Hot Water For Your Hose

artofdetailing

artofdetailing

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Well the weekend is almost here and I usually wash my car every saturday evening but its getting really chilly at night. So I began thinking to myself how awesome it would be if there was a way to get warm water to my hose! I found a few inventions online that could work, however they are bulky and rather expensive. I also want a unit that can be used mobile as that is part of my business.


Does anybody think they have a solution for me? If it doesn't exist, can it be made? I know there has to be some engineers/handyman on this forum so if you think you might have an idea please share it with me. I think this could be a big seller online if somebody was to market it...maybe to AG? :hungry:
 
I made a manifold that I soldered into both my hot and cold water pipes and control the temp with the hot and cold valves. I put it right next to the garage. Very useful not only for car washes but a big help for washing the dog. And I don't mean the girlfriend either!:xyxthumbs:
 
When I lived in Montana I used to run my hose off my hot water connection from my washer to wash my car in the winter.
 
My concern would be that hot water has more mineral content. Depending on how soft your water is to begin with, and rather or not you use a filter afterwards, that may be a concern.

If you want the ultimate I'd do what oldmodman suggests but incorporate a thermostatic mixing valve. They are basically a fancy shower valve. You rotate the dial to set the temperature and it remains constant....even if the wife runs flushes the toilet or runs the washing machine.
 
Those are both great ideas, however Im looking for something that I can use for mobile detailing also. Any ideas on how to build something?
 
Believe it or not...
Under certain circumstances, hot water freezes before cold water.
I have actually seen this happen.

Warm-water car-washing...during colder weather would be nice...
but you may have to work as fast, or faster, than if the water was cold.

Just a thought.

:)

Bob
 
If you are asking for a mobile method to heat water with no outside power source....then you are going to be stuck with few options. I'm sorta doubting you want to go with an instantaneous propane water heater. While possible we are talking big bucks.

Other options would be a 12 volt in-tank heating element for the pressure washer tank....assuming you have a tank of water for the pressure washer. Other one would be a heat exchanger where you allow the antifreeze in the car engine to reject its heat to your pressure washers water supply. That would require a pump and some creative plumbing. Both would require running your car as a power source.

If you have a another power source than other options are possible. To really offer an answer someone would need to know temperature of water in and out and gallons per minute required.
 
I have a generator I could power the unit from assuming that would be safe. Its the honda EU2000
 
FUNX725 said:
Believe it or not...
Under certain circumstances, hot water freezes before cold water.
I have actually seen this happen.

Warm-water car-washing...during colder weather would be nice...
but you may have to work as fast, or faster, than if the water was cold.

Just a thought.

:)

Bob
Click to expand...

Bob, how can that make sense? Water freezes at 32 degrees F.
 
artofdetailing said:
Bob, any ideas on how to make one?
Click to expand...
A radiator made from something like a roll of coiled-up PEX tubing, that will capture the Sun's radiant heat,
should provide a few gallons of hot water to mix-up a car-wash solution.

If it gets too far below 32°...
Mobile rinseless-washes may be a possibility using the warm water generated from such a: Radiation Device™.

:)

Bob
 
I have a tankless hot water heater with a line into my garage I love it, wash year round in jersey.
 
swanicyouth said:
What's next?
Am I going to find out 10 lbs of feathers weigh more than 10lbs of bricks ?
Click to expand...
They never will...whenever both are in a total vacuum.


tpr1634 said:
I have a tankless hot water heater with a line into my garage I love it, wash year round in jersey.

^^^ :props:^^^
Click to expand...

Probably wouldn't work for the OP's mobile/outdoors operation though.

:)

Bob
 
I found a de icing element for 5 gallon buckets. Commonly used for making sure livestock has water to drink during cold months. Might try it for 43 bucks but it's not stainless steel. One person on a review mentioned corroding. Wonder if I could use colonite metal wax to insulate the metal
 
^^ I was going to suggest a submersible heating element. Otherwise, careful used shopping can yield you a true propane fired hot water pressure washer/steam cleaner for about $300.
 
Why not just fill your mobile tank with hot water before heading to jobs on cold days and also fill your wash buckets with hot water before hand?... Otherwise I would say a heated pressure washer would be one of the better mobile solutions. No need to run the generator and rig up plumbing and heating elements. Plus the pressure washer will be usable all year round, can be repaired as quick as a homemade rig, and takes less time than you'd invest in a homemade rig. I could be wrong in all those assumptions and if so please share what you come up with.
For me here in VA. just running off the hot water heater or pre-filling my tank and buckets has worked well and been cost effective. You can also use insulated water jugs to keep the wash water warm, although I have had my wash buckets with gamma seal lids stay warm for hours with no insulation.
 
artofdetailing said:
I found a de icing element for 5 gallon buckets. Commonly used for making sure livestock has water to drink during cold months. Might try it for 43 bucks but it's not stainless steel. One person on a review mentioned corroding. Wonder if I could use colonite metal wax to insulate the metal
Click to expand...
Just a well-meant reminder:

Keep in mind the surrounding air, and vehicles panels' temperatures, whenever mobile detailing...
especially when it's hovering around, or is below, freezing temperatures.

Using of a water-heating apparatus during those temperature ranges may not provide the:
"it's not freezing effect"...when the water is being used outside of its heated container.

Also:
Use of non-corrosive car-wash shampoos will go a long way in preserving a heating element.


:)

Bob
 
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