Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: DaveG on November 27, 2014, 04:12:20 pm
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I've had my L5 for 3 or 4 years now and need another for the other van. Is this one used by anyone on here?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Portable-6L-LPG-Propane-Gas-Tankless-Instant-Hot-Water-Heater-Instant-Boiler-CE-/221354231025?
Seems a good price...
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I think they are all the same inside anyway.
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IV got this one used for one day so far so good il keep people posted on its quality, it requires a fair bit of flow, tho I just have a divirter tap back to tank fir excess water
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Cheers guys,
Yep, please keep us posted Dean.
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I'd buy it just for the free girl in a bath that it comes with.
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I was really gutted when she didn't turn up with the boiler I was looking forward to sharing a nice shower in the back of the van with her ;D
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You should see my boiler :-[ :-[
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You should see my boiler :-[ :-[
bunny!!!!
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I asked a question about whether it comes with a gas pipe, this is their answer..
New message from: ukdirectseller (1973Red Star)
Dear friend,
Thanks for your message
This heater won't come with a gas pipe, but you can use it without a gas pipe. pls no worry, ok?
I would like give 5% discount off to your order if making payment via Paypal payment directly . If it ok with you, please send us your paypal email, then we will send invoice to you to pay. Item will be dispathced to you with tracking number within 1 day when receive your payment.
Awaiting for your reply
Best regards
Michaela Veit
Not sure how it can be used without a gas pipe!
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He probably means vent.
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looked at these and they don't have a flue attachment as they are meant for outdoor use, they are the only onbes the Chinese firm has in the UK at the moment but if you willing to wait three weeks you can get the 10/12L ones for a little more. Basically identical to the Reach2clean ones but without their logo...
Oh they take the 90mm flue kits too
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looked at these and they don't have a flue attachment as they are meant for outdoor use, they are the only onbes the Chinese firm has in the UK at the moment but if you willing to wait three weeks you can get the 10/12L ones for a little more. Basically identical to the Reach2clean ones but without their logo...
Oh they take the 90mm flue kits too
The 8 lpm ones work fine with the flow that most window cleaner use. The fogwill one that was supposed to be the best was a 6 lpm heater. I think you will find that the 12 lpm unit will be too big for window cleaner to use. The flow to the brush we use probably won't be enough to kick the heater on.
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IV got this one used for one day so far so good il keep people posted on its quality, it requires a fair bit of flow, tho I just have a divirter tap back to tank fir excess water
How's the boiler working Dean?
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Why is all their feedback from private buyers ?
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Buying l12 will be madness as it will fire up due to the 100 psi that most pumps used by us they problem is flow which in this case is 12 liters a min so the slow movement of water will boil in the boiler expand and probably burst all your fitting and maybe even you boiler.I have said this before but no one seams to listen so go ahead and buy a 12L
Even a L6 could burst with a low flow of water, Its the PSI that switches on the boiler its the low/flow in liters that makes damage. Thats why you must match the liters per min to a boiler that requires the same flow. This small factor that most seam to miss and that makes each boiler and pump combo different. If it work for one pump it might not work for all.
So when you set your controller down you will need to set the boiler at the same time. Its more complex than it appears on the surface.
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I think you will find it has a flow switch to turn the gas on and ignite boiler , the pressure stated is the optimum pressure range .
A pressure switch would make no sense ....... the boiler will still be pressurised when the flow is stopped so would carry on heating ........all gas boilers use a flow switch .
also the stated lpm is usually the maximum flow not the minimum flow .
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Has anyone posted on what fittings you need to change when going over to hot? I would like to try hot but don't want to go the whole hog in terms of thermobore, new reels.
Can you use hot with normal microfiber for example?
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The standard minibore hose I have seems to work just fine with hot. The problems I have had in the past though was with the clear type pole hose and standard garden house from the outlet of the heater kept blowing if the water flow was turned off from the pole.
I now use yellow or red wfp pole hose which now seems fine with hot and use a different type of hose on the hot outlet side to the reel which is better suited to hot water.
