12V shower
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3578
Printed Date: 30 May 2025 at 12:38am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: 12V shower
Posted By: podrunner
Subject: 12V shower
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2013 at 12:58pm
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I have been going through the new to me 151 that I purchased last week. All systems seem fine, except when checking the shower and running on 12V, the water barely comes out and really does not seem to have enough pressure to fill the shower head. I removed the head and there seems to be plenty of pressure in the hose. Is this just the way it works on 12V or is there something wrong or perhaps I need a different shower head. Thanks in advance for your replies. ------------- 2010 R Pod 151 2017 4runner 2006 Honda Metropolitan |
Replies:
Posted By: bhamster
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2013 at 2:02pm
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Are you saying that it's better when you have shore power (120V) or it's better when you have water hookups and don't use the pump? If it works better with shore power then it's probably an issue with your battery. If it works better when you have water hookups then it might be an issue with your pump.
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Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2013 at 2:52pm
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podrunner, you mentioned that there was plenty of presure with the shower head off. Maybe the shower head needs to be cleaned or changed. Just a thought. ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: Anthony Valenzano
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2013 at 4:30pm
| I had to buy a replacement shower head soon after I got my pod. Same type but made a world of difference. I wasn't successful in cleaning the old one either. |
Posted By: bhamster
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2013 at 4:40pm
| I got the impression from the post title that the shower head itself does work, just not on 12V... or did I misunderstand? |
Posted By: podrunner
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2013 at 5:57pm
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Shower head works, but does not seem to build enough pressure. Sink faucet seems to be fine, and with the shower head removed there is good flow from the line in the shower. I have only tried using the water tank and pump. Here in Utah we will mostly be camping in national forest camp grounds that do.not have hook ups, so a good shower working on the pump system is important. I have not connected.directly to a water source, bit I suspect all will work fine. I have checked the shower head and blown air through it, appears clean and lacking any obstruction. Thx for your replies ------------- 2010 R Pod 151 2017 4runner 2006 Honda Metropolitan |
Posted By: Anthony Valenzano
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2013 at 6:02pm
| What's funny is that was exactly how I would have described my problem. I would have never have tired a different shower head, except that I happened to install an outdoor shower. The outdoor shower had lots of pressure, so I swapped heads and that was the problem. Not 100% that you're the same, but worth looking into. |
Posted By: bhamster
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2013 at 6:37pm
Sounds like the problem has nothing to do with 12V then. It's just a low-flow RV shower head designed to save water. I'd say try another one to see if it works better for you, but keep in mind that you'll run out of water faster.
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2013 at 7:26pm
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Could be a clogged shower. Try it with a domestic hose water hookup. If it works the same, the shower head is suspect. Many of us have replaced the FR head with a Body Spa RV Shower Kit. Low flow but adds air so it feels like more water. Check Amazon and/or Camping World. If it works much better on the hose hookup the pump may be suspect. Some have found the filter on the pump input clogged with plastic from the tank. A cheap fix if that's the problem. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2013 at 8:53pm
+1 The Body Spa Oxygenics showerhead is fantastic. Its a bit expensive, but well worth the price. ------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: TIDALWAVE
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2013 at 7:50pm
 I replaced my shower head with an Oxygenics showerhead also...but eventually switched back to the OEM head. I often dry camp, and found that the Oxygenics head required more water to work as effectively as the OEM unit. It does mix air with the water but I found that I was using more water to rinse off. I experimented with a rubber mat that blocked the floor drain. I definitely had more water around my ankles than with the OEM head. It might be anecdotal but my wife also agreed with my findings. I am not sure why we seem to use less water with the OEM head.By the way...when we first got our Pod, both the shower head and sink aerator were almost totally clogged with plastic 'filings' . I used compressed air to clean out both heads and ran a few gallons of water through the piping (and water heater) to flush out any additional debris. ------------- TIDALWAVE |
Posted By: podrunner
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2013 at 8:29pm
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I have solved the problem of the 12V shower. I was reading the instructions that came with the Shur flo pump and it mentioned looking for and removing water restriction devices. So I took the shower head apart and found that the opening on the back side of the on - off slide was about 1/16 inch diameter. This is the way it was molded, it was not plugged up. So I got a long drill bit and from the inlet side was able to drill out the opening to about 5/16". Now I get plenty of water flow, but down side is I ruined the on off slider by drilling through it. I glued the pieces into the shower handle to plug the holes so it does not leak. So bottom line, I lost the on off switch, but gained a shower head with sufficient flow to provide an enjoyable 12V / water tank shower. I think with culinary water connected, there would be plenty of pressure for water to get through the 1/16" hole, but with the pump, there is no way it can create enough pressure and volume to effectively fill the shower head and provide an adequate shower flow. Thanks for all your responses and ideas.. ------------- 2010 R Pod 151 2017 4runner 2006 Honda Metropolitan |
Posted By: bhamster
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2013 at 10:00pm
Unfortunately you probably also lost the ability to take more than a couple showers before running out of water
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Posted By: dsmiths
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2013 at 10:02pm
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Get an Oxygenics , you will not be dissapointed ------------- Dane and Donna Smith 2011 RP-172 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4 lift kit prodigy wireless brake controller |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2013 at 10:30pm
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No loss on the on/off switch. I stopped using it while soaping up because oddly it allowed the hot water to creep up the line faster than the cold water - so I would turn the shower back on and would get scalded! I just use the knobs now.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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