Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Lee Pryor on November 29, 2012, 03:31:16 pm
-
So after all that trying to buy 20 fogwash heaters from the maker of them in china, the woman decides to tell me at the last minute that their minimum order is 350 units!!!
I told her right from the start I wanted 20 so I dont know what went wrong there, so sorry guys.
I wanted a few myself and I have now bought from ebay the same ones that reach to clean sell called flamin hot. I paid £98 each for them rather than the £200 reach to clean want for the same thing.
Nathaniel Jones told me he had one that blew up! but I wanted 8L heaters with a round flue at the top to go out the roof of the van and these seemed like the best ones I could find on ebay. At that price I dont care if they only last a year as they will be very easy and cheap to replace.
I will be using 19kg propane bottles as these will last longer (we want to use hot on every house year round) and work out the cheapest for re-fills
-
What are the advantages of hot wash other than the obvious one of working in the cold?
-
do you have a link to these you brought lee
-
So after all that trying to buy 20 fogwash heaters from the maker of them in china, the woman decides to tell me at the last minute that their minimum order is 350 units!!!
I told her right from the start I wanted 20 so I dont know what went wrong there, so sorry guys.
I wanted a few myself and I have now bought from ebay the same ones that reach to clean sell called flamin hot. I paid £98 each for them rather than the £200 reach to clean want for the same thing.
Nathaniel Jones told me he had one that blew up! but I wanted 8L heaters with a round flue at the top to go out the roof of the van and these seemed like the best ones I could find on ebay. At that price I dont care if they only last a year as they will be very easy and cheap to replace.
I will be using 19kg propane bottles as these will last longer (we want to use hot on every house year round) and work out the cheapest for re-fills
why do you want to use hot all year round no point apart from really cold days like minus 10. do you get really cold winters where you are? just cant see the point.
-
For any one that is interested, this is the one I bought, I've been using it 4 weeks running 2 reels omfrom it. It has no 20 min timer, fires up perfectly, I am very please with it.
http://www.marey.com/productDetailsi.asp?productID=5
-
we want to use hot year round simply because its better and gives a more consistant finish. its so cheap we wont even notice the cost. Its when you come to that one window with baked on bird mess. we also do so many first cleans, fascia and con roof cleans.
here is the one I bought
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190757726216?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
it does have the 20min timer but my guys dont really spend longer than that at a house anyway and they are easy enough to reset by cutting the water off. If they die I will try the one lee has posted
-
For any one that is interested, this is the one I bought, I've been using it 4 weeks running 2 reels omfrom it. It has no 20 min timer, fires up perfectly, I am very please with it.
http://www.marey.com/productDetailsi.asp?productID=5
If i was to get one of these would there be enough ventilation for it just by leaving the back doors on the van open on each job while using it and can you only get them from the States??
-
For any one that is interested, this is the one I bought, I've been using it 4 weeks running 2 reels omfrom it. It has no 20 min timer, fires up perfectly, I am very please with it.
http://www.marey.com/productDetailsi.asp?productID=5
If i was to get one of these would there be enough ventilation for it just by leaving the back doors on the van open on each job while using it and can you only get them from the States??
Yes only from the states, and I use mine with the doors open and a semi riged flue pipe.
-
we want to use hot year round simply because its better and gives a more consistant finish. its so cheap we wont even notice the cost. Its when you come to that one window with baked on bird mess. we also do so many first cleans, fascia and con roof cleans.
here is the one I bought
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190757726216?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
it does have the 20min timer but my guys dont really spend longer than that at a house anyway and they are easy enough to reset by cutting the water off. If they die I will try the one lee has posted
iam just looking at the 6l one,what was the company like to deal with,any problems on delivery etc
-
Dont know yet as I only ordered yesterday. Im expecting them next week. I didnt know there was a 6l one, can you post a link please.
I wanted 8l as we use a high flow rate, again this is quality based, and we want to be able to run 2 poles from one heater is we need to.
-
Dont know yet as I only ordered yesterday. Im expecting them next week. I didnt know there was a 6l one, can you post a link please.
