[dazmond]

So this is my first winter using an RO. Do I need to put an oil filled radiator in my RO shed on below freezing nights?

I have a stainless steel 40/40 housing. Is this enough to stop the membrane from getting frost damaged?

Also does water production slow due to colder water? Currently it takes around 3 hours to purify 400-500L for my next days work as i have very low water pressure(34psi).

Cheers in advance chaps

[NBwcs]

I would have thought wrapping an old duvet over everything would be enough except for when extreme temperatures are forecast, then put the heater on. Does your shed have any insulation?

[dazmond]

I would have thought wrapping an old duvet over everything would be enough except for when extreme temperatures are forecast, then put the heater on. Does your shed have any insulation?

No it's just a small,metal shed. I think I'll wrap a duvet around it and just use the heater if it's really cold. The membrane costs around £475 to replace so I don't wanna damage it.

[deeege]

No chance I’d be relying on a blanket to stop the RO from freezing Daz. An oiled filled rad prob won’t make much difference in an uninsulated steel shed either. I’d be looking for a more suitable (indoor) solution. Thought you had a double garage?

[Spruce]

Bring your r/o inside.
When I first started wfp , I processed water directly into my trailer tanks overnight. The r/o was outside all night, but never froze as the tap water was flowing through it. When I switched it off in the morning, I put it in the bath.

You have a stainless steel r/o housing. That will freeze quicker than my r/o with a plastic housing.

Last winter I found that my R/o was taking twice as long to produce water. It was only producing 1 litre of our a minute instead of the usual 2 liters. I measured it.

I actually spoke to Doug about it and we concluded it was a combination of the age of the membrane and and the low water temperatures.

Production has been back to normal this summer though.

[Jonny 87]

You definitely need to frost protect it Daz.

I’ve wrecked one membrane when I didn’t think about this.

Look up “tubular” heaters, and position it underneath your Ro, plus a duvet.

Even better still, insulate the shed.

Expect your water production to take twice as long in the winter, and to degrade even further as your membrane ages.

[colin bird]

hi dazmond i also have a 40inch stainless ro  on my purefreedom van mounted system ,so not much different to being in a shed,i put a 500 watt oil filled radiator with thermostat on medium setting approx 18 inches away from ro and filter housings,ive been doing this for many years and not had any problems to date

[dazmond]

No chance I’d be relying on a blanket to stop the RO from freezing Daz. An oiled filled rad prob won’t make much difference in an uninsulated steel shed either. I’d be looking for a more suitable (indoor) solution. Thought you had a double garage?

We have a single garage but it's out of bounds at the moment. Its full of my missus junk and door is broken. We are getting a roller door fitted (on the cheap) at the end of this month but we need to order a skip and clear it out first.

I'm sure the oil filled radiator will do the job coupled with a duvet wrapped round the membrane housing. I've just bought 2 x 1500watt ones. One for the back of the van and one for the shed. My missus has her workshop in the garage,furniture and shelving so it wont be possible to store my RO in there. I think ill put some insulation in the shed which will help retain the heat.

[dazmond]

You definitely need to frost protect it Daz.

I’ve wrecked one membrane when I didn’t think about this.

Look up “tubular” heaters, and position it underneath your Ro, plus a duvet.

Even better still, insulate the shed.

Expect your water production to take twice as long in the winter, and to degrade even further as your membrane ages.

Thanks jonny. Defo gonna insulate the shed this month!

[dazmond]

Bring your r/o inside.
When I first started wfp , I processed water directly into my trailer tanks overnight. The r/o was outside all night, but never froze as the tap water was flowing through it. When I switched it off in the morning, I put it in the bath.

You have a stainless steel r/o housing. That will freeze quicker than my r/o with a plastic housing.

Last winter I found that my R/o was taking twice as long to produce water. It was only producing 1 litre of our a minute instead of the usual 2 liters. I measured it.

I actually spoke to Doug about it and we concluded it was a combination of the age of the membrane and and the low water temperatures.

Production has been back to normal this summer though.

Cheers Spruce. Its not possible to bring my RO inside so I'll insulate shed and stick a heater in there!🙂👍

[AuRavelling79]

My RO is in a wooden cabinet about the size of a chest of drawers outside the back door. I have a tubular heater in the cabinet right next to the RO and a blanket on top of the RO and the heater.

If the space is small you don't need a big heater. Mine is 240v and 200w.

For the back of the van  when it's cold the immersion keeps everything warm - if it's really cold and I didn't have an immersion - I would stick an oil filled thermostat controlled radiator near the pumps.

[Ian Sheppard]

So this is my first winter using an RO. Do I need to put an oil filled radiator in my RO shed on below freezing nights?

I have a stainless steel 40/40 housing. Is this enough to stop the membrane from getting frost damaged?

Also does water production slow due to colder water? Currently it takes around 3 hours to purify 400-500L for my next days work as i have very low water pressure(34psi).

