Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: dazmond on September 30, 2025, 06:27:47 pm
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So this is my first winter using an RO. Do I need to put an oil filled radiator in my RO shed on below freezing nights?
I have a stainless steel 40/40 housing. Is this enough to stop the membrane from getting frost damaged?
Also does water production slow due to colder water? Currently it takes around 3 hours to purify 400-500L for my next days work as i have very low water pressure(34psi).
Cheers in advance chaps
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I would have thought wrapping an old duvet over everything would be enough except for when extreme temperatures are forecast, then put the heater on. Does your shed have any insulation?
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I would have thought wrapping an old duvet over everything would be enough except for when extreme temperatures are forecast, then put the heater on. Does your shed have any insulation?
No it's just a small,metal shed. I think I'll wrap a duvet around it and just use the heater if it's really cold. The membrane costs around £475 to replace so I don't wanna damage it.
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No chance I’d be relying on a blanket to stop the RO from freezing Daz. An oiled filled rad prob won’t make much difference in an uninsulated steel shed either. I’d be looking for a more suitable (indoor) solution. Thought you had a double garage?
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Bring your r/o inside.
When I first started wfp , I processed water directly into my trailer tanks overnight. The r/o was outside all night, but never froze as the tap water was flowing through it. When I switched it off in the morning, I put it in the bath.
You have a stainless steel r/o housing. That will freeze quicker than my r/o with a plastic housing.
Last winter I found that my R/o was taking twice as long to produce water. It was only producing 1 litre of our a minute instead of the usual 2 liters. I measured it.
I actually spoke to Doug about it and we concluded it was a combination of the age of the membrane and and the low water temperatures.
Production has been back to normal this summer though.
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You definitely need to frost protect it Daz.
I’ve wrecked one membrane when I didn’t think about this.
Look up “tubular” heaters, and position it underneath your Ro, plus a duvet.
Even better still, insulate the shed.
Expect your water production to take twice as long in the winter, and to degrade even further as your membrane ages.
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hi dazmond i also have a 40inch stainless ro on my purefreedom van mounted system ,so not much different to being in a shed,i put a 500 watt oil filled radiator with thermostat on medium setting approx 18 inches away from ro and filter housings,ive been doing this for many years and not had any problems to date
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No chance I’d be relying on a blanket to stop the RO from freezing Daz. An oiled filled rad prob won’t make much difference in an uninsulated steel shed either. I’d be looking for a more suitable (indoor) solution. Thought you had a double garage?
We have a single garage but it's out of bounds at the moment. Its full of my missus junk and door is broken. We are getting a roller door fitted (on the cheap) at the end of this month but we need to order a skip and clear it out first.
I'm sure the oil filled radiator will do the job coupled with a duvet wrapped round the membrane housing. I've just bought 2 x 1500watt ones. One for the back of the van and one for the shed. My missus has her workshop in the garage,furniture and shelving so it wont be possible to store my RO in there. I think ill put some insulation in the shed which will help retain the heat.
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You definitely need to frost protect it Daz.
I’ve wrecked one membrane when I didn’t think about this.
Look up “tubular” heaters, and position it underneath your Ro, plus a duvet.
Even better still, insulate the shed.
Expect your water production to take twice as long in the winter, and to degrade even further as your membrane ages.
Thanks jonny. Defo gonna insulate the shed this month!
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Bring your r/o inside.
When I first started wfp , I processed water directly into my trailer tanks overnight. The r/o was outside all night, but never froze as the tap water was flowing through it. When I switched it off in the morning, I put it in the bath.
You have a stainless steel r/o housing. That will freeze quicker than my r/o with a plastic housing.
Last winter I found that my R/o was taking twice as long to produce water. It was only producing 1 litre of our a minute instead of the usual 2 liters. I measured it.
I actually spoke to Doug about it and we concluded it was a combination of the age of the membrane and and the low water temperatures.
Production has been back to normal this summer though.
