highsierrabear
Member
Phew. My van build is finally winding down. Like most adults, our DIY builds go in stages where we are busy building and spending tons of money, then it takes a break for months.
Thanks to the inspiration I received from GeorgeRa, Hein, MidWest Drifter, DieselFumes, and a few others, my dream of hot showers and true off grid diesel fired water is done.
There are a number of solutions for hot water, from simple to complex. We've used solar showers for years. And solar showers with boiling water poured in, and a Mr. Heater portable hot shower, and the IsoTemp with electric element connected to shore power. All of this was leading up to the eventual installation of true off grid hot water.
I chose to use an internally mounted IsoTemp Slim Square 15L heater. Hein and GeorgeRa used exterior systems. I'm fortunate to live at 6300' part of the year, so having more freeze resistance was important. Plus I have the dream of buying an Epic Pass or Ikon Pass and spending a winter skiing in the van (with hot showers).
My cost for the D5/IsoTemp system was roughly $2600. I bought the IsoTemp Slim Square for $750, and the D5 with install kit and high altitude when the pound was weaker (just after the Brexit vote) for about $1250. Add in $500-600 for miscellaneous parts and coolant expansion tank.
On to the pics.
Photo 1- The venerable IsoTemp Slim Square Marine hot water heater with coolant loop heat exchanger and 750 watt electric heating element.
Photo 2- The engine coolant connections for the IsoTemp. No flow direction, just hook up an inlet and outlet. This can be run via a D5 or similar, or via an engine coolant loop. There have been a number of discussions on personal preferences here. I chose to keep the Hot water system and engine system separate- for now. I didn't want to have a tank of 185F water inside the van on 100 degree days every time I drove the van. In the winter time, it may not be an issue.
Photo 3- The IsoTemp is bolted in place and going I am running the coolant lines. You'll see that I used 10-series 8020 for the water cabinet. On the right side is my 25 gallon water tank (that straddles the wheel well). Between the IsoTemp and 25-gallon tank, I can hold 29 gallons of water for trips.
Photo 4- I am going to pass my coolant lines and drain hoses just in front of the wheel well. It's actually a great spot, since it is shielded on 3 sides from water coming off the tires.
Photo 5- I used a 4.5" Marine Cable boot with ring (available Amazon or West Marine). Makes a great wiring or plumbing pass through. This is just testing the plumbing run.
Thanks to the inspiration I received from GeorgeRa, Hein, MidWest Drifter, DieselFumes, and a few others, my dream of hot showers and true off grid diesel fired water is done.
There are a number of solutions for hot water, from simple to complex. We've used solar showers for years. And solar showers with boiling water poured in, and a Mr. Heater portable hot shower, and the IsoTemp with electric element connected to shore power. All of this was leading up to the eventual installation of true off grid hot water.
I chose to use an internally mounted IsoTemp Slim Square 15L heater. Hein and GeorgeRa used exterior systems. I'm fortunate to live at 6300' part of the year, so having more freeze resistance was important. Plus I have the dream of buying an Epic Pass or Ikon Pass and spending a winter skiing in the van (with hot showers).
My cost for the D5/IsoTemp system was roughly $2600. I bought the IsoTemp Slim Square for $750, and the D5 with install kit and high altitude when the pound was weaker (just after the Brexit vote) for about $1250. Add in $500-600 for miscellaneous parts and coolant expansion tank.
On to the pics.
Photo 1- The venerable IsoTemp Slim Square Marine hot water heater with coolant loop heat exchanger and 750 watt electric heating element.
Photo 2- The engine coolant connections for the IsoTemp. No flow direction, just hook up an inlet and outlet. This can be run via a D5 or similar, or via an engine coolant loop. There have been a number of discussions on personal preferences here. I chose to keep the Hot water system and engine system separate- for now. I didn't want to have a tank of 185F water inside the van on 100 degree days every time I drove the van. In the winter time, it may not be an issue.
Photo 3- The IsoTemp is bolted in place and going I am running the coolant lines. You'll see that I used 10-series 8020 for the water cabinet. On the right side is my 25 gallon water tank (that straddles the wheel well). Between the IsoTemp and 25-gallon tank, I can hold 29 gallons of water for trips.
Photo 4- I am going to pass my coolant lines and drain hoses just in front of the wheel well. It's actually a great spot, since it is shielded on 3 sides from water coming off the tires.
Photo 5- I used a 4.5" Marine Cable boot with ring (available Amazon or West Marine). Makes a great wiring or plumbing pass through. This is just testing the plumbing run.
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