Winter Freezing

[Sharky]

Does anyone have suggestion on best heater for Truckmount when using it during the winter? I have a Thermalwave setup. Or should i just shut down and add RV anti=freeze?

 

[Bryce C]

I did a ton of research and all electric portable small space heaters just randomly stop working pretty frequently, even worse others begin smoking, and whatever else. I found this thing, it goes under several different names but it is the same thing it seems. About $100. 1500 watts, analog, and they've been making the same exact unit for like 30 years. They hardly ever fail, simple. Don't get something that costs $30 or $40 and looks similar, it will be risky trash.

 

[Bryce C]

And then I got this thermostat because I have found that onboard thermostats in small space heaters are not reliable, and digital ones just randomly stop working in a short period of time. And the Marcell temperature monitor send alerts to my cell phone if the temperature drops below a certain level as a fail safe in case the electricity goes out or the heater stops working. I then mounted everything and wired up an electrical box and outlet and mounted it in my van so it is all neat and easy to plug in with an extension cord from my garage each day.

 

[Bryce C]

Depending on how cold it gets in your region you may want to insulate your van. If not then you may consider running 2 space heaters, 1 in the front and 1 in the rear. I insulated my van. Hopefully I can get through the New England winter with 1 space heater, we'll see. Thankfully with my setup my cell phone will begin alerting me in the middle of the night if the van isn't staying warm enough. I'm still nervous about it all. I need to be more like the lilly.

 

[bob vawter]

Does anyone have suggestion on best heater for Truckmount when using it during the winter? I have a Thermalwave setup. Or should i just shut down and add RV anti=freeze?

If you leave outside wit the heater on
You have at least an inch of ice on the inside

 

[MarkieMark]

We dont even get that cold here but I went ahead and did a cheap vevor diesel heater with 1.9gal tank in it last week as the high tops are harder to keep warm. My test last week in the 40s showed it kept 20+ above ambient outside on setting 3 or 10 so I am feeling good this year.

Last year we got some 15-18 degree weather which almost never hits us in West Texas that cause me lots of sleep loss and even put 2 electric heaters in the high top on different circuits to fight that odd all cold weather here.

That was the graph of my test with it being about 42f overnight. Dropoff at 7am was me with the doors open and heater off checking it out. Really easy to install in 10-20 min and total cost was about $150.

 

[KevinD]

If you leave outside wit the heater on
You have at least an inch of ice on the inside

That won't happen with an electric heater with a insulated van.. Heated with them for years. Now infrared propane heaters will do that due to the moisture they give off but not electric.

 

[bob vawter]

If you leave outside wit the heater on
You have at least an inch of ice on the inside

That won't happen with an electric heater with a insulated van.. Heated with them for years. Now infrared propane heaters will do that due to the moisture they give off but not electric.

True!

 

[they live]

Just hope it doesnt snow. I sealed mine in ice on the outside one year but nothing froze inside.

 

[Bryce C]

Just hope it doesnt snow. I sealed mine in ice on the outside one year but nothing froze inside.

I got a 25' x 40' tarp to cover my van when it will be snowing. I'll take it off and put it in my basement to thaw out when I use the van the next day.

 

[sassyotto]

I remember back in 1999 when we decided not to continue water/fire restoration services with a shop and downsize to just me cleaning out of a home (which is how it all started out) The realtor asked what we wanted in a home and the first priority was a floor drain in the garage. It was the first time the realtor heard that one! So we found our home and insulated the garage and installed a heater. Now the garage is nice and cozy warm not only for the van and equipment but also do the regular maintenance and water fill ups in the morning. Best investment if you can do it.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

Kinda like what 75-90k shop will
get you. That's a value when you compare it to commercial property!

 

[Sierra Clean Care]

If you live where it freezes, get one of these, and have peace of mind…

 

[MarkieMark]

If you live where it freezes, get one of these, and have peace of mind…

View attachment 133033

Isn't it just going to output the same as all other $50 1500w heaters? 5k BTU output for the patron, 20k BTU heat output for the diesel heater.

