to drain it down what damage will the leak do?

 

[Robert-ert]

So you also need to carry around an enormous heavy lump of extra battery?

hahahahahah
There are no free lunches in life, there is always a cost to something...
if you traveling not staying for few days in one place - 12V will do the job without "heavy lump"

 

[Robert-ert]

We had something similar in an eriba caravan 20+ years ago.
The memory generates 2 questions:
1. How is easy is it to drain down for winter?
2. When you forget to drain it down what damage will the leak do?

1. easy - 1 minute job just take the boiler out - two clamps and is out
2. It depends on how you protect yourself - I have the boiler in a tight "foil bath" with the 10l capacity so no problem at all

 

[hlobban]

Looks like a nice solution, I would be interested in seeing the Tutorial when you get a chance do do it.

 

[ejmoore]

A simpler & cheaper method that we use:
Boil a kettle of water, put it in a bucket, top up with cold water. Scoop it over yourself using a plastic mug. Much better than a feeble shower.

We bought a £25 'utility' tent for privacy, and stand on a tray thing* to catch the water.

*one of those gardener's planting trays made of groundsheet fabric that pops together at the corners to form a tray

Cheap, quick, effective & takes up very little space. If you want a longer wash, use two buckets!

 

[sidepod]

. If you want a longer wash, use two buckets!

Brilliant. Sums this thread up perfectly.

 

[myvanrodney]

I deliberated over hot water but ended up concluding It's all too much of a faff for me. But i totally understand the purpose in designing solutions and building them. Sometimes it's not what you achieve, but the fun, challenge and satisfaction of the journey! .... i love camping!

 

[jezza]

I've gone through many solutions, read hundreds of posts and now I know having water in California Ocean is simple and inexpensive
(especially if you have the possibility of a 230V 660W power supply).
Additionally, we don't irreversibly interfere (we don't damage anything, we don't drill, etc.) with a car under warranty.
What do we need?
- A little courage, basic skills, and basic tools (a 7mm socket wrench on a long handle will make life easier)
- Ideally, space in a closet, which is sometimes taken up by a factory safe-box (and if it's not there, there's no way to even reach it)
- An Elgena boiler, available in 3 or 6 liters, preferably a combi version (12V 200W / 230V 660W) - it easily fits 6 liters and is as shown in the photos
- Hot/cold water mixer solenoid valve for boiler - Truma
- A suitable 2m hot water hose with a 10mm internal diameter, e.g., FAWO
Cost is about 550 Euro and about 4h of your time
and you have about 15 liters 38-40C water enough for 2 showers - in shower and in the sink.

View attachment 140625

View attachment 140626

Hi would be very interested if you could let me know where you got hold of the little storage panel you have over the small kitchen window.

 

[WelshGas]

Hi would be very interested if you could let me know where you got hold of the little storage panel you have over the small kitchen window.

they were, I believe, available from the Forum shop. It replaces the pull out screen.

 

[PeterMcAlea]

A simpler & cheaper method that we use:
Boil a kettle of water, put it in a bucket, top up with cold water. Scoop it over yourself using a plastic mug. Much better than a feeble shower.

We bought a £25 'utility' tent for privacy, and stand on a tray thing* to catch the water.

*one of those gardener's planting trays made of groundsheet fabric that pops together at the corners to form a tray

Cheap, quick, effective & takes up very little space. If you want a longer wash, use two buckets!

You know what, this is actually perfect! Keep it simple and embrace the experience. Thank you for this. Love it! : )

 

[Peter84]

I don't understand the negativity in this post. Surely it's not for everyone but TS had done a nice job and is willing to share! So hopefully he'll share his tutorial here

 

[Robert-ert]

I don't understand the negativity in this post. Surely it's not for everyone but TS had done a nice job and is willing to share! So hopefully he'll share his tutorial here

I will soon... but just after vacation

 

[Robert-ert]

Hi would be very interested if you could let me know where you got hold of the little storage panel you have over the small kitchen window.

Im also doing many 3D projects for California.
This is not for commercial use - but its free for private use - so you can print it all for yourself
Check here:
California 3D projects
all are My projects from scratch - all Im testing and using in my California.
If you have printer - print for yourself if your friend has a printer - ask him for gift

 

[Robert-ert]

First - keep in mind is not shower in your home its effective but it are just 6L of water mixed „online” with cold water.
We can't overcome the laws of physics - It means its giving you max 2 quick showers with about 6l each with temp about 38-40C, and must me heated again.
But if you look for the shower after a long day or after few hours ride in the wild camp or if you have power 230V but no shower - its solution for you

Step by step in Ocean:

