Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: mark m on February 06, 2012, 02:39:08 pm

Title: immersion heater and video
Post by: mark m on February 06, 2012, 02:39:08 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxrgYEurE3A&feature=youtu.be

I just brought a second van and i was going to set it up over the next few weeks i kept seeing threads asking about immersion heaters etc so i thought go for it i will make a video  my mrs and kids have not stoped taking the p all day was it a mistake ?
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: Tom White on February 06, 2012, 02:44:31 pm
Thanks, Mark; I liked it, but would've liked to see how you connect the wires 'n' plug socket!   ;D
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: mark m on February 06, 2012, 02:52:53 pm
cheers , that would be if the mrs stops laughing the 3rd video after i have boxed the tank in
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: carl stanton on February 06, 2012, 02:58:19 pm
cheers , that would be if the mrs stops laughing the 3rd video after i have boxed the tank in
I can understand her laughing at you  ;D (feel the love)

at least it is not scowling or crying!!!

i like the way you blame the toys as your boys!!

not aloud to play with em any more are you!!  ;D
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on February 06, 2012, 04:05:13 pm
Nice one & it's good for people to see it in reality as the prospect of drilling a big hole in one's tank is quite daunting at first! ;D

I must note though- your flange is NOT a mechanical flange, it's just a rear nut/washer. ;)
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: mark m on February 06, 2012, 04:41:25 pm
YOU ARE RIGHT IT IS NOT A MECANICAL FLANGE  :-[ SAID THE WRONG THING MUST HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT TO MANY RECENT THREADS AND PICKED UP THE WRONG WORD   :-[ :-[ PLUS NERVOUS
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: clean on February 06, 2012, 04:44:37 pm
It is still a flange just not a mechanical flange,i have the same one fitted to mine i used heat resistant silicone and sealed everything and no leaks at all  :)  ;)
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: Tom White on February 06, 2012, 05:00:48 pm
Guys, I've ordered this so far:

Flange (great word that!)
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Heating/Central+Heating/Immersion+Heater+Flange+2+14/d230/sd2708/p31429

27" thermostat:
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Heating/Central+Heating/Immersion+Heater+Resettable+Thermostat+27/d230/sd2708/p40149

What else would you suggest in the way of cabling and connections?  I've got a heavy duty extension cable I can use (13 amp), also a really heavy duty caravan cable - I've ran high powered heaters from it and kettles.

So, do I need anything else; such as cutting equipment.  I've got a drill, but what about the drill piece holey thing?
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: AuRavelling79 on February 06, 2012, 05:08:32 pm
Get the box spanner in piccy one to drive it in. Get a 6" adjustable hole cutter (plastic and wood) for the drill.

You can use mine if you want if you can afford the bridge toll and the twenty mile round trip!  ;D

Do you really want a 27"? Will it "miss" all your baffles. I used an 11".
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: mark m on February 06, 2012, 05:13:50 pm
Get the box spanner in piccy one to drive it in. Get a 6" adjustable hole cutter (plastic and wood) for the drill.

You can use mine if you want if you can afford the bridge toll and the twenty mile round trip!  ;D

Do you really want a 27"? Will it "miss" all your baffles. I used an 11".


completly true  you might hit baffles on my 350lt  tank the biggest i could fit is a 14` inch
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: mark m on February 06, 2012, 05:18:38 pm
Guys, I've ordered this so far:

Flange (great word that!)
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Heating/Central+Heating/Immersion+Heater+Flange+2+14/d230/sd2708/p31429

27" thermostat:
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Heating/Central+Heating/Immersion+Heater+Resettable+Thermostat+27/d230/sd2708/p40149

What else would you suggest in the way of cabling and connections?  I've got a heavy duty extension cable I can use (13 amp), also a really heavy duty caravan cable - I've ran high powered heaters from it and kettles.

