Who This Guide Is For
G’day! This guide is written squarely for Australian campers: weekenders who love a quick coastal camp, 4WD tourers roaming the red dirt, families pitching the dome tent at a powered site, and festival goers who want a proper wash after a dusty day. If you’ve ever thought, “A warm shower would be heaven right now,” you’re in the right spot. We’ll show you how a Camplux camping hot water heater turns a good trip into a great one—without chewing through gas or water.
Why Hot Water Elevates Camping
After a chilly dawn surf, a long hike in the ranges, or a windy night under the gum trees, outdoor instant hot water is more than a luxury—it’s morale. A steady, comfortable rinse warms you up, helps kids settle before bed, and makes camp chores painless. Hot water also keeps your cooking kit hygienic and your hands clean when you’re juggling bait, mud, and marshmallows. Once you’ve had a proper shower in camp, it’s hard to go back. As many Aussies say: “Too easy.”
Meet the Camplux Lineup for Campers
Camplux builds portable gear that’s designed for outdoor use and Aussie conditions. Two favourites for the campground:
-
AY132 (around 6 L/min): Lightweight, quick to set up, ideal for 1–2 people or a parent-and-kid crew. Great for bucket/stream water with a 12V pump. This is the classic outdoor portable hot water heater for campsite flexibility.
-
BV158 (around 8 L/min): More flow and headroom for 2–4 people. Handy if you want faster back-to-back showers or a bit more comfort on winter trips. Commonly used with a simple rear-of-vehicle stand or freestanding rack at the campsite.
Plain-English specs you’ll see:
-
L/min (flow rate): Think “how wide the tap is open.” Higher L/min means more water per minute—handy when multiple people queue after sunset.
-
ΔT (temperature rise): Output temperature minus input temperature. Cold creek in winter? You’ll need more ΔT than a warm coastal tap in summer.
-
MJ/h or BTU (heat load): The burner’s “grunt.” More heat load = quicker temperature lift, especially when the inlet is cold.
-
PSI (water pressure): The push. If your source is a jerry can or stream, use a 12V pump to keep the heater happy and your shower steady.
Best Setups by Camping Scenario
-
Beach & Surf Camps: AY132 + 12V pump + low-flow shower head + folding shower tent + simple wind shield. Rinse off salt and sand before you jump into the swag—no more sticky legs.
-
Bush/Free Camps: AY132 or BV158 with a pre-filter when drawing from barrels/creeks. Keep it a few metres downwind of camp and mind the splash zone—mates will thank you.
-
Family Weekenders (2–4 people): BV158 makes back-to-back showers faster. Set a comfortable outlet temperature and avoid mixing cold at the handle to save gas and keep temps stable.
-
Alpine or Winter Trips: Choose the model with more ΔT headroom (BV158). Insulate hoses, shorten the run, and use a wind break. Little touches make a big difference on a frosty arvo.
If you like keeping things compact, a small portable water heater is easier to pack and carry, especially if you’re hopping sites every night.
How to Choose in 3 Steps
-
People & Pace
1–2 people with casual use? ~6 L/min (AY132) is sweet. 2–4 people or quick-fire, back-to-back showers? ~8 L/min (BV158) keeps things moving. -
Season & Inlet Temp
Colder inlet (alpine creeks, winter mornings) demands more ΔT—choose the unit with higher heat load. Summer coast? Mid-range flow and heat load is fine. -
Water Source & Pressure
Campground taps usually have enough pressure. Buckets, drums, or streams? Add a 12V pump and a pre-filter to protect the heater and shower head.
Rule of thumb: more people → prioritise L/min; colder water → prioritise burner grunt; weak water source → prioritise the pump.
Efficiency & Running Costs for Camping
Tankless design means a Camplux only heats when water flows—no standing tank to keep warm, no wasted gas. To budget your bottle use, try this simple approach:
-
Per-shower gas (kg) ≈ (unit gas use in kg/h) × (minutes of water flow ÷ 60)
-
Per-shower cost ≈ (per-shower kg) × (local LPG $/kg)
Example (numbers for illustration only):
If your unit uses 0.25 kg/h and your shower runs for 6 minutes of actual flow time, per-shower gas ≈ 0.25 × (6÷60) = 0.025 kg. If LPG is $4/kg, cost ≈ 0.025 × 4 = $0.10 per shower. Even if your real-world figures are higher, you can see why campers call these an energy efficient hot water system.
Three easy ways to stretch your bottle:
-
Set the outlet temperature to what you want and avoid mixing in cold at the handle. This keeps the heater stable and stops you from burning unnecessary gas.
-
Use a low-flow shower head. Less water can actually feel hotter, because the heater raises a smaller volume more effectively.
-
Short hoses and basic insulation. Hot water cools as it travels—shorten the run and block wind to reduce heat loss.
Want a quick bottle estimate? Work out your group’s total minutes of flow per day × unit’s kg/h rating, then divide your 9 kg bottle by the daily kg figure. It’s not lab science, but it’s close enough for trip planning.
Safety, Ventilation & Compliance (Outdoor-Only)
These units are made for outdoor use. Keep them in open air with good clearance from tent walls, awnings, and anything that could get toasty. Position the heater so wind doesn’t blow directly into the intake/exhaust, and keep kids and pets clear while it’s running. Secure your gas bottle upright on firm ground, check hoses for kinks, and do the old “soapy water” test on fittings to check for leaks. If any installation work goes beyond simple camp hookups, use a licensed gas fitter and follow local rules—too easy and peace of mind sorted.