I wanted 8l as we use a high flow rate, again this is quality based, and we want to be able to run 2 poles from one heater is we need to.
a 6L will be absolutely fine for 2 reels, the one in the link i got is a 5L and we run it just under half with the water being 40deg at the brush head.
im sure you realise, but the one that you ordered as a 20 min cut off timer
-
Dont know yet as I only ordered yesterday. Im expecting them next week. I didnt know there was a 6l one, can you post a link please.
I wanted 8l as we use a high flow rate, again this is quality based, and we want to be able to run 2 poles from one heater is we need to.
its on ebay,or if you go to there website its in there
-
In the listing, it says to be used in a ventilated space OR flued.
Obviously with the back door open it would be ventilated. I know you said it hasn't turned up yet but are you planning to flue it or use it as is?
If unflued (is that a word?!) can you let me know how you get on please?
I'm using Morco d61b without a flue and unless you get the heat exactly right it cuts out, assume this is the thermostat.
Also, on the one you get, can you see if the 20 minute timer is bypassable?
Thanks in advance
ps-in the long run it'll be cheaper to buy an LPG kit like you would use to run the engine from and run from that rather than bottles.
i use bottles but a mate uses the stuff from the petrol station. His works out about half the cost over a couple of years.
www.laneswindowcleaning.com
-
Dont know yet as I only ordered yesterday. Im expecting them next week. I didnt know there was a 6l one, can you post a link please.
I wanted 8l as we use a high flow rate, again this is quality based, and we want to be able to run 2 poles from one heater is we need to.
a 6L will be absolutely fine for 2 reels, the one in the link i got is a 5L and we run it just under half with the water being 40deg at the brush head.
im sure you realise, but the one that you ordered as a 20 min cut off timer
are they worth having lee
-
In the listing, it says to be used in a ventilated space OR flued.
Obviously with the back door open it would be ventilated. I know you said it hasn't turned up yet but are you planning to flue it or use it as is?
If unflued (is that a word?!) can you let me know how you get on please?
I'm using Morco d61b without a flue and unless you get the heat exactly right it cuts out, assume this is the thermostat.
Also, on the one you get, can you see if the 20 minute timer is bypassable?
Thanks in advance
ps-in the long run it'll be cheaper to buy an LPG kit like you would use to run the engine from and run from that rather than bottles.
i use bottles but a mate uses the stuff from the petrol station. His works out about half the cost over a couple of years.
www.laneswindowcleaning.com
are they about £250 on ebay.i think i saw one
-
Dont know yet as I only ordered yesterday. Im expecting them next week. I didnt know there was a 6l one, can you post a link please.
I wanted 8l as we use a high flow rate, again this is quality based, and we want to be able to run 2 poles from one heater is we need to.
a 6L will be absolutely fine for 2 reels, the one in the link i got is a 5L and we run it just under half with the water being 40deg at the brush head.
im sure you realise, but the one that you ordered as a 20 min cut off timer
are they worth having lee
not sure what lee you meant :o but is what worth having
-
Dont know yet as I only ordered yesterday. Im expecting them next week. I didnt know there was a 6l one, can you post a link please.
I wanted 8l as we use a high flow rate, again this is quality based, and we want to be able to run 2 poles from one heater is we need to.
a 6L will be absolutely fine for 2 reels, the one in the link i got is a 5L and we run it just under half with the water being 40deg at the brush head.
im sure you realise, but the one that you ordered as a 20 min cut off timer
are they worth having lee
not sure what lee you meant :o but is what worth having
##
I think he means hot water
-
as I said up the thread i am putting a flu through the van roofs
Yes i know it has a 20 min timer. Im not sure why this is such an issue for people. just cut the water and it resets.
-
as I said up the thread i am putting a flu through the van roofs
Yes i know it has a 20 min timer. Im not sure why this is such an issue for people. just cut the water and it resets.
its good your doing that and not contemplating taking of this safety feature.
Do you know if when it cuts out does the water still flow or does it stop the water coming out ?
-
Do you know if when it cuts out does the water still flow or does it stop the water coming out ?