So, do I need anything else; such as cutting equipment.  I've got a drill, but what about the drill piece holey thing?





if you want pay the postage you can borrow mine only used it today for one hole
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: Tom White on February 06, 2012, 05:39:55 pm

if you want pay the postage you can borrow mine only used it today for one hole


That's kind of you to offer, Mark, but I'll just buy one; it saves fannying about.

Thanks though.
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: Tom White on February 06, 2012, 05:41:38 pm
Get the box spanner in piccy one to drive it in. Get a 6" adjustable hole cutter (plastic and wood) for the drill.

You can use mine if you want if you can afford the bridge toll and the twenty mile round trip!  ;D

Do you really want a 27"? Will it "miss" all your baffles. I used an 11".

Good point, Gold; I guess I could put the longer one 'on the side', so it runs parallel with the baffles.  But my lazy head is saying that I'll need to take the tank out of the van - at least partially - to get to the side of the tank to drill 'n' stuff.

I think I'll go for the smaller option if yours works fine.
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: Tom White on February 06, 2012, 05:42:57 pm
Get the box spanner in piccy one to drive it in. Get a 6" adjustable hole cutter (plastic and wood) for the drill.

You can use mine if you want if you can afford the bridge toll and the twenty mile round trip!  ;D

I'll get the box spanner; cheers, and I'll buy a hole cutter; cheers for your offer too.
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: Tom White on February 06, 2012, 05:45:28 pm
D'yu reckon this hole cutter is upto the job?

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Adjustable+Hole+Cutter/p44999

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v737/tosh0987/44999.jpg)
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: carl stanton on February 06, 2012, 05:47:13 pm
D'yu reckon this hole cutter is upto the job?

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Adjustable+Hole+Cutter/p44999

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v737/tosh0987/44999.jpg)

just dont push to hard with it
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: keyser soze on February 06, 2012, 05:47:35 pm
nice video i liked it
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on February 06, 2012, 05:53:29 pm
D'yu reckon this hole cutter is upto the job?

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Adjustable+Hole+Cutter/p44999

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v737/tosh0987/44999.jpg)

I would buy the hole saw as in the video. You'll also need the arbour to make it fit your drill too if you haven't already got one.

Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on February 06, 2012, 05:59:24 pm
Also be careful which spanner you buy.

The proper "box" spanner, which has a bar go through it to lever with will not fit once the cable is fitted the the element- & you REALY want to fit the cable first as it'll be too tricky to do it "in-situ".

You want the one that looks like a big spanner with a handle on it & you should then be able to slide the cable through it.

I used a big pair of stilsons instead, I have the "box" spanner so I speak from experience! ;)
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: LWC on February 06, 2012, 06:16:33 pm
Guys, I've ordered this so far:

Flange (great word that!)
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Heating/Central+Heating/Immersion+Heater+Flange+2+14/d230/sd2708/p31429

27" thermostat:
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Heating/Central+Heating/Immersion+Heater+Resettable+Thermostat+27/d230/sd2708/p40149

What else would you suggest in the way of cabling and connections?  I've got a heavy duty extension cable I can use (13 amp), also a really heavy duty caravan cable - I've ran high powered heaters from it and kettles.

So, do I need anything else; such as cutting equipment.  I've got a drill, but what about the drill piece holey thing?

Tosh i got a 27 in my 350 going in through top. Its not far off the bottom and works well, would probably work better if was across the bottom of the tank to heat from bottom up but works all the same.
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: Cliff perkins on February 06, 2012, 06:26:50 pm
I found a great site for bits www.goFixit.co.uk they sell mechanical flanges i got 1 on the way aswell as a immersion heater be fitting it somepoint this week,will takes pics.
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: mark m on February 06, 2012, 08:46:06 pm
Thanks for some of the postive  comments  ;D ;D  I tried
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on February 06, 2012, 08:47:07 pm
Thanks for some of the postive  comments  ;D ;D  I tried

You've done a great job mate. You need to make part two now. :)
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: AuRavelling79 on February 06, 2012, 10:57:05 pm
That hole cutter looks like a 12" - which will work - but you will want the hole cut low down and as it spins round it will hit the van floor. Try to get a 6" one.