• Drain the water from the standard tank
• Empty the wardrobe and trunk.
• Remove the bed base (two levers and you're done).
• Remove the plastic cap in the wardrobe - its access to the water pump.
• Open the rear wardrobe and remove the bottom shelf to have the access from the back
  
  Now you have access to the water lines:
  
• Use a 7mm wrench to unscrew the two clamps on the short, 6cm tube leading from the pump to the tee that distributes water to the front and back - place pointed on picture above
  (if you can't find it, follow the shower hose Remove this short tube from the pump connector and the tee (do it slowly and patiently )
• Take a new 0.5m hose and attach it to the pump connector. Pull the end through the hole in the wardrobe.
• Take a new 0.5m hose and attach it to the end of the tee. Pull the end through the hole in the central wardrobe. You'll adjust their lengths later. by putting them on the water mixer valve.
  (Don't throw away the piece of original tubing—you can just put it back on if necessary, and it'll be the original )

You've now connected the water circuit behind the pump and have two water tubes running to the central unit. You'll adjust their lengths only when you attach them to the water mixer valve.

• Insert and secure the boiler. I additionally insulated and secured it by inserting cut-to-size foam into the corners.
• Route the electrical wires from the boiler (through the same hole in the unit you used to insert the water tubes). Push the wires down into the hotel battery compartment—open the door first to gain access. I added a 20A fuse to the 12V line and connected the 230V line with an extension cord from the bottom to the cabinet space - to make it easier to access and disconnect the boiler at any time.
• Attach the water tubes to the boiler connectors.
• Connect everything to the water mixer. The mixer connectors are clearly labeled in German but you have it on picture above
  

Theoretically, the job's done.

BEFORE YOU START and switch power on:
- First, fill the California water tank, keep in mind you have 6l water more/
- Set the water mixer to the center or hot water so that some water flows into the shower and some into the boiler
- Turn on the shower and pump water through it for 30-40 seconds, with pauses. Wait calmly, the water needs to fill the boiler, so it will squirt a little water and air. If the pump catches water, a message may appear informing you that it's turned off. This is normal. Shake the boiler slightly to bleed the air and turn the shower on again (turn the ignition on and off to reset the pump error).

Starting:
- First check if the boiler is heavy = full of water. Plug it in to power. You'll have hot water within a 35 minutes using 230V. Set the temperature using the mixer.
Power source: You can have 12V, 230V or KOMBI version with both systems (Im using kombi)

• You can use Ecoflow or any other solution to supply 230V 660W (620W in real life) 35min form 20C to 70C. Im using ecoflow delta 2 with 800W charger - solution from the forum
  My ecoflow is placed between the front seats so I ran a 5m single 10A extension cord along the cabinets.
• you can use a hotel battery (connect the positive via a 20A fuse) to the battery terminal, and the negative to the screw securing the battery to the floor (not the terminal).
  This way, you have just 200W heater. This means you can heat while driving, but it will take about 1.5 hours to heat the boiler to maximum.

What you need is:

• An Elgena boiler, available in 3 or 6 liters, preferably a combi version (12V 200W / 230V 660W) - why Elena - because it works with you oryginal pump in California.
  It is worth insulating it additionally - as in my photo, with an additional thermal insulation mat, and installing a thermoment before insulating. I also made a kind of tight pool out of thick pool foil and duct tape in case of a water leak.
• Hot/cold water mixer solenoid valve for boiler - Truma - have no idea if there is other, but when I tried to find another model, I couldn't - soo check the pictures
• A suitable 2m hot water hose with a 10mm internal diameter, e.g., FAWO
• I made special 3D prints - for example doors to battery compartment and cap to wardrobe to keep mixing valve and pipes in one position you can see it on pictures - those prints will be accessible in my 3D print collection for free.
• 6h of your free time

 

[myvanrodney]

Oh no... I got fished in lol.

I just bought one of these..

Rechargeable Heated Portable Shower for Camping & Caravanning | Colapz

Enjoy hot showers anywhere with the Colapz Heated Portable Shower. Heats water to 42°C in 15 mins, stays warm for 3 hrs & runs for up to 1 hr.

colapz.co.uk

It's pretty impressive in its simplicity.

 

[hlobban]

You must have got the last one, now sold out!

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Oh no... I got fished in lol.

I just bought one of these..

Rechargeable Heated Portable Shower for Camping & Caravanning | Colapz

Enjoy hot showers anywhere with the Colapz Heated Portable Shower. Heats water to 42°C in 15 mins, stays warm for 3 hrs & runs for up to 1 hr.

colapz.co.uk

It's pretty impressive in its simplicity.
View attachment 141082

If you want to use AC to heat it fast it uses 2,000 watts. Just so people know as this exceeds most Ecoflow's, etc, with continuous 2,000 watts for 15 minutes or more. On EHU it would work but with EHU you likely already have access to a shower.