Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: mufcglen on September 17, 2014, 10:02:04 pm

Title: insulating van
Post by: mufcglen on September 17, 2014, 10:02:04 pm
has anyone insulated theyre van walls,floors etc and if so has it helped in the freezing conditions?
Title: Re: insulating van
Post by: H20cleaning on September 17, 2014, 10:20:43 pm
I just seperate my van in half with brick insulation then put a small oil filled radiator in overnight on low
Title: Re: insulating van
Post by: Timmy Boy on September 17, 2014, 10:44:47 pm
Did it for my Truckmount, biggest ball ache is the roof! But well worth it
Title: Re: insulating van
Post by: richard groves on September 18, 2014, 10:15:33 am
Being unable to heat my van over night, I did try once to insulate it and tbh it had very little effect.
Heat has to be present for the insulation to retain it and even then I think the insulation would have to be fairly sustantial and thorough.
So I took a different approach, being a simple diy system without an onboard ro, it was easier to isolate tank and drain system down on cold nights. I mounted pump and controller on a board thats quick release so can be taken in at night and a van mounted removeable hose reel, my situation does not really require anything else even if we have a cold winter.
Title: Re: insulating van
Post by: Richard Stevenson on September 18, 2014, 12:30:35 pm
A standard wheel base vivario will fit in a single garage just. These no better insulation from the cold and thieves.
Title: Re: insulating van
Post by: mufcglen on September 18, 2014, 05:49:25 pm
thing is if i started removing bits to take inside, i'd be there all night and all morning with twin di bottles too!
Title: Re: insulating van
Post by: Mike #1 on September 18, 2014, 07:19:28 pm
21ft garage is all I need plus a winter duvet chucked over tank and pump , I have a feeling in my bones this winter is going to be a ruff one . Mike
Title: Re: insulating van
Post by: Susan Dean (1stclean) on September 18, 2014, 07:33:16 pm
just fit a diesel night  heater in like I do to my truck mounts its just a quick turn on and good bye cold
Title: Re: insulating van
Post by: dazmond on September 20, 2014, 09:15:28 am
oil filled radiator on overnight if temperature is below -2.thats it.leave all equipment in the back of van.

if its -10 or even lower then i bring in pumpbox,reel,pole and throw a duvet over tank as well.


simple. ;D ;D
Title: Re: insulating van
Post by: H20cleaning on September 20, 2014, 09:31:35 am
A few winters ago when we had that big freeze i left about 100litres of pure in the tank... I had about 10 days off went back in my van and it was frozen solid
Title: Re: insulating van
Post by: Susan Dean (1stclean) on September 20, 2014, 10:27:33 am
never had a problem with the night heaters , and our tanks are steel so they hold the cold , its great getting up see everybodys car covered in 6 inc of snow and your van with northing on it lol
Title: Re: insulating van
Post by: jimiwindows on September 20, 2014, 10:44:21 am
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1411205966_transit-custom-refrigerated-van-conversion-by-coolvan-(page-picture-large).jpg)

What if you had a refrigerated van if it keeps cold in would it keep cold out just a thought.
Title: Re: insulating van
Post by: H20cleaning on September 20, 2014, 01:41:32 pm
You could always get a plasterer to insulate the van and plaster Board over, then you could even buy some wall paper make it feel at home!

Or you could just stick a small oil filled radiator on
Title: Re: insulating van
Post by: mufcglen on September 20, 2014, 07:17:03 pm
hi guys, after all the comments im just gonna get an oil filled radiator with a thermostat built in and then maybe put a timer on it too so its not on all night and also fit a lpg gas heater and hopefully that will sort most issues oh and wrap all pipes with that foam from b&q!!
Title: Re: insulating van
Post by: Perfect Windows on September 20, 2014, 07:35:02 pm
hi guys, after all the comments im just gonna get an oil filled radiator with a thermostat built in and then maybe put a timer on it too so its not on all night and also fit a lpg gas heater and hopefully that will sort most issues oh and wrap all pipes with that foam from b&q!!

I use this: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4153238.htm

My problem with oil radiators is that they don't generate enough turbulence.  The heat rises straight to the roof of the van and spreads out.  The fan heater has a thermostat so you can set it just to keep the van frost free and fills the van with warm air from top to bottom.  I put it on the 1Kw setting and point it at the tank (from a reasonable distance, of course)

Vin
Title: Re: insulating van
Post by: H20cleaning on September 20, 2014, 08:09:52 pm
I know many people using a oil filled radiator mate and no one ever has problems.
I deffo want a hot water system just to keep the pipes from coiling and freezing! Plus theres nothing worse than cold water running down your sleeve when its 2 degrees haha
Title: Re: insulating van
Post by: Plankton on September 20, 2014, 09:41:29 pm
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1411205966_transit-custom-refrigerated-van-conversion-by-coolvan-(page-picture-large).jpg)

What if you had a refrigerated van if it keeps cold in would it keep cold out just a thought.
I've never paid any attention to them, but you have a fair point there. I have driven temperature controlled HGV's but I'm unsure what insulation they had.
Title: Re: insulating van
Post by: Perfect Windows on September 20, 2014, 09:44:06 pm
I know many people using a oil filled radiator mate and no one ever has problems.
I deffo want a hot water system just to keep the pipes from coiling and freezing! Plus theres nothing worse than cold water running down your sleeve when its 2 degrees haha

I've used both and I find the fan heater significantly more effective.  Each to their own, though.

Vin
Title: Re: insulating van
Post by: tlwcs on September 20, 2014, 09:46:49 pm
So have I and have given away the oil filled one to my completion, bummer. ;D
Title: Re: insulating van
Post by: Mike #1 on September 21, 2014, 06:18:22 am
I know many people using a oil filled radiator mate and no one ever has problems.
I deffo want a hot water system just to keep the pipes from coiling and freezing! Plus theres nothing worse than cold water running down your sleeve when its 2 degrees haha

2 degrees that is still shorts weather -2 now thats a bit cold  ;D . Mike
Title: Re: insulating van
Post by: chanster00 on September 22, 2014, 12:12:24 pm
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1411384339_IMG_7407.JPG)