[Slash]

I can't make my mind up about installing a hot water supply to my van set up,the problem being on icy mornings won't the hot water still freeze on the ground below freezing conditions causeing danger to the public.

[G Griffin]

Water will freeze when it reaches freezing point, whatever temperature it was previously.

[Slash]

mmm..............my thoughts exactly,so whats the point in getting one then.

[Carl@Cwc]

SPRINKLE SALT ROUND AREAS TO BE WORKED BEFOREHAND.

the custies really appreciate this anyways, as we will do there footways too , it only take 2 mins and keeps you well in the good books.

[richard jagger]

I am at that point.the way it see it at least I can clean and even pump hot back into the tank in my van and my hoses will be flexible.The long as cash can still come in as fare as the ice on the ground I will grit. 

[dazmond]

i just put salt down and carry a brush in the van to sweep any puddles of water away.custies really appreciate it!!

i also carry a spare flask of hot water to thaw jets on brush if they freeze up when very cold.

ive never had any problems with a cold system in 2 and half year WFP.

if its that cold the water is freezing on the glass then i have the day off and spend some of my emergency fund that ive built up throughout the year!!


regards


dazmond

[Tom White]

I've got an immersion heater in my tank!  I hope it works!

[H2GoKent]

Fitted an immersion before last winter. Worked beautifully, plug it in the night before, the van was all toasty in the morning.

Grit on the paths, I bought rock salt from wickes, a fiver well spent.

[Jonny D]

Fitted an immersion before last winter. Worked beautifully, plug it in the night before, the van was all toasty in the morning.

Grit on the paths, I bought rock salt from wickes, a fiver well spent.

At what time do you turn the immersion on at and for how long do you keep it on? Also how hot does it make the water?

[sunshine windows]

I had a purefreedom system installed to one of the vans 2 years ago, after the whole lot froze in the back of the van. It's great for getting started on really cold days and the autostart thermostat control prevents freezing overnight. Good on really grubby first cleans too but I don't use it regularly.

Worth the money? Debatable!?

[Granny]

"At what time do you turn the immersion on at and for how long do you keep it on? Also how hot does it make the water?  "
Hi
I am wondering the same I have an immersion heater fitted but have never used it - first winter coming up
Any tips?
Granny
 
 
 

[bobplum]

i would say it depends on the size of tank and length of immersion element.
Roughly 4-5 hours

[G Griffin]

mmm..............my thoughts exactly,so whats the point in getting one then.

It cleans better; easier to work with- hoses etc. 
But I haven't got one, so can't say too much about them. I just think we shouldn't take the Mpemba effect too literally for window cleaning.

[Jonny D]

i would say it depends on the size of tank and length of immersion element.
Roughly 4-5 hours

So do you turn it on as soon as you have filled your tank so it heats your van up through the night and keeps your hose, pump, ect from freezing or do you do it 4 to 5 hours before you start so you have hot water to work with through the day?

I have a 650l tank so what size immersion would I need?

[H2GoKent]

Sorry was out doing my shops.

I only use when its going to be below freezing at night. My tank is not insulated as I use it like a giant radiator to keep all my pipes from freezing. Including mine 
It's a 3kw heater, I turn it on last thing before going to bed and then off at about 6am, so I suppose that's about 7-8 hours. The water is about 35-40degs C (very roughly) by then, and the whole van nice and warm

The heater does have a thermal cut out set at 60degs C so there's no danger of it getting boiling.
It cools reasonably quickly, but the hose is lovely and pliable and is warm enough to melt thru the snow even in the afternoon. I insulated my old van with 50mm polystyrene sheets and that kept it toasty.

[bobplum]

i would say it depends on the size of tank and length of immersion element.
Roughly 4-5 hours

So do you turn it on as soon as you have filled your tank so it heats your van up through the night and keeps your hose, pump, ect from freezing or do you do it 4 to 5 hours before you start so you have hot water to work with through the day?

I have a 650l tank so what size immersion would I need?

i put mine on a rcd and timer set it 4.00am comes on automatically
11 inch immersion should be ok
i have the van ply lined and insulated between the ply and the van walls also 50 mm polystyrene sheets as well as wool insulation around the tank
but if its minus 10 i aint going out no matter what

[king marko]

"At what time do you turn the immersion on at and for how long do you keep it on? Also how hot does it make the water?  "
Hi
I am wondering the same I have an immersion heater fitted but have never used it - first winter coming up
Any tips?
Granny
 
 
 

mine has a built in thermostat - I use a timer so it flicks on about 3/4 in the morning, then when it's upto temp it cuts out, then cuts in again if it drops a certain amount
The water is nice and warm, and stays warm virtually all day
 

[[GQC] Tim]

Put salt down before you start. Problem is, when it really freezes it can still get tricky with water freezing on paths. There is still a point where you have to give up. Hot does get you working for longer as your system won't freeze. Hot water comes in it's own because it's lovely to use in the cold. Your pole warms up, and if you have the pole hose on the pole (purefreedom hose tidy) you can even warm your hands on it now and then. I didn't use any gloves last winter, albeit being a mild winter.

[dave f]

imo a wast of money ive got one used it once its sat in the back of van redundant iant a lover of cleaning in freezing weather leaving a ice rink even if you have salted etc theres always a danger. as im speaking from experiencce.i did a house and custy came out asked if i would like a cuppa  i said ok but watch out its a bit slippy i aint salted your step yet aint finished. she gose back in ,as i am just done she forgot sliped with the cuppa, tea  all over lucky she fell against the garage door it put the poops up me so i dont do freezing weather you cant be too careful lwas expecting a claim for injuries

[wightsurf]

Salt first,and a but more when finished.