THE L5 STILL FLOWS WHEN THE HEATER CUTS OUT BUT AS LEE P SAID, ITS NOT AN ISSUE JUST TURNING THE FLOW OFF BETWEEN WINDOWS RESETS IT! ....ITS NO PROBLEM FOR ME *RUSSIAN ACCENT
-
THE L5 STILL FLOWS WHEN THE HEATER CUTS OUT BUT AS LEE P SAID, ITS NOT AN ISSUE JUST TURNING THE FLOW OFF BETWEEN WINDOWS RESETS IT! ....ITS NO PROBLEM FOR ME *RUSSIAN ACCENT
so you don't have to go back to the van and faff about turning it back on and lighting it ?
-
No you dont, there all the same, the water still flows its just the heat that cuts out. stoping the water flow at the pole end re sets the timer.
Since we are all domestic we dont clean for more than 20 min that often, and when we do we still cut the flow when moving around a house
-
No you dont, there all the same, the water still flows its just the heat that cuts out. stoping the water flow at the pole end re sets the timer.
Since we are all domestic we dont clean for more than 20 min that often, and when we do we still cut the flow when moving around a house
cheers, be watching this with interest the new year I will be doing shed load of new cleans when you setting this up ?
-
THE L5 STILL FLOWS WHEN THE HEATER CUTS OUT BUT AS LEE P SAID, ITS NOT AN ISSUE JUST TURNING THE FLOW OFF BETWEEN WINDOWS RESETS IT! ....ITS NO PROBLEM FOR ME *RUSSIAN ACCENT
so you don't have to go back to the van and faff about turning it back on and lighting it ?
NO NOT IF YOU TURN IT OFF BEFORE THE TIME OUT, BUT UNLESS ITS A LARGE COMMERCIAL YOU WILL GENERALLY TURN THE FLOW OFF AT SOME POINT IN THE 17 MINS (L5) GOING FROM FRONT TO BACK OF JOB FOR EXAMPLE. DEAD ENDING THE FLOW TURNS OFF THE HEATER WHEN IT SENSES WATER FLOW IT FIRES UP AGAIN.
-
im setting it up right now. when the heaters arrive next week all I need if the flu then down to the garden centre for the gas and the chap in the unit next to mine is a mechanic and will do a nice job of fitting it all in for me. I hope it will be all done by next weekend
-
im setting it up right now. when the heaters arrive next week all I need if the flu then down to the garden centre for the gas and the chap in the unit next to mine is a mechanic and will do a nice job of fitting it all in for me. I hope it will be all done by next weekend
whats the overall costs without the fitting ? and any chance you could video it Or photos ? When in pays and finished
-
Dont know yet as I only ordered yesterday. Im expecting them next week. I didnt know there was a 6l one, can you post a link please.
I wanted 8l as we use a high flow rate, again this is quality based, and we want to be able to run 2 poles from one heater is we need to.
a 6L will be absolutely fine for 2 reels, the one in the link i got is a 5L and we run it just under half with the water being 40deg at the brush head.
im sure you realise, but the one that you ordered as a 20 min cut off timer
are they worth having lee
not sure what lee you meant :o but is what worth having
sorry,the hot water system,do you think its a good investment,will you use it more and more or just for a few odd jobs etc
-
as I said up the thread i am putting a flu through the van roofs
Yes i know it has a 20 min timer. Im not sure why this is such an issue for people. just cut the water and it resets.
I Realise that it is not an issue with a one man setup, but if you are using 2 reels, then there is a good chance that the water will be running continuously for longer than 20 mins, and therefore the hot water will stop and you will have to wait for the hoses to heat up again.
It seems pointless having a hit system if it's going to cutoff, and you will not know about it, and then it takes a few mins for the hit water to come through again. (2 users only)
-
Dont know yet as I only ordered yesterday. Im expecting them next week. I didnt know there was a 6l one, can you post a link please.
I wanted 8l as we use a high flow rate, again this is quality based, and we want to be able to run 2 poles from one heater is we need to.
a 6L will be absolutely fine for 2 reels, the one in the link i got is a 5L and we run it just under half with the water being 40deg at the brush head.
im sure you realise, but the one that you ordered as a 20 min cut off timer
are they worth having lee
not sure what lee you meant :o but is what worth having
sorry,the hot water system,do you think its a good investment,will you use it more and more or just for a few odd jobs etc
Me personally, I think it's good, no freezing hoses in the winter, soft hoses, and it does clean quicker, it's really noticeable when you get snail trails how much less scrubbing they need. I will be using it all year.
