Instant gas hot water
Instant LPG hot water for Kiwi tiny homes, baches, boats and motorhomes. Nine models from 5L to 20L, always in stock.
Our range
We have 9 Challenger models from 5L to 20L per minute, including a marine-grade stainless steel option.
Featured
A marine-grade 316 stainless steel cover built for salt air, outdoor walls and boats. Instant hot water whenever you turn on the tap.
Premium stainless steel
Instant hot water
Corrosion resistant
Outdoor install
Marine & boats
Home & bach
316
Marine-grade stainless
5–16 L
Per minute, by model
LPG
Gas powered, off-grid
NZ-wide
Shipping or Penrose pickup
Find your fit
Recommended: 5L – 7L
Compact, battery-ignition models for a shower and sink. Add a 12V/24V kit to run off your vehicle's power.
Recommended: 6L – 10L
Instant hot water with no cylinder taking up space. Indoor installs need a flue kit.
Recommended: 7L – 12L
Size up for families and tank water. Pair with a water pump if your pressure is low.
Recommended: 5L – 7L
The marine-grade 316 stainless steel califont is built for salt air, with 12V/24V conversion.
Why choose us
Heats water only when you turn on the tap, with no standing heat loss from a cylinder.
Our Stainless Steel Califont has a 316 stainless cover built for salt air and outdoor walls.
Runs on LPG with battery ignition, or add a 12V/24V or 240V conversion kit.
Sized for tiny homes, baches, boats, motorhomes, caravans and horse floats.
Flue kits, regulators, weather covers and conversion kits, ready to ship.
We'll guide your certified gasfitter on flue, ventilation and NZS 5261 requirements.
Good to know
Yes. In New Zealand, all permanent gas installations must be carried out by a certified gasfitter by law. This ensures your califont is correctly flued, has adequate ventilation and meets the NZS 5261 safety standard. Professional installation is also required to validate your warranty and for most home and vehicle insurance. Portable, non-permanent camping units don't need professional installation, but always follow the safety manual.
It's how the unit handles exhaust gases. Outdoor califonts mount on an exterior wall and vent straight into the open air. Indoor califonts go in a kitchen, laundry or bathroom and must be flued to the outside. Indoor units also have room-size and ventilation requirements so the burner has enough oxygen.
A califont only heats water when you turn on the tap. Hot water cylinders lose heat 24/7 keeping a full tank hot, even when you're not using it. Switching to a califont cuts that wasted energy and your LPG use, making it one of the most cost-effective ways to heat water in off-grid baches, tiny homes and RVs.
Califonts need a minimum water flow to ignite. With low pressure, common in gravity-fed systems and small baches, the unit may not click on or the temperature may fluctuate. Pair your califont with a 12V, 24V or 240V water pump for steady flow and a reliably hot shower.
Califonts are sized by how many litres of hot water they deliver per minute (L/min). Use this as a rough guide:
| Size | Best for | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 5 L/min | One outlet at a time: outdoor showers, horse floats, camping | 5L califont |
| 6 L/min | One shower or sink: campervans and sleepouts | 6L califont |
| 7 L/min | One shower or sink: tiny homes, caravans and boats | 7L califont |
| 10 L/min | Baches where the shower and kitchen tap may run together | 10L califont |
| 12 L/min | Family baches and tiny homes | 12L califont 12L fan-flued (indoor) |
| 16 L/min | Larger homes with several taps | 16L califont |
| 20 L/min | Larger homes on natural gas | 20L natural gas |
Incoming water temperature and pressure also play a part. Call 09 820 0500 and we'll help you choose.
Yes. Califonts are a popular caravan and RV water heater because they run on LPG and heat water instantly with no tank to fill. The unit must be flued so exhaust gases vent outside, and installed by a certified gasfitter. Read our guide to califonts in campervans, caravans and boats.
Yes, as long as it's set up in the open air. Mount it securely on a wall or sturdy frame outdoors and connect it to an LPG bottle and a water supply. A 12V pump works well with tank or stream water, see our guide to califonts on pumped water. Never use a califont inside a tent, awning or vehicle unless it's properly flued and installed by a certified gasfitter.
Most don't. Our 5L, 6L, 7L, 10L, 12L and stainless steel LPG califonts light using 2 x D-size batteries, so they work anywhere without mains electricity. The 12L fan-flued and 20L natural gas models need 240V mains power. Tired of changing batteries? Our 12V/24V conversion kit suits boats and motorhomes, and a 240V conversion kit suits homes with mains power.
A califont only heats water when you turn on a tap, so there's no tank to keep hot, no standby heat loss and no waiting for a cylinder to reheat. It's compact and runs on LPG, ideal where there's no mains power. A hot water cylinder stores a tank of hot water, takes up more space, usually needs mains electricity and can run out with heavy use. For baches, tiny homes, boats and RVs, a califont is usually the better fit.
Learn more
How to Maintain Your Califont: The Complete Guide for Off-Grid NZ
5 essential tips for using gas califonts in NZ campervans, caravans and boats
Talk to us
Tell us about your setup and we'll recommend the right califont, flue and fittings.
09 820 0500
sales@challengeyachts.com
Showroom: 38 Olive Road, Penrose, Auckland
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How to Maintain Your Califont: The Complete Guide for Off-Grid NZ
How to Maintain Your Califont: The Complete Guide for Off-Grid NZ
How to Maintain Your Califont: The Complete Guide for Off-Grid NZ