that van is TOTALLY custom in such a genius,thoroughly well thought out manner!!!! i am sooooooooo impressed with your engineering on it!!! excellent work matt!!!
Here in northern Canada we run coolant systems designed to -60C. Very little water but it is needed to 'lubricate' and mix the glycol. You should be fine now with your mixture. Just be sure to check the tank several times over the next few days to ensure air is purged out and you replace the air volume with your coolant.
Glad you caught that tip from viewer. We are out here looking out for you and to help you survive in the wild. Hope that antifreeze does the job and keeps you warmer in the cold.. Great "creepy" shot from under the van,, at 2:12 great to see you joking around.
Hey Matt - if the portable pump you bought doesn’t work for you we use this one: AstroAl Cordless Tire Inflator Air Compressor (Amazon). It will inflate the tires up to 80psi quickly! Been using for over 2 yrs in the van. Totally worth it
Hey, Matt. I'm glad all is well. I'm also glad that you read the comments and then interact with us about it. Information like this truly makes a difference. Thank you brother.
I feel famous !!!.......... I just saw my house clear as day as you came thru Dalton........ I think I might need to clean up my mess in the yard again ....LOL
BTW that leak you were seeing in the last video could be normal operation. coolant expands as it heats up, and those tubes are overflow drains to let it trickle out (unless it has an overflow tank like a consumer car)
Matt you can't use the RV antifreeze in the system? Referring to the antifreeze you put in the drinking water system in an RV for winter storage. It's $4 a gallon at Walmart. I've seen people use that in radiant floor systems.
Aloha Matt - After viewing your “creepy” shots, I went and made sure all my windows were locked and all the blinds were tightly shut 🤣😁😂. You’re so hilarious….
Hey Matt ✌....Just a guess for Propylene glycol, try RV Parts stores in your state. They may have the higher concentration your looking for without having to buy online. Call first though 👌👍
Hello and thanks for the video. You may find the glycol you are looking for in a commercial heating and ac supply store. It's used sometimes in hot water baseboard systems in homes. Cheers
Big box stores have smaller buckets. I believe I purchased a 2.5 or 3 Gallon bucket when I needed an bucket under some leaking plumbing until I could get it fixed. Just FYI if that would fit your needs in the future.
A word of caution, the less complex a heating system is, the more reliable. For example, I'd pick a boat diesel heater (like wood burning type) but diesel powered with a gravity system which will replace my Webasto gas heater in the future. Why? Reliable, no noise pollution during city dueling and doesn't require 12v electricity to maintain the system running.
I actually called Jim the other day for the same error codes, F1 and F2. He wanted to make sure I had antifreeze in the reservoir and that the fuel pump was pointed up, which both were, then he told me the most likely reason for those fault codes are fuel issues. Either there's a leak somewhere from the gas tank to the furnace, or, you don't have enough fuel in the gas tank to be siphoned from. As I haven't had time yet to get under the van I haven't yet been able to diagnose the problem but this is what Jim told me like 3 day ago on a call. Good luck!
since my gas tank is still 1/2 full (and because I'm not lowering the tank [again on a fuller tank]) I'll likely check the initial fuel line connection from where I made the fuel-dip connection to the beginning of the fuel line.
Damn, sorry to blow you up but this may help too. I purchased "PITTSBURGH AUTOMOTIVE Multi-Use Transfer Pump" from Harbor Freight and it has been a wonderful purchase for siphoning liquids (antifreeze from the reservoir)
Great video! Whole thing with the heating system, other than pipes/hoses freezing... The greater the percentage of antifreeze/glycol=the Greater Warmth your system will generate. You will have hotter heat coming out of your vents. 👍🏜️
Definitely a good viewer catch there on the dilution ratio. Worse thing can happen is that any exposed lines would've turned into a slushy at those temperatures. However Cryo-Tek is really designed for standard boiler antifreeze and not for use in systems that have aluminum heat exchangers unless it's their "AL" formulation. (not very common tbh) I know that Rixens recommend you use automotive grade antifreeze either propylene (generally less toxic) or ethylene (common automotive antifreeze definitely toxic) glycol. I went through that process figuring what was needed when I added the optional heat exchanger where I can utilize the chassis heat when I drive and engine preheat mode when the temps get well below 15°F for those dreaded cold engine starts in the morning.
Only reason I went with propylene is the potential for it to mix with my water via a single heat exchanger, don’t want to find out the hard way that thing leaks
@ yep. Plus if it leaked all over the inside of your van, you don’t want to be breathing that ethylene stuff either. If my memory serves me correctly the Espar hydronic furnace is an aluminum heat exchanger. I don’t think it’ll hurt anything for the short term, but it probably wouldn’t hurt to flush it out and replace it with automotive grade propylene that is formulated for aluminum heat exchangers. It has been a little over 5 years since I messed with mine and I put quite a lot of hours it. Probably it needs a good flush and fill when the weather gets a little bit warmer. What sucks is that you have to order it online and finding the one that is compatible with aluminum heat exchangers is the pain point.
