So, let's talk about bathing. Specifically the Classic Motorsports Mitty's perennially cold showers. Seriously, I swear Road Atlanta has a centrally located 4-gallon water heater that feeds every shower on the property. They may technically have hot water, but I've only ever experienced it twice.
Don't get me wrong–I love the Classic Motorsports Mitty. And I camp in the infield every year because it's a blast, and because there are lots of other GRM forum members to hang out with there, and because the food and the vendors are awesome, and because waking up next to race cars at full speed is something everybody should experience at least once in their life.
So, hotels are a no-go, but enough is enough: I want a hot shower! And I'm willing to throw quite a bit of over-engineering at this problem.
My running hypothesis is that if I find the correct heat exchanger and plumb it into my do-it-all Ford E-250 's coolant circuit, I can have hot water on demand without too much extra crap to haul around and set up.
So, anybody know of a relatively compact water-water heat exchanger that can achieve a roughly 40 degree temperature increase at .75 gpm from 190 degree engine coolant? This board knows everything, hopefully even thermodynamics.
Toebra
Reader
4/6/17 3:47 p.m.
Go to REI and get a camping shower. Black rubber bag with a hose and nozzle attached. Hang it up in the sun and it gets plenty warm, only gravity feed though, and not much capacity, so you have to take a Navy shower.
Easy button for $70. I have one similar that works well. I like these because they are instant on. No waiting on a engine to heat up. They also work well for a Navy shower because they have a valve on the handle. https://www.amazon.com/Ridgeyard-Propane-Portable-Tankless-Sailboats/dp/B014H2DFYO/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1491511845&sr=8-17&keywords=propane+tankless+water+heater
Plate heat exchangers are probably your next best bet. Ebay lists a bunch of them. Buy the biggest you can afford. You can regulate the temperature by regulating the water flow. More plates = hotter water.
The little propane tankless water heaters are tough to beat. One of my coworkers has his mounted in an ammo can and all the hoses and shower wand all tuck inside for transport.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/eccotemp-l5-portable-tankless-water-heater/37786
Wow, I didn't realize those tiny tankless propane units were so cheap. Thanks! Ordered one along with a few other parts–we'll see if I can rig up a nice little system.
Yeah, that's probably your best bet. However, ya'll do remember that MK1 MR2's come with a heat exchanger, right? Lessee, between the block and the firewall, down low. They call it "oil cooler" or something like that, but it's a liquid to liquid metal heat exchanger.
The LS3 I just installed in my TR8 came with a flat plate oil to water heat exchanger mounted to the engine. GM calls it an oil cooler, but it looks a lot like those flat plate heat exchanges on a combination boiler/water heater. The plumber in me saw this thing and instantly thought that this could be used to make hot water in a camping scenario. A 12 volt pump and a couple of quick disconnect hoses for the water and your off and showering.
In reply to Keith Tanner:
I don't know about nachos and I'm not much interested in heat exchangers or RVs, but that was still a good read.
That's still one of my bookmarks, actually, but I haven't read it in a while. Thanks. I don't think I need something that extensive, but that's never stopped me before.
I was going to suggest something like the Drive Nacho Drive homebuilt exchanger, but there's a way to do it with sweat tees that is much more elegant. You use a 1/2"x1/2"x3/4" tee, where the 3/4 is inline with one of the 1/2s, then open up that 1/2 so that the copper tube can slip all the way through.
I had the idea to make one of these as a heat exchanger for an intercooler system.
