[chris turner]

I've used mine every night since fitting.

What's the costs like on daily use Dave?

[֍Winp®oClean֍]

I've been using a 3Kw immersion for around 6/7 years. It's all rigged up correctly with a 16amp line on it's own breaker. I have an external 16amp socket on the wall outside where I park up so I just have to plug into that on a night. I also have this 16amp line wired via a 24hr timer so I can set an exact time for heating from indoors. Works a treat but my reason for using this is not for any additional cleaning ability but to keep my van frost free regardless of outside temp, keep my hoses nice and supple on cold days and widen the window of opportunity to clean windows in sub-zero temperatures. It's a low cost, no hassle, simple but very effective solution for cold weather working! I advise anyone going down this route to do the same as I have done above AND also fit the element via a mechanical flange.

[nathankaye]

The only reason ive opted for the 2kw element is that im currently renting my property and so i cant go updating or changing its electrics. So im safe with the 2kw.
My tank width is 1m and the element is 27inches so plenty of space at bottom of tank under baffle (yep i kno its the structure).
I just need to take my time when fitting it has i have a tendency to rush these jobs and end up cutting the hole too big, which is the main reason i wanted to avoid this avenue. But for all the above many reasons for switching to heated water will be well worth the patience

[Jonny 87]

Would be interesting to find out who actually uses an emersion heater to warm up the van tank every day all year around... Anyone???

I think you might be the first Nathan if you intend to use it this way as an emersion element is mainly used as a frost protect in winter months surely?

Having the ability to be able to use an on demand water heater and have full control of the temp required depending what I'm doing is defo a no brainer for me.

Been using mine daily for about 18 months.

2kw immersion, on for 8 hours per night, nice warm water to the touch and steamy on the glass all day, supple hoses and less than £2.50 per night in cost which for me is cheaper than gas,  plus I have no worries of burning down my van and all the insurance/risk implications that go along with it.

[AuRavelling79]

I've been using a 3Kw immersion for around 6/7 years. It's all rigged up correctly with a 16amp line on it's own breaker. I have an external 16amp socket on the wall outside where I park up so I just have to plug into that on a night. I also have this 16amp line wired via a 24hr timer so I can set an exact time for heating from indoors. Works a treat but my reason for using this is not for any additional cleaning ability but to keep my van frost free regardless of outside temp, keep my hoses nice and supple on cold days and widen the window of opportunity to clean windows in sub-zero temperatures. It's a low cost, no hassle, simple but very effective solution for cold weather working! I advise anyone going down this route to do the same as I have done above AND also fit the element via a mechanical flange.

I endorse the above post having done similar since 2010 as well.

[nathankaye]

Not done a full days work today, had to do school runs etc, so only used about 200 - 230ltrs or so of water.  Begining of the day i started with a water temp of 32 in van tank. Water i transfered to backpack (which transfers from bottom) again 32.
It was close to 8pm this evening when i went to top my tank up from ibc uninsulated tank in garden. Before doing so the water in van tank read 25 and climbing slowly but i didnt wait for final figure. Topped up the 500ltr tank and after adding cold water  it took it to 20 degrees.
Therefore the 2kw element will do very nicely, as my water heaters are regulated to 32/34 whereas the immersion will not be limited to that temp. So i will be having higher temps at begining of the day and evening than i currently am, hence personnaly i cant see why many are against this and knocking it based on what im experiencing.
Plus no gas to worry about in back of van when working.  Use a smart box on electric and record your usage for tax purposes. I can continue to drive legally and in full confidence esp in my insurance as well, where are the negatives other than its not going to get to boiling point that people are bragging about       (yep slight exaggeration, but does it need to burn the flesh of your hands at brush end to do the all amazing!! Lol its same people who promote Vision aint it,    )

[LWC]

I wasnt bragging...hot means hot, not luke warm 

[Smurf]

Not done a full days work today, had to do school runs etc, so only used about 200 - 230ltrs or so of water.  Begining of the day i started with a water temp of 32 in van tank. Water i transfered to backpack (which transfers from bottom) again 32.
It was close to 8pm this evening when i went to top my tank up from ibc uninsulated tank in garden. Before doing so the water in van tank read 25 and climbing slowly but i didnt wait for final figure. Topped up the 500ltr tank and after adding cold water  it took it to 20 degrees.
Therefore the 2kw element will do very nicely, as my water heaters are regulated to 32/34 whereas the immersion will not be limited to that temp. So i will be having higher temps at begining of the day and evening than i currently am, hence personnaly i cant see why many are against this and knocking it based on what im experiencing.
Plus no gas to worry about in back of van when working.  Use a smart box on electric and record your usage for tax purposes. I can continue to drive legally and in full confidence esp in my insurance as well, where are the negatives other than its not going to get to boiling point that people are bragging about       (yep slight exaggeration, but does it need to burn the flesh of your hands at brush end to do the all amazing!! Lol its same people who promote Vision aint it,    )

So for instance you turn up to a large job and think hmmm sod it I'm not going to waste all my warm pure water on that lot.
What would be your preferred options be when they have an outside tap  you can use and you know hot cleans better than warm or cold.