Great video,weird that they dont alow people to sleep in rest spots, they do in alot of states, bummer you you need to deal with all that new England weather, i mobile live in oregon about 9 months out of the year and the rest of the time in AZ, would love to have hangout in az with all the snowbirds and van meet ups but i know with your type of work its not that easy, i work seasonal construction so thats how i roll, stay blessed and warm ✌️
That's more gallons than your two new gallons can replace. The key is that you should replace two gallons only then, and then replace more when you can buy more at another time.
Your math sounds right, and raising your percentage is the important thing. Those temperature ratings are also a cold system, meaning that you can run the system itself to keep it warm. What I mean is that you should be even better with more antifreeze in there, but that you also can now monitor the weather temperature and use your heater as a way to keep the heater fluid unfrozen if you expect some super cold weather.
By this time, you would have already drained it...... But I don't thiink you have to drain everything, just half, and then fill the other half with pure antifreeze, and you should be close to the percentage that you need. I guess for your peace of mind it would be easiest just to start from zero, and that is a nice way to inspect your system
Okay, yeah you are going to do the math. to be safe, you could calculate with 50% dilution even though you only did 40% diultion which is less water. so going from 45% and then fifty percent diluted you are roughly at 23% dilution over the entire thing. You might need to drain two thirds of your antifreeze, and that leaves one third that is at 23% dilution, which would take your 45% solution further down past 40% desired, but I think you'd be around 35% Doing some calculation with a.i. shows that replacing two thirds would put you around 37.67% dilution ration (which is close to desired 40)
@undertheradarvan 20 in Stock Aisle 13 | Bay 20, Hercules® Cryo-Tek™ 1 gal -100 Antifreeze is a ready to use 55% Virgin Propylene Glycol formula. It's designed for hydronic heating and cooling closed loop systems, most solar heating systems, snow melts, radiant heat and general plumbing system
The Espar S-3 I have is a hot air plus the hydronic loop. It’s both. There’s only so much you can insulate a van. When it’s -5F outside is right around where the temp inside can’t get past 55 no matter what I crank the thermostat too. It’s not that bad, those nights are few per year.
The flashing trailer is a security camera and the flashing is to warn a potential theft enthusiast that they're watching and recording the parking lot
Theft enthusiast 😂. Love it!
Way to go other viewer!
that van is TOTALLY custom in such a genius,thoroughly well thought out manner!!!! i am sooooooooo impressed with your engineering on it!!! excellent work matt!!!
I would be quite disappointed having to sleep on the floor when it’s cold to get the benefit of that very expensive hydronic heater .
The hydronic system also blows hot air, it’s more than just heated floors.
But you still said you were going to sleep on the floor, and were down on the floor filming, the first night back in Boston.
Here in northern Canada we run coolant systems designed to -60C. Very little water but it is needed to 'lubricate' and mix the glycol. You should be fine now with your mixture. Just be sure to check the tank several times over the next few days to ensure air is purged out and you replace the air volume with your coolant.
Glad you caught that tip from viewer. We are out here looking out for you and to help you survive in the wild. Hope that antifreeze does the job and keeps you warmer in the cold.. Great "creepy" shot from under the van,, at 2:12 great to see you joking around.
I love how real and outgoing you are its so rare to find someone who just puts there true self on the internet i appreciate it and wish you well!
Hey Matt - if the portable pump you bought doesn’t work for you we use this one: AstroAl Cordless Tire Inflator Air Compressor (Amazon). It will inflate the tires up to 80psi quickly! Been using for over 2 yrs in the van. Totally worth it
Thanks yeah the cordlessness is what sold me, haven’t tried it yet
I think that was the 1st time I heard you laugh! The part of the creepy angle under the van😂. Thanks for the chuckle, you are the best!
Hey, Matt. I'm glad all is well. I'm also glad that you read the comments and then interact with us about it. Information like this truly makes a difference. Thank you brother.
Creepy AF scene has me cackling!
Wow...what a wonderful thing to happen...that viewer did you such a favour...we all care about you..
the creepy angle was hilarious and thanks for the new word....DINGUSS.....ROCKETH ON YOUNG SKYWALKER!!!
That is awesome that viewers are helping you.
I feel famous !!!.......... I just saw my house clear as day as you came thru Dalton........ I think I might need to clean up my mess in the yard again ....LOL
Yay viewer!!!!
I learn so much watching your videos, thanks Matt !