Cheers Spruce. Its not possible to bring my RO inside so I'll insulate shed and stick a heater in there!🙂👍
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My RO is in a wooden cabinet about the size of a chest of drawers outside the back door. I have a tubular heater in the cabinet right next to the RO and a blanket on top of the RO and the heater.
If the space is small you don't need a big heater. Mine is 240v and 200w.
For the back of the van when it's cold the immersion keeps everything warm - if it's really cold and I didn't have an immersion - I would stick an oil filled thermostat controlled radiator near the pumps.
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So this is my first winter using an RO. Do I need to put an oil filled radiator in my RO shed on below freezing nights?
I have a stainless steel 40/40 housing. Is this enough to stop the membrane from getting frost damaged?
Also does water production slow due to colder water? Currently it takes around 3 hours to purify 400-500L for my next days work as i have very low water pressure(34psi).
Hi Dazmond. Yes it will produce less over the winter as temperatures drop low the Viscosity of the water changes In affect its gets thicker and moves slower compared to Summer. A good example is Oil when clod its thick and moves slowly, heated up it thins and moves faster. Water is affected in a similar way. I agree with Spruce on the protection being steel the RO will cool quickly.
Cheers in advance chaps
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A garage that’s full of junk is out of bounds? ???
I thought you wore the trousers in your relationship Daz? Get your Mrs to shift her crap from the garage so you can keep your vital work equipment safe from the frost.
No chance I’d be relying on a blanket to stop the RO from freezing Daz. An oiled filled rad prob won’t make much difference in an uninsulated steel shed either. I’d be looking for a more suitable (indoor) solution. Thought you had a double garage?
We have a single garage but it's out of bounds at the moment. Its full of my missus junk and door is broken. We are getting a roller door fitted (on the cheap) at the end of this month but we need to order a skip and clear it out first.
I'm sure the oil filled radiator will do the job coupled with a duvet wrapped round the membrane housing. I've just bought 2 x 1500watt ones. One for the back of the van and one for the shed. My missus has her workshop in the garage,furniture and shelving so it wont be possible to store my RO in there. I think ill put some insulation in the shed which will help retain the heat.
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So this is my first winter using an RO. Do I need to put an oil filled radiator in my RO shed on below freezing nights?
I have a stainless steel 40/40 housing. Is this enough to stop the membrane from getting frost damaged?
Also does water production slow due to colder water? Currently it takes around 3 hours to purify 400-500L for my next days work as i have very low water pressure(34psi).
Cheers in advance chaps
I'd have thought someone with your experience would have sorted this before it gets cold. Get that junk out of the garage and tell her no 5* holidays if she moans. Is there a tap in there? Do you have an IBC? My setup is in the garage and I wrap it up in house removal blankets over the winter. A tin shed isn't the answer!
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A tin shed is fine. Just needs to be heated and insulated.
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So this is my first winter using an RO. Do I need to put an oil filled radiator in my RO shed on below freezing nights?
I have a stainless steel 40/40 housing. Is this enough to stop the membrane from getting frost damaged?
Also does water production slow due to colder water? Currently it takes around 3 hours to purify 400-500L for my next days work as i have very low water pressure(34psi).
Cheers in advance chaps
I'd have thought someone with your experience would have sorted this before it gets cold. Get that junk out of the garage and tell her no 5* holidays if she moans. Is there a tap in there? Do you have an IBC? My setup is in the garage and I wrap it up in house removal blankets over the winter. A tin shed isn't the answer!
My missus is an interior designer with her own business. She needs the garage more than me!😆
I have 2 sheds....I wooden one with all my poles,spares, resin,prefilters,etc and garden tools in and a small,metal shed that houses my RO.
The good news is she's going to measure,order and fit the insulation in my 'tin' shed in the next few weeks once she's finished painting all the doors in the house and wallpapering the hall/stairs!😎
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I would coat inside the shed with 25mm kingspan. The floor and the roof are important because heat rises. Just coat floor and then fit 12mm or 18mm ply on top of it. Coat the door as well and it will hold the heat, money well spent. Sometimes if you go on Gumtree there is people selling second hand sheets or sheets left behind from a job.
