5 Portable Shower Systems
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ส.ค. 2024
- In this video we're talking about portable showers for camping and adventure trips.
A few weeks ago went for a surf down the coast. After I came in I was covered in salt and sand and I was toweling off, and getting ready to endure the long drive home while feeling salty and sticky, when my friend invited me over to rinse off in his portable car shower.
I'd never seen one before so I did a bunch of research into portable showers and I decided to make a video no what I've found.
Just a quick disclaimer - The point of this video is not to review individual products, but rather to give you an overview of the different kinds of systems that are out there. Also, I've not tested all of these systems myself so most of my comments are based on reviews I've seen and read, as well as my thoughts on where and how I see these systems applying to outdoor enthusiasts
5 Portable Shower Systems:
1. Portable solar shower bags
Generally some kind of bag that fill up with water and then hang in a tree. Gravity creates the pressure in the pipe so the higher the bag the greater the pressure. Super simple concept.
Buy one on Amazon: amzn.to/3gIqGlJ
2. Rack mounted showers
Semi-permanent features that mount onto your car's roof racks. They are basically a long water storage unit that sits on the roof and can be accessed by a hose when you need to take a shower. There are all kinds of options to buy and you can even make your own.
3. Foot pump system
Pressure is built in a water container by using a foot pump instead of gravity or an electrical pump. This means that it's a low-resource requiring solution and it doesn't need to be raised like a gravity fed system to work. Really versatile and cool option.
Nemo Helio Pressure Shower: amzn.to/3qSktIH
WADEO Camp Shower: amzn.to/37cPCyB
4. Rechargeable battery
Basic unit that submerges under water and uses a battery powered water pump to feed water through a hose.
Buy one on Amazon: amzn.to/3gUepuV
5. 12v showers
Submersible pumps, much like the rechargeable options, are units that you put underwater and then pump water out through a hose and shower head.
The freestanding version is very similar, although in this instance, the pump is not placed in the water, but rather a hose feeds the water from a tank, through the pump and onward to the shower head.
Buy one on Amazon: amzn.to/37Zi9Hh (Seaflow 12V free standing shower)
Buy one on Amazon: amzn.to/3mjcf8R (Ivation 12V portable camping shower)
All product links are affiliate links.
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thanks for the video. i've actually tried most of the systems you mentioned:
1. the pressurized system works well, but mine was home made so it leaked unless i over tightened things, then it became difficult to fill. i would recommend non homemade version.
2. the helios foot pump system is ok, pressure is low. i really hate the stopper for filling. trying to close it is a PITA. it is not worth buying until they redesign the filling port.
3. the rechargeable submersible pump works really well. the only thing bad about it is the on/off switch in on the pump, so you have to pull the pump out of the bucket or tank and hit the switch and resubmerse it. it would be so much better if the shower head had the switch.
i would recommend the rechargeable pump... it's the best of all the ok systems out there.
Hey thanks so much for your in-depth comment. We were actually just thinking about getting the Helios foot pump to try it out. Maybe we'll give something else ago...
Hi, thanks for your comment. I'm right now watching Nemo Helio LX Pressure Shower Review (22 liter) on TH-cam and the stopper in this version is has a huuuuge stopper :)
@@Strayalongtheway The Helio XL has a redesigned (bigger and screw on) rather than the original (smaller push in type). I have the original and once filled it is a fine a for a festival weekend so it suits me for my purpose. Always get a few jealous looks when having a shower in the middle of a field albeit cold being in the UK!
@@philsims17 niiice. I need to check that new design out. Sounds perfect
I'm a truck 🚛 driver and most truck stop showers 🚿 are $15.00 that 12 volt portable shower 🚿 would work out great on the road 👍
Thanks for sharing this great review. Your helped me narrow down my choices on what I need vs what I want! I hope many will heed your advice and make saving while learning about setting up the right gear for their vehicles.
Thanks for the comment. Glad you found the video useful.
