{"id":31809,"date":"2024-10-29T09:23:04","date_gmt":"2024-10-28T22:53:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/?p=31809"},"modified":"2024-10-30T09:23:10","modified_gmt":"2024-10-29T22:53:10","slug":"smarttek-joolca-hot-water-systems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/smarttek-joolca-hot-water-systems\/","title":{"rendered":"Smarttek Vs Joolca: Comparing Two Hot Water Heavyweights"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is a battle of two portable hot water systems, the Smarttek Black<\/a> and the Joolca HOTTAP V2<\/a>. These are the sort of showers you take camping if you can\u2019t do without a few creature comforts (or just don\u2019t want to go full-on feral in the outdoors)!<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re reading this, it\u2019s more than likely because you’re comparing two or more portable hot water units. Hopefully, this article will help you with your choice.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Joolca makes one of the leading hot water systems for the outdoor market. Image: Joolca<\/em><\/p>\n

This article is not intended to be biased; we don’t have anything negative to say about either product. Rather, we’ve simply set out to research and highlight the differences between these two leading portable hot water systems, as well as other options on the market from Companion<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with the more prominent question on our minds…<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

The Smarttek and Joolca are the sort of showers you take camping if you can\u2019t do without a few creature comforts! Image: Joolca<\/em><\/p>\n

How does the Smarttek Black and Joolca HOTTAP V2 Hot Water Systems compare?<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s look at some of the details.<\/p>\n

\"Smarttek<\/p>\n

The Smarttek Black allows you to enjoy hot water in any climate outdoors.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Raising Water Above Ambient<\/h2>\n

The Smarttek Black<\/a> unit claims to bring the temperature to 42\u00b0C above ambient on low water flow and maximum heat settings in winter mode. They also have a Lite unit with a smaller heat exchanger, and a burner that can achieve almost 35\u00b0C above ambient.<\/p>\n

Joolca, claim their HOTTAP V2<\/a> to have a maximum of 35\u00b0C rise above ambient when set on low flow and high gas, and it heats to this temperature pretty fast.<\/p>\n

Verdict<\/strong>: Given both units cut out at 50 degrees (more on that below), and an ideal shower is around 35-40 degrees, both units are going to provide an adequately warm shower.<\/p>\n

Maximum Water Temperature<\/h2>\n

There’s not much to compare here. Australian standards require these portable units to cut out at 55\u00b0C but there is a variance of around 10% for this. Smarttek<\/a> has indicated 52\u00b0C to be their max temperature, and Joolca<\/a> state that 50\u00b0C is their maximum. That said, we have seen Joolca units surpass this.<\/p>\n

Verdict<\/strong>: Both units deliver the same maximum temperatures.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Both units have a similar maximum temperature. Image: Joolca<\/em><\/p>\n

Which Units are Lighter?<\/h2>\n

This might not be a deal-breaker, but Joolca<\/a> comes out in front at 4.2 kg. Even Smarttek\u2019s Lite<\/a> unit at 4.5 kg weighs in heavier than Joolca’s units, whilst the Smarttek Black<\/a> version comes in at 5.5 kg.<\/p>\n

Verdict<\/strong>: Joolca wins this one.<\/p>\n

Flow Rate Range<\/h2>\n

The upper echelon of 6 litres per minute is the same for both brands, and is dependent of the flow rate of the water pumped into the unit. At the lower end, Joolca can be wound down to 2.5 litres per minute whilst Smarttek claim to go down a little further to 2 litres per minute.<\/p>\n

Verdict<\/strong>: Smarttek have a wider range at the lower end, but we are starting to split hairs.<\/p>\n

\"Smarttek<\/p>\n

The Smarttek Lite is a more compact option for warmer climates. Image: Smarttek<\/em><\/p>\n

Wind Performance<\/h2>\n

In comparison to the original version of Joolca’s Hottap, Smarttek used to perform better in windy conditions. They claim that their units are made with interlocking parts, having them rain, dust, shock, and wind-resistant. Compared to the Joolca HOTTAP, the Smarttek<\/a> external casings appeared to have less or smaller vents. This, in theory, creates better resistance to the burner being extinguished by wind.<\/p>\n

However, Joolca are a pretty smart and innovative bunch and their HOTTAP V2<\/a> is a pretty sleek unit and boasts far better wind resistance than the original, sporting separate dials for both water and flame control and enhanced capabilities when paired with the separately available, newly developed accessories. This now has both the Smarttek and Joolca HOTTAP V2 relatively equivalent to one another, in regards to how well they perform in windy conditions.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s face it: no one likes their shower disrupted!<\/p>\n

