FJ Cruisers of Northern California

On Board Hot Shower

Well after many years of wanting to build my own OBHS heat exchanger i finally did.As i found out it was alot harder then i anticipated.After many designs in my head and on paper and after building 6 prototypes and testing.I setteled on one that i was really happy with.As i found out real soon copper is really expensive :( But the results are well worth it for me.The heat exchanger is made out of 2" copper tubbing and is 12" long and has 20' of tubbing inside the 2" tube.The water has to pass 3 times inside the 2" copper tube before it goes out to the shower head.That is only running the water thru the heat exchanger only once.I spliced the OBHS exchanger using the bottom hose coming out of the FJ heater.The OBHS exchanger heats supply water 59F up to 120F with the FJ at only 1500rpm.Still working on a flip up shower arm from my ARB bumper.Let me know what you guy's think

Attachments:

OBHS1.jpg, 1.2 MB
OBHS2.jpg, 775 KB

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Permalink Reply by The Josh on April 2, 2012 at 12:13pm

yes

i wanted to install the system to be as clean as possible with the ports hidden from view when the truck is closed up so thats why i decided on the location for the install. i have a 10ft extension rv hose to extend the shower wand to a privy located away from vehicle if needed

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Permalink Reply by manoweb on April 2, 2012 at 1:18pm

Well but was it not possible to put the connectors hidden below? I would be worried to make everything wet inside. Many times I just take a shower during a stop when I do not want to empty the cargo.

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Permalink Reply by The Josh on April 2, 2012 at 1:23pm

i have a CBI bumper so its all frame rails underneath, i wanted it to be easily accessible for my wife and if it was underneath it could possibly get hung op on a obstacle.

the post are not located inside at all, they are routed thru the bumper which is still exterior, there is no water connections inside the cabin.

also i wouldn't have to unpack anything as i have cargo drawers in the rear (they just weren't in when i shot the video) so i will keep the hose handy

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Permalink Reply by paraextreme on April 2, 2012 at 9:57am

Nice set up i wish i had the extra room.i too looked at putting a tank in the back but would have to move my air tank and horns.and i figured at best i could get 12 gal of water only giving me about 12 minutes of shower.but your system is super cool :)

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Permalink Reply by The Josh on April 2, 2012 at 12:15pm

thanks!

have you ever taken a shower out camping using a battery powered pump of a coleman heater? i have many times in death valley and other places. me and my wife only used about 1.5 gallons each for a really nice hot shower

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Permalink Reply by manoweb on April 2, 2012 at 1:18pm

Similar for me, I can take 3 showers out of a 6 gallon tank.

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Permalink Reply by paraextreme on April 2, 2012 at 12:25pm

Josh did you get those fill ports at a boating supply? I also would like to put the extra gas tank back there seeing mf fj getts horrible gas mileage. But at this rate i will never have the money

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Permalink Reply by paraextreme on April 2, 2012 at 12:29pm

Josh did you get those fill ports at a boating supply? I also would like to put the extra gas tank back there seeing mf fj getts horrible gas mileage. But at this rate i will never have the money ;(

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Permalink Reply by The Josh on April 2, 2012 at 12:38pm

yeah i did, west marine in pacheco. i get most all my electrical and hoses/fittings there

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Permalink Reply by The Josh on April 2, 2012 at 8:11pm

engine bay

[IMG]http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j124/chevelle02/Wheelin/file-849.jpg[/IMG]

heat exchanger

[IMG]http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j124/chevelle02/Wheelin/file-1551...[/IMG]

water fill port

[IMG]http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j124/chevelle02/Wheelin/file-1897...[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j124/chevelle02/Wheelin/file-1917...[/IMG]

pumps off

[IMG]http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j124/chevelle02/Wheelin/file-955.jpg[/IMG]

pumps on

[IMG]http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j124/chevelle02/Wheelin/file-300.jpg[/IMG]

shower hookup

[IMG]http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j124/chevelle02/Wheelin/file-2139...[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j124/chevelle02/Wheelin/file-1833...[/IMG]

hot water

[IMG]http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j124/chevelle02/Wheelin/file-1978...[/IMG]

undercarriage

[IMG]http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j124/chevelle02/Wheelin/file-525.jpg[/IMG]

heat exchanger pump

[IMG]http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j124/chevelle02/Wheelin/file-556.jpg[/IMG]

particle strainer

[IMG]http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j124/chevelle02/Wheelin/file-1148...[/IMG]

shower pump

[IMG]http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j124/chevelle02/Wheelin/file-2129...[/IMG]

from left to right (outlet for heat exchanger, outlet for shower, inlet from heat exchanger)

[IMG]http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j124/chevelle02/Wheelin/file-549.jpg[/IMG]

pump

[IMG]http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j124/chevelle02/Wheelin/file-1943...[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j124/chevelle02/Wheelin/file-1544...[/IMG]

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Permalink Reply by paraextreme on April 2, 2012 at 8:27pm

They got some cool stuff.thats where i got most of my electric stuff too.they are better then radio shack.again your set up is really nice

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Permalink Reply by manoweb on April 3, 2012 at 9:16am

This forum should make it easier to post photographs :(

Observations:

The heat exchanger looks very small, how is it done?
160F? Isn't that MUCH too hot?
I have a much smaller shower head. Aren't you afraid a big one like yours may use too much water?
That looks like a very high-quality job. Out of curiosity, do you carry any extra fuel on your expedition trips?