[olanorman]

If you would get a diesel heater yourself today, would you try to make it yourself at a reasonable cost? Or pay quite a hefty sum from a window cleaning supplier? (cause of VAT+ shipping +etc we are taking £ 4-5k for me.

Im planning to order a 8KW diesel water heater for about 256 usd (£200) incl shipping, I think that price is great.
Dont want to spend a lot on a fancy diesel heater if I could learn something, and setup a reasonable system myself.

Ive been paying attention to the "DIY diesel heater...." thread that has a lot of good info, this air diesel heater seems awesome! Its just going to take more time for me I think vs. the cost of this heater and simplicity. 

Heater:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000382615414.html?spm=a2g0o.placeorder.0.0.5ee3321epN9PiO&mp=1

Should I also get a heat exchanger? Something like this? Do I have to use a heat exchanger?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOKERA-LINEA-28-726-BOILER-DHW-PLATE-HEAT-EXCHANGER-16-PL-8037/231242935668?epid=1523358427&hash=item35d7272d74:g:qlYAAOSw-fldLHUT

And then a small tank for the ekstra hot water, or just put the water straight back to the tank?
Also read something interesting about Pressure valve that kicks in when you use say example aqua-adapter.

If any inputs, please share them

I see they use heat exchange here, but is it necessary?

[Stoots]

I know nothing about the subject but I certainly wouldn't pay thousands for hot water.

If it could be made affordable (hundreds rather than thousands) and the running costs became more reasonable I would consider one.

Happy enough with cold otherwise.

[Dry Clean]

If it made a difference then it wouldn't cost anything infect it would make you money, I wouldn't pay £200 for a diesel heater but I don't understand why those who think it would make them money are quibbling over a few grand.

[olanorman]

If it could be made affordable (hundreds rather than thousands) and the running costs became more reasonable I would consider one.

Happy enough with cold otherwise.

Good you are happy with your setup, but thats also what Im trying to achieve that its hundreds instead of thousands

[NWH]

I have 1 a 9kw 2 man heater well worth the money ,if I had someone cleaning windows I’d want them to use hot water that’s the response I get from customers.
I’d love to work beside a cold cleaner on some work and see them get the same results as me.

[olanorman]

If it made a difference then it wouldn't cost anything infect it would make you money, I wouldn't pay £200 for a diesel heater but I don't understand why those who think it would make them money are quibbling over a few grand.

There is definitely times where its better to buy, then try to setup yourself, and perhaps this is one of the scenario.
But I want to try to make it happen, sometimes its also interesting to learn a few things

Here its colder, more windy, more extreme weather at times then the UK, a lot of salt from the sea and a lot of bird poo on the windows. The hot water also evaporate quicker then cold, less spotting.
I have used both cold and hot - there is a clear winner for me

Starting up again with window cleaning after several years doing other things, so trying to make the right equipment that suits me when starting over again.

[olanorman]

I have 1 a 9kw 2 man heater well worth the money ,if I had someone cleaning windows I’d want them to use hot water that’s the response I get from customers.
I’d love to work beside a cold cleaner on some work and see them get the same results as me.

Happy your experienced and happy with your heater I have to agree with you
Did you put it together yourself? Do you use a heat exchange unit with the 9kw?

[davids3511]

If you would get a diesel heater yourself today, would you try to make it yourself at a reasonable cost? Or pay quite a hefty sum from a window cleaning supplier? (cause of VAT+ shipping +etc we are taking £ 4-5k for me.

Im planning to order a 8KW diesel water heater for about 256 usd (£200) incl shipping, I think that price is great.
Dont want to spend a lot on a fancy diesel heater if I could learn something, and setup a reasonable system myself.

Ive been paying attention to the "DIY diesel heater...." thread that has a lot of good info, this air diesel heater seems awesome! Its just going to take more time for me I think vs. the cost of this heater and simplicity. 

