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Thr-windowcleaning

  • Posts: 35
Protecting van system in frosts
« on: January 14, 2016, 09:57:42 am »
Hello all,

With the weatherman predicting double negative degrees at night, I was wondering how you guys protect your systems in the vans? Mine is out on the driveway. I park close to my house for that extra couple of degrees when it's going to be fresh, and I haven't had any problems yet. However, with freezing weather predicted, I wondered if it would be worth running a heat mat around exposed bits. I guess the main issue isn't the water tank freezing up, but the pipes/filters freezing - expanding - breaking.

So just wondering what you lot do?

Mike #1

  • Posts: 4668
Re: Protecting van system in frosts
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2016, 10:36:57 am »
My truck is in the garage , But seen as you park on your own drive extension cable out to van with a small oil filled rad with thermostat once temp drops it will kick in and van will be nice and warm and set up protected .

Smurf

  • Posts: 8538
Re: Protecting van system in frosts
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2016, 11:15:49 am »
For prolonged sub zero temps when you can't work at all I would bring any vulnerable kit into the warm.
One year I was off for weeks due to bad weather the van tank and static holding tanks in my garden turned into icebergs ;D

Smudger

  • Posts: 13438
Re: Protecting van system in frosts
« Reply #3 on: January 14, 2016, 01:09:08 pm »
Oil filled radiator set just above the frost protect setting - they keep everything safe and don't cost an arm and a leg to run

Darran
Never argue with an idiot, they will only bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience

Clever Forum Name

  • Posts: 5942
Re: Protecting van system in frosts
« Reply #4 on: January 14, 2016, 01:24:09 pm »
Oil fires rads.

Tube heaters.

Drain stuff down which doesn't cause massive air lock problems next day.

Lag pipes.

Blankets.

Set fire to the van.


Smurf

  • Posts: 8538
Re: Protecting van system in frosts
« Reply #5 on: January 14, 2016, 01:27:57 pm »
Oil filled radiator set just above the frost protect setting - they keep everything safe and don't cost an arm and a leg to run

Darran

Thats when you remember to plug them in smudger... ;D
One time I forgot and trashed a hot water heater in the van. Oops!

Smurf

  • Posts: 8538
Re: Protecting van system in frosts
« Reply #6 on: January 14, 2016, 01:30:30 pm »
Oil fires rads.

Tube heaters.

Drain stuff down which doesn't cause massive air lock problems next day.

Lag pipes.

Blankets.

Set fire to the van.

The last one sounds interesting if you want a new van out of it.  ;D

Smudger

  • Posts: 13438
Re: Protecting van system in frosts
« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2016, 01:33:28 pm »
Thankfully I never forgot, don't have to worry now all the vans are parked in the unit  ;D

The best way is an immersion in the water tank, frost free van and hot water 👍
Never argue with an idiot, they will only bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience

Smurf

  • Posts: 8538
Re: Protecting van system in frosts
« Reply #8 on: January 14, 2016, 01:35:30 pm »
Thankfully I never forgot, don't have to worry now all the vans are parked in the unit  ;D

Ok don't rub it in ;D

Smudger

  • Posts: 13438
Re: Protecting van system in frosts
« Reply #9 on: January 14, 2016, 03:10:59 pm »
I just want to be the next solar Steve ....... ;D ;D
Never argue with an idiot, they will only bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience

chris dosell

Re: Protecting van system in frosts
« Reply #10 on: January 14, 2016, 06:20:25 pm »
Hi I had a eberspacher night heater installed, bit expensive but its like having central heating in a van

Jonny 87

  • Posts: 3488
Re: Protecting van system in frosts
« Reply #11 on: January 14, 2016, 06:37:32 pm »
I have an immersion heater.

Goes on at 9pm, off at 6am, and keeps the bank of my van warm, while also giving me warm water to work with all day. Costs me about £2.50 overnight.

Before that I'd put an oil filled radiator in the back.
Vision Technician / Visual Engineer /  Vision Enhancement Operative /...........................................................OnlyUseMeWFP AkA Jonny the Windy Wesher

dazmond

  • Posts: 23981
Re: Protecting van system in frosts
« Reply #12 on: January 14, 2016, 07:10:17 pm »
yep oil filled radiator in van tonight for the first time this winter,drained gas heater too just to be on the safe side.

if it goes down to -10  or -15 on sat night then my tank could still freeze even with radiator in  the back so ill be putting a duvet over the top of the tank too.

i also have some ice melt grit and a sweeping brush in the van for when im out and about working for customers paths.i will grit an elderly customers driveway for a cup of coffee free of charge. :)
price higher/work harder!

SB Cleaning

  • Posts: 4287
Re: Protecting van system in frosts
« Reply #13 on: January 14, 2016, 07:15:16 pm »
-10 -15  ::)roll...My weather says -3

Clever Forum Name

  • Posts: 5942
Re: Protecting van system in frosts
« Reply #14 on: January 14, 2016, 07:25:17 pm »
-10 -15  ::)roll...My weather says -3

Nah double figures frosts are predicted for the weekend :) (some areas, not everywhere)

AuRavelling79

  • Posts: 25404
Re: Protecting van system in frosts
« Reply #15 on: January 14, 2016, 07:28:59 pm »
I have an immersion heater.

Goes on at 9pm, off at 6am, and keeps the bank of my van warm, while also giving me warm water to work with all day. Costs me about £2.50 overnight.

Before that I'd put an oil filled radiator in the back.

I do this except I find that 6 hours of heat (3kw) is enough for water in the low 20 degrees range and supple hoses in 400 litres of water.
It's a game of three halves!

SB Cleaning

  • Posts: 4287
Re: Protecting van system in frosts
« Reply #16 on: January 14, 2016, 07:30:25 pm »
-10 -15  ::)roll...My weather says -3

Nah double figures frosts are predicted for the weekend :) (some areas, not everywhere)
Where?? You been reading the newspapers lad ;D

dazmond

  • Posts: 23981
Re: Protecting van system in frosts
« Reply #17 on: January 14, 2016, 07:32:31 pm »
-10 -15  ::)roll...My weather says -3

says double minus  figures for sat night here in the north west! ::)roll

i remember back in 2010 it went down to -15 and all my 10 barrels in my old van froze solid!(no heater in the back!) ;D
price higher/work harder!

SB Cleaning

  • Posts: 4287
Re: Protecting van system in frosts
« Reply #18 on: January 14, 2016, 07:36:19 pm »
-10 -15  ::)roll...My weather says -3

says double minus  figures for sat night here in the north west! ::)roll

i remember back in 2010 it went down to -15 and all my 10 barrels in my old van froze solid!(no heater in the back!) ;D
I remember in 2010 too it was a nightmare.

BBC weather must be well out with their predictions  then ;D

Clever Forum Name

  • Posts: 5942
Re: Protecting van system in frosts
« Reply #19 on: January 14, 2016, 08:09:03 pm »
I am only repeating what BBC weather said.

whether it's correct I don't know.