Parts Washer Defrosting.

[adsm08]

So I have a 20 gallon parts washer in my detached garage/workshop. I use water-based solvents (for now), namely PurplePower, which seems to start freezing between 10* and 20*F.

I have some kerosene heaters and a wood stove out there, but they aren't going if I am not working out there. This past winter we had a week or so of single digit to sub-zero temps. During this week a few things, including my bottle of car wash soap and the contents of the washer tank froze. My soap froze solid and cracked the bottle (that was fun when it thawed). The washer tank only froze at the top and sides, but it uses a side-mounted pump, and so the pump was damaged in the freeze. I am going to replace the pump with a sturdier one, but it is going to cost almost what the whole unit did, so I don't want to lose it to a freeze again next year. Since it mounts to the side of the basin just taking it out isn't a good option because that will leave a big hole below the water line.

My thought was to get a 200-300W fish tank heater with a thermostat, and set it as low as it will go. I am not going for heated solvent, just trying to keep it from freezing through the worst part of winter.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this setup, or an idea for something better to use?

 

[RonD]

You can usually get heated wire with thermostats for decent price, 30ft for $40, for wrapping water pipes
https://www.homedepot.com/p/30-ft-Automatic-Electric-Heat-Cable-Kit-HC30A/100196471

Wrap pump and tank that should keep it above 20degF

Mount some on a shelf with back and forth pattern and store bottles, that can freeze, on that shelf

 

[adsm08]

You can usually get heated wire with thermostats for decent price, 30ft for $40, for wrapping water pipes
https://www.homedepot.com/p/30-ft-Automatic-Electric-Heat-Cable-Kit-HC30A/100196471

Wrap pump and tank that should keep it above 20degF

Mount some on a shelf with back and forth pattern and store bottles, that can freeze, on that shelf

That's not a bad idea. Even if I apply it just to the bottom and leave it turned up a bit. Convection should keep the top/sides from freezing over again.

I'm not too worried about the shelf though. This winter was particularly harsh here. We usually get a day or two at a time of single digits or sub-zero. This was the first time in a few years we had a whole week of it. This was the third winter that bottle of soap (I only use it for prepping panels to be painted) had been out there and the first time it froze.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I use a battery blanket to keep my compressor warm enough to use during the winter. Also use one to keep my propane flowing at minus 40. That should work for your tank too but Rons thermostatically controlled heat wire is probably more efficient.

 

[saskbill]

Maybe a little more heat than you want, but will stick to the bottom of the tank and out of direct contact with the water/solvent:

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/kats-engine-heaters-magnetic-heater-200w

 

[Doofy]

I would imagine a small 50 watt glue-on pad heater would be sufficient. It doesn't really take much.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If the tank is metal you could try a magnetic heater too, like for an oil pan. We use them to degel diesel fuel tanks.

 

[pjtoledo]

block heater? runs on 120 ac, plug it in only when necessary.

the heater tapes for home roofs and eves are low power and thermostatically controlled.