 

[Bryce C]

Isn't it just going to output the same as all other $50 1500w heaters? 5k BTU output for the patron, 20k BTU heat output for the diesel heater.

The peace of mind he speaks of is that it runs well and continuosly without malfunctioning in the middle of the night. Just like the $100/1500 watt electric space heater I posted. Maybe it distributes warm air throughout the van better with a more powerful fan too. I imagine it's worth the small decrease in power to the heating element to circulate heat more effectively.

 

[Bryce C]

the garage is nice and cozy warm not only for the van and equipment but also do the regular maintenance and water fill ups in the morning. Best investment if you can do it.

T- 2 years for me. I can hardly wait.

 

[Sierra Clean Care]

Isn't it just going to output the same as all other $50 1500w heaters? 5k BTU output for the patron, 20k BTU heat output for the diesel heater.

It just heats differently… I have one in my garage, and when I’m to lazy to take my van to the shop (after a 16-18 hr day), I throw it in the van, set in on low, and the van is a sauna in the morning…
It’s built for commercial use.
It’s designed to run CONTINUOUSLY for 10 years… not like the other plastic junk on the market.
Convenience; it’s plugs into a standard wall socket (make sure it’s a dedicated circuit).

No playing around with messy fuels…

Just my experience.

 

[MarkieMark]

It just heats differently… I have one in my garage, and when I’m to lazy to take my van to the shop (after a 16-18 hr day), I throw it in the van, set in on low, and the van is a sauna in the morning…
It’s built for commercial use.
It’s designed to run CONTINUOUSLY for 10 years… not like the other plastic junk on the market.
Convenience; it’s plugs into a standard wall socket (make sure it’s a dedicated circuit).

No playing around with messy fuels…

Just my experience.

Is a 1500w electric heater enough though?

I struggled myself last year when we dropped into the teens where I had to run two different electric heaters with two different circuits. I woke up at 2am and saw the van temp was still dropping at 35F in the van with 18F outside with the electric heater running. My ass stayed in the van for an hour with it running with the heater on to get some more heat in there before I had to put another one in there so I could get some sleep. For reference we are talking an uninsulated promaster high roof van. We almost never get into the teens, very odd for West Texas but I thought those with the harsher climates would hit these issues regularly or need to winterize completely.

 

[Matt Middleton]

I remember back in 1999 when we decided not to continue water/fire restoration services with a shop and downsize to just me cleaning out of a home (which is how it all started out) The realtor asked what we wanted in a home and the first priority was a floor drain in the garage. It was the first time the realtor heard that one! So we found our home and insulated the garage and installed a heater. Now the garage is nice and cozy warm not only for the van and equipment but also do the regular maintenance and water fill ups in the morning. Best investment if you can do it.

You bet!

 

[jeffexe]

I remember back in 1999 when we decided not to continue water/fire restoration services with a shop and downsize to just me cleaning out of a home (which is how it all started out) The realtor asked what we wanted in a home and the first priority was a floor drain in the garage. It was the first time the realtor heard that one! So we found our home and insulated the garage and installed a heater. Now the garage is nice and cozy warm not only for the van and equipment but also do the regular maintenance and water fill ups in the morning. Best investment if you can do it.

I have always had a drain in the floor and in insulated/heated garage to park my van in. In upstate NY it is kind of a necessity

 

[sassyotto]

you will need more than one heater if you live in Northern Wisconsin

 

[MarkieMark]

you will need more than one heater if you live in Northern Wisconsin







View attachment 133037

I suppose in that weather its too cold to do any work anyways....winterize and vacay until it warms .

 

[Sierra Clean Care]

Is a 1500w electric heater enough though?

I struggled myself last year when we dropped into the teens where I had to run two different electric heaters with two different circuits. I woke up at 2am and saw the van temp was still dropping at 35F in the van with 18F outside with the electric heater running. My ass stayed in the van for an hour with it running with the heater on to get some more heat in there before I had to put another one in there so I could get some sleep. For reference we are talking an uninsulated promaster high roof van. We almost never get into the teens, very odd for West Texas but I thought those with the harsher climates would hit these issues regularly or need to winterize completely.