A. use cold tap water.
B. use warm pure water.
C. use an endless supply of hot tap water on demand.
D. use hot pure water on demand.

I know which I would prefer to use C and then D (on any glass afterwards). But you don't have that option. lol

[nathankaye]

If its a pita of a job, as i take it as being implied, then i go with option E.........use whichever option i have available and charge more for the job. Win win 

[Smurf]

If its a pita of a job, as i take it as being implied, then i go with option E.........use whichever option i have available and charge more for the job. Win win 

You forgot option F lol

[Jonny 87]

Not done a full days work today, had to do school runs etc, so only used about 200 - 230ltrs or so of water.  Begining of the day i started with a water temp of 32 in van tank. Water i transfered to backpack (which transfers from bottom) again 32.
It was close to 8pm this evening when i went to top my tank up from ibc uninsulated tank in garden. Before doing so the water in van tank read 25 and climbing slowly but i didnt wait for final figure. Topped up the 500ltr tank and after adding cold water  it took it to 20 degrees.
Therefore the 2kw element will do very nicely, as my water heaters are regulated to 32/34 whereas the immersion will not be limited to that temp. So i will be having higher temps at begining of the day and evening than i currently am, hence personnaly i cant see why many are against this and knocking it based on what im experiencing.
Plus no gas to worry about in back of van when working.  Use a smart box on electric and record your usage for tax purposes. I can continue to drive legally and in full confidence esp in my insurance as well, where are the negatives other than its not going to get to boiling point that people are bragging about       (yep slight exaggeration, but does it need to burn the flesh of your hands at brush end to do the all amazing!! Lol its same people who promote Vision aint it,    )

So for instance you turn up to a large job and think hmmm sod it I'm not going to waste all my warm pure water on that lot.
What would be your preferred options be when they have an outside tap  you can use and you know hot cleans better than warm or cold.

A. use cold tap water.
B. use warm pure water.
C. use an endless supply of hot tap water on demand.
D. use hot pure water on demand.

I know which I would prefer to use C and then D (on any glass afterwards). But you don't have that option. lol

Never had that in all my working life. Lol.

I go out with 650 litres of hot water and that does any job I come across. When it comes to
Windows warm water cleans just as good as scalding hot in my experience.

[Dave Willis]

My public liability insurance has an endorsement where they will not cover me or employees using heat such as blow lamps, torches, hot air guns etc. You can bet your life they won't cover a bodged up gas heater!

[JandS]

Nathan you would have been fine with a 3kw heater re the electrics.

[֍Winp®oClean֍]

Nathan you would have been fine with a 3kw heater re the electrics.

NO he wouldn't!!!!!

[Smurf]

Not done a full days work today, had to do school runs etc, so only used about 200 - 230ltrs or so of water.  Begining of the day i started with a water temp of 32 in van tank. Water i transfered to backpack (which transfers from bottom) again 32.
It was close to 8pm this evening when i went to top my tank up from ibc uninsulated tank in garden. Before doing so the water in van tank read 25 and climbing slowly but i didnt wait for final figure. Topped up the 500ltr tank and after adding cold water  it took it to 20 degrees.
Therefore the 2kw element will do very nicely, as my water heaters are regulated to 32/34 whereas the immersion will not be limited to that temp. So i will be having higher temps at begining of the day and evening than i currently am, hence personnaly i cant see why many are against this and knocking it based on what im experiencing.
Plus no gas to worry about in back of van when working.  Use a smart box on electric and record your usage for tax purposes. I can continue to drive legally and in full confidence esp in my insurance as well, where are the negatives other than its not going to get to boiling point that people are bragging about       (yep slight exaggeration, but does it need to burn the flesh of your hands at brush end to do the all amazing!! Lol its same people who promote Vision aint it,    )

So for instance you turn up to a large job and think hmmm sod it I'm not going to waste all my warm pure water on that lot.
What would be your preferred options be when they have an outside tap  you can use and you know hot cleans better than warm or cold.

A. use cold tap water.
B. use warm pure water.
C. use an endless supply of hot tap water on demand.
D. use hot pure water on demand.

