Hot water system

[David Marsh]

My question is what about hot water? I don’t pick my ‘New to me’ Cali up until next Friday and having been used to hot water on tap got me thinking.
Is there a way of having a system fitted?
I’m sure the motorhome I have at present, an Autosleeper Sandhurst, has a system that works off either the gas or the electric when on a mains hook up and even when the diesel heater is in use.
Or do I just have to boil the water on the hob?
HELP.

 

[2into1]

Or do I just have to boil the water on the hob?

Yup.

 

[David Marsh]

Yup.

Thanks for that. There's got to be a way........surely.

 

[Sad]

Thanks for that. There's got to be a way........surely.

Can't possibly be worth it, here's your solution:

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/shop/product/outwell-collaps-kettle-one-size1-5-litre

 

[Digger]

The vehicle is crammed enough and I think hot water, if required, is best provided by boiling a kettle as suggested by previous contributors.

 

[David Marsh]

Can't possibly be worth it, here's your solution:

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/shop/product/outwell-collaps-kettle-one-size1-5-litre

I just love the hot water on tap. Simple as that really.

 

[GregW]

I just love the hot water on tap. Simple as that really.

Next you’ll want central heating, lights and windows.


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[David Marsh]

Next you’ll want central heating, lights and windows.
Nah, just the one home comfort will do for me. At my age it’s the on tap hot water that gets me started on a morning!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sidepod]

A pal bought a Cali that had an electric hot shower plumbed in the rear wardrobe.

Easy to do. Standard electric shower unit from B and Q hooked up to the fresh water tank. It would obvs only work on hook up.

 

[CampervanTime]

There are a few 'on-demand' style gas hot water heaters, portable and are generally for showers.

Like this: https://www.wowcamping.co.uk/produc...CZRKA7eexQSQHJmVdj_VvGqraHTuA0rhoCv-sQAvD_BwE

This is a 12v one and needs a gas supply. You could plumb this in somewhere in the Cali i suppose but it would take quite a bit of space. Not seen one in person.

We haven't really missed the hot water. It's only when not on a campsite it's a bit annoying but we just tend to boil a bit more water for our tea than we need, then use the cooler water to wash up after.

 

[Bellcrew]

There are a few 'on-demand' style gas hot water heaters, portable and are generally for showers.

Like this: https://www.wowcamping.co.uk/produc...CZRKA7eexQSQHJmVdj_VvGqraHTuA0rhoCv-sQAvD_BwE

This is a 12v one and needs a gas supply. You could plumb this in somewhere in the Cali i suppose but it would take quite a bit of space. Not seen one in person.

We haven't really missed the hot water. It's only when not on a campsite it's a bit annoying but we just tend to boil a bit more water for our tea than we need, then use the cooler water to wash up after.

You could fit a small calorifier under the sink, marine suppliers have them down to 12 ltr but a big faff to connect and with a main tank of only 30 ltr slightly hairy.

 

[larrylamb]

This is a neat multi fuel unit, could be integrated into a conversion build but not sure there is room with the Cali.
https://www.propexheatsource.co.uk/heaters/expanse

 

[Richard]

We use an ADDIS Thermopot, runs off the mains, available in 3.5 or 5 litre versions for about £70, no additional plumbing or wiring needed and it provides hot water instantly 'on tap'.

 

[sapto]

Here‘s a solution from the German Caliboard:
https://www.caliboard.de/topic/7592-warmwasser-im-cali/?tab=comments#comment-88073

 

[David Marsh]

A pal bought a Cali that had an electric hot shower plumbed in the rear wardrobe.

Easy to do. Standard electric shower unit from B and Q hooked up to the fresh water tank. It would obvs only work on hook up.

That’s a bit drastic, but I guess could be manageable.

 

[David Marsh]

There are a few 'on-demand' style gas hot water heaters, portable and are generally for showers.

Like this: https://www.wowcamping.co.uk/produc...CZRKA7eexQSQHJmVdj_VvGqraHTuA0rhoCv-sQAvD_BwE

This is a 12v one and needs a gas supply. You could plumb this in somewhere in the Cali i suppose but it would take quite a bit of space. Not seen one in person.

We haven't really missed the hot water. It's only when not on a campsite it's a bit annoying but we just tend to boil a bit more water for our tea than we need, then use the cooler water to wash up after.

That looks very good indeed, like you say though it would compromise space.

 

[David Marsh]

You could fit a small calorifier under the sink, marine suppliers have them down to 12 ltr but a big faff to connect and with a main tank of only 30 ltr slightly hairy.

Thanks, just like the one in another post. Looks more and more like an extra large kettle going on the shopping list.

 

[David Marsh]

The vehicle is crammed enough and I think hot water, if required, is best provided by boiling a kettle as suggested by previous contributors.

It is looking that way. So long as we can get into the simple straight forward ways, as was the way back in the day, we will be just fine. Fingers crossed.

 

[David Marsh]

Next you’ll want central heating, lights and windows.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Been there, lovely as it was things just got out of hand. Back to simplicity is the way it looks like we’re heading. She who must be obeyed will love it!!!

 

[David Marsh]

This is a neat multi fuel unit, could be integrated into a conversion build but not sure there is room with the Cali.
https://www.propexheatsource.co.uk/heaters/expanse
View attachment 33537

Could be a solution amongst that lot, thanks for the heads up.

 

[David Marsh]

We use an ADDIS Thermopot, runs off the mains, available in 3.5 or 5 litre versions for about £70, no additional plumbing or wiring needed and it provides hot water instantly 'on tap'.

Many thanks for that Richard, I’m pretty sure we already have one of the small ones tucked away in the deepest darkest area of my man cave. From memory it did take up a bit of worktop space. I’ll have a look round and see if I can find it.

 

[David Marsh]

Here‘s a solution from the German Caliboard:
https://www.caliboard.de/topic/7592-warmwasser-im-cali/?tab=comments#comment-88073

Thanks for the information, had a bit of trouble with the language but looks like it has been tried and tested. Very good price, not the usual high price that is the norm these days.

 

[larrylamb]

Hi David, I'm not far from you and work near Garstang. Happy to help if you get stuck with anything Cali related although you have a lot of camper experience.

 

[bvddobb]

I seem to remember having read once about a project where someone made their own heat exchanger by winding a length of copper water pipe around the exhaust, and thus feed an under-floor hot water container. A boiler system that heated the water while underway: great!

 

[capt kirk]

Dont forget that most of the stand alone gas units have to be used outside or have a flue fitted for internal use so holes in vans