-
By the way bob, I found a cheaper refillable gas bottle and external fill port of you are interested.
-
Do you know what fittings you will use on the van roof yet?
-
as I said up the thread i am putting a flu through the van roofs
Yes i know it has a 20 min timer. Im not sure why this is such an issue for people. just cut the water and it resets.
I Realise that it is not an issue with a one man setup, but if you are using 2 reels, then there is a good chance that the water will be running continuously for longer than 20 mins, and therefore the hot water will stop and you will have to wait for the hoses to heat up again.
It seems pointless having a hit system if it's going to cutoff, and you will not know about it, and then it takes a few mins for the hit water to come through again. (2 users only)
i think you have a sticky letter on your key board! ;D
-
For any one that is interested, this is the one I bought, I've been using it 4 weeks running 2 reels omfrom it. It has no 20 min timer, fires up perfectly, I am very please with it.
http://www.marey.com/productDetailsi.asp?productID=5
I'm not a tech person but is gas an issue could it be dangerous , it runs on gas right?
-
Dont know yet as I only ordered yesterday. Im expecting them next week. I didnt know there was a 6l one, can you post a link please.
I wanted 8l as we use a high flow rate, again this is quality based, and we want to be able to run 2 poles from one heater is we need to.
a 6L will be absolutely fine for 2 reels, the one in the link i got is a 5L and we run it just under half with the water being 40deg at the brush head.
im sure you realise, but the one that you ordered as a 20 min cut off timer
are they worth having lee
not sure what lee you meant :o but is what worth having
sorry,the hot water system,do you think its a good investment,will you use it more and more or just for a few odd jobs etc
Me personally, I think it's good, no freezing hoses in the winter, soft hoses, and it does clean quicker, it's really noticeable when you get snail trails how much less scrubbing they need. I will be using it all year.
to me it is just a good way to do first cleans a little quicker and to allow us to work a little longer in the colder weather.
Will I use it day in day out, I really cant see it as cold does a very good job already, I hope im totally wrong and it increases profit, I am not looking for perfection as its over rated
-
By the way bob, I found a cheaper refillable gas bottle and external fill port of you are interested.
i am lee gls
im thinking of doing a lot of changes next year and one off them is hot water so if you can give me some details regarding the re fill system much appreciated
windowservices@btinternet.com
-
For any one that is interested, this is the one I bought, I've been using it 4 weeks running 2 reels omfrom it. It has no 20 min timer, fires up perfectly, I am very please with it.
http://www.marey.com/productDetailsi.asp?productID=5
I'm not a tech person but is gas an issue could it be dangerous , it runs on gas right?
I can see the Benefit of Easier cleans but
Also how can you work longer when I'm sure hot water freezes faster then cold?
And with those pipes becoming soft could that cause an issue ?
So Also the danger factor question :)
I'm not against it I think ill go for it too if the questions to my answers basically work out ok
-
Hot does freeze quicker when we are talking about making ice cubes with boiling water, but for window cleaning it is not an issue as you will not be using the water that hot in the winter.
As long as you use the right hose from the heater to the reel there is no safety issue.
What danger factor question are you talking about? It is only a simple setup, no more dangerous than having a gas bottle and gas equipment in a caravan.
-
is it easy to setup maybe someone should make a video on youtube and show us ;D
danger im not sure i heard about crap blowing up so you are saying these wont catch fire or anything like that gas is flammable
-
3 connection- water in from pump, water out to reel, gas in from bottle. They are no more dangerous than a BBQ, the biggest safety issue is making sure the gas bottle is secured properly in the back of the van.
-
Why do peeps hang on to the lips of the one incidence and yet there are many more out there working perfectly. As a safety device I have a gas alarm I fitted which will pick up gas leeks and will also carbon monoxide all I will add is a fire extinguisher ,
I have fitted mine on my back door of my van which works well but I have had to fit covers on the sides of the gas heater unit and a flip up plate to direct the heat away from the body of the back door. This flap closes when the door closes.The unit has a heat meter on the boiler and switch at the bottom on the left hand side which I switch off when I close the back door. The only problem I had was the pressure building up in the hoses. You need to change the fitting on the system accordingly I seem to have go the system under control.John Guest fittings need inserts so one can keep the hoses from going soft a slipping out.
