Is the Coleman Shower the go/Twine for sale
Submitted: Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 06:42
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Neetas
Hi all - have been reading the past posts on non vehicle mounted hot
water showers for
camping.
Seems like the only options were the Primus and the Coleman Hot
Water on Demand units, with the latter being the better option despite it's bulk. Is this still the case? Are there any new market entrants in this category?
I have just removed a Twine Hot Shower System from the car and will be selling it for anyone interested. Is less than 12months old and comes complete with all the bits, including hoses, switches, clamps ie all the non standard stuff. Unit available after school holidays. $350 Replacement cost is over $500 for the unit and all the other parts not supplied. More info in Trader.
I find my under bonnet area too cramped for this unit and unless very careful routing of plumbing, the diesel engine vibration causes the pipes and clamps to rub on everything, hence a potential leak. So would suit someone with a dedicated access spot under their bonnet with clearance to vehicle heater hoses.
regards
Mike
Reply By: Member - John R (NSW) - Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 08:15
Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 08:15
Gidday Mike,
We looked at both, and following research here and on other sites, decided on the Coleman for a few reasons:
1. It has an auto-relight function in the event of an overheat/flameout;
2. Anecdotal evidence is that it was more reliable than the Primus;
3. The price was right;
4. Controls looked more user-friendly.
5. It just seems to be more
well thought out. Things like its own battery and 12v/240v chargers included.
I'm not saying the Primus is not good. It's just that the Coleman suited us better. One things for sure: You'll never look back once you get a portable reliable source of FAST hot
water :-)
AnswerID:
194473
Reply By: Pajman Pete (SA) - Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 08:32
Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 08:32
We bought the Coleman unit just before our last trip - the Bush Princess loves it, and despite it's bulk I am impressed. Just chuck away the coleman shower head, it is rubbish. You still need to buy it to get the plug for the hot
water outlet, but we replaced the head, and also replaced the hose as
well with a longer piece of softer plastic pipe.
Cheers
Pete
AnswerID:
194477
Follow Up By: Member - uncle - Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 08:46
Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 08:46
We did the same Pete, went to the local plumbing
shop and got a finer jet spray head, works great and uses less
water too.It seems to have a better pressure also.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Jimbo - Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 23:28
Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 23:28
Can you blokes please tell me what sort of shower head you bought?
Brand, model number?
I'm happy with the standard job, but if it can be improved, I'm all ears.
FollowupID:
452641
Follow Up By: Pajman Pete (SA) - Friday, Sep 15, 2006 at 07:53
Friday, Sep 15, 2006 at 07:53
I just swapped the one over from my $20 12V shower. We didn't like the Coleman one because the
water tends to concentrate in a stream rather than a spread spray (if that makes sense)
Pete
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Omaroo (NSW) - Friday, Sep 15, 2006 at 08:04
Friday, Sep 15, 2006 at 08:04
I just went to Bunnings and bought a
water-saver hand shower. $30 or so. Big difference!
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Jimbo - Friday, Sep 15, 2006 at 16:59
Friday, Sep 15, 2006 at 16:59
Thanks Fellas,
I'll get one.
Jim.
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Reply By: ed. - Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 09:16
Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 09:16
I looked at both units recently and went the coleman.
As the gf was funding, she liked the big easy dials and ease of operation of the coleman.
It also was on special at boots for $289 unit only.
We also bought the showerhead and will be getting the gas bottle attachment.
Haven't had a chance to use it as yet :(
AnswerID:
194481
Follow Up By: Redback - Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 18:45
Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 18:45
Sneaky bugger ;-))
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Keith_A (Qld) - Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 09:39
Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 09:39
Another vote for the Coleman - compact; on board battery and gas; simple variable heat contol; auto off and on; pizo lighter in control knob for gas; can recharge battery from both 240V and 12V; and use standard gas cylinder (with adaptor) if needed.
Specs say it will heat 150 ltrs
water on inbuilt cylinder plus one battery charge.
We use 10 Ltrs
water for the 2 of us, plus heat
water for washing clothes,
and just charge the unit from the car battery overnight.
Simple to use : put pump intake and shower head into a bucket of cold
water. Turn unit on and it recirculates the
water throught the heater till it reaches selected temp. Turn unit to cold (only pump works), and you are ready to shower.
The efficiency of the unit is brilliant. Almost make a cup of coffee from the outlet, on 'hot' setting.
We paid $330 for the unit plus accessories from a
camping store. Also bought the Coleman bag for $70 to protect the unit and keep the bits together - but any padded bag would do. I think Kmart may be selling the bare unit for under $300.
