Hot water systems

[ched999uk]

my tanks have an immersion boss welded in

Cheers.

Oh a boss welded in! Did that come as standard (if so what make of tank) or is it something you had done?

Cheers.

 

[AGlassAct]

Cheers.

Oh a boss welded in! Did that come as standard (if so what make of tank) or is it something you had done?

Cheers.

No - custom tank. 

 

[ched999uk]

No - custom tank. 

Sounds interesting. Who made it and was it much more expensive that a 'standard' Wydale tanks?

Why did you go for a custom tank?

 

[spruce]

Sounds interesting. Who made it and was it much more expensive that a 'standard' Wydale tanks?

Why did you go for a custom tank?

The most usual reason is that they are made to your dimensions.  If you have a specific space to fill, eg. the back of a pickup with a low canopy, etc they can make a size specific tank to suit your exact measurements.

The other reason is baffling. Wydale tanks come with one or two inner baffles that do the job of reducing water slosh but don't do a perfect job. Purpose made tanks have inner baffle boards that segregate the inner cell into compartments and restrict the free movement of water between those inner cells.

While they have plus points they are almost impossible to clean except with chemicals. I'm able to secure a piece of cloth on the end of a length of 15mm plastic water pipe and get to all inner surfaces to clean as the baffles on my Wydale tank don't reach the top or bottom of my tank.

Because my tank is translucent sunlight does cause a small amount of algae growth. The tanks on a trailer I had originally were open to the elements. Every summer I had to wash the insides of the tanks every couple of weeks. Most custom tanks are made of blue or black (whatever) sheets which stops light penetration. So algae growth inside the tank will never happen, even if in direct sunlight.

Downside is that you have to have a level gauge on the tank where I can see my tank's water level from my garage.

 

[AGlassAct]

Sounds interesting. Who made it and was it much more expensive that a 'standard' Wydale tanks?

Why did you go for a custom tank?

I brought this latest one second hand (from a lovely guy on here ?). It was custom made to fit the footprint of a swb vivaro and was perfect for what I needed at the time. I’m currently designing my next tank (insulated) it will have reinforced sections to mount reels to, plenty of spare input/output connections, honeycomb baffling and the all important immersion heater boss. The price difference is massive but you get a tank that’s built to the exact measurement and specifications you want - they are also manufactured in black/blue so you don’t get the problems spruce mentions (I’ve never contemplated cleaning my tanks as the have only ever stored pure and the contents aren’t subjected to sunlight). Custom tanks don’t often have the heavy metal frames to secure them to the van either, the three custom tanks I’ve had all had a reinforced bottom plate with plastic reinforcing/bracing - you can drill/bolt wherever you need them!! The last quote I had for a custom tank (non insulated) was  just shy of £800 - that’s was for an 800ltr. 

 

[Pjj]

I brought this latest one second hand (from a lovely guy on here ?). It was custom made to fit the footprint of a swb vivaro and was perfect for what I needed at the time. I’m currently designing my next tank (insulated) it will have reinforced sections to mount reels to, plenty of spare input/output connections, honeycomb baffling and the all important immersion heater boss. The price difference is massive but you get a tank that’s built to the exact measurement and specifications you want - they are also manufactured in black/blue so you don’t get the problems spruce mentions (I’ve never contemplated cleaning my tanks as the have only ever stored pure and the contents aren’t subjected to sunlight). Custom tanks don’t often have the heavy metal frames to secure them to the van either, the three custom tanks I’ve had all had a reinforced bottom plate with plastic reinforcing/bracing - you can drill/bolt wherever you need them!! The last quote I had for a custom tank (non insulated) was  just shy of £800 - that’s was for an 800ltr. 

Price wise for your spec that’s very cheap I payed more than that two custom made tanks @300 ltr each with a sloping bottom and lids on both tanks to fit an ionics frame , ironically it’s now surplus to requirements and I will be selling it next year . 