I couldn't - so bought the 12" and just used a hacksaw to cut it down to a smaller one. Simples.
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: Tom White on February 06, 2012, 10:58:19 pm
Cheers, Gold.  If I've got to slide the tank back, I will; it's only fixed in with load straps.  Yee Haaaaaa!
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: Window Washers on February 07, 2012, 07:46:55 am
Great Video if more people did this it would help alot more people out.

Step by step viewing is fantastic although just now I would not give up your day job  ;D

Thank you for making this for us.   :)
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: Roy Cauldery on February 07, 2012, 10:54:35 pm
Good video,its given me the kick up the backside I needed:have arranged with a plumber mate to come and do my vans as I have zero confidence with power tool!! Just can't keep battling the elements every day, it's start to grate after a while
One question? Do you guys who have this fitted have the temp ramped up or just ticking a few degrees over freezing?

Regards
Roy -Phoenix cleaning
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: Gav Camm lammy 283 on February 07, 2012, 11:31:35 pm
roy thought u wanted propex m8 ;)
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: CraigBlues on February 07, 2012, 11:43:23 pm
Tempted by an Immersion Heater in tank, does it work well?

How much does it cost to run roughly? Wire to leisure batter or mains?
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: dazmond on February 08, 2012, 07:42:03 am
it looks pretty easy and straightforward to do although i think ill get a plumber mate of mine to fit one on my tank if i decide to go for it.

do you leave the immersion on all night or is there some sort of timer device?what happens if it develops a fault and leaves water on all night?would you have boiling water and completely ruin the tank?and how safe are they?

up to now i havent missed a days work due to the cold weather with a cold system.i simply put radiator in van over night with a duvet over top of tank.

im starting a bit later when its -3 outside but surely with any system whether hot/cold it will still freeze on the glass/in the hose?ive not even had any frozen jets this year!
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: Cliff perkins on February 08, 2012, 08:25:01 am
If it works for u daz dont do it . Simples
Every1 else if you loose days do it .simples
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: Dave. on February 08, 2012, 09:17:58 am
Nice one Mark, keep going with the videos - perhaps the forum could have a sub-section to store all the videos like this in one place

My immersion was on last night - went down to just over -4 degrees, I'm just waiting for the temperature to go above freezing then I'll be off with warm water for most of the day
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: G & M on February 08, 2012, 10:16:34 am
What is the biggest immersion heater that can be used off a normal socket , and how big an immersion heater would be needed for a 1000ltr tank. I have been thinking about using a solar panel for some time, has anyone tried it?
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: Roy Cauldery on February 08, 2012, 03:15:13 pm
roy thought u wanted propex m8 ;)

Hi Gav
would love to,but need to canvass a couple of hundred new customers to pay for that sort of outlay at present!!Obviously they wont know they are paying for it, but I have to work with the budget I got in front of me.
We are going to trial it on one van and see how it goes(our self install) and take it from there.I got another van coming in two weeks with a view to another self install and might splash out on one for that at the end of (hopefully productive)year.Might team it up with a fogwash/propex but will have to monitor the reports from the field

Roy 8)
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: Tom White on February 09, 2012, 11:01:55 am
That hole cutter looks like a 12" - which will work - but you will want the hole cut low down and as it spins round it will hit the van floor. Try to get a 6" one.

I couldn't - so bought the 12" and just used a hacksaw to cut it down to a smaller one. Simples.

I emptied the tank - it was quite a job - and removed it to cut the hole; unfortunately I cut the hole too big; I'm a Geordie.

I measured the hole I wanted using the O Ring thingy; the flange; using the tips of cutting tool.  Unfortunately I did not notice that the cutting tool widens at a point lower than the tips, which meant my hole was bigger than the tips!

I think it'll be okay; I covered the seal with an exterior silicone filler, last night, but it's still tacky and I want to give it 24 hours before I re-fill my tank. 

