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Open Roads Forum > Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)

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akchad

Alaska

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Posted: 04/18/12 01:42am

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I am a tent camper, but in order to get my parents to come camping with me in Alaska this summer, I must provide a shower. I am planning to use an outhouse/shower tent shelter with Camp Chef's instant propane water heater, powered by a 12V water pump.

This particular trip will need to accommodate 4 adults and 2 children showers and hot dish/wash water for 4 days. I plan to utilize this system for week long Boy Scout camping trips as well. Can anyone recommend the most economical battery and charging method for this setup? I anticipate only using the battery to run the water pump, not lights or other accessories. Any suggestions are welcome!

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McZippie

USA

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Posted: 04/18/12 04:47am

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Motorcycle/Jet Ski size sealed AGM starting battery.
Charge battery with a plug-in cigarette lighter adapter.

http://www.powerwerx.com/adapter-cables/

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SteveAE

Bend, Oregon

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Posted: 04/18/12 07:03am

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akchad,

Have you considered a solar shower and just locating it a bit further back in the woods for privacy? On days that don't get as much sun, you can heat water in a pot on the stove to add to the water in the solar shower.

Great on getting your folks out. The memories will last a life time.

Steve

CincyGus

Cincinnati

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Posted: 04/18/12 07:41am

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SteveAE wrote:

X2

For people that have never used a solar hot water shower, they work remarkably well if you get enough sun and as mentioned, if not, you boil a little water to add to the water in the bag and your good to go. used one for years when I had horses and we boondocked more often than in campgrounds with facilities. Be careful if you take your shower at the end of the day and it's been sunny all day, That water can be downright HOT.

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Hope your travels are safe and the friendships made camping are lasting.

garym114

Bluff Dale, Texas

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Posted: 04/18/12 09:17am

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The people suggesting a solar shower have never been to Alaskka. Overcast skies can last for days.
The pump and heater should work well. You can use the cig power adapter above to make it simple for charging, have to start the car to charge.
The link above has PowerPole power connectors. You could put a PowerPole connector on the pump and battery to easily connect the battery where you want it.
A small AGM battery would be best, no acid to spill. If you want to travel light and lean you could use a motorcycle/riding mower size battery.

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akchad

Alaska

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Posted: 04/18/12 09:58am

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Thanks for the replies. As garym stated, the sun is often unreliable in Alaska, and I'm afraid I'd be boiling a lot of water to provide 5-6 showers each day. I'm pretty sold on the on demand water heater + pump idea.

As for the motorcycle battery idea, how much time between charges should I expect to get? The pump I listed above will probably draw between 5-6 amps for this application. Everything I've read recommends a deep-cycle/RV battery for 12V supply, but I imagine it could be overkill for what I'm trying to do. Will the motorcycle starting battery be able to go a few days between charging?

smkettner

Southern California

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Posted: 04/18/12 10:07am

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Low cost battery is a Group 27 12v from Costco or Walmart.

This may well last the week just fine if used for pump only.

A Honda 1000 and a 20 to 40 amp portable automatic battery charger will recharge if needed but kinda spendy. A solar panel and controller might be just the ticket.

140w panel $189

Morningstar controller $45

So $400 all in with battery, solar and some wire. That is less than the Honda/charger unless you can borrow something.

I think a little motorcycle battery is too small. If you must have a battery that will not spill you will need to spend a bit more to get an AGM from Lifeline etc.

* This post was edited 04/18/12 10:15am by smkettner *

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pauldub

North of Seattle

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Posted: 04/18/12 04:37pm

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Why not just run the pump off the battery in your vehicle?

beemerphile1

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Posted: 04/19/12 01:16pm

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You might want to consider the Zodi On-demand Hot Shower.

http://www.zodi.com/Consumer/zodihottaptravelshower.html

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