by daveesl77 » Sat May 07, 2016 9:18 am
I have the Triton 5L, actually this is the second one I've owned, and love it. The original I permanently mounted on the back of my slide-in, pop-up truck camper. This one rides in a compartment, then gets attached to the galley when I pull it out. I absolutely love this thing! Some mods that make them even better-
Replace the "D" cell batteries with those fake D size battery holders. I then put a $3 pwm inside it to drop the voltage down from 12v to 3.3. Added in an inline switch, actually an older model car headlight dimmer switch, that operates the water pump. The wiring then goes from a 12v powerport, through a standard extension cord, with foot switch about 1/2 way down the line. This allowed me to run a single water line to my external shower head, preset the water temp, and then when ready for the shower, hit the switch - 10 seconds later water comes out at proper temp- turn off switch to save water - lather up - switch on- rinse and done. Water for galley sink is controlled by faucet, but footswitch allows me to easily fully turn off the entire system if I want.
I'm now doing the final construction of the "heat using water heater" build, using the same Triton, but having a split water system. One goes to sink/shower, the other goes to cabin heater. Inside thermostat activates a second pump. Hi-Low temp sensor controls when the burner activates (using the same D cell mod). Thermostat tells pump to activate, through a digital relay I had, thus pushing water from a non-pressurized holding tank, through the heater and heater core back to holding tank. Temp sensor, if water temp is below 110 degrees F activates the Triton burner. As water recirculates, it rises in temp at a rate of about 15 degrees every 10 seconds. At 160 degrees F, the hi limit shuts off the Triton, water continues to circulate. If cabin temp gets to desired level, then the pump shuts down by way of thermostat, if not and if heater water drops below 110, low sensor ignites burner. Oh and heater core fan (actual automotive aluminum car heater core) is just a 200mm computer fan which is also controlled by the thermostat.
So for $130 for the water heater, $15 for the new aluminum heater core, $5 for the hi-low temp sensor, $0 for the old 12v water pump I had, $10 for dimmer switch, $0 for digital thermostat and old computer case fan, plus some plumbing stuff I have, ($160 total), I have hot water for dishes, showers and cabin heat.
Setup time is really fast. I use all brass quick connections and reinforced hose. The electrical connections are all plug in to the camper. I doubt I spend 5 minutes total time.
dave