Water & 12V Power Basics for Camps
-
12V Pump: Choose a pump whose flow and PSI match your heater’s sweet spot. Add a small pressure regulator or accumulator to smooth pulses, and always run a pre-filter if you’re pulling from barrels or creeks.
-
Powering the Ignition: Many units run on D-cell batteries or a 12V adapter. If you’re on solar, keep battery health in mind—low voltage means grumpy gear.
-
Plumbing Tips: Use food-grade hose for peace of mind. Quick-connect fittings save time, and fewer bends means happier flow. A ground mat stops puddles turning your feet into mud pies.
Low-Stress Maintenance for Camps
Salt, dust, and minerals are part of the Aussie great outdoors, so give your unit a bit of love:
-
After the beach: Rinse the exterior and fittings with fresh water to discourage corrosion.
-
Filters & Shower Heads: Check the inlet filter and shower head after each long weekend—sand and grit are sneaky.
-
Scale: In hard-water areas, run a simple citric-acid flush now and then (follow your manual).
-
Storage: Before winter or a long break, drain the water lines and let the unit dry. No one likes a surprise freeze or stale water smell.
Camplux vs Other Camping Options
Compared with a kettle and bucket routine or a solar shower bag, a Camplux gives you a true outdoor shower heater experience: consistent temperature, solid flow, and less mucking around. Versus small electric instant units, gas is usually easier off-grid and doesn’t hammer your battery bank. And compared with carting a storage tank around, a Camplux heats only when you’re using water—less waste, more control. In short, a Camplux outdoor water heater balances comfort, speed, and efficiency for real-world camping.
Real-World Camping Setups
-
Coastal surf weekend: A couple rolls back to camp, clips the hose, powers the pump, and dials the outlet temp. Six minutes later they’re clean, warm, and ready for a camp-cooked feed.
-
Family weekender: Two adults and a kid take turns. With a bigger-flow unit, nobody stands around shivering. Dishwash water gets a quick top-up too, saving time and arguments.
-
4WD river camp: Crew runs a pickup hose to a filtered bucket, 12V pump feeds the heater, and the wind shield keeps the flame steady. The day ends with hot showers and happy faces.
Buying Guide & Pack List
If you favour compact and nimble, the AY132 is a cracking portable hot water heater for camping. If you’re a family or you want faster back-to-back showers in winter, step up to the BV158. Whichever you choose, the secret sauce is the supporting kit:
Recommended pack list
-
12V pressure pump matched to your heater’s spec
-
Pre-filter (protects internals and your shower head)
-
Low-flow shower head and an easy on/off trigger
-
Folding shower tent for privacy and wind control
-
Quick-connects, spare washers, and a short insulated hose
-
Stable base or stand to keep the heater off wet ground
Want to keep it ultra-minimal? A portable tankless water heater plus pump, one hose in, one hose out, done. If you prefer more headroom, pick the unit with the higher L/min and heat load. Either way, Camplux keeps setup quick so you can get back to the campfire.
Camping FAQ
Can I hang it from a tree or the car?
Yes, with the right stand or mount designed for the unit, and only in open air. Keep clearances from fabric and be mindful of wind direction and exhaust.
Can I use creek or bucket water?
You can, with a 12V pump and a pre-filter. Let muddy water settle first if needed. Avoid drinking from the shower line and keep hoses for washing only.
How long will a 9 kg bottle last?
Use the quick maths earlier: total minutes of flow per day × unit’s kg/h rating = daily kg. 9 kg ÷ daily kg ≈ days of showers. It’s a surprisingly handy planning number.
What about wind and rain?
Use a wind shield or position the heater behind the vehicle (still in open air). Light rain is usually fine; keep the unit off the ground and don’t block vents.
How do I set a safe temperature for kids?
Dial in a comfortable outlet temperature on the heater so you don’t need to blend cold water at the handle. Test with your hand before letting kids hop in.
Any rules I should know?
Follow campground and state park guidelines. Use the heater outdoors only, secure your gas bottle, and have a licensed gas fitter handle anything beyond basic camp hookups.
The Camplux Difference (And a Quick Nudge)
A Camplux turns chores into comfort: fast setup, steady temperature, and efficient gas use. If your camping style is “pack light, live well,” a Camplux portable tankless water heater fits like a glove. If you’re the “shower, then tea by the lantern” type, you’ll love how dependable it feels at the end of a dusty day. Aussie-made trips deserve proper kit—grab a Camplux, and your campsite starts feeling a whole lot like home.
Quick Glossary (Plain English)
-
L/min: How much water the heater can deliver each minute.
-
ΔT: How many degrees the heater can raise the water above the inlet temperature.
-
PSI: Pressure, or how hard the water is pushed through the system.
-
Heat load (MJ/h or BTU): The burner’s muscle—higher numbers help in cold conditions.
One-Minute Setup Checklist
-
Gas bottle upright and secure; hoses unkinked and leak-checked with soapy water.
-
Inlet hose to water source (tap/bucket/stream) with pre-filter; outlet hose to the shower head.
-
Pump powered and primed; batteries fresh or 12V connected.
-
Set a sensible outlet temperature; test and tweak; enjoy.
With that, you’re sorted. Fill the billy, cue the kookaburras, and take a proper shower under the stars—because camping comfort shouldn’t be hard yakka.
