What do people do to maybe stop water freezing in the hose from the tap to van?
I will be spending winter this year in Nth East VIC and it's getting very cold at night and in the mornings now. Just a little different to my normal Townsville stay this time of year. I spent a week in the area back in September 2018 and found frozen water in hose first thing in the morning when the temps got to 0c or lower.
I really don't want to disconnect and drain hose each night.
Keep Safe out there.
Craig1 said
01:09 PM May 12, 2020
Can u lag it with some old bags maybe
Whenarewethere said
01:18 PM May 12, 2020
Pool noodles should give about R 2.0
Tony LEE said
02:43 PM May 12, 2020
Insulating a hose merely delays the freezing, so the only sure way is to either fill the onboard tank and disconnect and drain the hose, or add trace heating under the insulation sleeve.
Bobdown said
02:44 PM May 12, 2020
Hey Doug,
Anti-freeze or move to WA..........like they would let you..
Cheers Bob
Peter_n_Margaret said
03:06 PM May 12, 2020
Wait until the day warms up and they thaw.
Our pipes froze overnight here. The only water we had for coffee in the morning was the container in the fridge.
No damage done and it was thawed by mid morning.
People who do this regularly (like in Europe) build their RVs differently and all water is inside the insulated "house" which is also heated.
We have camped in temps as low as 18f. More than once. That's 14f below freezing!!!! So cold we had to use the block heater to keep the engine from freezing. IMHO the only solution is to disconnect and roll the hose up each night. Remember it's not just the hose to worry about. Connections can split if they freeze up. We have had connections split. Replacing the connections was a bigger PITA than rolling up the hose.
Radar said
03:30 PM May 12, 2020
Dougwe wrote:
Afternoon all on this yet another iso day.
Just a quick question.
What do people do to maybe stop water freezing in the hose from the tap to van?
I will be spending winter this year in Nth East VIC and it's getting very cold at night and in the mornings now. Just a little different to my normal Townsville stay this time of year. I spent a week in the area back in September 2018 and found frozen water in hose first thing in the morning when the temps got to 0c or lower.
I really don't want to disconnect and drain hose each night.
Keep Safe out there.
I thought you maybe leaving yourself open on this one Dougwe.
I could almost write a page of dumber answers but I guess you are serious.
Last winter after about a month of using our own tanks, we lashed out and stayed in a caravan park in Burra, seems we were paying, I dragged out the 240volt cord and the water hose, next morning why is there no water, I looked out the window, yep theres water because someone has not turn the tap off.
On closer inspection the weakest point in the caravan park had let go after freezing that morning and my hoses along with others had no water.
My mum use to fill a couple of containers each night, just in case when they lived in the snow region. If she wanted lots of water she would boil the jug and pour that on the exposed pipes.
I do not think there is a real answer other then lėve with it, sorry,,,,,,,,,,,, chap.
Whenarewethere said
03:59 PM May 12, 2020
Plumbers put a U trap on the outlet of hot water tanks so you do not loose heat from the tank through thermal convection.
Do the opposite. Fill a bucket or plastic laundry tub full water, place it midpoint or at the lowest point. Wind up your hose tightly & place most in the bucket. Run ends up to tap & caravan connection with pool noodles covering exposed hose.
There should be enough thermal mass in the bucket (cover bucket to minimise evaporation which cools water) overnight to provide thermal convection up each end of the hose.
Simple passive solution!
Dougwe said
04:55 PM May 12, 2020
Gee, thanks everyone for the information. I just thought I would ask what others do if in the real colder climates during winter.
I think I might shorten the hose to just the right length needed then get some pool noodles to cover that, turn tap off each night when the real cold ones are predicted, release the pressure then when OK the next day by checking tap I can turn back on. I will fill kettle each night and have 10lts of water in a water container sitting in van to have a wash if needed.
I haven't had the problem yet but it will happen so thought I might sort things out now and be ready.
