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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: clearview window c on November 18, 2005, 01:11:02 pm

Title: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: clearview window c on November 18, 2005, 01:11:02 pm
i`ve just bought a paraffin heater for the van. my ro and pump r the things im worried about freezing. does anyone use these and if so how safe are they. cheers
Title: Re: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: REVIVE-A-DRIVE on November 18, 2005, 03:36:46 pm
i've just got one to, as things were stating to freeze this morning
i hope it will be safe, just make sure you remember to turn it of before u drive.
i tie a rag to my steering wheel to remind me.
Title: Re: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: jacaranda on November 18, 2005, 04:05:03 pm
mine was frozen in van this morning pump and hoses not sure about parafin as i can only park on the road  .made enquiries this morning at caravan shop but nothing ,they said there was a12 volt heater on market but have not found one yet. plenty on american web sites but not here ,anyone got any ideas.
Title: Re: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: steve massey on November 18, 2005, 04:50:55 pm
Hi

I use electric fan heater . I run it for a couple of hours and then throw a quilt over tank.

I take my hoses and poles in house.

The main problem i found last year was the jets on the brush freezing while we were using it.
Title: Re: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: stevef on November 18, 2005, 04:53:53 pm
I was looking at these, but in the end went for an electric greenhouse heater from Frost's garden center £19.99 seems great so far. I can park next to an outside power point!
Title: Re: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: H h20 on November 18, 2005, 04:54:36 pm
mine was frozen in van this morning pump and hoses not sure about parafin as i can only park on the road  .made enquiries this morning at caravan shop but nothing ,they said there was a12 volt heater on market but have not found one yet. plenty on american web sites but not here ,anyone got any ideas.
My local caravan shop can get the 12v water heaters,if you are interested let me know as i am thinking about getting one,Gaz
Title: Re: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: clearview window c on November 18, 2005, 05:01:50 pm
the heaters on now. i`ll see if the vans still there in the morning. i threw a quilt over ro and pump. hope that it works. anymore advice gladly received and appreciated. thanks ;)
Title: Re: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: dai on November 18, 2005, 05:24:09 pm
If you can park near your electric supply one of those little halogen heaters should be safe. Just have one lamp on,only costs pennys to run too. Dai
Title: Re: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: Chris Cottrell on November 18, 2005, 10:34:25 pm
If you got a  have a heater in the van to warm up in the morning or to keep warm overnight then this is defo the no1 gizmo to have we used to have these in the trucks for when we had nights out,  I'd not drive long distance and have a night out in a truck without one.

http://www.eberspacher.com/airtronicd2.php?section=airheating
Title: Re: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: AuRavelling79 on November 18, 2005, 10:42:15 pm
I like the Russian principle for cold nights.

During WW2 the Germans supposedly superior tank and aeroplane engines would freeze up and falter in the megazero temperatures. The Russians did simple things like hang a brazier full of smouldering logs under the engines to keep them warm for early morning starting. Guess who won the war?

And so......

My R/O and water butt are outside the back door against the utility room wall.
The heater outlet from the tumble dryer blows onto them so "wasted" heat keeps things above freezing of an evening.

Also - my R/O is in an insulated box screwed to the wall and when I go night nights I put a nightlight in the box and drinking bottle (from a bicycle) filled with boling water. Keeps things ticking over 'til morning.
Title: Re: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: kingfisher on November 19, 2005, 12:29:38 am
This is my first year with WFP so decided to get a paraffin green house heater, it’s a two burner with four wicks, thought that would do the trick this morning the R/O was frozen also the small pressure washer I keep for valeting cars, and the spare hose. :o

Hate to think how bad it would have been with out the heater.

Just brought the R/O in tonight not worth taking a chance with that.

Kev
Title: Re: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: kingfisher on November 19, 2005, 12:37:17 am
Just one other small point with paraffin heaters I had a slight oily film on the inside of the van windscreen this morning don’t think this would do the pole brush head any good so best leave the poles indoors not in the van.

Kev
Title: Re: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: stevef on November 19, 2005, 09:52:00 am
The little greenhouse heater  worked realy well last night, I just had it on the frost setting, everthing was fine also I noticed that it has a over heating cut out so should be safe!
Title: Re: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: clearview window c on November 19, 2005, 11:42:44 am
paraffin heater didnt seem 2 work 2 well. brushes were frozen up this morning. threw a quilt over ro and pump. is this likely 2 b sufficient? i have no way 2 get power 2 my van so the paraffin heater seemed the best option. mine only has 1 wick. is it safe 2 wack it on full. unsure about a large naked flame in van overnight. it was suggested to take ro in on night is it easy to disconnect. i never installed it. help ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: kingfisher on November 19, 2005, 04:51:38 pm
Quote
paraffin heater didnt seem 2 work 2 well. brushes were frozen up this morning. threw a quilt over ro and pump. is this likely 2 b sufficient? i have no way 2 get power 2 my van so the paraffin heater seemed the best option. mine only has 1 wick. is it safe 2 wack it on full. unsure about a large naked flame in van overnight. it was suggested to take ro in on night is it easy to disconnect. i never installed it. help       


Don`t turn the flame up on your heater you will end up with a van full of soot and smoke :'(

My mates got an escort van and a heater with one wick it`s not enough to stop it total frezing in this weather

Iv got a transit van and 4 wicks on my heater and it`s still not enough but still beter than nowt.

My R/O justs screws on to my outside tap so it`s easy to bring in.

If you can`t get your R/O indoors I would get a better heater as I heard that if they freze it can do perment damage.

Kev

Title: Re: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: Old_Master on November 19, 2005, 07:17:36 pm
If the R O freezies up its the end of the membranes, and filters and probably the housings as well as they will crack.
Title: Re: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: clearview window c on November 19, 2005, 09:16:10 pm
have bubble wrapped ro, put on a quilt, got the paraffin heater, and popped in a hot water bottle, fingers crossed. :-\
Title: Re: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: gaza on November 19, 2005, 11:01:39 pm
Whats wrong with calor gas heaters?got a grill and two burners to fit to van,then during the day toast and a cuppa.

     gaza
Title: Re: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: mick hay on November 19, 2005, 11:06:25 pm
i asked about calor gas. was told that when the air changes to a certain degree it automatically shuts off as a safety  measure, when there isnt much oxygen about, and as it would be in the van, the air would change quick cos of the small area, then your heater would be off most of the night!!!
Title: Re: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: gaza on November 19, 2005, 11:10:17 pm
FAIR COMMENT,QUITE PLAUSABLE >:( DAM BACK TO DRAWING BOARD

    GAZA
Title: Re: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: chris@c.m.s on November 20, 2005, 12:10:51 am
i asked about calor gas. was told that when the air changes to a certain degree it automatically shuts off as a safety  measure, when there isnt much oxygen about, and as it would be in the van, the air would change quick cos of the small area, then your heater would be off most of the night!!!
you could leave a window open a little thus supplying the oxygen required.
Title: Re: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: gaza on November 20, 2005, 08:17:08 am
Thought about fitting one of those roof mounted whirley roof vents
gaza ::)
Title: Re: how safe are paraffin heaters
Post by: clearview window c on November 23, 2005, 11:39:04 pm
now got a paraffin heater, down low, 4 hot water bottles, and a quilt, just sang my ro a lullaby and im now going to bed. night night ;)