Using the Shower (1 Viewer)

[RayandLinda]

We are new to motorhoming and bought our Autotrail Tracker last July. We are hoping to stay at a site at the end of July where they say they won't be opening the showers and toilets, so we have to use the one in our motorhome. (We live in Wales and the site is also in Wales, so just hoping we will be allowed to travel more than 5 miles by then). WE have never used the shower and are wondering is it complicated to use? We will have to get our manual out, but not sure how to get hot water etc. Sorry if I sound stupid, but we are learning all the time. Linda

 

[Nanniemate]

Also you may need a hair catcher depending upon your hair styles it stops the grey waste having hair blockage issues I got a cheapy from Trago Mills as it had a flip lid as well but here are loads of different types

Amazon product ASIN B07SL99GH2

 

[Gaston aires]

If your shower head doesn’t have a switch on it get one of these. It’s a pain trying to balance the water temperature when you’re in the shower.

I
£10.99 from Amazon. Works a treat.
Phil

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[Reallyretired]

If you fit one of these valves in the shower pipe you don't have to disturb the mixer tap once you have set the temperature

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=313104820532

These are brilliant but they are chromed brass and heavy as a result. Put the shower head on the shower tray before moving off, as if it falls from the holder it could crack the shower tray.

 

[Compactliner]

Just one additional comment to the above, when heating the water for a couple of showers put it on the hottest setting, ie 60 degrees, tit will take a bit longer to heat up initially but hopefully you might not have to heat it up in between them as the first person hopefully won't need a lot of the hot when mixing it with the cold to get it nicely warm, the second user then may just be able to use the water from the tank on its own as it will have mixed with the remaining hot water in the tank.

i second this.....for a variety of reasons, we are having to 'live' in our van on the drive and are obviously both using the van shower daily.
it is perfectly possible to have two really hot showers in one stint but the water needs to ne heated to 60 deg as Mel describes.
i shower first.....i run the sink hot tap to ensure hot water will be available right from the start.....i 'know' where the temp control needs to be set....i get in, get wet all over then turn off the tap (the ebay 'valve' posted above is a good idea), use shampoo/shower gel and get lathered....back on with the tap and rinse off.
now exit smartly, before incoming cold water cools the tank, and OH can have a far more leisurely shower than i do...
for two longer showers you will have to reheat the water which means 20-25 mins on 1800w electric...
good luck.

 

[Pausim]

Minxy Girl I think you may want to edit the 2nd line of your post.

PS note I didn't quote the post to spare your embarrassment .

Yes, I can see that bust size makes a difference.

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[Nanniemate]

Yes, I can see that bust size makes a difference.

takes more water ...........................and if its cold water you get

 

[Richard n Ann]

These are brilliant but they are chromed brass and heavy as a result. Put the shower head on the shower tray before moving off, as if it falls from the holder it could crack the shower tray.

I wondered if it would go in the bottom joint on the mixer taps not got one, I mentioned it to Ann the other day and she pulled a face she doesn't like to use the shower.

 

[chaser]

These shower heads are ok if you have a pressure activated pump but if the taps are on micro switch it's going to keep pumping when you switch your shower head off.

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[kevenh]

These shower heads are ok if you have a pressure activated pump but if the taps are on micro switch it's going to keep pumping when you switch your shower head off.

Good shout. Luckily I can smoothly switch my recent purchase to the house shower - phew!

 

[RayandLinda]

Okay folks. I have taken photos of what we have. Its an old van 2004 plate.

 

[RayandLinda]

Okay folks. I have taken photos of what we have. Its an old van 2004 plate.

What I need to know is what do I do first? Lol

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[kevenh]

You’ve a Truma ultrastore water heater like us.
So, with the gas turned on, the outside edge of ultrastore control in the 3rd picture needs turning to the flame symbol.
The inner part turn to 60deg (or your temp choice )
I’ve skipped the other control panel as it’s different to ours.
You need 12v for the control signals of the truma.
So enable that

after a few minutes you can shower with hot water
Edit: get 12v available before turning on the water heater.