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Regards the size/flow rate of a portable heater it will simply not fire up or remain constanly on if the flow rate is detected to low on the boiler. This is just one of the built in safety feature that all boilers are fitted with.
Bearing in mind these portable gas hot water heaters are just outside type showers really so have been designed to be used connected to an outside tap or maybe some with a water pump. So for window cleaning you need to look at the min flow rate in the spec they will work at also ventilation if used in the back of a van.
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The l5 is 0.5 us gpm ....... not sure what that is in litres exactly but it says it can be used with a 12v pump .
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roughly 2 lpm
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just looked , just over 2 around 2.2 so about right for window cleaning ..... if its too much you can always divert some back to tank .
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I use an old L5 that I have the digi controller set to 55-65 which keeps the boiler fired up when in use. Mine still has the 20 min cut out on it too so will turn the boiler off after 20min.
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I could have bough a better one that foggy was flogging with a flue vent after i got the L5. But by the time I got around to getting one he stopped selling them for some strange reason.
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its a funny one with these gas heaters ...... we all know they are fine as long as the back doors are open etc but there seems to be no definitive answer on what is legal and what isn't ....... wish somebody would make a gas water heater that fits the same way as the diesel ones flue and air supply through the floor of the van .
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mines been spot on now for the last month and im still on my first bottle of gas and ive been using it everyday apart from a few days when i stopped as i think i was running the system too hot and cracked a glass, now ive got it just slightly hotter than warm and its bang on.
im using the gardiner yellow reel hose and that stands up to it fine even when i had it really hot although it did go a tad soft, for the pole hose im using the red gardiner thermobore and its absolutely spot on,not nice when cold to use as it kinks and curls but warmed up its like a normal all season hose feel.
the main issue im having at the moment is sometimes the swivel elbow on my reel leaks here and there but im going to replace it and see how things go!
back doors are left open when cleaning and apart from passing out a few times when driving ive been ok ::)roll
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You can probably back the pressure down a bit and stop the leaks.
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i think its more the brass 1/2 inch quick release fitting every time its disturbed, im going to order the gardiner metal fitment and try that!
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The safety valve on a boiler work on the psi which is pressure not flow which is liters per min. The numptys on the front control the heat and flow which need to be adjusted to flow and the heat of the boiler the pump controler is what can make it a little complicated. THis is some cases most are just lucky to work with the pump flow and some do produce very hot water were the hoses burst and fitting come off. And some of the boiler melt switches and leak and even heat exchanges burst. This is not to frighten chaps using gas heater, but to make one aware how to work with these water heaters.
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IV got this one used for one day so far so good il keep people posted on its quality, it requires a fair bit of flow, tho I just have a divirter tap back to tank fir excess water
How's the boiler working Dean?
working well so far mate tho i havnt used it alot as its not that cold but i think its a good little heater for the tiny amount of £64 :)
i made the mistake of screwing a plastic hose fitting on the hot side after 2 days of use it burnt the threads completly away and blew of. brass one ordered from draper catologue its the smaller one no problem with that now.
please excuse my terrible spelling lol
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thats been my main problems too justsorting leaks from the hot side mainly reel connections but ive double clamped fittings and replaced a few tired brass connectors and all good now, the gardiner thermobore pole hose was a must for me with the all season hose turning to silly string!
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Buying l12 will be madness as it will fire up due to the 100 psi that most pumps used by us they problem is flow which in this case is 12 liters a min so the slow movement of water will boil in the boiler expand and probably burst all your fitting and maybe even you boiler.I have said this before but no one seams to listen so go ahead and buy a 12L
Even a L6 could burst with a low flow of water, Its the PSI that switches on the boiler its the low/flow in liters that makes damage. Thats why you must match the liters per min to a boiler that requires the same flow. This small factor that most seam to miss and that makes each boiler and pump combo different. If it work for one pump it might not work for all.
So when you set your controller down you will need to set the boiler at the same time. Its more complex than it appears on the surface.
