Wilderness Comfort: Installing an Off-Grid Propane Shower with Minimal Plumbing Skills

Off grid, solar powered, propane water heater that supplies a shower and tap. I have nearly zero plumbing experience, so this was a new challenge for me, but the end result is a fully functioning shower and water tap at the cabin.
Camplux Water Heaters area available at the Cabin Depot - Link Below.
Special thanks to Leachman's Pumbing in Fredericton, New Brunswick. www.leachmans.ca
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[@yvesf5355]

great Job ,a shower is very important, on a beautiful place like you Have good video

[@richardwhite4277]

you need an old palate to stand on and shower done / and shower curtain so as not to scare the wildlife LOL

[@richardwhite4277]

@ 15:50 the two D batteries power the electronics in the tankless heater and probably also power the ignition source for the propane pilotless start

[@ivethernandez1778]

This video was super interesting, and as you were talking and explaining at the same time, it felt also dynamic. Thank you!

[@PenniacWilderness]

Glad you liked it, thanks for your support :)

[@charlenegrady8781]

Awesome. Life’s little joys👍🇺🇸

[@genegreear4183]

You will also need something to stand on. Your feet would just be a muddy mess. I used gravel to help the water to drain. Then I used a pallet with the boards closer together so it was nice on my bare feet but let the water run through it. Good job. Hope you have many warm showers. Later

[@PenniacWilderness]

Yes, absolutely! It still needs some upgrades, and eventually I plan to move it inside a true shower house. But this was good to get the basics figured out. But I agree completely with needing something to stand on!

[@richardwhite4277]

@ 2"50 even with strainer a box or bucket of some sort with holes or screens to pre filter the water should be used in bed of stream

[@richardwhite4277]

if ever do permanent install be sure to Teflon tape the threaded fittings

[@MrJhamil05]

Great video, as always

[@Tomhohenadel]

That’s a neat system Jon. Job well done. Always great to have a hot shower

[@PenniacWilderness]

Thanks Tom! It is nice indeed to have it and so close to cabin.

[@mikebobier647]

Great set up. Might i suggest having a blow out section just below water heater where you can blow 30 psi air thru the pipes to blow out water. Might also consider ùsing RV antifreeze as a failsafe. It will flush out when you open up your canp for spring.

[@conniewright8080]

Thanks for the Video. I enjoyed watching & learning. No one knows if we ever have to do this ourselves.

[@TonyGeneseo]

Definitely the way you recorded the video ! Kinda as you went and showed the process. Great idea ! I’m certainly no professional but have done a fair amount of plumbing with Lexi and if you’ll allow me to make one suggestion it would be this : in the interest of freezing pipes, I’d swap the faucet to the lower position and leave the shower head quick attach a horizontal position. And angle both slightly down. Benefits of pex. Then you’ll have an easy faucet valve to to open at the lowest point and drain the entire feed line to both and then disconnecting the the quick coupler from shower head will allow that line to drain also. Just a suggestion. Great video and love everything about it for sure ! Take care Jonathan

[@PenniacWilderness]

Tony I really appreciate this. I do not know much about the plumbing, so learning as I go and I appreciate you and your comments always. Great tips!

[@jefferylaunius9766]

You got filter on the out put of pump 🎉

[@coldspring624]

I love mine. It has been going for 6 yr now and I use the pump to flush the system with white vinegar when I notice the water temp fluctuating . I just use a bucket to circulate the vinegar. With your water spigot it would be easy. You know if you put a 90 where you have the tee and the tee at the spigot where you have the 90 it would be cleaner and allow the water from the shower head to be drained out the spigot instead of being trapped in the tubing. Sorry Penniac I just had to suggest it.

[@PenniacWilderness]

I really appreciate the tip about the vinegar and the ideas you've shared. I learn a lot on here from the comments, and always appreciate hearing from you! Thanks for the great feedback and tips.

[@jasonwilson7998]

Great episode! I like this style.