 

[steve garwood]

I brought this latest one second hand (from a lovely guy on here ?). It was custom made to fit the footprint of a swb vivaro and was perfect for what I needed at the time. I’m currently designing my next tank (insulated) it will have reinforced sections to mount reels to, plenty of spare input/output connections, honeycomb baffling and the all important immersion heater boss. The price difference is massive but you get a tank that’s built to the exact measurement and specifications you want - they are also manufactured in black/blue so you don’t get the problems spruce mentions (I’ve never contemplated cleaning my tanks as the have only ever stored pure and the contents aren’t subjected to sunlight). Custom tanks don’t often have the heavy metal frames to secure them to the van either, the three custom tanks I’ve had all had a reinforced bottom plate with plastic reinforcing/bracing - you can drill/bolt wherever you need them!! The last quote I had for a custom tank (non insulated) was  just shy of £800 - that’s was for an 800ltr. 

I’ve had special rails fitted either side of my tank for mounted reels by grippa.

Perfect as there chest height, so reeling in through the rollers is an absolute doddle. This is the reason I’m not in the market for electric reels ?

 

[ched999uk]

Price wise for your spec that’s very cheap I payed more than that two custom made tanks @300 ltr each with a sloping bottom and lids on both tanks to fit an ionics frame , ironically it’s now surplus to requirements and I will be selling it next year . 

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That's one hell of a trolley system you have there ? Never seen a 2 man trolley system with integrated gutter vac generator ?

 

[Pjj]

That's one hell of a trolley system you have there ? Never seen a 2 man trolley system with integrated gutter vac generator ?

It takes some pushing up hill ????

 

[spruce]

Personally my 650l Wydale tank has been fine for me. The upright tank has a fairly small foot print which increases its height.

I looked at the Grippa Tank. It manufacture is far superior to my Wydale tank but the footprint is bigger. It has a lower head height to compensate.

To me footprint is so important. Floor space in my van is always at a premium. @Pjjvan isn't the first double decker hose reel configuration I've seen. One of the local lads has a PF one but manual. It does save him a lot of space at the back, which he has filled with other stuff, just like I would do.

 

[scottish cleaning service]

I looked at the Grippa Tank. It manufacture is far superior to my Wydale tank but the footprint is bigger. It has a lower head height to compensate

I can vouch for that, my Grippa 650l tank takes up half my van! Its alright if you just do window cleaning and gutter vac but combining it with a builder is hard work. Did a conny roof clean today and had to fit in my scaffold but I just managed it.

 

[ched999uk]

Personally my 650l Wydale tank has been fine for me. The upright tank has a fairly small foot print which increases its height.

I was wondering if the height of the tank makes much of a difference in van handling? i.e. moving centre of gravity up?

i.e. I was thinking of a 350lts tank but the 400lts tank is taller but smaller footprint but I was concerned that the extra height might make van a bit iffy round corners? Both tanks are well within vehicle capacity so could have either.

 

[Pjj]

I was wondering if the height of the tank makes much of a difference in van handling? i.e. moving centre of gravity up?

i.e. I was thinking of a 350lts tank but the 400lts tank is taller but smaller footprint but I was concerned that the extra height might make van a bit iffy round corners? Both tanks are well within vehicle capacity so could have either.

Yes it does  the lower the centre of gravity the more stable the load especially with liquids , I used to drive articulated milk tankers without baffles half a load was a nightmare for surge , 1/4 or 3/4 was ok 

This is why flat tanks are good , but then they produce other issues like air locks 

 

[ched999uk]

Yes it does  the lower the centre of gravity the more stable the load especially with liquids , I used to drive articulated milk tankers without baffles half a load was a nightmare for surge , 1/4 or 3/4 was ok 

This is why flat tanks are good , but then they produce other issues like air locks 

Thanks. I was thinking that it might be a bit iffy. Always a compromise on a small van (with reasonable load capacity) to fit decent size tank and still have a bit of space for gutter vac or pressure washer from time to time.

