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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Mr Bungalow on January 04, 2010, 11:02:54 am

Title: Van heaters
Post by: Mr Bungalow on January 04, 2010, 11:02:54 am
Hello all,

Hope you've all had a good start to the New Year!

Anyway my question is this; Is it possible to use a parrafin heater in a van to stop water freezing this weather.

Let me know of any suggestions you might have, please as much appreciated.

Kind regards.
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: Sunshine/Cleaning on January 04, 2010, 11:18:08 am
I use a propane boat heater.

However, it ran out sometime last night and everything was solid.
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: wezzy32 on January 04, 2010, 11:35:10 am
oiled filled heater
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: JRDEasiReach on January 04, 2010, 11:42:23 am
I use a greenhouse heater from homebase now and so far so good, its 27.99 and it has a frost setting on so you can be sure it wont let the temp inside van go below freezing. its drip proof too so if any condensation drips it wont trip your leccy.
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: Count Phil on January 04, 2010, 11:45:38 am
I used a paraffin heater last night and the hose was solid. I used an electric heater in the past and the van was toasty.
A waste of 30 quid i'm afraid.
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: JRDEasiReach on January 04, 2010, 11:58:35 am
mine is not a parafin version, its the wee electric fan heater the make is parasene and its called the 'frost fighter' works a treat the temp in my van currently is 11c and outside its barely 1c
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: Sunshine/Cleaning on January 04, 2010, 12:06:55 pm
mine is not a parafin version, its the wee electric fan heater the make is parasene and its called the 'frost fighter' works a treat the temp in my van currently is 11c and outside its barely 1c

Sadly were still not working though!
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: JRDEasiReach on January 04, 2010, 12:10:29 pm
im not working due to the fact i only got my heater after the damage was done, had no forecast of the -12 temps we had over xmas so i was ill prepared like alot of my local colleagues.  damage needs fixed before i can get back to work, waiting on a part to arrive.
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: DanielUK on January 04, 2010, 12:12:33 pm
I use a greenhouse heater from homebase now and so far so good, its 27.99 and it has a frost setting on so you can be sure it wont let the temp inside van go below freezing. its drip proof too so if any condensation drips it wont trip your leccy.

I have the same sort of thing, made by Gardman though, £19.99 from B&Q (i think they're exactly the same just rebranded)
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: windowcleaninginessex.co.uk on January 04, 2010, 01:01:26 pm
From the days when we used to go camping, I can remember when we used heaters that burnt liquid fuels you got a lot of condensation, which can cause its own problems, so we changed to electric heaters which didn't cause condensation
Darren
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: geefree on January 04, 2010, 03:07:39 pm
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Refillable-portable-Camping-Fishing-Gas-Heater-8-Butane_W0QQitemZ320468055527QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_Hearing_Cooling_Air?hash=item4a9d6275e7
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: jsm on January 04, 2010, 05:28:49 pm
I have tried the parafin ones - they work just but stink the van out , i have even put a table patio heater in the van in the past - worked great but went out in earlly hour as it must of used up all the air !

 i have been stripping all the gear out and it is now sitting in my dinning room ready to put all back in morning, worked well this morning like that we got about 6 hours work done . so tonight i have ordered one of these to try -

http://www.bluebird-type2.co.uk/heat.htm

so will let you know if its money well spent.  I have been keeping a eye on these and the diesel ones on ebay but at the moment they are going for 350 -plus !!  for old poopter's - looks like there are a lot of frozen vans up and down the country  :o

I have to park on the road so cant run extention leads to van or i would just run a fan heater .
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: matt on January 04, 2010, 05:33:05 pm
the  Propex from BB T2 is a good heater, i am in the VW scene and many people swear by them
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: jsm on January 04, 2010, 05:35:28 pm
Sods law as soon as i get it fitted the sun will come back - i bet yaa  >:(
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: Nathanael Jones on January 04, 2010, 07:01:27 pm
I've had bad experiences with a parafin heater,.. it didn't smoke for the 4 hours after I lit it when I was checking on it before bed,... the next morning my shed and all my gear was destroyed with smelly, oily black soot that was near impossible to clean off. thank goodness I didn't put it in the van!
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 04, 2010, 07:05:04 pm
I used paraffin heaters to heat my whole house for a couple of years, you need to learn how they work, a new heater needs to soak overnight before use.
Alas its a skill that has probably gone the way of the dodo.
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: eclipse on January 04, 2010, 07:06:56 pm
Same as below Paresene frost fighter heater my van hasnt frozen inside also experimented with a dehumidifier in van as well which has reduced condensation
Just the external bumber ports that froze solid thank god for my trolley system
roll on tommorow
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 04, 2010, 07:10:13 pm
There is a ful size room heater thats been out for a few years I think the usa calls it a kerosene heater, very advanced, no smell and high output with paraffin. will look for a link. err did I say its £200ish
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: d.ward on January 05, 2010, 01:07:46 am
ive just bought a halogen heater from poundstretchers for £11.98