With a pop-up style change shelter, the ladies are happy to go
camping now.
.....................Regards..........................Keith
AnswerID:
194483
Reply By: wazzaaaa - Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 10:10
Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 10:10
Hi, friends of ours have a coleman and they love it, when they bought theirs it had gas canisters to run it but now they use a gas bottle. The only problem they had was a problem getting it to light one trip (which was fixed under warranty) and they found the pump would not work without it heating so they could not have a shower at all. After that it has been fine.
Wazza
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Neetas - Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 10:35
Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 10:35
Thanks everyone for the detailed and prompt responses. Much appreciated.
regards
Mike
AnswerID:
194491
Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 12:13
Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 12:13
Sorry to read that you're not happy with the Twine set-up. I'm guessing your decision would've been the same whether it'd been a Helton or Glynd as
well?
I've had the Twine on my GU since I bought it in 2000 and prior to that it was on the GQ. I agree that you certainly don't want things rubbing under the bonnet. I'm not sure what sort of vehicle you have, but I'd be surprised if there wasn't a way of mounting it so that it didn't rub.
I have seen them mounted under/behind a bullbar or bumper bar for example. Also, you could simply mount the Twine in a box/bag and carry it separately, with simple plug-in connections on your heater hose/s. However, for my money, that would sort of defeat the purpose as the BIG benefit of these (over the Colemans etc), is that they are one thing less that you have to find a place to stow away in the cargo area/trailer etc.
I know several EO members who have the Colemans and are very happy with them. In an ideal world I would like to have both as i reckon they each do certain things better than the other. EG: Twine (IMHO) is better for having a shower, but Coleman is better for washing-up
water etc.
Anyway, good luck with whatever you end up doing.
Cheers
Roachie
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Reply By: Willem - Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 11:33
Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 11:33
I have a $15 12volt shower unit purchased from Jaycar. It fits snugly under the
seat in its bag and there is still some space left.
It works just as
well as the $500 unit.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: LastAussieWorker - Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 12:30
Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 12:30
Willem that is a great price. Tell us about the instant heating system used.
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Follow Up By: ed. - Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 13:55
Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 13:55
I think you need to boil the
water yourself...like wait a few minutes.
You can also adjust the temperature of the
water too.. just add some cold
water in ;)
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Willem - Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 18:27
Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 18:27
As ed has explained.
Boil the billy and pour contents into bucket. Adjust temperatute with cold
water and have shower. Too easy.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Redback - Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 18:50
Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 18:50
Too easy Willem, like me he'll have to
fork out hundreds of dollars to please the other half.
Baz.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Shaker - Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 18:49
Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 18:49
Another vote for the Coleman, we first bought a Primus unit, but it was way too fiddly & touchy.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 23:15
Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 23:15
I got rid of our underbonnet shower too - didn't like my engine idling for hours while everyone else had a shower :-))
When we have plenty of
water, we heat up a 10litre cheap stainless steel pot ($10) - 5 minutes on the fire and you're set - just use a 12 volt shower - no scalding.
When we want to use minimal
water in
the desert we take a 5 litre pressure sprayer - 1 billy of hot and 2 billies of cold gives enough
water for 2 good (albeit slow) showers.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Omaroo (NSW) - Friday, Sep 15, 2006 at 08:10
Friday, Sep 15, 2006 at 08:10
Don't forget the other type of shower too - the pressure vessel. May not suit all, but fill it and throw it on the fire or stove, pump it up and awqay you go!
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Omaroo (NSW) - Friday, Sep 15, 2006 at 08:11
Friday, Sep 15, 2006 at 08:11
Sorry - here's the link:
www.2daloo.com/camp_shower.htm
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Pajman Pete (SA) - Monday, Sep 18, 2006 at 07:50
Monday, Sep 18, 2006 at 07:50
I say one of those in Christies
Camping in
Adelaide and it got my attention until I saw the price tag ... $329!
The price on the website was $350.
Ouch.
Pete
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Follow Up By: Member - Omaroo (NSW) - Monday, Sep 18, 2006 at 11:33
Monday, Sep 18, 2006 at 11:33
You're right Pete - I think that they're having a lend of us at that price. There's nothing in it - just a steel pressure vessel, a
hand pump and a shower head... then you have to store the thing somewhere.
Ridiculous that they think they can charge what you'd pay for an in-car system that includes complex stuff like motorised pumps, filters and heat exchangers.
Sales will tell I guess.
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