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I would have just built a wooden box to house the R.O and insulated that no need to do the entire shed. Mine lives outside no insulation but I run mine overnight so it's rare it gets the chance to freeze.
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So this is my first winter using an RO. Do I need to put an oil filled radiator in my RO shed on below freezing nights?
I have a stainless steel 40/40 housing. Is this enough to stop the membrane from getting frost damaged?
Also does water production slow due to colder water? Currently it takes around 3 hours to purify 400-500L for my next days work as i have very low water pressure(34psi).
Cheers in advance chaps
I'd have thought someone with your experience would have sorted this before it gets cold. Get that junk out of the garage and tell her no 5* holidays if she moans. Is there a tap in there? Do you have an IBC? My setup is in the garage and I wrap it up in house removal blankets over the winter. A tin shed isn't the answer!
My missus is an interior designer with her own business. She needs the garage more than me!😆
I have 2 sheds....I wooden one with all my poles,spares, resin,prefilters,etc and garden tools in and a small,metal shed that houses my RO.
The good news is she's going to measure,order and fit the insulation in my 'tin' shed in the next few weeks once she's finished painting all the doors in the house and wallpapering the hall/stairs!😎
The woman is a saint! ;D
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I would have just built a wooden box to house the R.O and insulated that no need to do the entire shed. Mine lives outside no insulation but I run mine overnight so it's rare it gets the chance to freeze.
Exactly. Go to IKEA and get a flat pack cupboard or a rabbit hutch. Put shed felt on the top and seal any cracks. Run mains power to it and a tubular heater on a thermostat.
Set to click in at 3 or 5 degrees. Job jobbed.
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Now your settled with your Mrs and your not retiring until you're 80, why don't you take out a business loan and have a purpose built garage/work unit built with electricity, water and drainage. Somewhere to store all your business crap and no fear of RO freezing each winter......
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Business loan? Really lol
He only wants to stop his RO from freezing!
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Business loan? Really lol
He only wants to stop his RO from freezing!
Wooden box, roof felt and a tube heater it is then 😂
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Now your settled with your Mrs and your not retiring until you're 80, why don't you take out a business loan and have a purpose built garage/work unit built with electricity, water and drainage. Somewhere to store all your business crap and no fear of RO freezing each winter......
Why would I do that? I only work 20 hours a week so i am indeed a 'part timer'...😄
Missus has measured and ordered the insulation board from B&Q. It'll be here sometime next week. We have a large driveway with outside tap and drain,garage and most importantly no water meter!🙂👍
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I would have just built a wooden box to house the R.O and insulated that no need to do the entire shed. Mine lives outside no insulation but I run mine overnight so it's rare it gets the chance to freeze.
Exactly. Go to IKEA and get a flat pack cupboard or a rabbit hutch. Put shed felt on the top and seal any cracks. Run mains power to it and a tubular heater on a thermostat.
Set to click in at 3 or 5 degrees. Job jobbed.
I don't think you realise how big my RO is! A rabbit hutch wouldn't do the job!😆
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(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1759427710_Screenshot_20251002_185213_Photos.jpg)
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1759427723_Screenshot_20251002_185213_Photos.jpg)
This is my RO and little metal shed. Its not a major undertaking to insulate it. Just enough room for RO and oil filled radiator!🙂
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(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1759429650_Screenshot_20251002_185406_Photos.jpg)
This is my metal shed
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I would have just built a wooden box to house the R.O and insulated that no need to do the entire shed. Mine lives outside no insulation but I run mine overnight so it's rare it gets the chance to freeze.
Exactly. Go to IKEA and get a flat pack cupboard or a rabbit hutch. Put shed felt on the top and seal any cracks. Run mains power to it and a tubular heater on a thermostat.