Keep Safe out there.
blaze said
05:00 PM May 12, 2020
just get out of bed at a more reasonable hour doug
cheers
blaze
Inland_Sailor said
06:27 PM May 12, 2020
Doug, if your staying in the van park where you've stayed previously, you'll find that the bit of altitude that you have there, above the floor of the Ovens and King Valleys, will give you far fewer frosts than say in Wangaratta or Oxley. I'm further along the range but rarely get a frost at my for place for that reason.
Also you'll notice a bit of tree cover generally inhibits frost, so a little "tent" over your shortened hose may also help.
Another option to pool noodles is the split water pipe lagging that you can get in lengths from plumbing stores and the big green shed. You could also run it through some 90mm stormwater pvc pipe, plugging the ends, for added insulation. You could also do something to insulate the tap and the riser.
I all depends on how far you want to go. All you really need to do is keep your water supply 0.5 to 1 degree above freezing and you'll be right!
Take care and stay well!
Bicyclecamper said
08:35 PM May 12, 2020
Blaze, even though am home at the moment, with the wood stove and heater running all night, here in the New England, have been getting up at 6am, having a cuppa, waiting for the sun to rise a bit more, donning a T shirt and shorts, a bicycle helmet, and riding 8km out of town, to get me use to living in my bicycle camper full time. Yes -2 C this morning was very brisk, but will have to be doing this when I go permanently touring on the bike anyhow. It is very refreshing to get up early for a long walk with the dog, or a bike ride. By the way am 60yo, I think more people my age or more should be doing this as well. It keeps you alive and fit,
cjt55 said
05:19 AM May 13, 2020
Buggar Doug, wait until the "real" cold weather arrives lol. Definately pool noodles which when in the warmer weather can be put on the ropes of the awning as a safety measure. I just cut a slit up the entire side of the noodle and slide it onto the ropes. They weight next to nothing and will easily do both jobs. Also looking promising on the home front if ya know what I mean.
Dougwe said
06:10 AM May 13, 2020
Yes, I know what you mean and that's great. You will also be out now hitting that little white ball around. I hope that hole I sent you will be handy. What I saw on the news will make it hard on the greens.
I am classing the preventive frozen water project as 'essential' so going to go out of iso and get some. I will also get some viddles while out. Hope the Collie fires up.
Keep Safe out there.
Onedodger said
11:23 AM May 14, 2020
When we have been in these extra cold places I fill the van tanks before the sun goes down then pack up the hoses. Use the in house system then fill the tanks again the evening before we leave packing the hoses away. Doing this saves some anxt re freezing hoses and also the hose is not real cold when packing away.
Dougwe said
01:29 PM May 14, 2020
Project done and dusted. Pool noodle from tap to filter then from filter to BEST filter. Hessian dog bed replacement matts covering tap and filters. Silver windscreen shade doubled up then wrapped around BEST filter. Time will tell now.
Radar said
02:46 PM May 14, 2020
Nice job, now you are set for cold weather camping.
DMaxer said
03:07 PM May 14, 2020
Just to be on the safe side Doug have you considered fitting a WDH to the tap?
It might spread the pressure out and therefore reduce the risk of freezing.
Dougwe said
05:24 PM May 14, 2020
DM, you s..t stirrer you.
Mate, you would never catch me saying things like that, never, ever, never. I did think of one though but didn't fit one and that is why it doesn't look level.
I did weigh everything first though, so everything weighs in OK.
Thanks mate, I got a good laugh out your comment though.
Keep Safe out there.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Thursday 14th of May 2020 05:25:48 PM
Craig1 said
05:25 PM May 14, 2020
Probably should lag the power cord too may get down to 200 volts
Warren-Pat_01 said
02:19 PM May 15, 2020
Perhaps you could get yourself some Qld number plates Doug, & then they would let you come "home" - providing you go north of the Granite Belt!
Good news, thanks to Madam Puddle-duck of the Kingdom of the Great SE Corner - we can drive 150kms from home from tomorrow, providing we go back home! So yes, Frosty Mango is on the list where we can go.
The people of the "Outback" (west of Charters Towers) are even luckier - they can drive up to 500kms - BUT again, they have to return home again that day! So 1000kms in a day, no time to shop?? I've done 900kms with work & that was a long day!