-
3 connection- water in from pump, water out to reel, gas in from bottle. They are no more dangerous than a BBQ, the biggest safety issue is making sure the gas bottle is secured properly in the back of the van.
biggest safety issue is making sure the gas bottle is secured properly in the back of the van.
so there is a danger factor?
-
3 connection- water in from pump, water out to reel, gas in from bottle. They are no more dangerous than a BBQ, the biggest safety issue is making sure the gas bottle is secured properly in the back of the van.
biggest safety issue is making sure the gas bottle is secured properly in the back of the van.
so there is a danger factor?
I give up, stop being an old woman and fit one :o
-
i say why re-invent the wheel , cold has been good enough for us til now and it will continue to be , it is just more expense and more to go wrong. Roll on the cold mornings with cold water ;D
-
i say why re-invent the wheel , cold has been good enough for us til now and it will continue to be , it is just more expense and more to go wrong. Roll on the cold mornings with cold water ;D
Trad used to be good enough until WFP came out ;)
-
i say why re-invent the wheel , cold has been good enough for us til now and it will continue to be , it is just more expense and more to go wrong. Roll on the cold mornings with cold water ;D
20 years ago. cleaning windows with a ladder and squeegy was the only way. 60 years ago, a chamois leather was the way to go. I'm sure that deionised water isn't the end of the window cleaning line. Maybe altrasonic cleaners will be next, who knows.
There is always the chance of a gas leak at the bottle not matter how slim, the reason why caravans always have their gas bottles on the towbar and not inside the van.
I personally would rather install an autogas Vapour tank with the inlet and outlet ports sealed behind a cover plate and vented outside. Filling would also be done outside. For those using portable refill gas bottles, this must be refilled with the bottle outside of the van.
-
i say why re-invent the wheel , cold has been good enough for us til now and it will continue to be , it is just more expense and more to go wrong. Roll on the cold mornings with cold water ;D
Trad used to be good enough until WFP came out ;)
Sorry Lee, you got there first :)
-
you see lee this is the thing , im crap at this sort of poop and i can just imagine my van blowing up and all my kit , wait a min forgot about me for a sec too ;D
as spuce said the word "gas leak"
-
Concept20's heater runs on gas I believe.
I would also hazard a guess that caravans have the gas bottle outside to reduce the risk of inhaling the stuff whilst you sleep should there be a leak.
-
you see lee this is the thing , im crap at this sort of poop and i can just imagine my van blowing up and all my kit , wait a min forgot about me for a sec too ;D
as spuce said the word "gas leak"
The gas regulator screws into the gas bottle's on/off valve and is sealed with a rubber o ring. A responsible operator will always check that o ring to make sure it hasn't started to deteriorate and crack or being damaged.
If this wasn't done each time, then their is a possibility of a gas leak if the regulator was assembled with a perished/damaged o ring. I also admit that this is based on experience in the caravan world over the past 50 years. I'm sure the quality of rubber o rings have improved during this time, but they can still be damaged during assembly.
-
I normally hold my cigarette really close to the gas cylinder and watch to see if the smoke blows off course.
-
I normally hold my cigarette really close to the gas cylinder and watch to see if the smoke blows off course.
;D A match works just as well if you don't smoke.
-
re: not re-inventing the wheel,
IMO hot water is one step to far for me , most of you are one man bands and want to tinker with your systems and make your working day easier and more interesting , i cant blame you for that and if i was out every day on the tools i would probably also want to take my system to the next stage and install a boiler. However for me cold water works and works well and i have 4 vans going out every day with cold water, over 2000 happy customers (well most of them are happy anyway) that get their windows cleaned with cold water. Like i said for me adding anything to this already succesful formula is pointless for me , maybe not for some of you though. I get your point about TRAD vs WFP etc however we are not talking about a change in working practices as great as this and all the benefits this brings.
What we are really discussing is
PRO
the windows may get cleaned quicker using hot water
easier for vans to thaw on frosty mornings
CONS
more expense (initial and ongoing)
logistical headaches in installing a boiler
more to go wrong
extra responsibility re dangers of using gas (especially if you have staff)
making a good and simple money making machine more comlicated than it needs to be.