Excellent review. Thanks a lot, now I have everything more clear in my mind so many ways to shower 🚿... Big hug from Argentina!
That's great.
Im a "bushman" in Canada. I live in a trailer in the forest much of the year. In summer i tend to adventure in tents... sometimes winter as well.
Anywho, my problem has been trying to figure out how to have a shower in -30c. The water flow isnt the problem... its the drainage.
Huh - I'm not too sure about that. Unless you alternate where you take your shower, I'm not sure how you'd deal with that. We're from a much warmer climate so we probably wouldn't be much help.
The one that he used at the end only worked once for me. What happens is that the motor inside is not waterproofed and gets shorted. I ended up replacing the motor by soldering a new 12v DC brushed motor and using electrical tape to cover the holes on the motor. I purchased a toilet wax seal and used the wax to cover the motor, then placed the motor back into the unit. Now the unit runs flawlessly every time. Cheers.
This is great! I'm gonna do this too. Thanks for the tips.
FYI, lifting a water bag higher will not increase water pressure unless you build a stand pipe. A bag at 6' and one at 9' above your head will essentially have the same pressure.
Fair enough...
The cheap solar shower bags were on sale at 2 for $9.95 in our local Anaconda, so I bought 10.
I have seen them on sale as low as $4.00 each in Anaconda.
We can solar heat up to 200L for the ensuite 12v shower system powered from our solar charged 1987 Cub Camp-O-Matic Offroad 380 camper trailer.
Any empty bags are filled with the same 12v shower pump from a creek in the morning.
I had a thought of joining 3 bags together with hose T pieces connected to just 1 nozzle for increased capacity and pressure without using any 12v power.
Regards, Jas.
VK4FJGS
I bought a cheep pump system and love it. $29.99
Pump system being one of those ones that you use your foot to pump the water? Also which brand/model, did you use, bro? Thanks
Great overview of the options, thank you
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hey, bro. Which one did you end up getting that worked well? Thanks!
@@Strayalongtheway For the rechargable bettery system pumps, you said a usb recharge can I use my computer to recharge this? Or is there something specific I need to use? You said an external water tank, that means that you need a bucket of water or something of that degree?
That's Great.. exactly the info I'm looking for! Thank You So Much❣️🙏🥰
Thank you, the pump you tested was exactly the solution for my plan 🍀One idea: I would use a cheap black watertank and just let it warm in the sun next to my van. Doubt that any one would bother stealing a full blackwater tank 😉
Or maybe in the cabin. It gets real hot there real fast. Voilà warm water!
Nice! I think that would work well. We need to get a new tank so I'll give it a try.
We have one almost identical to your 12v unit that has a battery operated pump that has a foot switch on top so it is totally hands free, portable and waterproof. I've already owned all the others and this is what we settled on after years of camping, boating and surfing.
What is the brand of that pump?
@@Strayalongtheway NFI ! Sorry. I don't think it was genuine but just something I pinched off eBay.
Thank you very much for this review. I couldn't make up my mind which one to purchase.
Nice! Glad to help
which did you get?
This is a fantastic video!! I also love your accent. At first I thought Australian, and then I thought South Africa and the latter was correct. This is so helpful because I need to rinse myself and my kayak when I leave the ocean. I was laughing out loud @10:07. Thanks Bevan.
Wade
No worries Wade. Glad you found it helpful and thanks for the kind comments.
@@Strayalongtheway Please know that I was laughing with you and not at you. I'm glad you didn't edit that part out because that's what makes it real. I have subscribed and can't wait to watch the rest of your videos. Hope you both are staying well.
W.
I have the 12v shower pump.
I use a JumpStart battery and plug it into that to power it.
It has a 10 ft cord for the cigarette lighter plug.
It works really good.
My entire shower set up is around $70.00.
About $45.00 for the shower tent, $20.00 for the shower pump and $5.00 for two black 5 gallon buckets.
