RV Boondocking Water and Propane Saving Shower Tip
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- Опубліковано 3 вер 2017
- I've seen this tip or variations of it on several RV forums and blogs over the years. You use a remote oven or BBQ thermometer to keep track of the water heater temperature. The temperature probe is placed against the water heaters metal tank.
Once the temperature reaches your preferred showering comfort zone, you turn off the water heater. Now you can shower using just the hot water faucet with no need to mix hot and cold.
This tip has several benefits:
Saves LP Gas - Since the water is only heated to your lower preferred temp versus the water heater preset temperature less water heater burner time is needed.
Saves Water - Water usually wasted trying to mix hot and cold to a preferred showing temp is saved.
No More Cold Blast - The cold blast of water some RV boondockers experience when they turn off the water to lather up and turn back on to rinse is eliminated.
Flow Control - Smooth control of water flow and volume using the one tap without temperature fluctuation.
Links to similar products as seen in the video (Disclaimer: Amazon Affiliate)
Wireless Digital Cooking Thermometers - amzn.to/2wC4AKD
IR Temperature Gun - amzn.to/2vGm2Re
Fury Shower Head - amzn.to/2w0nBot
1/4 Turm RV Shower Faucet - amzn.to/2vG8cy8
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I did the same thing in my Roadtrek using a cheap freezer thermometer with remote. I set the alarm to 110F and when it beeps I shut off the water heater. I wrapped my tank with a 2nd layer of Reflectix so I have hot water all day for dishes and whatnot on that single burn. The nice thing is it also has a low temp alarm as well so if I get near freezing I get warned. I did a video on it a while back.
Good idea on the low temp
I just kept a gallon milk jug and a funnel in the shower. When I was going to shower, I would mix the water to the desired temperature, collecting the water in the jug. When the water temperature was where I wanted it, I shut off the shower head, set the jug aside, climbed into the shower and turned the water on enough to get wet, shut the water off, soaped up, turned the water on and rinsed off. I've checked this many times and would use about 1.5 gallons for a shower. The water to the commode was shut off and the water collected from the shower was used to flush solids. Then I poured about an 1" of water into the commode to keep the seal wet.
For just a rinse off with no soap or shampoo, about a quart of water did the trick.
Hey Ray great little trick thanks.
Great tip.
Good tip thank's.
Another helpful video. Thank you.
Nice tip! Thanks!
Great Video great tip again thanks
Excellent, thanks!
I love your videos..keep sharing, keep being creative, and stay safe. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, I will
I just came across this video and I think we will try this. I happen to now have a practical use for a similar thermometer I bought for making yogurt (which I never ended up doing).
Give er a shot. :)
Great! Thanks for sharing with us Ray!
You bet. :)
Ray I have loved alot of your videos but I fear you have not mentioned a major issue with turning down your hot water tank
The reason why most tanks are set to 60c(140F) is because that is the tempurature where Legionellae bacteria (the bacteria that causes Legionnaries disease) is killed of in ruffly 30min.
Setting to 131F will kill the bacteria in 5-6 hours.
Setting to 122F the bacteria can survive but it will not grow.
Setting the tank between 95 and 115F is the ideal growth range
Love your video's and you do give alot of excellent tips and advice I'd just hate to see you or anyone get sick, especially when you are getting your water from what is suppose to be a potable and tested source but when you are traveling such as many that RV can you really ever be sure.
Just food for thought
Thanks, I'll have to read up on this. I do bleach my whole water system several times a year and the tank is brought to WH factory set temp of 130F each day when we do dishes. My first thought is it's pretty scary, never mind the water heater, but, since 95 - 115F is the ideal growth temps then what about all the RVs that are out in the summer, especially in the south when temps like that are common outside, the whole RV fresh water tank is going to be close to the outside ambient temp. I have to wonder why this isn't a huge epidemic among dry camping RVers.
Like always an other good video. 👍
Another nice and helpful tip to save both water & propane whilst boondocking. Peace & Happy Travels.
Great idea about how you handled the heater door access. My screws are backing out and the whole panel is loose. I like your hinge and knob idea!
Thanks. :)
Good idea. Thanks
Good Idea with the thermostats and really most excellent Idea with the knob and hinge , I really liked those ideas! Cheers RAY.
A great idea, the RV water heater people should talk to you
I like my showers well done.
Ray comes up with some good stuff, but I'm with you on this one.
Agreed, and seconded.
My hubby likes hot showers but I'm good with warm especially in the hotter weather.
Good idea for sure. Too bad you could not hook up a thermostat to shut the water heater off automatically at 103 degrees.
Another great video from Ray!!!
As crafty as he is a cheap arduino micro controller (3.3v or 5v volt logic) a Dallas 1 wire temp sensor, some minor wiring and a very small program and you have it. It would be what he has there but more robust and permanent as he can easily tie into the control panel on the rig to control the water heater running. Total around $10 us and some learning of basic electronics heck you can even skip the learning part and just get the code for one already setup on the internet.