Heater:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000382615414.html?spm=a2g0o.placeorder.0.0.5ee3321epN9PiO&mp=1

Should I also get a heat exchanger? Something like this? Do I have to use a heat exchanger?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOKERA-LINEA-28-726-BOILER-DHW-PLATE-HEAT-EXCHANGER-16-PL-8037/231242935668?epid=1523358427&hash=item35d7272d74:g:qlYAAOSw-fldLHUT

And then a small tank for the ekstra hot water, or just put the water straight back to the tank?
Also read something interesting about Pressure valve that kicks in when you use say example aqua-adapter.

If any inputs, please share them

I see they use heat exchange here, but is it necessary?

As I understand it you need the heat exchanger for two reasons. 1. You can alter the temperature with the mixer tap so you're not running full tilt all the time if you don't want too. 8kw will maybe be too hot in winter 2. The usual setup is coolant in the heating circuit as it doesn't corrode the insides of the heater/Heat sensor.

You should also consider using two heat plates so you can have one returning to the tank constantly. That prevents the heater powering up and down constantly, they don't like that and they use more power with constant restarts.

[deeege]

I have 1 a 9kw 2 man heater well worth the money ,if I had someone cleaning windows I’d want them to use hot water that’s the response I get from customers.
I’d love to work beside a cold cleaner on some work and see them get the same results as me.

Sorry mate but what a load of crap. Your customers couldn’t give a monkeys whether you use hot or cold water, they just want clean windows.

[dazmond]

I have 1 a 9kw 2 man heater well worth the money ,if I had someone cleaning windows I’d want them to use hot water that’s the response I get from customers.
I’d love to work beside a cold cleaner on some work and see them get the same results as me.

Sorry mate but what a load of crap. Your customers couldn’t give a monkeys whether you use hot or cold water, they just want clean windows.

i have to agree danny.... the customers dont care as long as they are clean......

[Spruce]

If you would get a diesel heater yourself today, would you try to make it yourself at a reasonable cost? Or pay quite a hefty sum from a window cleaning supplier? (cause of VAT+ shipping +etc we are taking £ 4-5k for me.

Im planning to order a 8KW diesel water heater for about 256 usd (£200) incl shipping, I think that price is great.
Dont want to spend a lot on a fancy diesel heater if I could learn something, and setup a reasonable system myself.

Ive been paying attention to the "DIY diesel heater...." thread that has a lot of good info, this air diesel heater seems awesome! Its just going to take more time for me I think vs. the cost of this heater and simplicity. 

Heater:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000382615414.html?spm=a2g0o.placeorder.0.0.5ee3321epN9PiO&mp=1

Should I also get a heat exchanger? Something like this? Do I have to use a heat exchanger?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOKERA-LINEA-28-726-BOILER-DHW-PLATE-HEAT-EXCHANGER-16-PL-8037/231242935668?epid=1523358427&hash=item35d7272d74:g:qlYAAOSw-fldLHUT

And then a small tank for the ekstra hot water, or just put the water straight back to the tank?
Also read something interesting about Pressure valve that kicks in when you use say example aqua-adapter.

If any inputs, please share them

I see they use heat exchange here, but is it necessary?

I don't mean to offend, but you need to study how a parking heater works in detail first and then look at some manufacturer's systems to understand why you need to use heat exchangers.

These systems work on the internal heated water circuit (eg a vehicles cooling system which they were designed for,) and the hot water to the brush draws heat from this internal water circuit.  A water to water plate heat exchanger makes the transfer of heat from this internal hot water circuit to your cold water line to the brush head possible.

As has been stated, if it wasn't necessary then the suppliers wouldn't use heat exchangers.

You could of course plumb in a heater to directly heat the water in your tank and as a windie in Andover has done/did. He uploaded his system working on Youtube.

There have been numerous threads over the years on diesel heaters. Just do a search.

The link you have put up for the refurbished heat exchanger isn't suitable as it ideally needs threaded hose fittings.

