Heating non standard water tank.

[R0BERT]

Hi

I've searched a lot on the internet and can't find a solution to my problem so thought that a pumbing forum would possibly be the best place to get an answer to my question.

I've got a water tank like this fitted in my van:

[DLMURL="http://www.water-tanks.net/acatalog/250_Ltr_Car_Valeting_Water_Tank_Flat.html"]Water Tanks Car Valeting Water Tank Flat 250 Ltr[/DLMURL]

Can someone advice what the best way for me to heat the water would be. To keep the water constantly heated I'd need quite a bti of power but my idea is to have something fitted to the tank that i could plug in at night, have set on a time, and set it to start heating a few hours before i intend to get up in the morning so that it is hot for me dong my first job - i generally only clean about 1 car per day so it would only need to be hot / warm for an hour or so in the morning.

I though that fitting a heating coil in it may be ideal but not sure the best way to do it as obviously i don't want it sitting against the tank and melting it.

Any help with this problem and advice on the best way to heat the water in the tank would be greatley appreciated.

Many Thanks

Robert

 

[tamz]

Don't know how feasable this would be but Transco vans have power points (110v) fitted through some kind of machine worked off the engine. This could maybe be rigged to an immersion to heat the water as you drive? Probably too expensive.

Other than that you would need a 2 1/4" essex flange cut into the tank and an immersion heater screwed into that. Put the immersion on a timer and it will heat when you like.
Don't worry about it melting the plastic. It won't as long as it has water in it. The water won't heat above 100deg.

 

[R0BERT]

Hi

Thanks for the reply. When I said about melting the tank I was more consered about how the "coil" would sit in the tank without touching the sides. I've now seen an immersion heater and can see once it is fitted to the tank it stay away from the sides due to the design.

I've looked in to innverter systems and to get one that will run all day and run the stuff I need without the engine running is very expensive. Also running as I drive isn't any good if I'm only driving 5 minutes away. The idea is to plug it in to the house at night and have the plug set on a timer so that it comes on a couple of hours before I'm due to leave. I've also got a generator that I could run whilst driving (obvioulsy have the fumes going out via a tube) if I need to heat it up again on the move.

As i don't have a clue about these things, can you advice what else is required - i.e when I fit this what it attaches to to control it?

Also is there a special tool (is the immersion heater threaded) required to cut the whole for the immersion heater? Obviously I don't have much of a clue about this

Thanks again

Robert

 

[tamz]

You can also get what is known as side entry immersions. 2, 4 or 6 bolt. They are shorter, around 14", but easier to fit.

 

[justlead1]

Hi. Have you considered systems used on boats? Small indirect cylinders that are heated via the van engine (they also have imersion heater fitted) One benifit is that pmups and alike are 12 volt.

 

[R0BERT]

You can also get what is known as side entry immersions. 2, 4 or 6 bolt. They are shorter, around 14", but easier to fit.

I'll have a look at them.

Thanks.

 

[R0BERT]

Hi. Have you considered systems used on boats? Small indirect cylinders that are heated via the van engine (they also have imersion heater fitted) One benifit is that pmups and alike are 12 volt.

I've not really considered any systems at present and am just posting on here for suggestions. That sounds like a good idea. I don't suppose you have a link to an examles of this?

Any system would do really but as the van won't be running the whole time I'd probably be best with just an imersion heater that I could plug in to the house and put on a timer so it's heated for the morning.

 

[justlead1]

Hi have a look here http://www.asap-supplies.com/search/water+heaters They may also be able to provide a sketch of the system you need, if this is the route that suits.