Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: bassjamm on November 04, 2012, 10:16:54 pm

Title: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: bassjamm on November 04, 2012, 10:16:54 pm
Hi all,

I'm looking into options for keeping my WFP system in my van from freezing up over winter as I'm about to move out and won't have any allocated parking nearby.

I've never really looked into Hot Water setups.  Can these be left on over night to keep the water from freezing?

Any ideas on stand alone options for keeping the chill off during the winter months?

Thanks in advance.

Jamie
Title: Re: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: dave0123 on November 05, 2012, 05:39:30 am
An old duvet something like that helps maybe a few hot water bottles inside the duvet depend s on how cold it is. Or maybe just an electric heater on frost start
Title: Re: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: Mike #1 on November 05, 2012, 06:48:39 am
First of all mate is you RO fitted in your van if so then you need to set up a static tank at home and heat the water in their using a 1 Kw aquarium heater which is capable of heating 500 ltrs of water , Then transfer water each morning .

Then you need to insulate van tank as well as your static tank i am going to buy some thermal bubble wrap from B & Q and possibly some of the recycled plastic loft insulation plus i have a double duvet to through over .

I have a 400 ltr flat tank in the back of a L200 Trojan so it will be easier for i think . Mike




Title: Re: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: Ian Sheppard on November 05, 2012, 10:06:34 am
Hi all,

I'm looking into options for keeping my WFP system in my van from freezing up over winter as I'm about to move out and won't have any allocated parking nearby.

I've never really looked into Hot Water setups.  Can these be left on over night to keep the water from freezing?

Any ideas on stand alone options for keeping the chill off during the winter months?

Thanks in advance.

Jamie

There are systems out there which you can leave on overnight, as long as you have some thermostatic controll over temperature.
A hot water system with a gas or diesel heater is on way to go. Also bear in mind moving water is less likely to freeze than standing water.
There is also the option of a pump box so you can take in the pump and hose reels overnight. There are plenty of good posts on here covering these subjects
Title: Re: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: Ian Sheppard on November 05, 2012, 10:09:52 am
This post is a good place to start as it links into other discussions.

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=160405.0

Title: Re: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: clive82 on November 05, 2012, 02:37:38 pm
simple heater sorted!
Title: Re: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: bassjamm on November 05, 2012, 05:56:40 pm
Thanks for the reply folks.

As I mentioned in my original post, I won't have any allocated parking so putting a heater in the van (as I currently do) isn't an option.  I don't have the filters in my van so that's not an issue, but taking the reel and pumps out isn't an option either.

As for the hot water running off gas/diesel...how much noise would these options make?  I ask because say a van is parked on a road and it's making noise in the middle of the night, firstly, is it going to disturb anyone?  And secondly, it's going to attract attention to it from the wrong sort of characters, so a break in would be inevitable I'd imagine.

Any more thoughts or help would be most welcome though.

I'll look at the links at the insulation options.

Thanks
Jamie
Title: Re: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: Gav Camm lammy 283 on November 05, 2012, 06:05:27 pm
fit a propex 2000 simples ;)
Title: Re: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: bassjamm on November 05, 2012, 06:21:56 pm
Thanks for that...any idea how much they cost to run?
Title: Re: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: Gav Camm lammy 283 on November 05, 2012, 07:00:44 pm
mine used 2 11kg gas bottles last winter ;)
Title: Re: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: SPE on November 05, 2012, 11:47:14 pm
Thanks for the reply folks.

As I mentioned in my original post, I won't have any allocated parking so putting a heater in the van (as I currently do) isn't an option.  I don't have the filters in my van so that's not an issue, but taking the reel and pumps out isn't an option either.

As for the hot water running off gas/diesel...how much noise would these options make?  I ask because say a van is parked on a road and it's making noise in the middle of the night, firstly, is it going to disturb anyone?  And secondly, it's going to attract attention to it from the wrong sort of characters, so a break in would be inevitable I'd imagine.

Any more thoughts or help would be most welcome though.

I'll look at the links at the insulation options.