You are so smart 🙌🙋🏼♀️
You are so responsive to your viewers and I love that. Love your channel. Happy trails.
I try thanks!
We appreciate you.
That’s great news.
If you are ever in Texas, rest stops are legal to sleep over night.
Good to know
Great job, good thing you are Great at mathematics figuring that out 😅
Seriously? You are amazing. I so enjoy your videos.
BTW that leak you were seeing in the last video could be normal operation. coolant expands as it heats up, and those tubes are overflow drains to let it trickle out (unless it has an overflow tank like a consumer car)
Could be it
Matt you can't use the RV antifreeze in the system? Referring to the antifreeze you put in the drinking water system in an RV for winter storage. It's $4 a gallon at Walmart. I've seen people use that in radiant floor systems.
Aloha Matt - After viewing your “creepy” shots, I went and made sure all my windows were locked and all the blinds were tightly shut 🤣😁😂. You’re so hilarious….
Interesting video! I’m ignorant about mechanical things and without aptitude for learning. All the same, I enjoyed this video and found I interesting!
It’s a never ending learning process for me too
Hey Matt ✌....Just a guess for Propylene glycol, try RV Parts stores in your state.
They may have the higher concentration your looking for without having to buy online.
Call first though 👌👍
Glad you are going to be safe & warm👍🏻🤗🔥
Hello and thanks for the video. You may find the glycol you are looking for in a commercial heating and ac supply store. It's used sometimes in hot water baseboard systems in homes. Cheers
Big box stores have smaller buckets. I believe I purchased a 2.5 or 3 Gallon bucket when I needed an bucket under some leaking plumbing until I could get it fixed. Just FYI if that would fit your needs in the future.
Matt....the N.Adams Walmart is a Super Walmart and is alot better stocked and cleaner that the Pittsfield store......well worth the trip !
Good work!
Appreciate it! Hope to have it all fixed soon.
Test your antifreeze with an antifreeze tester. They are cheap and easy to use.
Picking one up today
A word of caution, the less complex a heating system is, the more reliable. For example, I'd pick a boat diesel heater (like wood burning type) but diesel powered with a gravity system which will replace my Webasto gas heater in the future. Why? Reliable, no noise pollution during city dueling and doesn't require 12v electricity to maintain the system running.
A non hydronic system would definitely have been a lot easier and less to worry about
@@undertheradarvan Exactly.
I actually called Jim the other day for the same error codes, F1 and F2. He wanted to make sure I had antifreeze in the reservoir and that the fuel pump was pointed up, which both were, then he told me the most likely reason for those fault codes are fuel issues. Either there's a leak somewhere from the gas tank to the furnace, or, you don't have enough fuel in the gas tank to be siphoned from. As I haven't had time yet to get under the van I haven't yet been able to diagnose the problem but this is what Jim told me like 3 day ago on a call. Good luck!
since my gas tank is still 1/2 full (and because I'm not lowering the tank [again on a fuller tank]) I'll likely check the initial fuel line connection from where I made the fuel-dip connection to the beginning of the fuel line.
additionally, I purchased Prestone Antifreeze + Coolant All Vehicles Ready To Use (no dilution needed) and its been doing great.
Damn, sorry to blow you up but this may help too. I purchased "PITTSBURGH AUTOMOTIVE Multi-Use Transfer Pump" from Harbor Freight and it has been a wonderful purchase for siphoning liquids (antifreeze from the reservoir)
This all reminds me of the park puzzle from Die Hard with a Vengeance. 😊
Great video! Whole thing with the heating system, other than pipes/hoses freezing... The greater the percentage of antifreeze/glycol=the Greater Warmth your system will generate. You will have hotter heat coming out of your vents. 👍🏜️
Definitely a good viewer catch there on the dilution ratio. Worse thing can happen is that any exposed lines would've turned into a slushy at those temperatures. However Cryo-Tek is really designed for standard boiler antifreeze and not for use in systems that have aluminum heat exchangers unless it's their "AL" formulation. (not very common tbh)
I know that Rixens recommend you use automotive grade antifreeze either propylene (generally less toxic) or ethylene (common automotive antifreeze definitely toxic) glycol. I went through that process figuring what was needed when I added the optional heat exchanger where I can utilize the chassis heat when I drive and engine preheat mode when the temps get well below 15°F for those dreaded cold engine starts in the morning.
Only reason I went with propylene is the potential for it to mix with my water via a single heat exchanger, don’t want to find out the hard way that thing leaks
@ yep. Plus if it leaked all over the inside of your van, you don’t want to be breathing that ethylene stuff either.
If my memory serves me correctly the Espar hydronic furnace is an aluminum heat exchanger. I don’t think it’ll hurt anything for the short term, but it probably wouldn’t hurt to flush it out and replace it with automotive grade propylene that is formulated for aluminum heat exchangers.
