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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: trevor perry on October 11, 2006, 11:37:43 am

Title: power inverter to run heater in winter
Post by: trevor perry on October 11, 2006, 11:37:43 am: has anyone tried running an heater on frost setting in thev back of their van using a power inverter from cigarrete lighter just wondering if this would be possible with winter coming . it would seem easier than running a cable from garrage everytime i thought it was going to freeze.
if it is possible what size of inverter do you use and how long can it run before draining battery
thanks
Title: Re: power inverter to run heater in winter
Post by: jeff1 on October 11, 2006, 02:11:50 pm: If You want the maths for it I do them, but I strongly recommend not to go there, with an invertor and car battery it won't last five minutes. and you will be getting up to a flat battery.

Get your self a little greenhouse heater, so much more reliable than useing you battery
Title: Re: power inverter to run heater in winter
Post by: keith b on October 12, 2006, 01:10:36 am: Just cover the water tank in 2 layers of old woolen blankets or cover with duvets, it won`t freeze if the van has been ply-lined.

Make sure you empty all hoses of water.

If the van has back windows, just cover the inside glass with old cusions and attach with velcro.

or you could get a diesel burner/heating system, (providing your van runs on deisel), these are basically used in lorry cabs for drivers who sleep in there cabs overnight, but its expensive.
Title: Re: power inverter to run heater in winter
Post by: JM123 on October 12, 2006, 01:25:44 am: jeff1 didn't realise you were aquainted with Ohms law! What about kirchoffs voltage and current laws etc??

Mechatronic Engineering as a second degree, I've took an all too familiar headache again just thinking about it!!
Title: Re: power inverter to run heater in winter
Post by: freshwater on October 12, 2006, 09:14:40 am: JM,

your list qualifications amaze me, what are doing window cleaning? Is it your escape from the rat race?

steve@freshwatersystems.co.uk
Title: Re: power inverter to run heater in winter
Post by: jeff1 on October 12, 2006, 06:59:49 pm: Quote from: JM123 on October 12, 2006, 01:25:44 am
jeff1 didn't realise you were aquainted with Ohms law! What about kirchoffs voltage and current laws etc??

Mechatronic Engineering as a second degree, I've took an all too familiar headache again just thinking about it!!
Jm
I didn't take any degree's only city & Guilds in electronic serviceing 224 parts 1,2 & 3.
shall we tell them how we remember the resistor colour code ;D ;D
By the way I don't know why my post was deleted????? ::)
Title: Re: power inverter to run heater in winter
Post by: JM123 on October 15, 2006, 08:23:34 pm: sorry lads I was away for a few days there. resistor codes, not even sure if I can remember them fully!!

To answer your question Steve (Freshwater) I enjoy wcing far more, sure its not everyones cup of tea but it suits me, I might look into engineering again someday but not for now. If I was to go back into engineering it would be Chemical Engineering or related.
Title: Re: power inverter to run heater in winter
Post by: jeff1 on October 15, 2006, 08:29:46 pm: For those guy's who insist on using heaters in your vans over night I have found a 12v car heater that consumes 150w so no inverters needed or mains cables to your van.
and very cheap.

http://www.bullybeef.co.uk/motoring-tyre-compressor-revolving-seat.htm
Title: Re: power inverter to run heater in winter
Post by: JM123 on October 16, 2006, 05:49:05 pm: what about fitting jablite behind the ply-lining, then running a heater in the back of the van for a hour or so in the evenings - should stay warm all night.