Hot Water For Your Hose

[artofdetailing]

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?

[oldmodman]

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!

[Alansr]

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.

[artofdetailing]

Bump

[Russ57]

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.

[artofdetailing]

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?

[FUNX650]

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

[artofdetailing]

Bob, any ideas on how to make one?

[Russ57]

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.

[artofdetailing]

I have a generator I could power the unit from assuming that would be safe. Its the honda EU2000