Dougwe said
04:53 PM May 15, 2020
No staying over night! Yeh, I'm sure that won't happen.
I was streaming a talk back radio station from Melbourne this morning and people were ring in saying they are going to visit friends or family and will stay over night, "st.ff 'em" they reckon. They then said "it's no use tracking them as they haven't given their real name anyway".
Listening to people in the supermarket earlier this afternoon, people are fed up with the VIC Premier. I have agreed with most of what he has and is doing but not all. That's enough on that subject.
That was my big day out today, supermarket. That's it now until next week. I am still staying put most of the time for a little longer yet. Maybe in a couple of weeks I will go for a drive. No staying over night though.
Hope all is well up there in Townsville, Warren. Hope to see you both next year.
Keep Safe out there.
Dougwe said
06:29 PM May 16, 2020
Hi everyone in iso and out off.
I have been asked a couple if times why I used the hessian bags? Simples. I remember many moons ago Jack Absalom who was a great fan off showed us in one of his informative 4x4 adventure TV shows to put a hessian bag over the car engine at night when the temps got down to the -0c. It stopped fuel freezing in the lines. So thought it might work in my project.
It was in TV so must be true, after all
Keep Safe out there.
Dick0 said
07:42 PM May 16, 2020
Hey Doug,
Try putting some salt in the hose...it will stop the water freezing and make the water taste better, especially when you boil spuds and vegies.
If it works on icy roads...what more can I say.
And, for your info...Greens is back open to boating and fishing. Camping next...stay tuned.
Sarge9 said
09:23 PM May 17, 2020
Hey Dougwe, we have had freezing for a couple or 3 mornings in a row, how did your noodles go?
Sarge....
-- Edited by Sarge9 on Sunday 17th of May 2020 09:24:15 PM
Dougwe said
06:05 AM May 18, 2020
Two mornings 0c and so far so good, Sarge. A bit too early to tell though yet.
DMaxer said
08:58 AM May 18, 2020
Tell the truth Doug. You adopted my suggestion and it is a winner!
Afternoon all on this yet another iso day.
Just a quick question.
What do people do to maybe stop water freezing in the hose from the tap to van?
I will be spending winter this year in Nth East VIC and it's getting very cold at night and in the mornings now. Just a little different to my normal Townsville stay this time of year. I spent a week in the area back in September 2018 and found frozen water in hose first thing in the morning when the temps got to 0c or lower.
I really don't want to disconnect and drain hose each night.
Keep Safe out there.
Pool noodles should give about R 2.0
Hey Doug,
Anti-freeze or move to WA..........like they would let you..
Cheers Bob
Wait until the day warms up and they thaw.
Our pipes froze overnight here. The only water we had for coffee in the morning was the container in the fridge.
No damage done and it was thawed by mid morning.
People who do this regularly (like in Europe) build their RVs differently and all water is inside the insulated "house" which is also heated.
Cheers,
Peter
I thought you maybe leaving yourself open on this one Dougwe.
I could almost write a page of dumber answers but I guess you are serious.
Last winter after about a month of using our own tanks, we lashed out and stayed in a caravan park in Burra, seems we were paying, I dragged out the 240volt cord and the water hose, next morning why is there no water, I looked out the window, yep theres water because someone has not turn the tap off.
On closer inspection the weakest point in the caravan park had let go after freezing that morning and my hoses along with others had no water.
My mum use to fill a couple of containers each night, just in case when they lived in the snow region. If she wanted lots of water she would boil the jug and pour that on the exposed pipes.
I do not think there is a real answer other then lėve with it, sorry,,,,,,,,,,,, chap.
Plumbers put a U trap on the outlet of hot water tanks so you do not loose heat from the tank through thermal convection.
Do the opposite. Fill a bucket or plastic laundry tub full water, place it midpoint or at the lowest point. Wind up your hose tightly & place most in the bucket. Run ends up to tap & caravan connection with pool noodles covering exposed hose.
There should be enough thermal mass in the bucket (cover bucket to minimise evaporation which cools water) overnight to provide thermal convection up each end of the hose.
Simple passive solution!