[dazmond]

to the original poster...if your a fairly competent DIYer and enjoy it...why not try and make a budget diesel heater to heat your water?

i can do basic DIY but i wouldnt say i particularly enjoy it and i certainly wouldnt try installing a diesel water heater and integrating it into my system...i wouldnt have the confidence....after my scare with a gas leak and explosion from a gas water heater a few years ago when i was a DIY er id pay for a pro system installation every time.....

im planning on keeping my van for 10+ years and when i got my 9kw diesel heater fitted it was a present to myself for  25 yrs window cleaning!

for most of my window cleaning life ive bought old cars/high mileage vans esp when trad which is fine but i noticed when i did this when wfp i was changing my van every few years and the hassle of installing tanks and messing about with gas shower heaters,not to mention breakdowns in my van,it was a faff.......

i have a very well established compact round and just want to get the work done as efficiently and as easy as possible with little faff/downtime so i went with a grippatank hydroheat with frost stat.....its never missed a beat in 2 years and hopefully ill get many years service out of it.......

[NWH]

What you sorry for don’t be,I’m right.

[Dry Clean]

If it made a difference then it wouldn't cost anything infect it would make you money, I wouldn't pay £200 for a diesel heater but I don't understand why those who think it would make them money are quibbling over a few grand.

There is definitely times where its better to buy, then try to setup yourself, and perhaps this is one of the scenario.
But I want to try to make it happen, sometimes its also interesting to learn a few things

Here its colder, more windy, more extreme weather at times then the UK, a lot of salt from the sea and a lot of bird poo on the windows. The hot water also evaporate quicker then cold, less spotting.
I have used both cold and hot - there is a clear winner for me

Starting up again with window cleaning after several years doing other things, so trying to make the right equipment that suits me when starting over again.

Iv never had to deal with costal conditions or conditions that would need me to use anything more than cold water so I cant disagree with what you're saying, but what I'm saying is if you need the tools then buy good tools, the money you save by trying to  do it on the cheap will more than likely be used up by the time wasted on the job  while you try and put it together, find the money and get yourself to Grippa.

[Dry Clean]

I have 1 a 9kw 2 man heater well worth the money ,if I had someone cleaning windows I’d want them to use hot water that’s the response I get from customers.
I’d love to work beside a cold cleaner on some work and see them get the same results as me.

Sorry mate but what a load of crap. Your customers couldn’t give a monkeys whether you use hot or cold water, they just want clean windows.

i have to agree danny.... the customers dont care as long as they are clean......

NWH's problem is he doesn't believe his windows where clean using cold, that said if you go back far enough through his posts he was telling trad guys the opposite, when it come to some people its just best to smile and nod.

[NWH]

Yeah I used to be wrong about a lot of things in the past on here but 1 of them now and the main 1 is hot water is better than the cold the Pikeys use,they all say there doing so well but haven’t got 4 grand to buy and try it’s not like they’ve had a proper working diesel heater and they can comment really lol.

[Smudger]

Yeah I used to be wrong about a lot of things in the past on here but 1 of them now and the main 1 is hot water is better than the cold the Pikeys use,they all say there doing so well but haven’t got 4 grand to buy and try it’s not like they’ve had a proper working diesel heater and they can comment really lol.

Nigel - your a bit deluded really your STILL wrong on so many things 😂

[Splash & dash]

  If you want a reliable hot water diesel system I think it’s better to go out and buy one that’s proven , installed  by a professional company , any half decent sole trader should easily be able to afford it they arnt expensive , no faffing about with gas bottles and no  reliability issues , if you employ staff again it’s fool proof , I don’t understand why so many on hear are boasting how much they are earning but cannot  afford 4.5 k on a heater , or winge about not wanting to spend that much 

[NWH]

If I cleaned lots of big big commercial jobs like some I wouldn t care if I had cold because of half those jobs they don’t really care anyway lol,as long as you look like you’re cleaning em.

[dazmond]

i found out today off a neighbour that my frost stat is working fine.....apparently my heater has fired up twice over the weekend to keep my system from freezing while i was away...... 👍...clever piece of equipment.......

to some spending £4.5k on a professional hot water system is too expensive...... but for me personally i dont regret my purchase one bit.....its a great addition to my wfp set up ...no hassle....press a button first thing in the morning and 15 mins later i have hot water for my first job of the day......no worries about freezing issues,etc and makes the working day a lot more pleasant overall......today it was almost like i was steam cleaning the windows in this frost!