You said above its the psi that switches the boiler on.......simply not true its a flow switch that switches on at 0.5 us gallons per minute(around 2.2 litres per minute )in the case of the L5 (most of them switch on at that flow)......the 6lpm or 8 or 12 etc is the maximum flow for that boiler to still heat the water sufficiently .
Like i said before if it was switched on by pressure it would keep burning when you stop your flow tap on your pole .
maximum pressure on the L5 is shown as 80psi .....it will have an overpressure safety valve as well as an overheat sensor for safety but it doesn't switch the boiler on.
slaptwat
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thats been my main problems too justsorting leaks from the hot side mainly reel connections but ive double clamped fittings and replaced a few tired brass connectors and all good now, the gardiner thermobore pole hose was a must for me with the all season hose turning to silly string!
:o what sort of temperature are you working at?
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its a funny one with these gas heaters ...... we all know they are fine as long as the back doors are open etc but there seems to be no definitive answer on what is legal and what isn't ....... wish somebody would make a gas water heater that fits the same way as the diesel ones flue and air supply through the floor of the van .
Technically, if it's not 'illegal' it is legal.
If there isn't legislation saying you're not legally allowed to do it, then you can.
Whether you should or not is a different question though.
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thats been my main problems too justsorting leaks from the hot side mainly reel connections but ive double clamped fittings and replaced a few tired brass connectors and all good now, the gardiner thermobore pole hose was a must for me with the all season hose turning to silly string!
:o what sort of temperature are you working at?
i was working at a really hot 60 odd degrees if i can remember from what it said on display but obviously it looses a fair few degrees down the line but it was very hot to touch still, not i think its saying about 45ish but going off feel its just above warm and im happy with that although when i use the fan jets it gets a wee bit hotter which must be due to build up of pressure as its not coming out as fast as pencils, its great though its like using a steam cleaner with the fans while hardly using any water!
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I'm not 100% sure on this one, but I do think there is something about running a gas appliance in a vehicle on
the public roads.
I think its something to do with leaving the van unattended with an open gas bottle or leaving the appliance running
just thinking back to my motorhome wild camping days.
Just to be clear wild camping means to pull up anywhere that's not a campsite, and not to party the bit out. ;D
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Tell your insurance what your using and then see if your allowed to use it from your van,I did years back and unless things have changed its a modification that's not properly installed and on top of that its gas. Like all things there all perfectly fine till you put a claim in. I'm not trying to knock people using them everyone makes there choices but I spoke to an insurance agent who I'm with now and they said you wouldn't be covered.
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Tell your insurance what your using and then see if your allowed to use it from your van,I did years back and unless things have changed its a modification that's not properly installed and on top of that its gas. Like all things there all perfectly fine till you put a claim in. I'm not trying to knock people using them everyone makes there choices but I spoke to an insurance agent who I'm with now and they said you wouldn't be covered.
Your insurance agent is a muppet! ;D How is fitting a gas heater a modification & on what terms would they not be covered?
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Like I said I'm not knocking you at all for what you do,when you tell them you have to explain exactly how it's fitted and by who as its gas. When I explained even with a vent they refused to insure me if I was to do this,I showed mine to a British Gas engineer and asked him if it was safe and he laughed and said Of course not id take it out mate if I were you lol. I bit the bullet and got a diesel heater cos as soon as I tried hot water there was no going back for me to cold
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Tell your insurance what your using and then see if your allowed to use it from your van,I did years back and unless things have changed its a modification that's not properly installed and on top of that its gas. Like all things there all perfectly fine till you put a claim in. I'm not trying to knock people using them everyone makes there choices but I spoke to an insurance agent who I'm with now and they said you wouldn't be covered.
Ageas don't want to know if you have one or not. It doesn't make any difference to your premium with them - hot or cold.
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Tell your insurance what your using and then see if your allowed to use it from your van,I did years back and unless things have changed its a modification that's not properly installed and on top of that its gas. Like all things there all perfectly fine till you put a claim in. I'm not trying to knock people using them everyone makes there choices but I spoke to an insurance agent who I'm with now and they said you wouldn't be covered.
