Prevoiusly telstra T4

[4wheels]

No, no pics, sorry. It was 15 years ago I built it, and the van's been sold (to WA) nearly 3 years ago now. I got my friendly local plumber to help with sealing the ends of the large pipe, and mounting the 1/2" copper loop and the inlet & outlet pipes. Fortunately, he saw it as an interesting project. I then connected it up myself with a bit of extra heater hose, and some caravan hose (not garden hose, it taints the water). Standard 1/2" copper pipe is the right size to mate up to both the heater hose (at least what was used on the T3), and the 1/2" caravan hose. Get the plumber to put some crimps on the ends of the copper pipe to help hold the hoses. They have a special name (which I've forgotten) and tool for these, but they are just a little bulge of 1-2mm near the end. I found standard hose clamps were then adequate, but need to be checked for tightness occasionally, although it was not the heater circuit that seemed to leak, fortunately, just the fresh water side.

Brian

[rob64981]

Here is a heater already made for you!

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....tab%3DWatching

I know its quite expensive but its made for you.

Rob

[vannin]

Yes thats the unit I was thinking of!! Is that similar to what ur describing? My partners dad is a plumber so hopefully get some help there..
Would be nice to have hot water.
I cant believe this is up to 2 pages already I didnt think Id get a reply! Thanks guys.
Nik

[4wheels]

The main downside to that unit is there is very little reserve capacity (maybe 0.5 litre, just looking at it). It may also be difficult to regulate the temp. depending on how you set it up. I expect my T5 Trakkadu has something similar installed, but it is plumbed up to mixing taps for temp. control.
The one I built for the T3 follows exactly the same concept, but in a bigger tank so you have that reserve. It's a small thing I guess, but I find it annoying to have to run the motor for a shower, or even to fill the sink, after having that reserve in the T3.
A positive for that unit might be the ability to use a bucket of water gathered from a nearby source (creek etc), without worrying about contaminating your main drinking water tank. That's important, depending on how you plan to use it, and when you can replenish with good drinking water, as you'll only get a couple of showers out of a normal on board tank. But if you're going that way, one of those cheap little 'drop in the bucket' shower pumps is quite effective. A couple of litres of water boiled up and added to your bucket gives about the right temp. and amount for a quick shower.

Brian

[MultiplexMan]

Vannin,

Try the following:

http://www.helton.com.au/

http://www.twine4wdshowers.com.au/

http://www.glind.com.au/

All popular with the 4WD crowd but need the engine running...

[vannin]

Thanks for the info guys
They were the heaters I was thinking of, but I might look at building a larger one to store more hot water for the hand basin.
Speaking of hand basins what sought do you guys use Ive had a look thru ebay trying to find somthing and a few of the campervan places but havnt seen much yet.
Nik