 

[Part Timer]

I was wondering if the height of the tank makes much of a difference in van handling? i.e. moving centre of gravity up?

i.e. I was thinking of a 350lts tank but the 400lts tank is taller but smaller footprint but I was concerned that the extra height might make van a bit iffy round corners? Both tanks are well within vehicle capacity so could have either.

It would only make a significant difference if you're pushing the weight limit of the van.

 

[scottish cleaning service]

Yes it does  the lower the centre of gravity the more stable the load especially with liquids , I used to drive articulated milk tankers without baffles half a load was a nightmare for surge , 1/4 or 3/4 was ok 

Okay if they wanted to make cheese I suppose. My Fire Brigade came up with a great idea or so they thought. They decided to take an ALP (aerial ladder platform) and fire engine and combine them. It meant 6 jobs could become 4 jobs and save them money. They got these things made at half a million each and decided to sell them to other brigades. They called them ARP's (aerial rescue pumps) we called them **** ( crash rescue aerial pumps) The first one went round a roundabout and fell over on its side. They were far too top heavy and weighted 25 tons and did 4 miles to the gallon. The time they reached the fire either it was out of diesel or the fire was out. All the other brigades got shot of them and the rest are in museums somewhere. ?

 

[Pjj]

Okay if they wanted to make cheese I suppose. My Fire Brigade came up with a great idea or so they thought. They decided to take an ALP (aerial ladder platform) and fire engine and combine them. It meant 6 jobs could become 4 jobs and save them money. They got these things made at half a million each and decided to sell them to other brigades. They called them ARP's (aerial rescue pumps) we called them **** ( crash rescue aerial pumps) The first one went round a roundabout and fell over on its side. They were far too top heavy and weighted 25 tons and did 4 miles to the gallon. The time they reached the fire either it was out of diesel or the fire was out. All the other brigades got shot of them and the rest are in museums somewhere. ?

This is one of our ALP S 

 

[ched999uk]

It would only make a significant difference if you're pushing the weight limit of the van.

Cheers, I am thinking of Peugeot/Citroen Partner/Berlingo (850kg) or a Nissan NV200 (740kg) so 350lts to 400lts should be OK. Even with 2 people (2 x 75kg) and a fair bit of kit weight wise it will be fine.

Might decide to go a little bigger to Expert/Dispatch all still in planning ? 

Cheers. 

 

[scottish cleaning service]

Cheers, I am thinking of Peugeot/Citroen Partner/Berlingo (850kg) or a Nissan NV200 (740kg) so 350lts to 400lts should be OK. Even with 2 people (2 x 75kg) and a fair bit of kit weight wise it will be fine.

Might decide to go a little bigger to Expert/Dispatch all still in planning ? 

Cheers. 

A van is like a pressure washer. After you use it, you wish you had bought a bigger one, that's what i have noticed. fwiw

 

[spruce]

Talking of diesel heaters, I filled up with diesel today. 45% of the diesel (22.8 liters) I've used these past 3 weeks in the van has been to run my diesel heater. The miles per gallon digital display is reasonably accurate on the dash so I used that to split between the van's use and the heaters use.

 

[Pjj]

Talking of diesel heaters, I filled up with diesel today. 45% of the diesel (22.8 liters) I've used these past 3 weeks in the van has been to run my diesel heater. The miles per gallon digital display is reasonably accurate on the dash so I used that to split between the van's use and the heaters use.

What diesel heater set up do you have ?. Mine is supposed to use 0:9-1:1 ltr per hour but I think it’s nearer to 1:5 ltr per hour , mine is running 8 hours a day 5 days a week running two hot pumps and never shuts down during the working day , I have recently had all the combustion Chainbure , screen and pin replaced after over 12, 000 hours run time so don’t think that’s to bad .