Ageas don't want to know if you have one or not. It doesn't make any difference to your premium with them - hot or cold.
I'm with Ageas also.
It didn't affect my premium when I went hot but if I'd've not told them and had an accident it would've affected cover they told me.
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I take it the general consensus is to just mount near the back door and leave the rear doors open or would a flue be better for a 'proper' job..?
I've never really been interested in hot but I've just been given an lpg boiler that was surplus so been watching these threads with interest...
Usually i'm all for diy'ing and giving it a go, but seem as this involves gas i'm a bit apprehensive...
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the early ionics thermopure were gas powered
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I'm in the same boat I don't and don't want to work in temps below minus one so hot doesn't really appeal to
me for this reason.
But the one advertised is as cheap as chips so might give it a try just to see if it makes things any easier.
For me to consider using a gas heater then it has to cover both the extra cost plus the added risk of working with gas.
I still haven't been able to work out what monetary figure this would need to be.
Would be nice to have a discussion on how mush extra work the hot users get done since converting to hot, not
in money as this would start another willy waving exercise but in a percentage.
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Like I said some won't ask but you should declare it as its gas,they will take you money and as you say don't want to know but they will when you have a pile up
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I take it the general consensus is to just mount near the back door and leave the rear doors open or would a flue be better for a 'proper' job..?
I've never really been interested in hot but I've just been given an lpg boiler that was surplus so been watching these threads with interest...
Usually i'm all for diy'ing and giving it a go, but seem as this involves gas i'm a bit apprehensive...
My opinion is that it has to be a flue through the roof. Don't like to leave van doors open when working.
I think we should follow the example of the mobile catering vans. They have to have outside flues.
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I thought I heard Calor gas actually do one of these systems now and cover it by warranty etc
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I take it the general consensus is to just mount near the back door and leave the rear doors open or would a flue be better for a 'proper' job..?
I've never really been interested in hot but I've just been given an lpg boiler that was surplus so been watching these threads with interest...
Usually i'm all for diy'ing and giving it a go, but seem as this involves gas i'm a bit apprehensive...
My opinion is that it has to be a flue through the roof. Don't like to leave van doors open when working.
I think we should follow the example of the mobile catering vans. They have to have outside flues.
This would be my preferred option, purely for piece of mind if i'm honest
Just tentative about cutting holes in the roof of the van...
It wont get fitted this side of xmas, i'm not that desperate.
But when i do it, i want to do it properly, rather than a 'bodge' so i think i'd have better piece of mind having a flue unless i can be convinced otherwise...
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I'm in the same boat I don't and don't want to work in temps below minus one so hot doesn't really appeal to
me for this reason.
But the one advertised is as cheap as chips so might give it a try just to see if it makes things any easier.
For me to consider using a gas heater then it has to cover both the extra cost plus the added risk of working with gas.
I still haven't been able to work out what monetary figure this would need to be.
Would be nice to have a discussion on how mush extra work the hot users get done since converting to hot, not
in money as this would start another willy waving exercise but in a percentage.
It like anything else wfp related. How can you put a value on working with a carbon fiber pole over a fiber glass pole. You can't prove that you are going to be able to do ex number of houses a day with a lighter stiffer pole.
When we first bought carbon poles the maths showed that the new poles would pay for themselves very quickly if their purchase allowed us to clean a couple of extra houses a day.
For me, the main reason for wanting to go 'hot' is just to make working in the cold a little easier. The hoses are more flexible and the warm water does warm the pole as well.
So for me I don't want someone to prove that it cleans better. I don't want to listen to the sales pitch - you don't wash your dishes in cold water do you? So why do you wash.......................?
For me it just making my working environment in the winter a little more pleasant.
I fitted an air diesel heater into my van many years ago. It warms the cabin. If its especially cold out, I can fire it up and retreat to a warm van for a few minutes to 'thaw' out.
I can't ever justify the expense, but on cold days it keeps me going a little longer.