It'll be Spring before I get out to work at this rate!  >:( ;D
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on February 09, 2012, 11:40:04 am
That hole cutter looks like a 12" - which will work - but you will want the hole cut low down and as it spins round it will hit the van floor. Try to get a 6" one.

I couldn't - so bought the 12" and just used a hacksaw to cut it down to a smaller one. Simples.

I emptied the tank - it was quite a job - and removed it to cut the hole; unfortunately I cut the hole too big; I'm a Geordie.

I measured the hole I wanted using the O Ring thingy; the flange; using the tips of cutting tool.  Unfortunately I did not notice that the cutting tool widens at a point lower than the tips, which meant my hole was bigger than the tips!

I think it'll be okay; I covered the seal with an exterior silicone filler, last night, but it's still tacky and I want to give it 24 hours before I re-fill my tank. 

It'll be Spring before I get out to work at this rate!  >:( ;D


That's the beauty of a hole saw Tosh, the drill piece centers it so it can't go off course & the hole is precise! ;D
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: Tom White on February 09, 2012, 12:05:05 pm
That hole cutter looks like a 12" - which will work - but you will want the hole cut low down and as it spins round it will hit the van floor. Try to get a 6" one.

I couldn't - so bought the 12" and just used a hacksaw to cut it down to a smaller one. Simples.

I emptied the tank - it was quite a job - and removed it to cut the hole; unfortunately I cut the hole too big; I'm a Geordie.

I measured the hole I wanted using the O Ring thingy; the flange; using the tips of cutting tool.  Unfortunately I did not notice that the cutting tool widens at a point lower than the tips, which meant my hole was bigger than the tips!

I think it'll be okay; I covered the seal with an exterior silicone filler, last night, but it's still tacky and I want to give it 24 hours before I re-fill my tank. 

It'll be Spring before I get out to work at this rate!  >:( ;D


That's the beauty of a hole saw Tosh, the drill piece centers it so it can't go off course & the hole is precise! ;D

That drill piece does the same; it has a central drill so that it can't go off course.  It was my Geordieness, not the tool, that made the hole to big.  The tool worked brilliantly; it was user error.  :-[
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on February 09, 2012, 12:31:07 pm
That hole cutter looks like a 12" - which will work - but you will want the hole cut low down and as it spins round it will hit the van floor. Try to get a 6" one.

I couldn't - so bought the 12" and just used a hacksaw to cut it down to a smaller one. Simples.

I emptied the tank - it was quite a job - and removed it to cut the hole; unfortunately I cut the hole too big; I'm a Geordie.

I measured the hole I wanted using the O Ring thingy; the flange; using the tips of cutting tool.  Unfortunately I did not notice that the cutting tool widens at a point lower than the tips, which meant my hole was bigger than the tips!

I think it'll be okay; I covered the seal with an exterior silicone filler, last night, but it's still tacky and I want to give it 24 hours before I re-fill my tank. 

It'll be Spring before I get out to work at this rate!  >:( ;D


That's the beauty of a hole saw Tosh, the drill piece centers it so it can't go off course & the hole is precise! ;D

That drill piece does the same; it has a central drill so that it can't go off course.  It was my Geordieness, not the tool, that made the hole to big.  The tool worked brilliantly; it was user error.  :-[

 ;D ;D

You should be ok mate, how much bigger is the hole & are you using a "mechanical" flange?
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: mark m on February 09, 2012, 04:09:05 pm
That hole cutter looks like a 12" - which will work - but you will want the hole cut low down and as it spins round it will hit the van floor. Try to get a 6" one.

I couldn't - so bought the 12" and just used a hacksaw to cut it down to a smaller one. Simples.

I emptied the tank - it was quite a job - and removed it to cut the hole; unfortunately I cut the hole too big; I'm a Geordie.

I measured the hole I wanted using the O Ring thingy; the flange; using the tips of cutting tool.  Unfortunately I did not notice that the cutting tool widens at a point lower than the tips, which meant my hole was bigger than the tips!

