[Jonny 87]

Well for winter prep I think I'm going to go down the immersion route after hearing of a few of your guys thoughts on it.

The only thing different id like to do is instead of fitting it into my van, fit it to my static system in the shed.

I already have an LPG heater that I will keep in case of emergencies, but the thought of filling up my van with warm water in the morning sounds appealing.

Has anyone fitted an immersion to a ibc?

My only worry is that the wall of the ibc is thinner, and might be more difficult to make a water tight seal?

[ChumBucket]

It has been done, I remember someone posting pics some time ago. The tank wall thickness will not be relevant to a water tight seal. A Wydale wfp tank is just short of 1/4" thick. as always I recommend using a proper mechanical flange to the tank then fit the element to this.

flange-

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p38614

[Smudger]

My van tanks are all ibc's - fitted them with no problem at all - use the correct size hole saw and you should just with a bit of pressure push it into the hole, buy the back nut from tool station as it's easier to screw onto the thread than the cheap ones off fleabay ( usually these only have 2 flats ) use a generous amount of silicone sealant - use a brand for tropical fish tanks, they set better, can handle the water pressure and heat.

The best bit is finding a mug who's skinny and has long arms to reach in 

Darran

[Scrimble]

or buy an actual immersion heater for a 1000l ibc

[ChumBucket]

I've never used silicone on mine, just ptfe paste on the threads as a precaution. The flange will seal itself if you tighten it enough, a flange is much more secure than just a back nut plus you can fit a blanking cap to a flange should you ever want to remove the immersion and not be left with a tank that has a big hole in it.

[Jonny 87]

Thanks for the help guys!

Scribble I had no idea you could one like that for ibc's.

Will be a nice little project for me.

Its forecast to be 5 degrees here tonight in Scotland. Nearly weather for frost!

[Smudger]

Scribble got a link - that look good

For back nut see mechanical flange  couldn't recall the words

Darran

[Jonny 87]

Wait.........

I've just realised what scrimbles picture was. I thought it was just an extra long element.

Does that actually go through the lid of the ibc?

This would save me a few jobs!

[Jonny 87]

Manage to find this.

Looks like the dogs doodas!

Just trying to find a place to buy it and a price.

http://www.sbhsolutions.com.au/index.php/immersion-heater-intermediate-bulk-container-ibc-2/

[Jonny 87]

If things look too good to be true they probably are...... 

Think it's going to be about £700 for that ibc immersion! . 

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/IBC-Immersion-Heater_169564762.html?spm=a2700.7724857.35.9.3V7x07

[mark m]

the problem is if you fixed it to the top of the ibc tank you would have to heat it when the tank was full  as i would have thought it would burn out other wise

[Smurf]

That was what I was thinking too Mark unless the element part is just the bottom bit but looks like a standard heater element to me so would need to be fully immersed in water surely?

[Jonny 87]

It has been done, I remember someone posting pics some time ago. The tank wall thickness will not be relevant to a water tight seal. A Wydale wfp tank is just short of 1/4" thick. as always I recommend using a proper mechanical flange to the tank then fit the element to this.

flange-

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p38614

Righty, I'm just about to order this element. Should fit nicely in my ibc, it doesn't say the power of it, but I'm guessing it must be 3kw.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/titanium-immersion-heater-element-27/75262

Is the mechanical flange you posted above, a universal type fit with these chummy?

[Smudger]

Yes they are.

Darran

[Jonny 87]

Yes they are.

Darran

Awesome. Thanks Darran.

[ChumBucket]

You'll also need something to tighten both the flange and element. I recommend an immersion element spanner plus a chain wrench. The element and flange are two different sizes if I remember correctly. You can buy a specific spanner for the element and just use a chain wrench for the flange- both can be purchased cheaply. 

[Jonny 87]

You'll also need something to tighten both the flange and element. I recommend an immersion element spanner plus a chain wrench. The element and flange are two different sizes if sI remember correctly. You can buy a specific spanner for the element and just use a chain wrench for the flange- both can be purchased cheaply. 

Got ya.

That makes sense.

Thanks chum.

[NBwcs]

Might consider one myself this year. Always get scare stories from amateur meterologists and nuts this time of year for the forthcoming winter but read that the met office themselves are forewarning of a possible very severe winter this time due to the position of the jet stream. 1963 mentioned etc. Dont take too much notice of warnings myself but we are due one, been pretty good last few years.