It has been a little over 5 years since I messed with mine and I put quite a lot of hours it. Probably it needs a good flush and fill when the weather gets a little bit warmer. What sucks is that you have to order it online and finding the one that is compatible with aluminum heat exchangers is the pain point.
O'Reilly's is a great store with great folks here in GA.
Great video,weird that they dont alow people to sleep in rest spots, they do in alot of states, bummer you you need to deal with all that new England weather, i mobile live in oregon about 9 months out of the year and the rest of the time in AZ, would love to have hangout in az with all the snowbirds and van meet ups but i know with your type of work its not that easy, i work seasonal construction so thats how i roll, stay blessed and warm ✌️
Have a dollar store tarp for laying out when needing to crawl under the van
I might do that
Kinda surprised that you don't just use a 12v electric blanket at night on your bed. Anyway, love the videos. Thumbs up!
In my city, those police things are shot spotters.
Can’t rest at the rest stops in that state. Crazier than I thought.
Yeah MA sucks, total nanny state.
@ that’s a kind way to say it :)
Lowes has a cryotek that is 55%, and it seems in stock in this area
but it's 35281 and red, so it might be different stuff, IDK
I’ll check it out. There’s no harm in mixing propylene with more propylene, if that’s what it is.
Use a antifreeze tester to test the mix on how far it will go down too
Never heard of those but will look into it
Wow, that viewer is eagle eyed. Good luck with the fix.
I was surprised someone caught it!
Matt you should be able to pressure test that system looks like normal rad cap to me peace out
Yo dude you are in my neck of the woods. Wish you the best, and everything
Rest areas might be patrolled, but I have had success sleeping at the carpool park and ride lots.
That's more gallons than your two new gallons can replace. The key is that you should replace two gallons only then, and then replace more when you can buy more at another time.
Your math sounds right, and raising your percentage is the important thing. Those temperature ratings are also a cold system, meaning that you can run the system itself to keep it warm. What I mean is that you should be even better with more antifreeze in there, but that you also can now monitor the weather temperature and use your heater as a way to keep the heater fluid unfrozen if you expect some super cold weather.
Matt could you not use a coolant tester like the one used to test the van engine radiator coolant?
The Thumbnail 😂
Priest! 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
By this time, you would have already drained it...... But I don't thiink you have to drain everything, just half, and then fill the other half with pure antifreeze, and you should be close to the percentage that you need. I guess for your peace of mind it would be easiest just to start from zero, and that is a nice way to inspect your system
Okay, yeah you are going to do the math. to be safe, you could calculate with 50% dilution even though you only did 40% diultion which is less water. so going from 45% and then fifty percent diluted you are roughly at 23% dilution over the entire thing.
You might need to drain two thirds of your antifreeze, and that leaves one third that is at 23% dilution, which would take your 45% solution further down past 40% desired, but I think you'd be around 35%
Doing some calculation with a.i. shows that replacing two thirds would put you around 37.67% dilution ration (which is close to desired 40)
Pure propylene is almost impossible to find, best I’ve found is a 70% mix
@undertheradarvan 20 in Stock
Aisle 13 | Bay 20, Hercules® Cryo-Tek™ 1 gal -100 Antifreeze is a ready to use 55% Virgin Propylene Glycol formula. It's designed for hydronic heating and cooling closed loop systems, most solar heating systems, snow melts, radiant heat and general plumbing system
A fluorescent dye in the glycol would help verify any leaks in the system . Why not a backup forced air diesel heater instead of the mr buddy ?
The Espar S-3 I have is a hot air plus the hydronic loop. It’s both. There’s only so much you can insulate a van. When it’s -5F outside is right around where the temp inside can’t get past 55 no matter what I crank the thermostat too. It’s not that bad, those nights are few per year.
Can’t you use regular RV water stem antifreeze? It’s like $6/gallon.
Have you thought about getting a log burner?
I think my car insurance would cancel me if I installed something like that
The water you saw by your heater might have been condensation
I thought you did pretty good given the circumstances.
Creepy 🧟😂... Matt your a coffee achiever.
😎
When all else fails-read the instructions🤪
Dang, you missed a photo opp with Ronald McDonald
I’ll do something special with him in a future vid
C’mon bro if the coolant is 60% glycol and 40% water (1 bottle) and add what you thought was 50% water (1 bottle) it cuts your glycol in half (30%).
Thanks for all of your videos. I hear you use words like, chronic, acute, in situ, etc… Do you work in medical finance by chance?
Do you ever do yoga?
Why don’t you just go 50-50
You are interesting.
Your left side and your eyes getting droopy