Caravanning and camping in the UK are all about freedom – even when it comes to hot water. Camplux portable gas water heaters deliver instant warm water for showers, dishwashing or pet care, without needing mains electricity. These tankless water heaters heat on-demand (so there's no standing pilot or boiler losses) and run on propane or butane, making them ideal for off-grid living and unpredictable UK weather. Lightweight and compact, Camplux units slide neatly into an RV locker or caravan cupboard. Their weatherproof cases and rain caps mean they can even live outdoors on your caravan awning or garden wall. In short, a Camplux is a campsite essential: portable, efficient and ready to use wherever your adventures take you.
- Instant Hot Showers: Camplux tankless water heaters ignite instantly when water flows, delivering hot water in seconds. Unlike old water tanks, they only use gas when you need it.
- Off-Grid Power: All models run on small LPG bottles and batteries. The Nano 3Pro, for example, carries built-in batteries and can also plug into a 12V socket, so no mains power is needed.
- UK-Ready Design: Most Camplux water heaters are CE-certified and built with robust coatings and rain shields – perfect for British rain and winter chills. Accessories like weatherproof covers and drain plugs (for freezing weather) help your water heater survive the off-season, as covered in our UK guide on winterizing.
The Camplux Nano 3 Pro is a truly portable 3 L/min propane water heater (with its own pump) perfect for one or two people. It heats water in just 5 seconds, making it ready for a quick caravan shower almost instantly. Weighing just about 6.2 kg with sturdy handles, Nano 3Pro runs on small LPG cans and uses a built-in 4000 mAh battery (or 12V car power), so it's self-contained and easy to carry. Key features include:
- Fast Heating: Delivers 3 L/min of hot water (ΔT=22K) within 5 seconds of ignition.
- Dual Power Modes: Runs off D-cell batteries or a 12 V car adapter, so you can use it in campgrounds or en route.
- Compact Design: The boxy metal case with handles is lightweight for its power, making it easy to stow in an RV or caravan locker.
- Safety & Display: It has flame failure and overheat protection, plus an LED screen showing inlet/outlet temp and battery/gas status.
- Versatile Fuel: Works with standard UK propane bottles (37 mbar) or butane (28–30 mbar) with the appropriate regulator – no tricky conversions.
The Nano 3Pro is officially described as “ideal for camping, hiking and other outdoor adventures,” and its compact pump system is perfect for showering or washing up at a campsite. Its instant, on-demand design means less wasted gas – it only heats the water you use
Next up, the Camplux AY132B is a popular 5 L/min model that's built for busy caravan life. It provides a strong shower flow fast – reaching full output in about 8 seconds – and it weighs only ~4.5 kg. A folding carry handle makes it easy to move and pack. Designed for simplicity, the AY132B's front panel has two knobs (gas and water flow) so you can dial in the right temperature. Important features:
- Endless Hot Water: Delivers up to 5 L/min (enough for a lively shower) within seconds of starting the water. Tankless design heats only the water you need, saving fuel over old cylinder water heaters.
- Portable & Battery-Powered: Ignites with two D-cell batteries (included), so no mains hookup. Just connect an LPG bottle and water source, and you're ready.
- Durable Build: The black metal shell and accessories (shower head, hoses, gas regulator) come in a bundle for quick setup. Multiple safety guards like flame failure and overheat cutouts protect you.
- Multi-Use: Besides campers, AY132B is often used for outdoor horse washes or pet showers. Its 5 L/min flow and included shower head make it versatile around the farm or yard.
Camplux highlights that the AY132B “delivers in only 5 seconds 5 L/min hot water – perfect for camping, motorhomes and horse showers”. In practice, that means you can rinse off muddy boots or wash dishes with steady warm water wherever you camp. It's an excellent, wallet-friendly choice for small RV crews.
For larger trips or groups, the Camplux AY132MAX steps up its game. Like the AY132B, it delivers 5 L/min, but it adds a built-in 4.3 L/min pump and freestanding support legs – so you don't have to clamp it to a tree or caravan. It even comes with a waterproof carry bag for the unit and all hoses. Key advantages:
- Powerful Flow & Pump: 5 L/min of hot water at low inlet pressure (0.25 bar), but the 12V pump boosts pressure if you're drawing from a static tank. Ideal for those park sites with limited water pressure.
- Freestanding Design: Mounting legs mean you can place it on the ground or a table anywhere. No need for fixed installation points. There's also a folding handle to carry it.
- Energy-Saving Tech: Built-in thermo and flame sensors, plus efficient burners, heat water without wasting gas.
- All-in-One Kit: Includes hoses, pump, gas regulator and shower head. The provided waterproof bag fits the water heater and accessories neatly for caravan storage.
Camplux advertises the AY132MAX as “5 L/min hot water for as long as you want” and notes its energy-saving tech and multiple protections, making it very safe and simple to operate. Its sturdy pump and stand make it especially good for on-site washing, outdoor sink setups or bush showers where gravity feed isn't enough.
Finally, the Camplux BW158C is a 6 L/min (12 kW) water heater built like a wall-mounted boiler – only it's tankless and lightweight. At ~5.1 kg plus mounting bracket, it's intended for semi-permanent outdoor use. It even comes with a protective rain cap to keep the flame area dry. Highlights include:
- High Flow: 6 L/min output (at ΔT=25K) for strong showers or multiple sinks. More powerful than the 5 L models, it's well-suited to large campervans, field kitchens or multi-person use.