Thanks
Jamie

I am in a similar position as you
I have never needed to insulate my 650 ltr tank (down south)
I do however turn off the tank outlet and drain my hose reel and pump each night when below freezing . If I cannot get all the water out the reel I prime all the hoses and pump overnight with a 50/50 mix of anti freeze (keep it in a 25 ltr barrel to re use) and just re connect in the morning and flush with pure for a minute or two. Thats if its really bad but most times all I've had to do is stick the van heater on full blast for first 30 mins in the morning or driving to first job and alls nice and warm
Title: Re: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: Mike #1 on November 06, 2012, 06:01:54 am
Not so lucky up north it has been -3 already on sunday it never got above +2 hose from pump to reel was frozen yesterday . Mike
Title: Re: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: Gav Camm lammy 283 on November 06, 2012, 06:19:39 am
Aarh the joys of propex heaters
Mrs used to hit the roof me
Dragging two hose reels
Two 25l Di vessels in the kitchen
Now simple connect gas bottle
Set the desired temp , can even use
During travel so simple
Bit pricey I admit but keeps me
Working in all weathers
Title: Re: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: david wood on November 06, 2012, 06:33:06 am
are they easy to fit gav ?
Title: Re: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: Nathanael Jones on November 06, 2012, 08:38:09 am
Why get a propex heater????

You can get a fogwash (or similar) and a frost controller for less money than a propex would cost on its own,.. and have a hot wfp system as well as a way to keep it from freezing overnight.

There's even a step by step guide on how to make your own frost protect flow controller on another forum - the parts only cost about £45!
Title: Re: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: Carl@Cwc on November 06, 2012, 08:47:31 am
Why get a propex heater????

You can get a fogwash (or similar) and a frost controller for less money than a propex would cost on its own,.. and have a hot wfp system as well as a way to keep it from freezing overnight.

There's even a step by step guide on how to make your own frost protect flow controller on another forum - the parts only cost about £45!

link this up m8 or mail me pls
Title: Re: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: Nathanael Jones on November 06, 2012, 09:23:22 am
Why get a propex heater????

You can get a fogwash (or similar) and a frost controller for less money than a propex would cost on its own,.. and have a hot wfp system as well as a way to keep it from freezing overnight.

There's even a step by step guide on how to make your own frost protect flow controller on another forum - the parts only cost about £45!

link this up m8 or mail me pls

I'd prob get banned for posting a link,. so you have mail!
Title: Re: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: Gav Camm lammy 283 on November 06, 2012, 03:10:05 pm
are they easy to fit gav ?

super easy n maintance free ;) ;)
Title: Re: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: Nathanael Jones on November 06, 2012, 04:45:05 pm
are they easy to fit gav ?

super easy n maintance free ;) ;)

Do you have shares in the company Gav?

It just doesn't make sense to me when you can get a hot water system AND frost protection cheaper!
Title: Re: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: JackieW on November 06, 2012, 04:56:21 pm
How/where  do you buy a ''fogwash''?
Title: Re: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: Nathanael Jones on November 06, 2012, 08:57:03 pm
How/where  do you buy a ''fogwash''?

Peter Fogwill used to sell them, but aparently he's not getting any new stock in this year.

I know someone who has just got one of these & reckons its just as good:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140726329598?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_nkw%%E2%80%8B3D140726329598%26_rdc%3D1
Title: Re: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: bassjamm on November 06, 2012, 09:37:32 pm
Why get a propex heater????

You can get a fogwash (or similar) and a frost controller for less money than a propex would cost on its own,.. and have a hot wfp system as well as a way to keep it from freezing overnight.

There's even a step by step guide on how to make your own frost protect flow controller on another forum - the parts only cost about £45!

Mail sent...
Title: Re: Stopping My System From Freezing
Post by: Gav Camm lammy 283 on November 06, 2012, 10:50:05 pm
are they easy to fit gav ?

super easy n maintance free ;) ;)


not at all nat i just think they are immense
do me a favour nat drop me an email think i owe subs
wud be gud to chat to  ;)
Do you have shares in the company Gav?

It just doesn't make sense to me when you can get a hot water system AND frost protection cheaper!