Nice - we've just bought a new 4x4 and we're installing a water container on the back. I was thinking of installing a 12v pump for this one. Your set up sounds good, I might give that a try.
Do you need a jumpstart battery to power it, or is there something easier to use?
Sorry about that last message ... Could you let me know which brand/model the shower tent and shower pump were? thank you!
nice research done man!
Hey, thanks so much. Glad you liked it ☺️
Nice video
Thanks
That's actually cool
Useful video, thanks
Glad it was helpful!
Lol, you need a collapsible water bucket to go with that!
Really useful video. Thanks.
Thanks for the comment. So glad you found it helpful.
Great review overall but those of us living in cooler climates need to know about keeping the water heated when needed.
Fair point - If you live in a climate that is too cold to take advantage of solar energy then you may need to look at a plug in option like a 12v geyser or I've even seen some gas burner options. I've not tried any of them out myself, so perhaps I should get my hands on a few and do a follow up video. Let me know if you find anything interesting and I'll order one and give it a review.
Heat up a rock or a chunk of steel and sit that in the water for instant hot water
@@deepsouthNZ : That's an inventive idea. But if you're going to depend on heating the water from an external source, I found a ShowerCoil portable system that allows one to heat a shower bag via campfire. It seems to be a safer way to heat water in a cold climate.
th-cam.com/video/LQUQ1oLymSc/w-d-xo.html
We need to see you test them out doing it 😍
Fucking creep
Hey, bro. Which one did you end up getting that worked well? Thanks!
I new subbie. I think I will buy the last one for for van.
Hey, bro. Which one did you end up getting that worked well? Thanks!
And for DIY camper options.
Thank you, Sir.
You are most welcome :)
We have tried several approaches for our off-grid camper. We ended up with the pump up weed sprayer type which works well for us. The issue we have is finding a sprayer with an easy one handed turnoff. When we have tried kitchen sink type, somewhat hard to get attached, but the main problem is they always seem to clog up. Perhaps vinegar would do the job, but when I've been impatient and taken one apart to poke with needle - I've never gotten one back together properly with the spring. We have a sprayer on an orange Duckworks camping sprayer that works well and I've been able to take apart, clean and put back together, but I think they may have stopped making them. I can duplicate with an (unused) weed sprayer tank, but so far haven't found a good sprayer for a shower. Ideas? Thanks.
If you have means to fill your water container on site, could use a collapsible water container to save space.
Yeah, absolutely. We found the 20lt container to be the best for shower time, so if you can get a 20lt collapsible container, that would be perfect.
Well explained....
Hey thanks, glad you liked it :)
What's the link to the one you use at the beach?
Hey thank you. I have alot of experience & would love 2 talk 2 u i needed this tonight. I know some tricks too but... I have no proper bathing 6 wks now in lockdown. Ty 4 the inspirations...
With no shower? I would get a gas mask and go to a truckstop!
My water was frozen the last 2 no s of winter before last. Live out of a town. Only me here. No big deal.I used the local resthomes showers. Out of the question now, I know.
With the 12 volt option, can is there a way to stop the flow of water like you do with a garden sprayer?
The pumps have switches to stop flow and you can buy custom shower heads to change the flow too
where can I buy the shower you are using in the video which you simply dropped into a bottle of water and plugged in your 12 volt supply. The link you provide goes to a stand alone pump.
Hey - the shower we used in the video is this one: amzn.to/2TO9fGK
It's super cheap and serviceable, but I've heard some really good things about this one too: amzn.to/2TRCHfa
And i have a few of those lol. Its the heater wo stockpots im trying 2 iron out...
Which ones did you find being the best ones for a decent shower to remain clean?
The one that you tryed out did it have and on and off on the shower head or is it continues flow
It had an on/off. It was really simple to use. Basically a plug and play. It put out a decent stream which lasted about 5 minutes (using about 18 litres of water).