- Outdoor Rated: The rugged white steel case and included rain cap mean it can withstand weather if mounted outdoors on your caravan or a cabin wall.
- Simple Installation: It's gas-powered with battery ignition (no mains electricity). Camplux points out it's “built for British weather”: lightweight, easy to install, and safe for outdoor living.
- Safety & Economy: Like the others it's CE-certified (GAR-certified for gas) and has all the usual protections. Its A energy rating reflects very high heating efficiency, so fuel goes mainly into the water, not the air.
The BW158C is marketed as “perfect for countryside homes, campsites or gardens”. In practice, it's great for a permanent caravan awning shower or garden annex, giving reliable hot water while shedding rain and insects with its vented cap. Its higher flow means quicker fills and showers when the weather's fine.
All Camplux models are designed for DIY-friendly setup. You simply attach the quick-fit LPG hose to a propane/butane bottle (with the supplied regulator), hook up a water hose or pump (some come with pumps), and insert batteries. No plumbing is needed. Still, it's crucial to follow UK safety rules and use the right parts. For step-by-step instructions, see Camplux's own guide Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Up Your Camplux Portable Water Heater. This covers everything from choosing a safe, ventilated spot to testing gas connections. We also recommend reviewing Understanding UK Regulations for Outdoor Water Heater Installation to ensure your setup (especially wall-mounting or campervan fitting) is compliant with local codes.
If you're handy, you can fit a Camplux yourself; for more permanent installs (like a wall-hung BW158C), getting a Gas Safe engineer involved is wise. Camplux even explains DIY vs. Professional Installation: What's Best for Your Camplux Water Heater? to help decide. They also sell all necessary accessories: hoses, filters, extra shower heads, etc. Their blog on Essential Accessories for Installing Your Camplux Water Heater lists helpful add-ons like quick-connect fittings, mounting brackets and pump kits to make setup smoother.
In short, installing Camplux units is usually straightforward. Even so, always follow the manual: secure hoses, check for leaks with soapy water, and ensure good ventilation. Once running, these water heaters are virtually silent and stable — perfect for a quiet night in the camper.
One of the biggest benefits of Camplux water heaters is energy savings. Because they only heat on demand, you're not burning fuel to keep a tank warm. This on-demand design means “no standby heat loss and far less fuel consumption,” according to Camplux. That adds up to real savings on your gas bills. For example, their guides note that off-grid campers can run hot showers without “burning through propane just to keep unused water hot”. In practical terms, you'll use perhaps half the gas of an old-style boiler system, especially if you pair your Camplux with low-flow shower heads or practice “navy shower” techniques (wet-rinse style).
All models ignite with very low water pressure (around 0.25 bar), meaning you can use Camplux units with 12V water pumps or even gravity feeds – again saving power. The Nano 3Pro can plug into a 12 V outlet or run on batteries, so you can even heat water while traveling. As one campervan guide observes, “Camplux water heater…doesn't need to be plugged into your electrical system; it is self sufficient and powered by two D cell batteries”. In practice, this means you can set up camp on a wild site and still enjoy hot water while preserving your vehicle battery.
Modern Camplux water heaters also feature gas-saving tech like self-modulating burners. These automatically adjust flame size to match water flow and temperature, so you never dump extra fuel when the demand is low. Combined with the A/A+ efficiency ratings of models like the AY132B and BW158C, Camplux units keep running costs down. According to Camplux's UK data, many models convert 75–80% of fuel into hot water, meaning almost every joule counts. The bottom line: Camplux brings big comfort gains (hot showers on demand) without a big hit to your camping budget.
Camplux water heaters are built tough, but a little maintenance goes a long way to keep them working for years. Simple routine care includes: cleaning or descaling the shower head and inlet filter (to prevent clogging), checking hoses for wear, and ensuring batteries are fresh. For a full rundown, see Routine Maintenance Tips for Camplux Outdoor Water Heaters.
For longer-term storage (especially over winter), you should drain and store your water heater properly. This means flushing out any water from the unit and hoses to prevent freeze damage. Camplux's guide on How to Drain and Store Your Camplux Water Heater During Off-Season walks through each step. If you really want to protect your gear, their Winterizing Your Camplux Water Heater: A UK Guide explains how to cover or stow your water heater against rain and cold. These measures avoid rust or cracks from frost, which “dramatically prolongs the lifespan” of the unit.
Even with care, you might occasionally need tips for troubleshooting. For example, if your water heater won't light or the flow is weak, Camplux's Common Issues with Outdoor Water Heaters and How to Fix Them article is very useful. It covers everything from simple clogs to gas supply checks. Following these guides keeps the water heater “working like new”.
All told, Camplux products are designed for longevity. Regular maintenance and correct winter storage mean you'll keep enjoying hot showers for years. As Camplux notes, using these tips will “extend the lifespan” of your water heater. That's extra value – and fewer replacements – from your camping investment.
Whether you're preparing for your next caravan holiday or just upgrading your camp kitchen, Camplux has you covered. Browse the
https://camplux.uk/collections/portable-water-heater
https://camplux.uk/collections/gas-water-heater
collections on Camplux UK to find models and accessories that suit your needs. And don't forget to check out Camplux's helpful blog posts and guides for more tips on installation, safety, and getting the most from your unit. With the right Camplux water heater, UK caravan trips become cozier and more convenient – so you can focus on the view, not the water temperature. Happy camping!