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when its really cold the water at the brush head is usually luke warm or cold anyway, its just mainly about keeping going in freezing conditions when you would be unable to with a cold water system,
some might say they dont want want to be out working when its that cold anyway? but what about for an employer who has a fleet of vans? stopping work because its too cold isnt an option
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I take it the general consensus is to just mount near the back door and leave the rear doors open or would a flue be better for a 'proper' job..?
I've never really been interested in hot but I've just been given an lpg boiler that was surplus so been watching these threads with interest...
Usually i'm all for diy'ing and giving it a go, but seem as this involves gas i'm a bit apprehensive...
My opinion is that it has to be a flue through the roof. Don't like to leave van doors open when working.
I think we should follow the example of the mobile catering vans. They have to have outside flues.
This would be my preferred option, purely for piece of mind if i'm honest
Just tentative about cutting holes in the roof of the van...
It wont get fitted this side of xmas, i'm not that desperate.
But when i do it, i want to do it properly, rather than a 'bodge' so i think i'd have better piece of mind having a flue unless i can be convinced otherwise...
If you wanted to sell the van on the hole in the roof could always be replaced with one of those rotating vents. First though would be to try to sell the van as a working unit.
I've been messing on with a diesel heater on a test bench for a few years now but haven't got as far as boxing one up and installing it in my van.
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when its really cold the water at the brush head is usually luke warm or cold anyway, its just mainly about keeping going in freezing conditions when you would be unable to with a cold water system,
some might say they dont want want to be out working when its that cold anyway? but what about for an employer who has a fleet of vans? stopping work because its too cold isnt an option
Good argument
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Is there a general consensus amongst the hot water users as to which roof flue is best?
And, while we're at it, where can I buy the threaded brass fitting that connects the gas hose to the water heater?
Thanks chaps!
Nick
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I don't know what is going on with that spelling!
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nick when i bought my L5 from corwoods last year it came with the gas regulator and fittings for gas inlet.
i also bought some 13mm car radiator hose for hot outlet to reel and heavy duty QR metal hoselock from gardiners.
id recommend 1/3 bsp brass screw thread male hoselock for hot and cold inlet/outlets on the heater as the plastic ones are no good for hot water.
a decent heavy duty metal reel,thermobore hose,all brass connectors(i use rectus 26 fittings)are also essential and decent pole hose and you ll have a good solid cheap hot water system.double jublilee clip hoses as well.
oh and get some decent duracell "D" CELL batteries for the auto ignition! ;)
best wishes
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Just the info I was looking for, daz!
Ta!
Nick
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I'm in the same boat I don't and don't want to work in temps below minus one so hot doesn't really appeal to
me for this reason.
But the one advertised is as cheap as chips so might give it a try just to see if it makes things any easier.
For me to consider using a gas heater then it has to cover both the extra cost plus the added risk of working with gas.
I still haven't been able to work out what monetary figure this would need to be.
Would be nice to have a discussion on how mush extra work the hot users get done since converting to hot, not
in money as this would start another willy waving exercise but in a percentage.
It like anything else wfp related. How can you put a value on working with a carbon fiber pole over a fiber glass pole. You can't prove that you are going to be able to do ex number of houses a day with a lighter stiffer pole.
When we first bought carbon poles the maths showed that the new poles would pay for themselves very quickly if their purchase allowed us to clean a couple of extra houses a day.
For me, the main reason for wanting to go 'hot' is just to make working in the cold a little easier. The hoses are more flexible and the warm water does warm the pole as well.
So for me I don't want someone to prove that it cleans better. I don't want to listen to the sales pitch - you don't wash your dishes in cold water do you? So why do you wash.......................?
For me it just making my working environment in the winter a little more pleasant.
I fitted an air diesel heater into my van many years ago. It warms the cabin. If its especially cold out, I can fire it up and retreat to a warm van for a few minutes to 'thaw' out.
I can't ever justify the expense, but on cold days it keeps me going a little longer.
Cheers Spruce a nice honest answer and something to think about, a little bit of extra comfort is never a bad thing in any
job and worth paying for.