So @mrbilky, do you have a video? I would love to DIY what you explain.
You can also now get adjustable thermostats for most RV water heaters. Then just set it where you want it. Use the on/off controls like always to save gas/power.
Do you have a link to a Suburban one? I'd like to see how they install and adjust. Cheers Ray
Seems you can only do this on an Atwood so far. I couldn't find anything on a Suburban adjustable 'stat.
Can you link to the Atwood one?
Idaho Living
I installed this one 3 yrs ago. Works pretty well. Anything is better than scalding water with my kids.
Atwood 93105 Adjustable Electronic Thermostat www.amazon.com/dp/B001BZ36HM
Thanks, I will give it a go.
Great tip, Thanks
Great tip Ray!
cool tip, Ray
I prefer my showers 'medium-well'
:-)
Great job with the video presentation, Ray. Short, simple and easy to understand. Also, are you that mellow generally? Awesome!
Yeah, I'm a pretty laid back guy. :)
I've always thought myself that I never used more than a gallon or two when boon dock showering. I'm going to figure out a way to test this and post a result. Probably won't be overly scientific.
To save even more water why don't you flush with grey water instead of fresh?
Cyndi Foore
Where are you getting the gray water from?
We often do use the dishwater too, depending on how stingy we want to be with water.
I'm taking notes Ray. By the time we are ready to full-time all the work will have been done and we can enjoy a leisurely retirement. All because we paid attention! Thanks again. Hope someday we will be able to return the favor.
Glad hear my vids are helping. Cheers!
Hi Ray, do you have a 6 or 10 gallon hot water tank? Great tip on saving the cold water at the start.
Six gallons
Nice idea, but how much propane could you buy with what it cost you for the temperature probes etc over what you are saving on propane?......How much are you saving in propane over having it cool down before you are finished?........Not really sure it would work out in the end, but good deal of thinking when your shower goes cold. Certainly cut down on water use!......:)
There will be a point at which it pays for itself but it will be hard to know when.
A lot more in the US than in Canada that's for sure. About 4 bukcs a gallon here last time I filled it. :(
I tried showering a few times last time boondocking with a half heated tank and the warmth lasted long enough for me to get a good clean in before it cooled down too much. Does give extra incentive to be quick. :)
I think I'll buy a spare probe for 5 bucks and leave it in the water heater then use the thermometer for its intended purpose. Cheers Ray
So what you are saying the manufacturing company's for the RV water heaters need to make them with a thermometer and temperature control adjustment?
Sure would be nice, but I realize they are made for the vast majority of people that don't care about it.
Yes i understand that but if it is adjustable it's the best of all worlds. How many times do you get in the shower and it's to hot before you get it adjusted.
Another great video Ray. What's your thoughts on the tankless water heaters? I think they may also be helpful to achieve water rationing.
Thanks! I thought about one when our WH died last year but decided against it because it was LP Gas only and we spend half our time in full hookup parks with free electric. I also would be a fair chunk of change to spend and not like it. Our regular water heater serves our needs. Cheers Ray
JC F
The early versions didn't operate correctly. Think the main complaint was it would only heat up if you opened the faucet/shower all the way. Newer versions are better.
A big problem with tank less water heaters is they are water pressure dependent to operate properly. In a house getting sufficient and consistent water pressure is rarely a problem, an RV is another matter. Campgrounds often suffer from low and inconsistent water pressure and when boondocking, depending on the water pump to supply the correct and consistent pressure also leads to poor performance.
Love the access panel. That's some quality there. Looked like cardboard and fake wood panel paper. How do you like the shower nozzle? I've got one I just haven't put it in...
haha, ya, cheap, reminds me of the old 70's wall board, I guess there is the weight versus quality thing.
We like it. Just like the old Oxygenics but with 4 other streams.
The good thing with my big ass diesel pusher is I can carry weight. All my cabinets and walls are real solid wood. Thinking about doing hardwood floors. Carpet just gets dirty too easy...
Good plan, carpet in an RV sucks IMHO. :)
Love Your RV Don't think I'll get vinyl like you. First off I'm taking out most of the mirrors. Then new tile in kitchen and bathroom. Then replace both fans and hopefully wood floors and solar 😜 Can't so white until it cools down from 108deg right now 😡😫👎🏻
Ray, how has this worked so far? I've looked into this idea and found thermostats that do this exact thing.
Works great :)
Have any new boondocking spots/states on the list for this year? When do you hit the road?
My last winter before retirement.... 406 days I think.
Depends on the weather. No plans just go with the flow and see where we end up. :)
We should be leaving the first week of November
How much time did it take to bring the temperature to 101°?
It was about 10 mins
here is video for installing an adjustable thermostat on an Atwood water heater. Looks simple.
ua-cam.com/video/37c2OrrKTsc/v-deo.html
The only problem is I'd be running out to adjust it all the time with a screwdriver. Like for dishes I want hotter water and for my wife's long shower when she does her hair. Be nice if it had an inside panel or knob.
Hey Ray great little trick thanks.