I think it'll be okay; I covered the seal with an exterior silicone filler, last night, but it's still tacky and I want to give it 24 hours before I re-fill my tank. 

It'll be Spring before I get out to work at this rate!  >:( ;D





65mm the size of the drill piece did you not watch the video lol ;D ;D

Thanks for some postive comments i will make part 2 next week i got to do my van any way so making a short video if it helps someone great next video i am going to fix my tank in the back of van ,i have never seen anybody do it like this before so get ready for a laugh  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: Tom White on February 09, 2012, 04:46:35 pm

65mm the size of the drill piece did you not watch the video lol ;D ;D


Yeh, of course I did, and then I did it my way and messed it up.  Why should I change a habit of a life time?  :-[

Anyway, I've bodged it and my tank is filling up as I type; hopefully with no leaks.
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: Cliff perkins on February 09, 2012, 05:02:04 pm
I cut my hole at 64 mm and screwed the mechanical flange in but it was tight turning it,i then put the other side in and tightened it up then i added the immersion heater tried it all last night and there was a slight drip from the immersion heater gasket so i put some ptfe tape around the immersion thread today so fingers crossed that be ok.by the way all you guys using mastic with the mechanical flange theres no need to it doesnt leak,well it doesnt on mine lol.
I had it on last night full whack for 4 hours but it heated the water unevenly so im going to put it on tonight at 40c all night and see what that does.
Do you guys seal the breather hole in your lids to your tanks or do you all just leave it as it is.
Also how many of you lag your tanks ?
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: Tom White on February 09, 2012, 05:29:29 pm
No leaks; I plugged it in; no explosions either.  How cool is that?

I don't know if it's working or not yet; I'll leave it for two hours and see how the water is after that.

Good questions from Cliff, particularly the lagging one and the 'leaving it on all night' at a reduced thermostat temperature.  Anyone do this?
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: FCS on February 09, 2012, 05:41:57 pm
No leaks; I plugged it in; no explosions either.  How cool is that?

I don't know if it's working or not yet; I'll leave it for two hours and see how the water is after that.

Good questions from Cliff, particularly the lagging one and the 'leaving it on all night' at a reduced thermostat temperature.  Anyone do this?

WAYY cool, good feeling innit?

As for lagging, I have an old duvet sorta cut to fit the tank, keeps everything toasty.

And as for timing, I have mine set to come on at half five till half eight in the morning, just checked, it's still tepid now at half five p.m...
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on February 09, 2012, 06:09:53 pm
Things to note-

Your water WILL heat unevenly, unless you wanna get in & stir it up that's just how it's gonna be. :) As soon as you set off it will all mix & all the water will become equal in temp.

There are factors which will determine how long it will take for your water to heat-

Immersion placement

Size, shape & orientation of tank

Element size & wattage.

Personally, I dont insulate my tank because it's worth more to me as a van heater & even in my uninsulated tank the water stays warm all day. Supple hoses & a frost-free system is what gets me out at 9am. ;)

Tosh, dont expect much to happen after just 2 hours, you probably wouldn't even notice a difference- the next 2 hours (if continuous for 4 hours) is where it happens.
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: Tom White on February 09, 2012, 06:18:09 pm
Thanks, Win, I checked it after one hour with a torch, the water wasn't freezing cold, but it was still cold; however bubbles are coming off the element, so it's working.

Cheers for the four hour tip.
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on February 09, 2012, 06:22:24 pm
And just another note- are you guys using proper heat resistant immersion cable for the short length that is connected to the actual element?
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: Tom White on February 09, 2012, 06:30:15 pm
And just another note- are you guys using proper heat resistant immersion cable for the short length that is connected to the actual element?

I dunno, I just bought the heaviest cable and extension cable that Wilkinson's supplied!

I know I know...
Title: Re: immersion heater and video
Post by: Cliff perkins on February 09, 2012, 06:45:49 pm
Yep mines heat resistant,is the idea of leaving it on at 40c all night no good then as i read somebody else does it on here.