got settings of 400kw/800kw/1200kw

Cant wait to try it out in the morning. i recon 1200kw for 2 hours will have my van sorted
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: JRDEasiReach on January 05, 2010, 12:19:35 pm
Same as below Paresene frost fighter heater my van hasnt frozen inside also experimented with a dehumidifier in van as well which has reduced condensation
Just the external bumber ports that froze solid thank god for my trolley system
roll on tommorow

do you keep yours up at the highest heat setting with it on the frost stat setting aswell?  Thats what i do and its kinda sore on the leccy, plus i found in -6 it starts to let ice form inside the van roof so ive now changed it to the 2 on the heater and its warm inside, at least 4c in the morning, not too bad that.
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: sgibsoncleaning on January 05, 2010, 12:28:33 pm
i bought a little tube heater from toolstation, put it in last night.
tank is clear from ice butit was still in the pipes.
insulated the pipes and drained them  so will hope for ice free tomorrow.
make sure you let pipes drain free from water. it cant freeze whats not in there.
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: jsm on January 05, 2010, 12:57:28 pm
I have tried the parafin ones - they work just but stink the van out , i have even put a table patio heater in the van in the past - worked great but went out in earlly hour as it must of used up all the air !

 i have been stripping all the gear out and it is now sitting in my dinning room ready to put all back in morning, worked well this morning like that we got about 6 hours work done . so tonight i have ordered one of these to try -

http://www.bluebird-type2.co.uk/heat.htm

so will let you know if its money well spent.  I have been keeping a eye on these and the diesel ones on ebay but at the moment they are going for 350 -plus !!  for old poopter's - looks like there are a lot of frozen vans up and down the country  :o

I have to park on the road so cant run extention leads to van or i would just run a fan heater .

 Its come  !! so if you need a good heater quick i can recomend Bluebird.  you can even drive along with these going full pelt

Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: [GQC] Tim on January 05, 2010, 12:59:28 pm
You need some sort of fan heater with thermostat. I've found that they keep the van frostfree the best since they circulate the air a lot better.

Mine has got two settings, 1000w and 2000w
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: sparklebright on January 05, 2010, 02:17:33 pm
I've had bad experiences with a parafin heater,.. it didn't smoke for the 4 hours after I lit it when I was checking on it before bed,... the next morning my shed and all my gear was destroyed with smelly, oily black soot that was near impossible to clean off. thank goodness I didn't put it in the van!
Ah glad I'm not the only one that has happened too.
Except my was in the van and the lid was off my tank, what a mess.

Oil filled radiator and a submersible aquarium heater in the tank, works lovely if left on overnight. The heated tank works like a radiator in the van and keeps everything working
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: C-N-C on January 05, 2010, 04:21:10 pm
these any good to you guy's ???

Sorry never read posts......just thought id show ya these fellas....
Prob already bin tried,but,thought it might help....

Regards
J ;)

http://www.lmkengineering.co.uk/HJprods.htm
OOOPS forgot to add link....LOL....sorry ;)
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: Bobs Window Cleaning on January 05, 2010, 04:25:44 pm
i bought a little tube heater from toolstation, put it in last night.
tank is clear from ice butit was still in the pipes.
insulated the pipes and drained them  so will hope for ice free tomorrow.
make sure you let pipes drain free from water. it cant freeze whats not in there.

I have a 2ft tube heater and like you say, all pipes frozen.

Waste of £20 ???
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: C-N-C on January 05, 2010, 04:31:17 pm
I have tried the parafin ones - they work just but stink the van out , i have even put a table patio heater in the van in the past - worked great but went out in earlly hour as it must of used up all the air !

 i have been stripping all the gear out and it is now sitting in my dinning room ready to put all back in morning, worked well this morning like that we got about 6 hours work done . so tonight i have ordered one of these to try -

http://www.bluebird-type2.co.uk/heat.htm

so will let you know if its money well spent.  I have been keeping a eye on these and the diesel ones on ebay but at the moment they are going for 350 -plus !!  for old poopter's - looks like there are a lot of frozen vans up and down the country  :o

I have to park on the road so cant run extention leads to van or i would just run a fan heater .

 Its come  !! so if you need a good heater quick i can recomend Bluebird.  you can even drive along with these going full pelt



Hiya jsm mate.....
Im in....were ya get them from mate?????
Please send link if poss

Thanks dude

Justin ;)

Just seen link...... ::) ::) ::) ::)

Thanks man ;)
Title: Re: Van heaters
Post by: eclipse on January 05, 2010, 05:10:49 pm
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc133/leerobinson1975/DSCF0035.jpg)

parasene heater set to no 4 setting
sleeping bag over my pump and filter to the left of the picture
hose and trolley in the house
Also when i had the tank cage fabricated i had it raised 6 inches allowing a little access for poles and few tools i also thought it would stop condensation on bottom of van as it allows air movement all around it
so far so good