Set to click in at 3 or 5 degrees. Job jobbed.
I don't think you realise how big my RO is! A rabbit hutch wouldn't do the job!😆
It would. Just put the RO on its side. But that shed is fine. Put some wood on the floor and some thin insulation and an oil filled radiator in.
Make sure there are no draughty spots.
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(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1759429650_Screenshot_20251002_185406_Photos.jpg)
This is my metal shed
I bet it freezes in there even with insulation. I'd be losing sleep.
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Now your settled with your Mrs and your not retiring until you're 80, why don't you take out a business loan and have a purpose built garage/work unit built with electricity, water and drainage. Somewhere to store all your business crap and no fear of RO freezing each winter......
Why would I do that? I only work 20 hours a week so i am indeed a 'part timer'...😄
Missus has measured and ordered the insulation board from B&Q. It'll be here sometime next week. We have a large driveway with outside tap and drain,garage and most importantly no water meter!🙂👍
Well done, I would just stick it on with 12 x White Everbuild Stixall MS Polymer Grab Sealant Adhesive - 290ml, £45 from Amazon. You can jamm them in but eventually they come loose. Money well spent.
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(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1759429650_Screenshot_20251002_185406_Photos.jpg)
This is my metal shed
I bet it freezes in there even with insulation. I'd be losing sleep.
Good grief. Don't you read?
Cups hands and shouts ... "WITH A HEATER".
;D
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(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1759429650_Screenshot_20251002_185406_Photos.jpg)
This is my metal shed
I bet it freezes in there even with insulation. I'd be losing sleep.
Good grief. Don't you read?
Cups hands and shouts ... "WITH A HEATER".
;D
No need to SHOUT 😂 I think it will freeze WITH a heater.
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(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1759429650_Screenshot_20251002_185406_Photos.jpg)
This is my metal shed
I bet it freezes in there even with insulation. I'd be losing sleep.
Good grief. Don't you read?
Cups hands and shouts ... "WITH A HEATER".
;D
No need to SHOUT 😂 I think it will freeze WITH a heater.
Then you have no grasp of the laws of physics.
A small shed made of metal with a 1000w oil filled radiator on a thermostat will be well above freezing.
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It’s a bit mad how protective you’ve been of your RO and pre filters the last month or so Daz and yet you’re prepared to wing it when it comes to frost protection. You know what needs to happen, it needs to be inside and you should make getting it inside a priority. Mrs junk is too important in the garage lol sort it out.
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It's much better for an RO to be in a small heated space than in a large unheated garage.
Don't heat the whole garage. Just the box, cupboard, tin hut that it sits in.
How do you think people who have their RO on board their vans cope? Oil filled radiator is fine.
;D
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It’s a bit mad how protective you’ve been of your RO and pre filters the last month or so Daz and yet you’re prepared to wing it when it comes to frost protection. You know what needs to happen, it needs to be inside and you should make getting it inside a priority. Mrs junk is too important in the garage lol sort it out.
I'm just posting to see what other window cleaners do with their RO systems in winter.
I'm not 'winging it' at all!😄
I've been to Lanzarote for 10 days and now im back it's time to think about the winter months before it gets below freezing. Insulation is getting delivered tomorrow so it's going to get fitted next weekend which is well in advance of colder nights. I'll also drill a small hole in the shed for the extension lead for heater. Jobs a good un!🙂👍
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(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1759429650_Screenshot_20251002_185406_Photos.jpg)
This is my metal shed
I bet it freezes in there even with insulation. I'd be losing sleep.
Good grief. Don't you read?
Cups hands and shouts ... "WITH A HEATER".
;D
No need to SHOUT 😂 I think it will freeze WITH a heater.
Then you have no grasp of the laws of physics.
A small shed made of metal with a 1000w oil filled radiator on a thermostat will be well above freezing.