I think I might shorten the hose to just the right length needed then get some pool noodles to cover that, turn tap off each night when the real cold ones are predicted, release the pressure then when OK the next day by checking tap I can turn back on. I will fill kettle each night and have 10lts of water in a water container sitting in van to have a wash if needed.
I haven't had the problem yet but it will happen so thought I might sort things out now and be ready.
Keep Safe out there.
cheers
blaze
Doug, if your staying in the van park where you've stayed previously, you'll find that the bit of altitude that you have there, above the floor of the Ovens and King Valleys, will give you far fewer frosts than say in Wangaratta or Oxley. I'm further along the range but rarely get a frost at my for place for that reason.
Also you'll notice a bit of tree cover generally inhibits frost, so a little "tent" over your shortened hose may also help.
Another option to pool noodles is the split water pipe lagging that you can get in lengths from plumbing stores and the big green shed. You could also run it through some 90mm stormwater pvc pipe, plugging the ends, for added insulation. You could also do something to insulate the tap and the riser.
I all depends on how far you want to go. All you really need to do is keep your water supply 0.5 to 1 degree above freezing and you'll be right!
Take care and stay well!
I am classing the preventive frozen water project as 'essential' so going to go out of iso and get some. I will also get some viddles while out. Hope the Collie fires up.
Keep Safe out there.
When we have been in these extra cold places I fill the van tanks before the sun goes down then pack up the hoses. Use the in house system then fill the tanks again the evening before we leave packing the hoses away. Doing this saves some anxt re freezing hoses and also the hose is not real cold when packing away.
Project done and dusted. Pool noodle from tap to filter then from filter to BEST filter. Hessian dog bed replacement matts covering tap and filters. Silver windscreen shade doubled up then wrapped around BEST filter. Time will tell now.
Nice job, now you are set for cold weather camping.
DM, you s..t stirrer you.
Mate, you would never catch me saying things like that, never, ever, never. I did think of one though but didn't fit one and that is why it doesn't look level.
I did weigh everything first though, so everything weighs in OK.
Thanks mate, I got a good laugh out your comment though.
Keep Safe out there.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Thursday 14th of May 2020 05:25:48 PM
Good news, thanks to Madam Puddle-duck of the Kingdom of the Great SE Corner - we can drive 150kms from home from tomorrow, providing we go back home! So yes, Frosty Mango is on the list where we can go.
The people of the "Outback" (west of Charters Towers) are even luckier - they can drive up to 500kms - BUT again, they have to return home again that day! So 1000kms in a day, no time to shop?? I've done 900kms with work & that was a long day!
I was streaming a talk back radio station from Melbourne this morning and people were ring in saying they are going to visit friends or family and will stay over night, "st.ff 'em" they reckon. They then said "it's no use tracking them as they haven't given their real name anyway".
Listening to people in the supermarket earlier this afternoon, people are fed up with the VIC Premier. I have agreed with most of what he has and is doing but not all. That's enough on that subject.
That was my big day out today, supermarket. That's it now until next week. I am still staying put most of the time for a little longer yet. Maybe in a couple of weeks I will go for a drive. No staying over night though.
Hope all is well up there in Townsville, Warren. Hope to see you both next year.
Keep Safe out there.
Hi everyone in iso and out off.
I have been asked a couple if times why I used the hessian bags? Simples. I remember many moons ago Jack Absalom who was a great fan off showed us in one of his informative 4x4 adventure TV shows to put a hessian bag over the car engine at night when the temps got down to the -0c. It stopped fuel freezing in the lines. So thought it might work in my project.
It was in TV so must be true, after all
Keep Safe out there.
Hey Doug,
Try putting some salt in the hose...it will stop the water freezing and make the water taste better, especially when you boil spuds and vegies.
If it works on icy roads...what more can I say.
And, for your info...Greens is back open to boating and fishing. Camping next...stay tuned.
Hey Dougwe, we have had freezing for a couple or 3 mornings in a row, how did your noodles go?
Sarge....
-- Edited by Sarge9 on Sunday 17th of May 2020 09:24:15 PM
Tell the truth Doug. You adopted my suggestion and it is a winner!