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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: bluesteve on November 02, 2006, 09:18:27 pm

Title: frozen pumps and tanks
Post by: bluesteve on November 02, 2006, 09:18:27 pm
has anyone got any ideas on how to stop the tank and pump from freezing in my car , cant really use a pariffin heater and i read somewhere on here that you cant use the 12 v socket , i know it sounds daft but would wrapping it in a quilt make any difference, somebody, somewhere might have tried it? 
Title: Re: frozen pumps and tanks
Post by: S.A.J on November 02, 2006, 09:30:04 pm
I wrap my tank & pump up in a quilt never had them frezze in 5 years.
Saying that we hardly get hard frosts down here in Plymouth.
Title: Re: frozen pumps and tanks
Post by: AuRavelling79 on November 02, 2006, 09:35:01 pm
If it's safe to do so, run a 240v lead to an oil filled low wattage radiator that you put in your vehicle.
Title: Re: frozen pumps and tanks
Post by: Pj on November 02, 2006, 09:38:52 pm
Throw a quilt over your tank in the van, put some insulation around your pump, ie something that would keep you warm, and don't worry!
Once the sun hits it it soon warms again.
Be prepared for Jan/Feb though.  Wrap up for then!
Title: Re: frozen pumps and tanks
Post by: bluesteve on November 02, 2006, 10:49:19 pm
cheers , i ll try the quilt method, i dont suppose theres a battery powered heater that clicks on when it gets to a certain temp? or is that wishful thinking.
Title: Re: frozen pumps and tanks
Post by: Pj on November 02, 2006, 10:54:59 pm
Wishfull thinking really.

I am thinking of putting a greenhouse heater in the back of my van, setting it to just above frost and insulating the wire back to the socket in my garage.  That will at least keep everything in the van from freezing, but, to be honest it rarely gets that cold these days, even though people think it is cold here in the East, it isn't.  Most of the weather comes from the west.
Mind you if it does ever come from the Northeast in the winter we are indeed freeeeezing here!
Title: Re: frozen pumps and tanks
Post by: dai on November 03, 2006, 07:32:46 pm
I am thinking of putting a greenhouse heater in the back of my van,
That's what I do. It has a setting that just keeps the temp above freezing.
I got frozen solid last year and learned my lesson. Dai
Title: Re: frozen pumps and tanks
Post by: thewindowcleaner1 on November 04, 2006, 05:56:08 am
Just Bought two new electric heaters with Frost setting, one for the van and one for the RO, Next job is to find a way to insulate the van as well as wrapping pump and hose up at night.
Title: Re: frozen pumps and tanks
Post by: pjulk on November 04, 2006, 10:22:43 am
Im thinking about buying some water tank lagging from wicks and keep in on during the winter.

Paul
Title: Re: frozen pumps and tanks
Post by: Ian_Giles on November 04, 2006, 10:31:25 am
If you are able to get an extension cable out to your vehicle, use a cheap fan heater with a frost setting on it, mine cost me about 15 quid, not expensive to run.

Failing that just wrap everything with some form of insulation.

More of a problem with vans though as the back of them are not insulated, whenI was working out the back of the car I never had a single problem, just draped some insulation over the sensitive bits!

Ian
Title: Re: frozen pumps and tanks
Post by: geefree on November 04, 2006, 10:32:58 am
Only got a back pack so i will snuggle up to it in bed... ;)
Title: Re: frozen pumps and tanks
Post by: P @ F on November 04, 2006, 08:26:28 pm
I got a fat pig that i snuggle up to at night  ;D

 Rich   P @ F 
Title: Re: frozen pumps and tanks
Post by: gaza on November 13, 2006, 06:25:50 pm
just had fitted a pilomo heater this heats water up to boiling point if needed then you can keep it running till you need to  warm it all up again
These are used in caravans or boats

someone typed on here Im full of big ideas,well my big idea WORKS

 GAZA
Title: Re: frozen pumps and tanks
Post by: Londoner on November 14, 2006, 08:48:25 am
This is my first winter with WFP and I am starting to think about what to do about my RO unit. Its in a drafty garage and is bound to freeze.
What are there electric heaters with a frost setting? I am thinking in terms of getting some heavy duty polythene and building a tent around the RO unit then putting a heater inside it
Title: Re: frozen pumps and tanks
Post by: cybersye on November 14, 2006, 04:36:17 pm
never had a problem with tank freezing
although when it gets really cold I try to plan ahead and fill up in the morning if I can.
Also all my hose connections are quick release with hozelocks so I can avoid standing water in hoses and I can bring the pump in overnight.
Simon
Title: Re: frozen pumps and tanks
Post by: Ladders on November 14, 2006, 09:03:23 pm
Bought an electric fan heater from argos £16 99, that has a frost free setting on it for van this winter.

But going of last few winters i dont expect to use it more than a dozen times.

Cheers Jeff
Title: Re: frozen pumps and tanks
Post by: stuart@skypole on November 14, 2006, 09:33:58 pm
we get alot of people into the office and most of them cover there systems with a quilt seems to work for all of them

rgds
stuart

www.skypolesystems.com (http://www.skypolesystems.com) :)
Title: Re: frozen pumps and tanks
Post by: Pj on November 14, 2006, 09:40:28 pm
we get alot of people into the office and most of them cover there systems with a quilt seems to work for all of them

rgds
stuart

www.skypolesystems.com (http://www.skypolesystems.com) :)

Well I don't know you from Adam, Stuart, but I just thought I would comment:
What a refreshing change to have a supplier on here confirming a bit of really cheap, practical diy!  Instead of the overt or subliminal selling tactics that are often used.

Thanks
Pj
Title: Re: frozen pumps and tanks
Post by: stuart@skypole on November 14, 2006, 09:46:08 pm
pj,

thats good because i dont know adam either !!!!!!

but really it works so many guys n gals that come in do it so it must work!!!!

rgds
stu
Title: Re: frozen pumps and tanks
Post by: Mr. S on November 14, 2006, 11:07:11 pm
gaza that paloma heater idea sounds good.

How exactly have u installed yours? Where did you buy it from?

Cheers Craig
Title: Re: frozen pumps and tanks
Post by: gaza on November 16, 2006, 11:42:07 pm
CRAIG : A caravann dismantler, a 30 psi pump, bottle of propane  gas  fastened to the back door so I can open the door when ignnighting the heater. The water is pumped through the heater back into the tank ,you can put it on to boil at night thenn leave it till morning it wouldnt have frozen by then,or you can put it on while your having breaky, done it this way [back door mount] cus didnnt fancy a chimney hole in the roof
 might fit a bath/shower in the van ;D
all ready got a stove for my brew
bucket for a toilet.

need  a bigger van  next year an IVECCO  DAILEY IS ON MY SHOPPING LIST.

 GAZA