Hot water

[Trevor_374372640]

Hi, I am brand new to caravanning and have just bought a 91 Elddis Wisp 400/5. The van has pumped cold water but no hot. I would like to install a shower in the bathroom. Can anyone advise me on best option. I have considered fitting hot and cold water tanks and pump/mixer etc using immersion heating or maybe instant gas heating is better. Any advise greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Trevor

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Trevor,

All the parts you will need are readily available through your local caravan dealership or in many cases through the internet.

The vast majority of touring caravans use a storage hot water heater. This usually contains about 9L (2 gallons) of water, and is usually dual fuelled by either LPG or a low wattage electric element. These are not instantaneous, so you need to have the heater turned on about half to three quarters of an hour before you shower.

Your current coldwater store is most likely an external barrel. This should be fine and will act as you cold supply. The system will also use just one pump, and again your existing pump may be suitable, if not it just needs replacing with a more powerful model.

The plumbing is quite straight forward, but if you intend to use a gas powered water storage heater then that must be installed by a competent LPG gas fitter.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi again, Trevor,

I forgot to mention that you will never achieve the performance of a domestic shower, you simply do not have the pressure or the quantity of hot water to allow for high usage or long showers, but they are an alternative to using the site facilities

 

[Trevor_374372640]

Hi John,

Appreciate your feedback. Was coming to the same conclusion myself. I had thought I could get a similar system to a domestic system. It's a shame you can't, as not all sites have toilet/shower blocks and when they do, are they clean etc. We are going to try a few sites that do, see how we get on.

Thanks again,

Trevor

 

[gary]

An old van turned up on our site a couple of years ago and constantly tripped his hook up post and as usual I was asked by the site owner to find out why?

Well it had a brand new unused 8KW (35amp) electric shower installed!!! to my certain knowledge it's still still there and unused...we only have 6amp hookups lol