It's actually a small 1500w oil filled radiator (brand new) I bought 2 of em. One for the RO shed and one for the back of the van. Should do the job nicely. The air temperature only needs to be a few degrees above freezing.
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(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1759429650_Screenshot_20251002_185406_Photos.jpg)
This is my metal shed
I bet it freezes in there even with insulation. I'd be losing sleep.
Good grief. Don't you read?
Cups hands and shouts ... "WITH A HEATER".
;D
No need to SHOUT 😂 I think it will freeze WITH a heater.
Then you have no grasp of the laws of physics.
A small shed made of metal with a 1000w oil filled radiator on a thermostat will be well above freezing.
Ok. @Dazmond. I hope it works for you but don't come on here crying if it freezes. Remember Auvravling lives in the cosy south.
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(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1759429650_Screenshot_20251002_185406_Photos.jpg)
This is my metal shed
I bet it freezes in there even with insulation. I'd be losing sleep.
Good grief. Don't you read?
Cups hands and shouts ... "WITH A HEATER".
;D
No need to SHOUT 😂 I think it will freeze WITH a heater.
Then you have no grasp of the laws of physics.
A small shed made of metal with a 1000w oil filled radiator on a thermostat will be well above freezing.
Ok. @Dazmond. I hope it works for you but don't come on here crying if it freezes. Remember Auvravling lives in the cosy south.
::)roll
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(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1760276594_Screenshot_20251012_144130_Photos.jpg)
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1760276655_Screenshot_20251012_144157_Photos.jpg)
All done for winter now!😀👍
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(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1760276750_Screenshot_20251012_144054_Photos.jpg)
All the missus work while I made cottage pie and apple crumble!😄
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(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1760278636_Screenshot_20251012_151509_Gallery.jpg)
It's toasty in there now after 20 mins and oil filled radiator is only on number 1 setting.🙂👍
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(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1760276594_Screenshot_20251012_144130_Photos.jpg)
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1760276655_Screenshot_20251012_144157_Photos.jpg)
All done for winter now!😀👍
Nice job👍🏻
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Looks great Daz. I would put some wood or board on the floor underneath too. Heat rises and you don't want the base of your resin chamber or RO getting too cold.
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Looks great Daz. I would put some wood or board on the floor underneath too. Heat rises and you don't want the base of your resin chamber or RO getting too cold.
It'll be fine. The actual RO/filters/DI vessel are mounted on a frame and screwed down onto a kitchen worktop base (with heavy duty castors underneath). The small DI in the photo is usually just used as a door stop!😄
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B&Q delivered the wrong insulation. It was supposed to be 25mm thick but sent the 50mm instead but im happy. I actually prefer the thicker stuff and I got it at a cheaper price.
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I would definitely just add a block of that insulation to the floor. That’ll be the coldest part. And some board over the top of it ideally.
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Yeah, you've gone to all the bother of insultating it, it won't take 2 mins just to finish it off, anything on the floor will only help.
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Yeah, you've gone to all the bother of insultating it, it won't take 2 mins just to finish it off, anything on the floor will only help.
It's impractical to put anything on the floor as i wheel it out every day and position it at the back of my van for fill up. It'll make zero difference anyway as my RO is elevated off the floor(it's a mobile RO system on castors)so it's not in contact with the floor at any time.🙂👍
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I would fit a sheet of 12mm plywood on the floor and you could still wheel it in and out.
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Yeah, you've gone to all the bother of insultating it, it won't take 2 mins just to finish it off, anything on the floor will only help.
It's impractical to put anything on the floor as i wheel it out every day and position it at the back of my van for fill up. It'll make zero difference anyway as my RO is elevated off the floor(it's a mobile RO system on castors)so it's not in contact with the floor at any time.🙂👍
None of my business but..
For some reason I was assuming you were bringing the van to the shed or the shed to the van? I guess not then? So although running water is less likely to freeze, how is the ro & filters protected whilst you're filling up your tank for a few hours? You just going to wheel it out the shed and produce with it unprotected?
