[C o z y]

Just a quick question peeps. We work with portables, and in winter, up til now, kept the kit indoors because of freezing temps here. We get minus 15 regularly in Germany. Can machines and hoses take minus, or will it damage motors etc? There is always some water, somewhere left in the machine pumps etc surely? Haven't got stand heating on the van, so shall I carry on bringing the kit indoors over night?

[Carpet Dawg]

yip take in machines, solution hose, wands and some chems. Liquid based one's and defo protectors.

I take the machine in every night anyway as I run plain water through the pump at the end of the day.  I only take in the rest if I know its going to be frosty.

[*Hector*]

The water when it freezes expands, and can totally bugger up your pumps and vac motors if there is any in there.

Best to take the lot in... this will     

1. save the machines...

2. keep you fit....

3. keep you warm...


HTH 

[C o z y]

Point taken lads, thanks a lot for that. 

[Radek Jablonski]

Just place some heater for overnight

[Mike Gwilliam]

To bring all your kit in every day for a sustained cold spell can be tedious.

Sure enough, if the temp gets to -3 or below it can split brass sprayer lances, pop the seals on wands and hand tools etc and it can split brass fittings such as K valves.

I just place a fan heater on low in the van during frosty times. I also have a temeprature frost sensor in the van that tells me the temp outside on a clock in the bedroom.

[Craigp]

Get one of these; the main unit goes indoors, a sensor (not shown) goes outdoors, very useful, I've used one for years, if it's looking at about 1 or 2 degrees by 10.00pm put your heater in the van.

http://uk.oregonscientific.com/cat-Weather-sub-Thermometers-prod-Wireless-Indoor---Outdoor-Thermometer-with-Humidity.html#.UpJtls2XVok

They also record min and max temps, so you know the lowest temp the previous night, re-setable

**These are a good make, don't buy the cheap sh*t chinese ones on feebay cus they are Sh*t

[Craigp]

bit cheaper one here;

http://uk.oregonscientific.com/cat-Weather-sub-Thermometers-prod-Wireless-Indoor---Outdoor-Thermometer-with-RC-Clock.html#

[Carpet Dawg]

be eco friendly and take it in you lazy sods 

[*Hector*]

 

[JandS]

Unloading into house takes me 8 minutes...I know it's a pain when you get home at 4.30pm and it's cold and dark but for me it's peace of mind and it can only do the machine good...same with chemicals.
I actually hate the other end...loading up in morning.

[C o z y]

Strange how things pan out. Kept the machine indoors in case of damage. Get to the last job today and the water pump won't turn on   Had to nip back and grab the reserve machine, (23 year old Puzzi 200, and thankfully got the job done.
Not been used for about 12 years and sparked up and ran from the get go.   Now, got to get the main machine to Kärcher tomorrow, and suspect big costs if the pump is knackered.

Thanks again for the advice though guys, will take it all on-board.  

[Susan Dean (1stclean)]

if you park your van near the house everynight , i.e. its own parking place , then a oil filled rad will work a treat , if your going to do this to the same van for years then you can get real anal and do want my hubby did ,

1, removed all wood and poked rolls of loft insul. in the sides and rear doors you should be doing this anyways

2, fit a house electric sockit in the inside of the van (boarded out van)

3. run wire thourth floor to and out side plug fitted under rear bumper (I blue 240v female plug from a caravan )

4 . fit an exturnel mains sock it to the outside of house

5. make a lead to fit both sockits and its powered up

or just open the garage put the rad in the van a poke the wire out the middle of the doors and hook the power thought a window or under a barn door

[JandS]

Or spend 8 minutes twice a day filling and emptying your van.
It's not every night it needs doing although I put the machine inside most nights through the colder nights, keeps insides dry.

[qginsburg]

Nice
Tip Susan