I know which I would prefer to use C and then D (on any glass afterwards). But you don't have that option. lol

Never had that in all my working life. Lol.

I go out with 650 litres of hot water and that does any job I come across. When it comes to
Windows warm water cleans just as good as scalding hot in my experience.

I also can carry 650 of cold pure water which is heated on demand to whatever temp I want. Still the question begs why use pure at all when you don't need to and you have the option to use an endless supply of heated on demand tap water too. May I add at much higher flow rate than any wfp pump could  provide.  Not only that I like to use it for mixing soft washing chems as they work better when mixed with hot/warm tap water instead of adding cold. Then I still have the option for using hot tap water for rinsing down large surface areas like render, cladding  etc.  I'm not trying to say you are wrong but using an on demand hot water heater for me is defo a no brainer.

I sure then next thing you will see is on demand water heaters being fitted to van mount softwash systems after suppliers have read this post. lol

[Jonny 87]

Not done a full days work today, had to do school runs etc, so only used about 200 - 230ltrs or so of water.  Begining of the day i started with a water temp of 32 in van tank. Water i transfered to backpack (which transfers from bottom) again 32.
It was close to 8pm this evening when i went to top my tank up from ibc uninsulated tank in garden. Before doing so the water in van tank read 25 and climbing slowly but i didnt wait for final figure. Topped up the 500ltr tank and after adding cold water  it took it to 20 degrees.
Therefore the 2kw element will do very nicely, as my water heaters are regulated to 32/34 whereas the immersion will not be limited to that temp. So i will be having higher temps at begining of the day and evening than i currently am, hence personnaly i cant see why many are against this and knocking it based on what im experiencing.
Plus no gas to worry about in back of van when working.  Use a smart box on electric and record your usage for tax purposes. I can continue to drive legally and in full confidence esp in my insurance as well, where are the negatives other than its not going to get to boiling point that people are bragging about       (yep slight exaggeration, but does it need to burn the flesh of your hands at brush end to do the all amazing!! Lol its same people who promote Vision aint it,    )

So for instance you turn up to a large job and think hmmm sod it I'm not going to waste all my warm pure water on that lot.
What would be your preferred options be when they have an outside tap  you can use and you know hot cleans better than warm or cold.

A. use cold tap water.
B. use warm pure water.
C. use an endless supply of hot tap water on demand.
D. use hot pure water on demand.

I know which I would prefer to use C and then D (on any glass afterwards). But you don't have that option. lol

Never had that in all my working life. Lol.

I go out with 650 litres of hot water and that does any job I come across. When it comes to
Windows warm water cleans just as good as scalding hot in my experience.

I also can carry 650 of cold pure water which is heated on demand to whatever temp I want. Still the question begs why use pure at all when you don't need to and you have the option to use an endless supply of heated on demand tap water too. May I add at much higher flow rate than any wfp pump could  provide.  Not only that I like to use it for mixing soft washing chems as they work better when mixed with hot/warm tap water instead of adding cold. Then I still have the option for using hot tap water for rinsing down large surface areas like render, cladding  etc.  I'm not trying to say you are wrong but using an on demand hot water heater for me is defo a no brainer.

I sure then next thing you will see is on demand water heaters being fitted to van mount softwash systems after suppliers have read this post. lol

Different situation though mate.

Am I right in saying all your work is add on work and you don't run a window cleaning "round" as such?

If all my work was pvc cleans and soft washing etc then I'd agree with you.

For me though 95% of my day is general window cleaning on a 4 weekly cycle and an immersion is perfect.

[JandS]

Nathan you would have been fine with a 3kw heater re the electrics.

NO he wouldn't!!!!!

Yes he would....I use  a 3kw heater in my machine daily in domestic properties and never a problem....they would not have put in the machine if it overloads....think it draws 12amps which is fine on domestic properties.

[֍Winp®oClean֍]

Nathan you would have been fine with a 3kw heater re the electrics.

NO he wouldn't!!!!!

Yes he would....I use  a 3kw heater in my machine daily in domestic properties and never a problem....they would not have put in the machine if it overloads....think it draws 12amps which is fine on domestic properties.

Plug it in for 6 hours of constant full draw and see what happens. Or better still, ask a professional electrician and see what he says!

[Dave Willis]

"Fixed appliances with a power rating over 3 kW (for example, water heaters and some electric cookers) or with a non-trivial power demand for long periods (for example, immersion heaters) are no longer recommended to be connected to a ring circuit, but instead are connected to their own dedicated circuit. There are however plenty of older installations with such loads on a ring circuit."

[Stephen burton]

Any chance of a link Nathan of the element and accessories you purchased and also do you use installation on your tank cheers