[tonycarr]

Hi has anyone used a paraffin heater , the type used in greenhouses, to stop hoses & pumps freezing at night with any real success?

Tony

[dazmond]

it makes all the inside of your van black with soot apparently so i wouldnt advise using one.

i use an oil filled radiator on min settings but i have easy access to an extension cable to run out to the van.

[kempy]

Oil filled for me , 3rd year now , frost free insides

External ports a put a towel around them on a night , then kettle on them if needed

[Clever Forum Name]

Don't do it!!!

The smell stays put for weeks and weeks. And everything gets sooty or sticky.

[geefree]

i put a 3000kw element in the tank... set it on a timer to come on at 5am... hot water, warm van , soft hoses... nothing frozen... and lovely warm hose all day.

[Ian101]

my advice ............... DONT DO IT 

I tried it once and stank van out, then didnt sleep worrying about a naked flame and flammable liquid being in back of van (insurance paperwork would have been tricky) ... oil filled rad even on low is much better or one of these even better http://www.diy.com/nav/rooms/radiators/portable-heaters/2000W-Convector-Heater-13308564

3 settings but setting 1 with temp dial midway will be plenty ...

[tonycarr]

Thanks for your input.....will look into those oil filled radiators, I can easily run a cable into van. Are they expensive to run?

Tony 

[Simon Mess]

I used a paraffin heater for a while, the location I was in meant it was impossible to use electric. It was reasonably effective, but the van I had at the time was pretty drafty(!), so it needed to be positioned very close to the pump. Others have mentioned that your van gets all sooty, but if this happens, it is because the flame isn't set right, if it is, there will be virtually no smoke. Others have mentioned the smell and unfortunately this is definitely the case!, so if at all possible, an electric cable out to the van is the best way to go. 

[Positivity]

i put a 3000kw element in the tank... set it on a timer to come on at 5am... hot water, warm van , soft hoses... nothing frozen... and lovely warm hose all day.

Hi Gazza
Don't want to put you off m8 but there's been past posts - last year at least I think 'bout 13 amp plugs burning out you really need a separate immersion circuit to be safe.
3kw is right at the limit of the current draw don't put anything else on that same plug such as a radiator.
And if you're using an extension make sure it is fully laid out not reeled up.
P.

[Ian101]

Thanks for your input.....will look into those oil filled radiators, I can easily run a cable into van. Are they expensive to run?

Tony 

guessing couple quid ................ but not as much as a days work lost thru damaged system or new pump etc 

[C-Thru.]

I had one NEVER AGAIN.
Fills van with soot, and takes weeks for stench to leave van.
They work, but only as an absolute last resort

[tonycarr]

thanks again chaps 

what sort of wattage should i be looking at for an oil filled fad?


Tony