Like i said for me hot water is not a good advance for my business and i wont be doing it.
-
re: not re-inventing the wheel,
IMO hot water is one step to far for me , most of you are one man bands and want to tinker with your systems and make your working day easier and more interesting , i cant blame you for that and if i was out every day on the tools i would probably also want to take my system to the next stage and install a boiler. However for me cold water works and works well and i have 4 vans going out every day with cold water, over 2000 happy customers (well most of them are happy anyway) that get their windows cleaned with cold water. Like i said for me adding anything to this already succesful formula is pointless for me , maybe not for some of you though. I get your point about TRAD vs WFP etc however we are not talking about a change in working practices as great as this and all the benefits this brings.
What we are really discussing is
PRO
the windows may get cleaned quicker using hot water
easier for vans to thaw on frosty mornings
CONS
more expense (initial and ongoing)
logistical headaches in installing a boiler
more to go wrong
extra responsibility re dangers of using gas (especially if you have staff)
making a good and simple money making machine more comlicated than it needs to be.
Like i said for me hot water is not a good advance for my business and i wont be doing it.
I think I would also stay away from hot water if I was in your situation.
-
Gas, bottle, bottle, gas.
Jus' like that.
-
Good god,i was searching what sticker to use if carrying a gas bottle,found the rules on it and am now taking mine out!!
http://www.bcga.co.uk/preview/publications/L12005.pdf
-
re: not re-inventing the wheel,
IMO hot water is one step to far for me , most of you are one man bands and want to tinker with your systems and make your working day easier and more interesting , i cant blame you for that and if i was out every day on the tools i would probably also want to take my system to the next stage and install a boiler. However for me cold water works and works well and i have 4 vans going out every day with cold water, over 2000 happy customers (well most of them are happy anyway) that get their windows cleaned with cold water. Like i said for me adding anything to this already succesful formula is pointless for me , maybe not for some of you though. I get your point about TRAD vs WFP etc however we are not talking about a change in working practices as great as this and all the benefits this brings.
What we are really discussing is
PRO
the windows may get cleaned quicker using hot water
easier for vans to thaw on frosty mornings
CONS
more expense (initial and ongoing)
logistical headaches in installing a boiler
more to go wrong
extra responsibility re dangers of using gas (especially if you have staff)
making a good and simple money making machine more comlicated than it needs to be.
Like i said for me hot water is not a good advance for my business and i wont be doing it.
very good points, great post . have you looked into it at all even though you are clearly not going to use it! I'm temped for the reasons I said above but it will come down to if it profits me or not because I agree with most of what you have written and has stopped me from doing it.
Healthy debate anyone no the extra profits involved.
-
I use hot wash its awesome!!
Balls to all the safety crap I've got half
A ton of water behind me and a tank
Full of fuel with me every day!!
If i crash the chances of the gas getting me
1st Is very small ...
Ill be flat as a pancake off the tank!
-
Good god,i was searching what sticker to use if carrying a gas bottle,found the rules on it and am now taking mine out!!
http://www.bcga.co.uk/preview/publications/L12005.pdf
Oh god! How will I get the barbecue gas home now? I must book myself on another training course before the Summer.
Hey, that could be day five on the NVQ course - how to use a hot system. Kerrrching!
-
Good god,i was searching what sticker to use if carrying a gas bottle,found the rules on it and am now taking mine out!!
http://www.bcga.co.uk/preview/publications/L12005.pdf
Oh god! How will I get the barbecue gas home now? I must book myself on another training course before the Summer.
Hey, that could be day five on the NVQ course - how to use a hot system. Kerrrching!
^_^ boring
-
Good god,i was searching what sticker to use if carrying a gas bottle,found the rules on it and am now taking mine out!!
http://www.bcga.co.uk/preview/publications/L12005.pdf
Oh god! How will I get the barbecue gas home now? I must book myself on another training course before the Summer.
Hey, that could be day five on the NVQ course - how to use a hot system. Kerrrching!
i take it you dont like courses ???
-
Didn't you read it?
http://www.bcga.co.uk/preview/publications/L12005.pdf
-
do they effect van insurence