 

[RayandLinda]

You’ve a Truma ultrastore water heater like us.
So, with the gas turned on, the outside edge of ultrastore control in the 3rd picture needs turning to the flame symbol.
The inner part turn to 60deg (or your temp choice )
I’ve skipped the other control panel as it’s different to ours.
You need 12v for the control signals of the truma.
So enable that

after a few minutes you can shower with hot water
Edit: get 12v available before turning on the water heater.

What do you mean we need 12v what do I do? Got green light etc but water cold

 

[RayandLinda]

Just found an ultrastore switch in cupboard so I have put that on. Now I wait

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[sgl5gjr]

get a trigger showerhead......once the hot water is through..... then you can lather then rinse and save water too, Ive a Marvix shower head, on/off and constant water flow

 

[kevenh]

What do you mean we need 12v what do I do? Got green light etc but water cold

OK. 12v (I.e. main MH power) sounds like it’s on.
On the ultrastore control, looking at it square on, have you a red & green light or what? (The dials, not the switch in the cupboard)
Just green means you’ve gas lit & heating water.
Red means no gas.

edit: the ultrastore switch in the cupboard could be a/c power to the ultrastore but look at that after you've hot water.

 

[kevenh]

How To Use Hot Water Systems In Caravans/Motorhomes - No Hot Water?

Using the control panel to get the hot water working in your caravan or motorhome can be confusing sometimes. Hopefully, this post will clear things up.

www.hortoncommon.co.uk

Leaving my PC to play with my MH
Back later. But the link above is on topic.

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[RayandLinda]

Thank you everyone. I have got hot water and shower working. Excited now to go away at end of month. Linda

 

[kevenh]

Great. Phew. A clean Linda
Did you work out if the cupboard switch is the optional A/C power to the water heater?
Another Autotrail owner could confirm.
Have you plugged in an AC source (EHU)?

edit: forgot “you must remove the external cover” for gas usage.

 

[RayandLinda]

I just put the switch on and then had hot water. We didn't use electric, just the gas. Couldn't see electric symbol on the control panel so assume the hot water only runs off gas? Could be wrong. We need to go to a rally where I could ask people in person but impossible with social distancing lol

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[DuxDeluxe]

Thank you everyone. I have got hot water and shower working. Excited now to go away at end of month. Linda

Enjoy the break -

 

[chaser]

If you have a mixer tap you want your hot set to hot as possible then when showering you don't use so much of your hot when mixed.

 

[RayandLinda]

Good tip. Taps and shower are mixer taps

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[Ridgeway]

Buy a shower timer.....

Certainly relevant if you have teenage daughters who can drain an entire campsite when rinsing their hair

 

[icantremember]

Buy a shower timer.....

Certainly relevant if you have teenage daughters who can drain an entire campsite when rinsing their hair

The quickest way to get someone out of the shower is to turn on the kitchen hot tap.

 

[Ridgeway]

The quickest way to get someone out of the shower is to turn on the kitchen hot tap.

or just switch off the pump on the control panel no idea how i've figured that one out

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[Minxy]

Just one thing about what product to use in the shower ... some shower gels can be a b*gger to rinse off and take ages using loads of water in the process, so it might be worth doing some 'testing' at home first to see which is the quickest one for the MH.

 

[denisejoe]

I think it's more to do with the amount than the product Minxy Girl! I find the Lidl one isn't too bad but just don't use too much - a little goes a long way!

 

[TheCaller]

These shower heads are ok if you have a pressure activated pump but if the taps are on micro switch it's going to keep pumping when you switch your shower head off.

Mine was delivered like that by Globecar. 6 years on it's still fine.

I think it's ok so long as you don't have a positive displacement pump. The submersible centrifugal pumps should be fine so long as you don't leave them running like that for ages - although OH has more than once come out & left the tap on but the trigger turned off. Generally I notice before too long! She has been known to say "What's that buzzing noise" in a slightly bemused voice.

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[Captain Yoghurtpot]

We use these, they hold the water and shower gel/soap so can wash all over with the tap off.View attachment 402978

They are quite nice fried also!