Hi Dazmond. Yes it will produce less over the winter as temperatures drop low the Viscosity of the water changes In affect its gets thicker and moves slower compared to Summer. A good example is Oil when clod its thick and moves slowly, heated up it thins and moves faster. Water is affected in a similar way. I agree with Spruce on the protection being steel the RO will cool quickly.

Cheers in advance chaps

[deeege]

 A garage that’s full of junk is out of bounds?
I thought you wore the trousers in your relationship Daz?  Get your Mrs to shift her crap from the garage so you can keep your vital work equipment safe from the frost.

No chance I’d be relying on a blanket to stop the RO from freezing Daz. An oiled filled rad prob won’t make much difference in an uninsulated steel shed either. I’d be looking for a more suitable (indoor) solution. Thought you had a double garage?

We have a single garage but it's out of bounds at the moment. Its full of my missus junk and door is broken. We are getting a roller door fitted (on the cheap) at the end of this month but we need to order a skip and clear it out first.

I'm sure the oil filled radiator will do the job coupled with a duvet wrapped round the membrane housing. I've just bought 2 x 1500watt ones. One for the back of the van and one for the shed. My missus has her workshop in the garage,furniture and shelving so it wont be possible to store my RO in there. I think ill put some insulation in the shed which will help retain the heat.

[Bungle]

So this is my first winter using an RO. Do I need to put an oil filled radiator in my RO shed on below freezing nights?

I have a stainless steel 40/40 housing. Is this enough to stop the membrane from getting frost damaged?

Also does water production slow due to colder water? Currently it takes around 3 hours to purify 400-500L for my next days work as i have very low water pressure(34psi).

Cheers in advance chaps

I'd have thought someone with your experience would have sorted this before it gets cold. Get that junk out of the garage and tell her no 5* holidays if she moans. Is there a tap in there? Do you have an IBC? My setup is in the garage and I wrap it up in house removal blankets over the winter. A tin shed isn't the answer!

[AuRavelling79]

A tin shed is fine. Just needs to be heated and insulated.

[dazmond]

So this is my first winter using an RO. Do I need to put an oil filled radiator in my RO shed on below freezing nights?

I have a stainless steel 40/40 housing. Is this enough to stop the membrane from getting frost damaged?

Also does water production slow due to colder water? Currently it takes around 3 hours to purify 400-500L for my next days work as i have very low water pressure(34psi).

Cheers in advance chaps

I'd have thought someone with your experience would have sorted this before it gets cold. Get that junk out of the garage and tell her no 5* holidays if she moans. Is there a tap in there? Do you have an IBC? My setup is in the garage and I wrap it up in house removal blankets over the winter. A tin shed isn't the answer!

My missus is an interior designer with her own business. She needs the garage more than me!😆

I have 2 sheds....I wooden one with all my poles,spares, resin,prefilters,etc and garden tools in and a small,metal shed that houses my RO.

The good news is she's going to measure,order and fit the insulation in my 'tin' shed in the next few weeks once she's finished painting all the doors in the house and wallpapering the hall/stairs!😎

[Scottish Cleaning Service]

I would coat inside the shed with 25mm kingspan. The floor and the roof are important because heat rises. Just coat floor and then fit 12mm or 18mm ply on top of it. Coat the door as well and it will hold the heat, money well spent. Sometimes if you go on Gumtree there is people selling second hand sheets or sheets left behind from a job.

[Stoots]

I would have just built a wooden box to house the R.O and insulated that no need to do the entire shed. Mine lives outside no insulation but I run mine overnight so it's rare it gets the chance to freeze.

[AuRavelling79]

So this is my first winter using an RO. Do I need to put an oil filled radiator in my RO shed on below freezing nights?

I have a stainless steel 40/40 housing. Is this enough to stop the membrane from getting frost damaged?

Also does water production slow due to colder water? Currently it takes around 3 hours to purify 400-500L for my next days work as i have very low water pressure(34psi).

Cheers in advance chaps

I'd have thought someone with your experience would have sorted this before it gets cold. Get that junk out of the garage and tell her no 5* holidays if she moans. Is there a tap in there? Do you have an IBC? My setup is in the garage and I wrap it up in house removal blankets over the winter. A tin shed isn't the answer!

My missus is an interior designer with her own business. She needs the garage more than me!😆

I have 2 sheds....I wooden one with all my poles,spares, resin,prefilters,etc and garden tools in and a small,metal shed that houses my RO.

The good news is she's going to measure,order and fit the insulation in my 'tin' shed in the next few weeks once she's finished painting all the doors in the house and wallpapering the hall/stairs!😎

The woman is a saint! 

[AuRavelling79]

I would have just built a wooden box to house the R.O and insulated that no need to do the entire shed. Mine lives outside no insulation but I run mine overnight so it's rare it gets the chance to freeze.

Exactly. Go to IKEA and get a flat pack cupboard or a rabbit hutch. Put shed felt on the top and seal any cracks. Run mains power  to it and a tubular heater on a thermostat.

Set to click in at 3 or 5 degrees. Job jobbed.