Eccotemp L5 Portable Outdoor Tankless Water Heater

The Eccotemp L5 is a compact 1.5 GPM portable outdoor propane tankless water heater, positioned as the entry-level model in Eccotemp's L-series. Designed for outdoor showers, campsite use, and minimum-demand off-grid applications. At roughly half the capacity of the L10, it serves a single-fixture outdoor shower comfortably but cannot support a multi-fixture application.

Specs: 37,500 BTU propane burner, 1.5 GPM peak at a 35°F rise, battery-fired ignition (two D-cell batteries), single dial controls for combined gas and water flow. Wall-mount with included bracket, exposed combustion vent on the front face. Outdoor use only — indoor installation creates CO risk because the unit vents directly into the install space.

The L5 is the smallest unit in Eccotemp's portable lineup and the lightest at about 6 lbs. The weight matters for genuinely portable applications — strapping the unit to a backpacking-style cooking setup, deploying at a remote campsite, or temporary use during a power outage that disables the indoor water heater. For semi-permanent installs (cabin outdoor shower, year-round pool house), the larger L10 with 2.6 GPM is the better fit.

Real-world performance: at 1.5 GPM, the shower stream is on the light side compared to typical indoor showers. Adequate for rinse-down use; marginal for full body wash with high-volume shampoo and conditioner routines. The light flow is partly a design choice — at lower GPM, the unit can heat water more effectively, producing a comfortable temperature even with cold source water.

About $190 unit, often bundled with showerhead and short hose for $230–$270. 1-year warranty. Lifespan 5–8 years with proper seasonal storage; substantially less if left outdoors year-round in harsh climates. Parts available through Eccotemp directly and through major outdoor retailers.