Hot shower system for the frunk?

[MM in SouthTX]

I want to install a hot shower system in the frunk for winter surf sessions. A demand pump like this one and an inline heater could send water from an ice chest or bladder to a shower head. Problem is I can't find an inline water heater with energy demand lower than the 2.4kW that the frunk power outlets provide. Anyone thought about doing this and found a good solution?

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[Blainestang]

I want to install a hot shower system in the frunk for winter surf sessions. A demand pump like this one and an inline heater could send water from an ice chest or bladder to a shower head. Problem is I can't find an inline water heater with energy demand lower than the 2.4kW that the frunk power outlets provide. Anyone thought about doing this and found a good solution?

Given the limited power, it might not be feasible to heat the water enough in a single pass, so maybe something like this that takes a little time to heat a tank of water, then you use it.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-M...G7x8V7E88yG8S09qvNxoCjI8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[lightspeed]

Find a 240v one like this:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-D...1-Shower-in-Hot-Climates-BD-POU-7HD/318838835

 

[MM in SouthTX]

Find a 240v one like this:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-D...1-Shower-in-Hot-Climates-BD-POU-7HD/318838835

Good option for the bed but I'm focused on the frunk only.

 

[MM in SouthTX]

Find a 240v one like this:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-D...1-Shower-in-Hot-Climates-BD-POU-7HD/318838835

Camplux has those as well. Not sure how that works when you start using it. I would think it would not maintain the same temperature as cold water is added to the tank while you use it. Edit--confirmed from review comments that it would start cooling with use.

 

[lightspeed]

Good option for the bed but I'm focused on the frunk only.

2400watts is not going to get you much water, but:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-2...ic-Water-Heater-Commercial-RTEH2412/315052842

Also, running at the hairy edge of the max wattage of the truck might be asking for the breaker to pop constantly.

 

[MM in SouthTX]

2400watts is not going to get you much water, but:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-2...ic-Water-Heater-Commercial-RTEH2412/315052842

Also, running at the hairy edge of the max wattage of the truck might be asking for the breaker to pop constantly.

You found one! Thanks. Will consider whether that might work.

 

[Ecstatic]

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/u3oAAOSwXj5avZVP/s-l300.jpg
How about one of those shower heads that contains the heating element?
ELECTRIC SHOWER HEAD INSTANT % HOT WATER TANKLESS

 

[Whammy Bar]

You're going to want 2, ideally 3 gallons per minute flow rate. Assuming a winter water temp of around 50°, you're looking at needing a 50° rise. A 120 volt unit will be lucky to give you half a gallon a minute.

Your best bet is to run a cord back to the back to utilize the 240v power and pair that with a 7.2kW max heater.

Or, preheat the water and just use a small pump to pressurize it.

TLDR, it takes a huge amount of energy to heat water.

 

[MM in SouthTX]

You're going to want 2, ideally 3 gallons per minute flow rate. Assuming a winter water temp of around 50°, you're looking at needing a 50° rise. A 120 volt unit will be lucky to give you half a gallon a minute.

Your best bet is to run a cord back to the back to utilize the 240v power and pair that with a 7.2kW max heater.

Or, preheat the water and just use a small pump to pressurize it.

TLDR, it takes a huge amount of energy to heat water.

Thanks. I am learning that. I currently throw hot bottles in an ice chest and pour them over my head when I get out of the water. Maybe I will stick with that, or buy the RinseKit with the heat stick. They told me they will be making a 120V version soon.

 

[Whammy Bar]

Thanks. I am learning that. I currently throw hot bottles in an ice chest and pour them over my head when I get out of the water. Maybe I will stick with that, or buy the RinseKit with the heat stick. They told me they will be making a 120V version soon.

You could hack something together, like a 5 gallon jug, a 120v immersion heater, and a dispenser pump connected to a shower head... It'd take 15 minutes to heat up (which I'm guessing is 14 minutes too long) and would be clunky.

You could also leave the truck on to keep prob power on, and add a temp controller to regulate the immersion heater. Now you basically have a full bore hot water heater in the truck. But it's gonna be more plug and pray than plug and play.

Just spitballing ideas.

 

[Firestop]

Or, go with a 12V/Propane hybrid (https://www.joolca.com/products/hottap-v2)…I know it defeats your goal, but you’ll get plenty of hot water……

 

[MM in SouthTX]

You could hack something together, like a 5 gallon jug, a 120v immersion heater, and a dispenser pump connected to a shower head... It'd take 15 minutes to heat up (which I'm guessing is 14 minutes too long) and would be clunky.

You could also leave the truck on to keep prob power on, and add a temp controller to regulate the immersion heater. Now you basically have a full bore hot water heater in the truck. But it's gonna be more plug and pray than plug and play.

Just spitballing ideas.

Yep. We have an Anova sous vide heat stick. Hang it on the side of an ice chest. Use a demand pump with a pickup hose in the ice chest. Leave the truck on while I surf. That would work!

 

[GarageMahal]

Starting with hot water will help a lot too. Maintaining temp is much easier than heating.

 

[dirtdiver]

You should develop something and sell it! Plenty of surfers have money (at least out here in San Diego) and electric cars are more and more common. I think if you were looking for a product that would work across many vehicles you would need something to work on 120v and 1KW. As others have pointed out would push you towards a heated tank. But that is not an all bad solution. Plug it in prior to a surf session and have 5 gallons ready when you get out in an hour...

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