What Pump Do I Need for a Portable Hot Water System?

You have found a portable hot water system you like; you understand the gas bottle side. Then someone mentions the pump, and suddenly there are three options with different litres-per-minute ratings, and you are not sure which one you need.

Here is the straightforward answer. Country Comfort runs at 6 litres per minute. The pump you choose determines how you deliver water to the unit and what kind of shower experience you get. Pick the wrong pump for your setup and you either get a weak trickle or the unit shuts itself off because the pressure is too low to run safely.

We have been selling and supporting these systems since 2006 and have talked through pump setups with more than 76,000 customers across Australia. Every situation is different. But most setups fall into one of three categories, and once you know which category you are in, the decision is easy.

The three pump options and who each one is for:

4.3 litres per minute 35psi: the water-conscious camper

This is the most commonly sold pump for a reason. It suits campers and caravanners who are drawing from a limited water source: a 20-litre jerry can, a bucket filled from a creek or dam, or a small portable tank on a camper trailer.

At 4.3 L/min, the unit runs at reduced flow. You get hot water, but the pressure is lighter than a full mains-pressure shower. For a couple who are water-conscious on a remote trip, or anyone who needs to stretch a limited supply over a few days, this is the right pump.

The 4.3 L/min pump can draw from a source up to 5 metres away with a 1-metre head. It is self-priming and pressure-activated, meaning it turns on when you open the tap and off when you close it. No switches, no fuss.

One important note: if you try to increase the water flow beyond what the 4.3 L/min pump can supply, the unit will shut itself off. This is a safety feature, not a fault. It means the unit will never run without adequate water pressure. If you find the pressure feels too low for your needs, the 6 L/min pump is the upgrade.

6 litres per minute 35psi: the full shower experience

This is the pump that runs Country Comfort at its full 6 L/min capacity. If you want a proper shower with real pressure, this is the one.

The 6 L/min pump draws from sources up to 20 metres away, which makes it the right choice for camper trailers where the unit is set up some distance from the water source, or for anyone running a dual-outlet setup with a shower and a sink running simultaneously.

Rhonda runs Country Comfort at shows with a 6 L/min pump and mains water so visitors can see the full pressure comparison the system delivers. "We want our customers to see what good pressure actually looks like before they buy." That is the benchmark the 6 L/min pump delivers.

This pump is also well-suited to horse-wash setups at home. If you are connecting to mains water at a stable or wash bay, you do not need a pump at all. But if you are away from mains at an equestrian event and need to draw from a tank or trough, the 6 L/min pump provides enough flow to wash a horse thoroughly.

12.5 litres per minute 40psi: tanks, creeks, and off-grid setups

This pump is built for situations where the water source is far from the unit, or where the water must pass through additional filtration before it reaches the heater. It can draw from sources up to 30 metres away with a 10-metre head, and it comes with a stainless-steel strainer to filter debris from creek or dam water before it enters the pump.

At 12.5 L/min, the pump is delivering more water than Country Comfort actually uses. The reason you need it in certain setups is headroom. A tank-fed off-grid system, a rainwater collection setup, or any situation with a long hose run or a filter in the line needs extra pressure capacity to consistently push water through. If you try to run these setups on a 4.3 or 6 L/min pump, the pressure will drop, and the unit will cut out.

If you are setting up hot water in a tiny house, a cabin, a container home conversion, or any permanent off-grid property, 12.5 L/min is the pump to specify from the start. It is the minimum for reliable, consistent hot water from a tank-fed system.

This pump is also popular with groups. When a large camp, a trail ride, or a farm property needs to run the unit at high flow for an extended period, the 12.5 L/min pump handles the load without dropping pressure.

What about gravity-fed water? A word of caution

Gravity-fed systems are a popular idea for off-grid setups because they need no power. Fill a tank up high, let gravity do the work. In practice, gravity alone rarely produces enough consistent pressure to keep Country Comfort running safely.

The unit requires minimum water pressure to fire and stay on. When gravity feed produces inconsistent pressure, the unit cuts out for safety. This is not a fault in the system. It is working exactly as it should. The solution is a pump, even in gravity-fed setups.

If you are committed to a gravity-fed tank, a 6 L/min pump in line between the tank and the unit solves the problem. The tank feeds the pump, the pump delivers consistent pressure to the heater, and you get reliable hot water without relying on tank height alone.

Quick reference: matching your setup to the right pump

- Bucket, jerry can, or small portable tank up to 20 litres:  4.3 L/min pump.

- Camper trailer tank, dual shower and sink outlet, horse wash from a trough:  6 L/min pump.

- Rainwater tank, creek or dam with a filter, long hose run, off-grid cabin or tiny house:  12.5 L/min pump.

- Mains water connection (stable, home, powered site):  No pump needed. Connect directly to mains.

- Gravity-fed tank:  Add a 6 L/min pump in line. Gravity alone is not reliable enough.

All Country Comfort pumps are 12V, self-priming, and pressure-activated. They draw low amps, which matters when you are running off a battery or solar setup. None of them is submersible. They sit outside the water source and draw water in through a hose.

Still not sure which pump is right for your setup?

Call us. Every Country Comfort customer who has ever rung for setup advice has spoken directly to Steve or Rhonda, the two people behind this product since 2006. No call centres, no automated systems.

Describe your water source, your hose length, how many people you are showering, and whether you are on 12V, mains, or solar, and we will tell you exactly what you need. We have helped set up Country Comfort in camper trailers, horse floats, mobile dog wash vans, container homes, and remote outback shacks. There is very little we have not seen.

Country Comfort is AS2658 certified (certificate number GMK10277), Australia's first and original certified portable LPG hot water system.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum pump size for a Country Comfort portable hot water system?

The 4.3 L/min pump is the entry-level option, suitable for drawing from a bucket, jerry can, or small portable tank. It runs the unit at reduced flow. If you need full 6 L/min pressure, you need the 6 L/min pump.

What pump do I need for an off-grid or tank-fed setup?

A minimum of 12.5 L/min is recommended for tank-fed systems, long hose runs, or setups that include a filter. The extra capacity ensures consistent pressure through the filter and along the hose to the unit. Gravity feed alone is not reliable enough for consistent hot water.

Can I use Country Comfort without a pump if I have mains water?

Yes. If you are connecting to a mains tap at a home, stable, powered caravan site, or similar, no pump is required. Connect directly to mains and the unit fires at full capacity.

Do I need a pump to run Country Comfort from a gravity-fed tank?

It is advisable to invest in a pump. Gravity alone typically does not produce consistent enough pressure for reliable operation. A 6 L/min pump placed in line between the tank and the unit solves this. The pump draws from the tank and delivers consistent pressure to the heater.

What happens if my pump is not powerful enough?

If the water pressure drops below the unit's minimum requirement, the Unit shuts off automatically. This is a built-in safety feature, not a fault. The fix is a pump that delivers consistent flow for your setup.

Are Country Comfort pumps submersible?

No. All Country Comfort pumps are self-priming and sit outside the water source. They draw water in through a hose. They are not designed to be submerged.

Ready to choose your setup?

Browse the Country Comfort portable hot water system packages to find the option that includes the right pump for your use case. If you are setting up a camping hot water system for the first time, the package pages walk through exactly what is included and who each setup suits.

And if you are still not sure, give us a call. We will work it out with you.