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Yeah, you've gone to all the bother of insultating it, it won't take 2 mins just to finish it off, anything on the floor will only help.
It's impractical to put anything on the floor as i wheel it out every day and position it at the back of my van for fill up. It'll make zero difference anyway as my RO is elevated off the floor(it's a mobile RO system on castors)so it's not in contact with the floor at any time.🙂👍
None of my business but..
For some reason I was assuming you were bringing the van to the shed or the shed to the van? I guess not then? So although running water is less likely to freeze, how is the ro & filters protected whilst you're filling up your tank for a few hours? You just going to wheel it out the shed and produce with it unprotected?
Yes. I'm sure the RO won't freeze while im using it to purify my water. When it's finished I'll simply wheel it back into the shed and put the heater on overnight if it's below freezing.👍
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I've also got a cover for my outside tap to protect it from frost. I know these days the winters here in the North West are not as bad as they used to be but we could still be due a cold winter this year. We ve not had a bad one since 2010!
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Can’t believe you’ve got a garage filled with your Mrs junk and this is your setup outside Daz 😂
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Can’t believe you’ve got a garage filled with your Mrs junk and this is your setup outside Daz 😂
I have nothing to do with the garage at all. I have 2 sheds at the side of the house for my equipment/junk. She has pimped up my drum room and my bedroom too.
Living together/marriage is about comprising!😄👍
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Can’t believe you’ve got a garage filled with your Mrs junk and this is your setup outside Daz 😂
Living together/marriage is about comprising!😄👍
Thanks for the advice Daz, 22 years I’ve lived with the Mrs now 👍🏼
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Yeah, you've gone to all the bother of insultating it, it won't take 2 mins just to finish it off, anything on the floor will only help.
It's impractical to put anything on the floor as i wheel it out every day and position it at the back of my van for fill up. It'll make zero difference anyway as my RO is elevated off the floor(it's a mobile RO system on castors)so it's not in contact with the floor at any time.🙂👍
None of my business but..
For some reason I was assuming you were bringing the van to the shed or the shed to the van? I guess not then? So although running water is less likely to freeze, how is the ro & filters protected whilst you're filling up your tank for a few hours? You just going to wheel it out the shed and produce with it unprotected?
Yes. I'm sure the RO won't freeze while im using it to purify my water. When it's finished I'll simply wheel it back into the shed and put the heater on overnight if it's below freezing.👍
I think in modern day terms Daz, your RO has gone viral. Everybody knows about it now, and its snug shed. ;D
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Can’t believe you’ve got a garage filled with your Mrs junk and this is your setup outside Daz 😂
Living together/marriage is about comprising!😄👍
Thanks for the advice Daz, 22 years I’ve lived with the Mrs now 👍🏼
Lightweights. Lightweights everywhere.
Come back and talk to me when you can double that. ;D ;D ;D
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I dont get why you wheel it in and out daz, is there no access to pull up to where it is ? so you pull it out and put it near your van to fill ? how long does it take to fill ?
Seems a bit of a pita, surely if you cant have a static it would be easier just to have to RO onboard and just use van ports up to a tap ?
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Daz havent you got a Grippatank Diesel heater in your van, would your portable RO not fit in the back of your van overnight ? Larry
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I dont get why you wheel it in and out daz, is there no access to pull up to where it is ? so you pull it out and put it near your van to fill ? how long does it take to fill ?
Seems a bit of a pita, surely if you cant have a static it would be easier just to have to RO onboard and just use van ports up to a tap ?
I basically wheel it a couple of yards to just under the kitchen window (where the outside tap and drain is) and position it right behind the van for fill up. It works perfectly fine and no hassle at all.
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Daz havent you got a Grippatank Diesel heater in your van, would your portable RO not fit in the back of your van overnight ? Larry
No room Larry. I have a 500l pure freedom tank/frame (fitted lengthways)with heater bolted on the back and electric reel fitted. It's a 40/40 RO system!