[GB Window Cleaning]

so i thought i was as ready as i could be for the winter...

pipe lagging

2kw oil rad

insulated van cover

boiler blanket for inside of van


but after daz mentioned "submersible heaters" this morning im not so sure even with all ive done that my 350 ltr tank full of water still might freeze  

so my question to you fellow windys is what is the chance of the water in the tank freezing and what kind of submersible heater will keep  my 350 ltr tank full of water from freezing?

thanks

george

[brianbarber]

I have 350litre tank

I use the highest wattage fish tank heater,
Works good,
If you want it warm use two.
Very good

Mr B

[richard jagger]

500 to 1000 watt fish pond heat will heat it up to 30 degrees  you will find then on e bay or 2x 300 watts pond heater.

[Blue Frog Systems]

If you go into a fish shop check which ones they use in the tanks as some can me submerged completley and others cant. They always sell the ones they use.

I found that when using aquarium heaters that the tap froze up... kettle of hot water on it and good to go !

[Andy Prittchard]

Is that a joke?  Fish shops must get to 1000c to get that batter to stick.

[barry mallett]

dont forget the chips and mushy peas, and get bits on .

[H2GoKent]

In my experience, in past years, down in the South here, it's not the tank that froze but my hoses and connectors.
Aquarium heater and oil filled rad worked fine for me. Didn't insulate the tank but used it like a giant radiator to put a little warmth in to the back. Won't be warm but will keep it above freezing.

Left my system in the back garden shed running all the time and it didn't freeze but my transfer hose did on one occasion. Most of it's buried or insulated but of course a bit isn't and that froze.

And of course long johns for my old legs! 

[Dave Anderson]

I have a 1000w titantnium pond heater on a thermostat in a 2000l tank and from last years experience I noticed that the water was taking ages to click 'off' the thermostat....until..............I ran the tank pump back into it self and then the thermostat showed 16 deg and I only set it to come on at 5 deg....

So now have set a timer on the pump to circulate the tank water for 15 minutes every 2 hours for the 1st 48 hours and then 10 minutes every 4 hours for the rest of the week.

Cheers
Dave.

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

3kw, 27" immersion heater mounted via mechanical flange. Tank of hot water & NOTHING in the van freezes!

[Richard 01903]

Just fitted mine so happy days

[mac74]

RE: pipe lagging, armaflex is the best - look on ebay, it looks like the reg stuff but -50c, make sure u buy the outdoor type (if its going from tap 2 van) as its water proof + the inner width to take your 12.5mm garden hose?, if i remember its about £7-8 a metre. hope that helps gb  

[GB Window Cleaning]

thanks everyone for all your responses! really helpfull of you all!

think i dont fancy cutting holes in my new 350 ltr tank and fitting an imersion heater so im gonna look into a fully submersible aquarium heater i recon!

thanks again

george

[Nathanael Jones]

You can get 500W ones off ebay cheap enough. 

[woody1]

i am just moving this is my first winter wfp i dont have a drive and if i run power to the van it wll be over  a path in the culde sac will that be ok or will i have to think of enougher way

[woody1]

any one

[Nathanael Jones]

i am just moving this is my first winter wfp i dont have a drive and if i run power to the van it wll be over  a path in the culde sac will that be ok or will i have to think of enougher way

You could use heat trace cable. a 6mtr length will run for nearly 10 hours off a leisure battery, but the heat output is tiny so you have to connect it to your pipework etc and then insulate the pipes over the top of it.

Alternatively, a gas heater could be used to heat the tank the night before & it'll stay warm overnight.

[windiewasher]

i have a 350 litre tank in the van if it freezes i wont use it simple as that!
i have a backpack and trolley which will be brought inside the house with a few bottles of water and poles etc!
end of the day if its too cold outside the glass will freeze!
i will not have any heaters in my van/tank or anywhere else nor will i have highly dangerous gas bottles in my van!
if its too cold outside you cant clean windows!
very simple really isn't it ffs!

[woody1]

its a question and thanks for your opinion but no need for the ffs. did you get bullied while growing up as you got anger problems mate

[Ross G]

sheesh , it's all about opinions let's not fall out , most info on this thread has been good so far

[stuart mc]

i have a 350 litre tank in the van if it freezes i wont use it simple as that!
i have a backpack and trolley which will be brought inside the house with a few bottles of water and poles etc!
end of the day if its too cold outside the glass will freeze!
i will not have any heaters in my van/tank or anywhere else nor will i have highly dangerous gas bottles in my van!
if its too cold outside you cant clean windows!
very simple really isn't it ffs!

want to try living in a place that had sub 0 conditions for weeks not days and you will try anything to keep working. these guys are just sharing possible solutions