How long does your shower run hot?

[Jeremy_374362001]

Hi, after a number of 'older' vans we upgraded to a new Europa 600 van last year. One of the big things we were looking forward to was a quality water system... and I must admit we get great pressure and piping hot water.

The main disappointment however, is the amount of hot water we have for the shower. i.e. how long it takes for the water to run cold. I think I'm a realistic person and was not expecting to be able to soak in the shower for 30mins; however the best we seem to be able to manage is 5 mins, and this is only running the shower at half its normal pressure and keeping the temperature to a comfortable minimum.

Does anyone manage any better? Am I indeed being unrealistic? Is it always going to be a case of 'wet, stop-water, lather, then rinse?... or run to the main block?

I know the capacity of the Truma system is only 10L or so, we are bleeding all the air in the system, and making sure we have a full tank of hot water.

 

[IanMc]

Jeremy

We got between 5-10 mins. Its ok if only one needs a shower but no good for a family of 4. We now use it for staorage.

Regards

Ian

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Jeremy,

I think given your description of how you are trying to use the shower 5 min of hot water seems about right.

As you point out the water heater has a capacity of 10L. This will only be at a maximum of 70C, and most people tend to shower at about 40C. So in simple terms the 10 L will be diluted with roughly the same quantity of cold (10C) to give 20L at an average temp of about 40C .

Now the majority of pumps will deliver up to about 3 to 3.5 Litres per min through the shower so that will use the 20L in about 5.5 min by which time the water temperature will be dropping below a comfort level.

As for air in the system, The heater is designed to only allow water out when the tank has been filled to a specific level. This ensure that there is always water in the tank, and it also guarantees there is an air cap that allows the water room to expand as it is heated.

By running water through the hot system it automatically bleeds all the excess air from the system. If you artificially were able to remove more air from the heater, then it would become potentially dangerous as the tank may rupture as the water tries to expand but has no air cap to compress.

 

[nineteen4ever]

Hi all, I'm sure that when I picked up my van (Bailey Senator Oklahoma) the dealer said that if I wish to use the shower put both electric and gas water heaters on at the same time so the cool water filling up the tank will heat quicker. It may not give you red hot water but it may make the shower last a few minutes longer before it gets too cold. Personally I only use the vans shower as a last resort, had this van nearly a year and not used it at all, I work away from home so I spend more time in this van than I do in my own home!

 

[Chrissylizzie]

Hi Jeremy

We get enough for two hot showers, but yes, you do have to wet, stop water, then soap, then rinse, rather than continuous running water. The water will be hotter if you use both gas and electric at the same time although doing this makes the water too hot for us.

 

[Legsmaniac_374344731]

Sadly, we only have gas hot water so choice of electric is out for us. And our shower will only run a comfortable temp. for about 3 mins continuously. Since my wife is disabled, the stop start method is too cold for her as it aggravates her joints. So our shower is just an expensive display feature.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi all, I'm sure that when I picked up my van (Bailey Senator Oklahoma) the dealer said that if I wish to use the shower put both electric and gas water heaters on at the same time so the cool water filling up the tank will heat quicker. It may not give you red hot water but it may make the shower last a few minutes longer before it gets too cold. Personally I only use the vans shower as a last resort, had this van nearly a year and not used it at all, I work away from home so I spend more time in this van than I do in my own home!

The use of both the gas and electric heating systems will reduce the reheat time, but even with both systems it will still take about 15 to 20 mins to recover. These are not instantaneous heaters they are storage water heaters.

Legsmaniac,

sadly I don't think you will find any current product that will give the continuous hot water you need in a touring caravan. Construction and use regulations make it very difficult to engineer the burner capacity you would need to heat that quantity of water in the time available.

I have wondered if a small electric shower could be fitted, but there are three limiting factors, firstly the electric supply capacity to a caravan limits you to 3.6Kw, or less and the water flow and pressure may not be enough to trigger the safety devices in the heaters. There could also be an issue with the electrical safety from the quality and capacity of earthing system.