And great video even thought I couldn't hear lol
I have zero problems hearing him with my volume set in the middle
What if you used the rechargeable battery option with a black jerry can? A lot of off-gridders are using modified black jerry cans that are left out in the sun for heating, but then they have to move the big heavy thing above their head when they use it with a gravity feed system. If you took a regular unmodified black jerry can, you could eliminate the lifting issue with the rechargeable shower feed.
Yeah, I think you're onto something there. I was also thinking of painting our container black and leaving it in the sun. For that you'd want a container that has a lot of surface area for the water to make contact with for the most efficient heating.
@@Strayalongtheway I found there are generic remakes of that gadget on things like Aliexpress too, so you might be able to do the whole thing for ten bucks!
@@johnknight9150 nice! Can't beat that.
Okay I just need to know where you get that shower head from that you can press the button for the water to come out of it?? And I'm only asking this on here because the sound on my phone doesn't work need a new phone lol gotta wait for it. But I just need to know thank you.
Hey TJ - We got it in Tiawan searching on a site called Shopee.tw It was super cheap and it works really well
@@Strayalongtheway thank you very much.
The best idea for a portable shower on planet earth is a 12 volt submersible whale pump they should have really name it the Ferrari pump its class above the rest
A bucket and a cup never breaks down.
Very true...
the 12v shower you showed is very bad ...most people complained that the pump rusted it self to death after a few time use :/
Which 12v shower? The Seaflo pump or the submersible? We've got the submersible and so far so good.
*submersible
Over the years I've tried most and imo the 12v pump shower works the the best, I've even made mine more portable with a 5gl military grade plastic jug (but it can also be used in 55gl drums, a small go cart (lead acid) battery with a wired alligator clip cigarette adapter and if you really wanna boondock for a minute jus hook up a briefcase solar panel to the battery then add boiled water when necessary.
I have the same one has in the video, and I've had mine for 4yrs now and has no rust yet.
Can you post a link to where I can get the submersible 12v shower?
Como funciona la agua caliente
What one has the highest water pressure?
The 12v pumps are strongest, and the most consistent pressure.
@@Strayalongtheway thanks mate and merry Christmas
@@kyfisher3662 no worries. And merry Christmas to you and your family too.
Tengo ganas de comprar uno pero me acuerdo que vivo en Venezuela, donde no hay agua, ni luz, ni gas, ni aseo....y se me pasa
Paint your water vessel black so it warms up
It cold or hot water ?
It can be either. This was shot in the summer so we used cold water, but in winter, you can use a black container to warm the water...
Where are you located?
We live in Taiwan at the moment, but we're from South Africa
You can hack with it anywhere lol
Gotta love that South African accent 😅
a scorching 40 degrees lol
Haha. I'm assuming you use the fahrenheit scale? 40 decrees Celsius is ridiculously hot 😅
Stray Along The Way Lmaooo true. My bad. I was thinking where in the world does this guy live
(40c x 1.8)+32=104F
The showers in the plastic bags suck you can't even get a decent shower
An English mid Easterner?!
Durban is mostly an English and Zulu speaking city. Our accents are also quite unique.
I was wai ting for at least the names of the products, I wasted my time I guess.
Hi Beau, which products do you want the names for? I can give you a list...
@@Strayalongtheway Hey, man do you think you could give me a list of the best working (non 12v car battery powered) usb pump systems?
@@joeslacker1020 I've only used the Ivation Systems, so I'm not sure on the best, but this one has USB charging: amzn.to/2KlpuJq
Strange accent. Where did he get thaT?
That would be your classic Durban, South African accent. Known for its lack of "I" sound in words like "hike" and converting all "a" vowels into "aaaa" - for example "can't" is pronounced "caaan't" It's impossible to shake off :)
@@Strayalongtheway ,
I know Trevors but this is different. There's something else in it.
@@shellanon4212 Yeah, Trevor Noah is from the Eastern Cape and Johannesburg. Quite a different accent to ours...