Purchase one, and report back your results…

 

[Sierra Clean Care]

Purchase one, and report back your results…

I would be very surprised if this not enough for even the northeast…

When you put the van away for the evening, make sure the heat has been running for the last 1/2 hr on the van.

Put the heater in the back, start it up, make sure there are no combustible material within 2’…

And enjoy peace of mind….

 

[MarkieMark]

Purchase one, and report back your results…

Well I mean we have actual data from plenty of sources almost all quality 1500 watt heaters will provide a very close increase in temperature. See screenshot from project farm electric heater test. Patron heater linked would be very similar to my test results I noted above which kept the van about 10-12 degrees above ambient in my testing last year. So when you are 24F cutting it close, 22F and below would be no bueno for 1500w electric heater.

I would note that if $125 solved my issue over the same priced diesel heater without the install time and fuel that takes I would jump on it, but I don't think the data supports that.




Source for data in image:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND2mrzPnBic

 

[Brian H]

I suppose in that weather its too cold to do any work anyways....winterize and vacay until it warms .

Going by that logic, most northern companies would be shut down for the entire winter. I have personally cleaned in -20 degree actual temperatures and a lot of our crews even colder. Not fun but it is possible to do it. My rule of thumb is you have to have the hot water flowing within 60 seconds of it hitting the ground.

Also, wind chill does not impact your equipment. It refers to how the actual temperature along with the wind feels on your skin. 35 degrees outside with 25 mph winds create a wind chill of about 23 degrees. You may feel it but it will not freeze your equipment.

 

[they live]

What sucks is when the hose lays on snow melts it and it freezes over the hose.
Or when your vacuum hose freezes inside before the hot water hits it.
You have to hit the ground running.

 

[MarkieMark]

Going by that logic, most northern companies would be shut down for the entire winter. I have personally cleaned in -20 degree actual temperatures and a lot of our crews even colder. Not fun but it is possible to do it. My rule of thumb is you have to have the hot water flowing within 60 seconds of it hitting the ground.

Also, wind chill does not impact your equipment. It refers to how the actual temperature along with the wind feels on your skin. 35 degrees outside with 25 mph winds create a wind chill of about 23 degrees. You may feel it but it will not freeze your equipment.

Very interesting to know. I had no idea cleaning was done at those temperatures. That doesn't sound fun but damn I am impressed that can be done.

 

[Cleanworks]

Mark Saiger has some videos of how to clean in freezing temperatures. Being in Minnesota, he has lots of experience.

 

[bmxin]

I remember back in 1999 when we decided not to continue water/fire restoration services with a shop and downsize to just me cleaning out of a home (which is how it all started out) The realtor asked what we wanted in a home and the first priority was a floor drain in the garage. It was the first time the realtor heard that one! So we found our home and insulated the garage and installed a heater. Now the garage is nice and cozy warm not only for the van and equipment but also do the regular maintenance and water fill ups in the morning. Best investment if you can do it.

I'm near UP the whole space heaters /$200 month electric bill was getting a bit much.

With a loop hose the Prochem can be extremely resilient. In order to get out that last 1/2 to 1 gallon of water in the inlet water hoses I cycle the water pump for 20sec to spit out the last remaining water so an ice jam is not possible and/or HX coil expansion.

Then instead of RV anti freeze I cycle undiluted Vehicle anti freeze. I reuse this for 2 weeks then start fresh for max potency. The Van has Vinyl walls with foam filled ceilings/walls.

On really bad wind-chill near the lake I do all of this but also leave $60 space heater with interval timer on also put cardboard baffle at bulkhead creating a heat shroud. The next day it's a balmy 60F at the TM footprint.

*Regardless the biggest issue is getting out that last 1/2 to 1 gallon of water in the inlet hoses as your machine could be anti freeze But at the curve of hose you'll have a 70%water mixture that will be a localized freeze. Can you tell I speak from experience?