Hot water problems with shower

Not had the problem but have used both gas and electric tank heaters on at same time to prolong the availability of hot water.

A suggestion in a similar thread a while ago was to reduce the flow rate so there was less water coming out. Some showers have a washer in the flow line that can be changed to one with a smaller hole.

Maybe a different shower head? 

Are you heating the water by gas or electric ?

We found we have more hot water (for longer) when we use gas.

No idea why - but we do.

This is in a Pilote MH.

Are you using the 2kw setting for the water heating element and is the water temp set to 60°, or more if possible? If not, there is unlikely to be enough hot water to do very much.

The hotter the water to start with, the more cold is mixed from the tank to set a usable temperature. Thus the hot water will last longer.

As hot water is used, cold water enters the water heater and starts to cool the contents.

according to the PMH test of this product, the max temp is 70 deg and the two electric power settings are 750/1500w.

as this will heat the water a little more slowly than a comparable Combi (although it has to heat 10l and not 8) it's imperative that you're confident the water is fully heated.

im not convinced at all that using gas will make things better, but give it a try...

As TW says, the hotter the water, the more 'shower temperature' water you will have available.

your shower 'technique' is pretty much van folklore and as you've been successful using this in the caravan I don't see why it isn't working here....

unless the water isn't fully up to heat.

as an off line test, perhaps run the water heater to its max, run some into a plugged sink, test temp with a thermometer.

also continue to run just the hot (from the shower) into a bucket until the temp eases off. the volume in the bucket will tell you the true volume of hot you have.

youll now have checked the temp and the amount you have.

if these are 70 deg and 8 ltrs, then it may be just the difference of having 2 ltrs less hot that's the difference.

we have an Eco Camel shower head that works well.

im in first, wash as you do (no conditioner) and out in a couple of mins..

OH is then able to 'luxuriate' and use as much as required, she will be having a conditioner phase as you do......but is able to do this even after I've already showered.

good luck.

We've found that if one of us has a wash first it tends to lessen the amount of hot water, so spread the usage out if possible and get an eco camel shower head, we've got one and it does help reduce the volume going through.

IMHO, for those vanners who need to get two showers (between them) in the morning, I reckon there are two ways to play it....

each person has a short shower and, without reheating water between showers, it's certainly possible for the second person to have a perfectly acceptable one.

alternatively, first person has longer in the shower, using more water than in the earlier example....leave water heating on (perhaps another 20mins before back up to full temp) and then second person has a long shower, too...

downside, takes longer to get both showered and uses much more water, a possible issue for caravanners with a barrel.

No issues here with that BB, we only have a 23 Ltr water container but we can both have lovely hot showers one after the other in the new caravan (also in the previous mh)

I go first (of course) the OH follows me. We have the hot water on high heat, we've only used it on hook up so far but no problem with running out of hot water.

The shower head is a camel one and the pressure is the best we've ever had and can put some of the club sites to shame.

We find you need to have the water on boost and wait till the thermometer on the control panel stops flashing (meaning the water has boosted to required temperature) then you can use it, so long as Mrs T does not wash hair and we are having a quick shower we can get 2 out of a full tank albeit it is getting cooler at the end of the 2nd shower.  Best to wait another 10 mins or so for the water to reheat.

We do find if you use Mix 2 it does heat faster (obvs) and seems to get hotter.  We have Truma 6e Combi boiler.

Hi, thanks for all your responses. We have tried the shower using gas but it doesn’t make any difference.

We will try a new shower head and also checking the temperature and filling a bucket. I don’t think the temperature is a problem as it’s always scorching when we first turn the water on, it just seems to start cooling down very quickly and then go freezing. 

We are due to go away end of November so will try the suggestions.