[Londoner]

Hello all,  Im from the window cleaning side of the forum but I have a problem with the cold weather and I think you are just the right people to help me.
Like a lot of you, we have van mounted tanks but even with heaters left in the van overnight the temperature of the water in the tank is barely above freezing. Start spraying that onto windows outside and it freezes immediately in this weather. The hoses freeze on the ground as well.

My idea is to heat the water but we don't need year round hot water so the sort of systems you guys use would be superfluous.

I remember seeing at Windex/ Carpex a couple of years back an in line heater (3000W?) but haven't been able to find it again now.

If I can heat the water, even by ten degrees, before I go out that would be enough. I was thinking in terms of either heating the water as I filled the tank or recirculating the water in the tank for about an hour first thing before I left. We have no electricity once we are on the road.

Any help wounld be appreciated. Can anyone suggest a heater?

[Andrew Briscoe]

This is one that is sold by Prochem
http://www.vacuums4u.co.uk/acatalog/prochem-commercial-cleaning-accessories.html#aRR5002

I have a freshwater tank that is sold by Baneclene, basicly it uses heat from the engine. 2 pipes are connected to the coolant pipes either side of the engine, which travel through an element inside the freswater tank, heating as you drive along, giving you free heat, not sure if they sell them seperately, but you could try Spurgeons who are uk distributer.

Andrew

[Ken Wainwright]

As someone who failed O level physics, I am no expert in this area of which I would like to raise a question.

I seem to remember from a 1966 physics lesson, I think it was on a Thursday during the Easter term, that hot water will freeze quicker than cold water. As window cleaning requires a relatively low pressure and low volume delivery in small bore hoses, is it possible that the freezing of hot water could occur more quickly in the hose between jobs?

Safe and happy cleaning
The Ken

[nick wood]

hot and cold water will freeze at the same time regardless of the initial temperature differential. however, hot water gives better window cleaning results, keeps the pole warm and aint going to freeze up during the job.

[Mr Dvae]

hi vince depending on how much money u want to spend? you could fit an eberspacher van heater as the truckmount guys use to keep their vans from freezing in the cold weather.
you can get them that heat a hot water as well as heat the van

Dave

[stu_thomson]

Even if you manage to heat the water (immersion?)
If you clean madams windows with WFP there will be a puddle of water underneath which will freeze quickly in sub zero temp causing a slip hazard and a possible claim

for these reasons Im not cleaning windows at mo

regards
stu

[simbo]

i do clean some windows, but do not clean when raining and would def not when weather like this for many reasons, most importantly they would think i was a t##t !. Don't get me wrong its not nice losing money but lets be honest good cleaners earn good rates so they should be able to ride it out as i thought thats how we justify our prices. Be honest nobody wants it when weather crap but on a nice day they think its great!!!Unfortunately they are right and thats why window cleaners are considered lower than low by many but def not all.
paul

[Ian Gourlay]

I can not remember his name but the Guy in The States who designed the Scorpion along with JB

His company has a butane in line heater

I often wonder why they were ot sold in UK with Scorpion

Just remembererd its Ed Valentine

[robert meldrum]

Ken's comment on hot water freezing more quickly is also my understanding.............something to do with evaporation, I think............

I've seen hot water window cleaning being advertised