Verdict<\/strong>: We haven’t field tested them side by side, but from what we do know, both units perform similarly.<\/p>\n

\"Man<\/p>\n

The Joolca HOTTAP V2 offers a 5m UV-resistant shower hose. Image: Joolca<\/em><\/p>\n

Hoses & Accessories<\/h2>\n

Joolca provides colour coded braided UV-resistant hoses with their HOTTAP; essentially like a high-quality garden hose, and they offer a range of plumbing solutions as additional accessories. Furthermore, their Nomad kit literally comes with the kitchen sink along with a multitude of hoses, a shower rose and a tap faucet and a 12V pump so you can customise your hot water needs straight out of the box.<\/p>\n

Smarttek, on the other hand, only offers a single 2-metre hose – but it’s a kink-free, stainless steel type that doesn\u2019t heat up or soften when in use. If you do require a longer shower hose they offer longer hoses and adapters to enhance your setup, but the accessories are nowhere near as sleek as Joolca’s offering.<\/p>\n

Verdict<\/strong>: Joolca’s range of accessories takes the cake.<\/p>\n

Runtime<\/h2>\n

With an energy-saving \u2018Summer Mode\u2019 setting in their units, Smarttek provides users with 50 hours of hot showers from a 9 kg gas bottle on the lowest heat setting, and about 16 hours on maximum heat (i.e. ‘Winter Mode’).<\/p>\n

In comparison, Joolca claim of about 15 hours from a 9 kg bottle on the maximum heat setting and 45 hours on low.<\/p>\n

Verdict<\/strong>: Despite Smarttek claiming to have a longer runtime, given the variances in gas efficiency we put both units neck and neck.<\/p>\n

\"Person<\/p>\n

Smarttek provides a kink-free stainless steel hose. Image: Smarttek<\/em><\/p>\n

Included Pumps<\/h2>\n

Smarttek include either a 4.3lmp or a 6lpm pump with all of their units, while you\u2019ll have to spend a little more on HOTTAP V2 Outing Kit<\/a> to score a pump with your Joolca. The Joolca HOTTAP V2 Essentials Kit<\/a>, on the contrary, relies solely on a pressurised water source, but you can buy the Offgrid Plumbing Kit<\/a> separately.<\/p>\n

Joolca’s pump, as with all of their accessories, is a far more polished product being finished off with a durable ABS plastic shell, easy to connect garden hose fittings, neat 6mm and cigarette plug DC connections, and includes a filter, weight, and basket to keep the end of the hose submerged and out of the mud whilst in a lake or stream.<\/p>\n

Verdict<\/strong>: Both pumps do the job, but Joolca’s is plug-and-play fittings and weighted filter win this round.<\/p>\n

Input Water Pressure<\/h2>\n

This is different for both brands. I thought I\u2019d add this one in to clear up the confusion.<\/p>\n

Smarttek claim 25-750kPa input water pressure on their units, but have only stated this upper limit to match the mains water pressure in Australia (500 kPa). However, the units have actually been cleared up to 1500 kPa.<\/p>\n

Joolca, on the other hand, claims an input water pressure range of 70-900kPa, but I can\u2019t confirm if they are cleared for higher than that. So, compared to Smarttek, you\u2019ll need a higher input pressure to get the Joolca unit started, but if you are operating the unit at 25kpa you won’t have any pressure at the shower head, so it’s a bit of a moot point.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the borderline-impossible instance that your shower is connected to a fire truck, or other ludicrously high-pressure water supply, an overflow valve kicks in on the Smarttek units to prevent damage. I\u2019m all but certain that the Joolca units feature the same type of valve, but we are being a bit silly here.<\/p>\n

Verdict<\/strong>: Even-steven on this one, the upper and lower limits don’t really matter.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

The HOTTAP V2 Outing Kit includes a 12V pumping kit for drawing water from any source. Image: Joolca.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Technical Support<\/h2>\n

Both Smarttek and Joolca sweeten the deal with their product support.<\/p>\n

From 9:00am until 5:00pm, five days a week, you can call the Smarttek<\/a> helpline on 1300 119 906. There, you can speak to a technician who, 90% of the time, will be able to get your shower up and running again.<\/p>\n

We always found Joolca<\/a> to offer excellent product support, their website is also loaded with help articles and FAQ’<\/a>s. They offer a text line for support (0488 845 868).<\/p>\n

Verdict<\/strong>: Both brands offer excellent after sales support.<\/p>\n\n\n

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