Cold Winter Water Solution - Bucket Heater. :PICS:

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deadlock32

New member
<Edit>

Code: 
I didnt want to include my previous post in this one

 but I was gearing this towards people that either were 

mobile detailers or didnt have access to hot water ;P 

just click on the word post below for more info.



And thanks for the positive feedback guys.

</Edit>



So in reguards to my previous post I decided to pick up a bucket heater.



https://millerharness.com/product.asp?pn=X4-4758&bhcd2=1164529520 seems to be the location that has it for the least amount of $$$ it was about 30 dollars shipped!



If you do decide to purchase it there, in the comments section, write something like "[email protected] told me to get this for cold weather detailing. http://autopia.org/forum/car-detailing/81850-cold-winter-water-solution-bucket-heater-pics.html" I dunno if they'll do something for me, but ya never know :chuckle:





in a 10qt bucket I had to fill it up a bit higher that I'd like to to have the water line reach the top of the heat shield, so you'd probably do that and then pour it into another bucked to lower the levels.



This is ideal if you get your buckets filled with water then have them heating while setting up every thing else.



The water heats where the top gets warmer than the bottom initially... so maybe you might want to use the unit to gently stir the water once or twice from time to time.. but I will eventually heat all the water.



Other than that, I couldnt be any easier, the unit seems to have failsafes like if the water depth gets too low, it will shut off or if the internal thermometer isnt working it shuts off.



There is no way to control the temp so you will have to feel the water from time to time. and unplug it and take it out when its at a temp you like.





Any way onto the good stuff:



This is its box.

01box.jpg






The size of the unit compared to a 1 gallon bottle of APC+

02unitsize.jpg






The start of a 5 gallon bucket of water:

03start5gal.jpg






5 gallons luke warm:

04lukewarm5gal.jpg








5 gallons really warm:

05reallywarm5gal.jpg








5 gallons interior cleaning ready hot:

06veryhot5gal.jpg








2 gallons start (1:14):

07start2gal.jpg








2 gallons a bit warmer than luke warm:

08abovelukewarm2gal.jpg








2 gallons interior cleaning ready hot:

09reallyhot2gal.jpg
 
I never knew they sold these here... back in the day this is what some people used to get warm/hot water for their baths.



Let us know! Sounds like a good solution for all you poor winter-suffering Autopians!



(or you could just move to sunny Florida :D)
 
thesacrifice said:
Im not sold yet...I can run in and put hot water in from the tub much quicker than waiting for that thing.
Click to expand...

You're right and I'll be using the bathtub too.

These fellows are thinking about the times when they don't have a bathtub handy, like when they're mobile detailers working in a stranger's driveway or at a site that doesn't have warm water.

For those guys, these heaters are a godsend and worth their weight in gold, providing a touch of comfort and efficiency at a difficult time of year.

I'd buy one of these in a New York minute if I needed one, thanks to deadlock checking them out.

Deadlock32 has done a wonderful job doing all the investigative work on these things, removing any doubt about how well they work. I might buy him a brew, should he ever come to my neck of the woods, for his hard work. :)

-John C.
 
JohnZ3MC said:
You're right and I'll be using the bathtub too.

These fellows are thinking about the times when they don't have a bathtub handy, like when they're mobile detailers working in a stranger's driveway or at a site that doesn't have warm water.

For those guys, these heaters are a godsend and worth their weight in gold, providing a touch of comfort and efficiency at a difficult time of year.

I'd buy one of these in a New York minute if I needed one, thanks to deadlock checking them out.

Deadlock32 has done a wonderful job doing all the investigative work on these things, removing any doubt about how well they work. I might buy him a brew, should he ever come to my neck of the woods, for his hard work. :)

-John C.
Click to expand...





Right there with 'ya....Thanks for the legwork Deadlock.

VERY intriguing product.
 
Yeah, it is a very intriguing product, and it will likely have its place in detailing.



However, I am a "tub guy." since I pretty much work on my own car. Two buckets of hot water allows me to wash and rinse my mitt while washing.



If it is any colder than that (freezing temps), then it is see you later.



My garage is not heated, and so, I will just do the "wand wash" when winter really sets in, just to get all the winter crap off.



Nontheless, I can see where this "warmer" has a place.
 
So you can use it in less that 10qt of water? You said you had to fill your 10qt bucket up more than you liked but then you stuck it in a 2 gallon bucket? Were you just comparing it to the time it took to heat the 2 gallons and didnt care that it wasn't up to the line?
 
JohnZ3MC said:
You're right and I'll be using the bathtub too.

These fellows are thinking about the times when they don't have a bathtub handy, like when they're mobile detailers working in a stranger's driveway or at a site that doesn't have warm water.

For those guys, these heaters are a godsend and worth their weight in gold, providing a touch of comfort and efficiency at a difficult time of year.

I'd buy one of these in a New York minute if I needed one, thanks to deadlock checking them out.

Deadlock32 has done a wonderful job doing all the investigative work on these things, removing any doubt about how well they work. I might buy him a brew, should he ever come to my neck of the woods, for his hard work. :)

-John C.
Click to expand...



I didn't even think of that, thanks for clearing things up.
 
Not a bad thing if you have an outlet (120v with GFI) close and only have cold water. Good find if you need it.



For me, I just fill (2) buckets in the kitchen sink with 120 degree water while using ONR.
 
BlueLibby04 said:
So you can use it in less that 10qt of water? You said you had to fill your 10qt bucket up more than you liked but then you stuck it in a 2 gallon bucket? Were you just comparing it to the time it took to heat the 2 gallons and didnt care that it wasn't up to the line?
Click to expand...



The 10 qt bucket was filled to 9 qts... just over 2 gal... but normally i'd fill a 10qt bucket to like 6-7 qts when doing QEW/ONR so the mitt doesnt cause it to over flow.
 
I have to say that I am loving this heater. The last two days have been in the lower 30's when I started. I carry a little 1 gallon tall igloo thermos jug. Fill it with about a gallon of water and add the heater. While it heats I do the windows, vacuum and such. In a short while the water is very hot (140-200 degrees). I dump it in my wash bucket water and it is nice and warm. First thing I noticed was I didn't have to wear my gloves. My hands are very happy. Next thing is the cars clean up faster. The warm water helps a great deal with the heavily soiled areas.
 
great post. very informative.



i don't think i need one but it's cool to know there is such a thing if i change my mind.
 
A much better choice is a heated bucket. Like this one.



2409323.jpg




You can get them at any ag supply store. They are used to water livestock in the winter
 
foxtrapper said:
A much better choice is a heated bucket. Like this one.



2409323.jpg




You can get them at any ag supply store. They are used to water livestock in the winter
Click to expand...



That wouldnt get has hot or get warm as fast as what he is using. That just to keep the water from getting cold.. :)
 
BlueLibby04 said:
That wouldnt get has hot or get warm as fast as what he is using. That just to keep the water from getting cold.. :)
Click to expand...





exactly. that one only 160 watts.



The bucket heater is 1000 watts = ]
 
A very interesting tool for detailing. I think it could be improved by putting a regulator on it. I just think it would be nice if you could set it to a certain level and then leave it in there. This way the water maintains the warm temperature and it doesn't get heated to the point where you may burn yourself.
 
BlueLibby04 said:
That wouldnt get has hot or get warm as fast as what he is using. That just to keep the water from getting cold.. :)
Click to expand...



True. But then my house has hot water. I can fill a bucket with hot water and just keep it hot, as opposed to filling a bucket with cold water and then trying to heat it.



I also don't like having things in the way in my bucket.
 
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