[@richardwhite4277]

@ 23:35 I think that fitting leaked because as you were crimping it I don't think you fully pulled the handles of the crimper together ( refer to @ 18:15 to 18:25)

[@danielsondavidf]

Nice off-grid project. Adding rechargeable lithium C/D batteries should minimize consumables in the future. Are you able to harness wind energy in your region? Small sailboat wind turbine generators can also be used as a backup to your solar.

[@PenniacWilderness]

Wind isn't a great option here with all the trees and being in a low spot. But solar idea is good with the rechargeable batteries!

[@valeriebostick1913]

Are those heaters supposed to be left out in the rain Great video 🇬🇧😊

[@PenniacWilderness]

Mine is under a roof overhang. I'd say it's best not to leave out in rain.

[@richardwhite4277]

@ 13:40 you did swap filter Kudos

[@fred-san]

cool

[@Melicoy]

Easier to pump into 1000Liter tote and elevate it then use in heater FYI. Min 3 turn with tape Clockwise not counter clock.

[@dnhman]

Mine had something attempt a nest in the manifold which caused a significant burn out. Be careful to have a fire proof backer board to mount it on,

[@PenniacWilderness]

Yikes, not good

[@barrychandler5250]

Closer to the source of water or fuel. That's just the way pumps work best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@badad0166]

Assuming you are correct, sir, you just confirmed my intuition! Conditional thanks! 😄

[@Morgan-bh5sp]

New to the channel - great set up thanks for sharing.

[@PenniacWilderness]

Thanks, Morgan! Where are you watching from?

[@Morgan-bh5sp]

You're welcome - I'm in North Yorkshire, England@@PenniacWilderness

[@PenniacWilderness]

Well, that's neat! My family came here several generations ago from Ingleby Greenhow. Near you?

[@Morgan-bh5sp]

Not too far from me, around an hour away - small world!@@PenniacWilderness

[@richardwhite4277]

invest in a Pecs tube cutter / you will get many years of use out of one

[@denislosieroutdoors]

I like this setup there eh! Thanks for sharing going to make one similar, on the drain plug if the heater can u thread a nipple and valve to be able to easily drain the heater system and maybe have a tee and valve in stream to drain the line when not in use during cold temps?

[@PenniacWilderness]

All good options for sure. Definitely some modifications I can make to improve the system. Good ideas, and thank you!

[@richardwhite4277]

@ 18:40 Teflon tape / are you a mind reader? LOL

[@gracevola1519]

Does the hot water heater make the water safe for cleaning dishes and such? (Obviously not drinking straight) or would a water filtration unit need to be added before water reaches hot water heater? Might be overkill but if you have any suggestions, please share! Loved this video!

[@PenniacWilderness]

Good question -- I doubt that the water heater makes the water hot enough to kill any organisms, but I am not certain. For dishes, I am not too concerned as I wash them and then dry them. Probably a filtration system of some sort would make it safer, but for me personally, I feel fairly comfortable with the set up I have.

[@richardwhite4277]

I am not sure, but Pex pipes may not be as susceptible to freezing as they have some inherent flex and return to shape

[@PenniacWilderness]

Good to know, I will flush them out to be safe, but something I will look into.

[@richardwhite4277]

@ 9:00 I think filter is on wrong side / I believe that you want to filter water before it reaches the pump itself

[@PenniacWilderness]

Good eye, I had it on the wrong side

[@israelolvera558]

💝💗🌞💖😇⭐❤️♥️❣️

[@shawno3681]

Will the bath house enable using this in the deep of winter? Or would there still be freeze points in the system?

[@PenniacWilderness]

Not as it's presently set up, it will freeze. But I hope one day!

[@richardwhite4277]

Pec's maybe Pex's not sure

[@bobuncle6962]

I had a laugh at the over engineered comment.

[@denniscampbell8240]

I hit the dislike button by mistake ,,,,,,,great video

[@PenniacWilderness]

Thanks Dennis :)