Water heater options

[Fiberglassflyer]

Hello fellow fiberglass friends, I am looking for ideas on a water heater replacement. I would like to stay with possibly a 12 volt system but will not rule out propane. Preferably one I could store in a cubby and attach to the camper when I need it. I know this is a tall order but I have faith in this community. Thanks

[Alex Adams]

There are no 12 volt water heaters that I am aware of since the amount of amperage necessary to heat water would be prohibitive. You're best bet would be an Outdoor Propane Tankless Gas Water Heater such as a Camplux or Eccotemp. If I ever feel the need for hot water in my Boler, that would be what I would get.

[Fiberglassflyer]

Originally Posted by Alex Adams

There are no 12 volt water heaters that I am aware of since the amount of amperage necessary to heat water would be prohibitive. You're best bet would be an Outdoor Propane Tankless Gas Water Heater such as a Camplux or Eccotemp. If I ever feel the need for hot water in my Boler, that would be what I would get.

Great info thanks

[redbarron55]

I built a box on the tongue and mounted a FASTAR tankless LP water heater for about $90.00

The box with the Lexan door is to try to keep the water spray out when towing in the rain.

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by Alex Adams

There are no 12 volt water heaters that I am aware of since the amount of amperage necessary to heat water would be prohibitive....

But there are many 12 volt DC water heaters available!

Most look like this:



And they work OK for keeping a cup of coffee warm...
https://www.amazon.com/Beverage-Heat.../dp/B07M6HWS2Q

[Alex Adams]

OK Gordon, you got me!

[burrorojo]

Yes there are 12V hot water heaters on the market BUT if you need more than one coffee cup of hot water to bathe in you're out of luck!
If you want to go low tech and you only need it in the summer there are portable 'plastic bag showers'. Certainly no carbon footprint there! Here is one 'review site' for camping showers...

https://showerhacks.com/best-solar-shower/
Keep clean.

Derek

[Roamer]

It's hard to beat the traditional water heater.

How do you feel about a passive solar water heater? I am talking about the black hose inside a glass box that you put on the roof. Run your water through the roof hose before it goes to your shower head, or sink faucet. It would be a little thicker than a 100 watt solar panel yet about the same square footage on the roof.
Even just a black garden hose on the roof, or laying out on the ground in the hot sun, will warm the water enough for a shower.
Fancier systems will use copper tubing painted black…

I toyed with this idea, haven't abandoned it yet, but there are things higher on my to-do list that have prevented this so far.