Parts washer heater

[Nmhuntr]

I am thinking of buying one of the HF or TSC parts washers. I will be using some form of water based solvent. My question is: Has anyone added a heater to one of these? I normally soak my item a few days and I feel a warmer fluid would work better. If you have can I get the make and model of what you used? I see a lot of elements designed for water but I have yet to find one that says it will hold up to any form of solvent

Thanks

 

[sparky 1971]

I have the Harbor Fright model and added a couple of magnetic block heaters to it. It's been at least two years and I have yet to turn them on so I can't report how well it works.

 

[Rinspeed]

Are you thinking of using a Bucket heater.

 

[kbeefy]

can you just use an aquarium heater or something like a silicon heating pad for an oil pan? They go underneath, no need to submerse.

 

[Nmhuntr]

I have considered it but I think those are designed for water and just don’t know they will hold up

 

[The Cobbler]

added a couple of magnetic block heaters to it.

that seems to be the easiest most sensible approach
I'm curious as they are often thermostatically controlled , did you have to adjust anything?

 

[sparky 1971]

that seems to be the easiest most sensible approach
I'm curious as they are often thermostatically controlled , did you have to adjust anything?

I don't remember. It's been two years since I bought 'em, stuck 'em on the tank, and walked away. Although I've used the parts washer several times since then, I had completely forgotten about the heaters until I saw this thread.

 

[Spareparts]

We used Rod type heaters making candles, different wattage, heat ranges. Ours were about 3/4"
dia and different lengths. heat ranges varied with the wattage/ voltage, they would screw into a 3/4" pipe bung
I believe we got them from McMaster Carr, been 30 yrs ago.

 

[Yallaen]

Late to the party, but I'll jump in here! My first thought when I bought my used HarChinaAmazNorth parts washer was that it needed a heater. Mine didnt come with one, but I figured there was some way. My thought was a fishtank heater. I've since seen a number of posts on various sites, and YouTube videos on putting on filters and using various heaters.

I'm using Purple Power, which is water-based, and not a true "solvent" like Berryman's or gasoline/diesel fuel. I then thought of using just a magnetic engine block heater, slapping it underneath, and trying that. I also saw people utilizing water tank heaters.

The magnetic slap-on heaters seem to cause the paint to separate. I'm looking for cheap and easy...

Why wouldn't an aquarium heater work? I've seen comments about solvent possibly damaging the heater. Well, this is water based. Most aquarium heaters are encased in glass. My washer is 20 gallon, and most of these heaters are rated for 50-150 gallon aquariums. Plus, you can regulate the temperature and let it keep it "warm" until you come outside, then crank it up for heat. Maybe use in conjunction with a block heater to get up to temp (110 or 120deg F)?

I've also seen where people weld brackets on the underside and modify pancake griddles and attach them underneath. Same principal as a block heater.

So, has anyone actually used an aquarium tank heater, and thoughts on it? I had a 50 gallon tank years ago, and my piranha accidentally hit it and kicked it on overnight, and cooked himself...so I know that they will get the water up to 140 degrees.

Oh, quick side note: for the cost, the aquarium heater seems to be as cheap as pancake griddle, unintrusive (no drilling/welding)

 

[JradM]

I have the Harbor Fright model and added a couple of magnetic block heaters to it. It's been at least two years and I have yet to turn them on so I can't report how well it works.

That's clever. I even have a magnetic block heater on a shelf in my shop - never occurred to me to stick it to my parts washer. I will be doing that. It's literally been on the shelf for years now doing nothing.

If you're actually looking to heat the water, that seems like a reasonable choice. Keeps it completely out of the solvent. If this is more to keep a water-based solution from freezing, then maybe a tank de-icer? Although, I think there are models that just stay on constantly... maybe those could actually accomplish heating.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I seldom wash big parts where solvent is a better choice,. I bought a heated ultrasonic parts washer. It works so well. I have derusted parts in the ultrasonic tank with EVAPORUST. The ultrasonic action makes this product work 10 times faster. My son had cleaned many small parts in a water and Simple Green mix.
The ultrasonic unit I bought is 30 liters (24X10X10) I came with a stainless wire basket and a heater

 

[Rinspeed]

I'm looking for cheap and easy...

That would be a bucket heater.

 

[sparky 1971]

That's clever. I even have a magnetic block heater on a shelf in my shop - never occurred to me to stick it to my parts washer. I will be doing that. It's literally been on the shelf for years now doing nothing.

If you're actually looking to heat the water, that seems like a reasonable choice. Keeps it completely out of the solvent. If this is more to keep a water-based solution from freezing, then maybe a tank de-icer? Although, I think there are models that just stay on constantly... maybe those could actually accomplish heating.

I use solvent in mine so I'm not worried about anything freezing up, but since my shop is only heated when I am out there, that solvent is effing cold on the hands in January. I still haven't used the heaters but last weekend I thought about turning them on when I was cleaning the wheel bearings for my service truck but since I didn't want to wait for everything to get warm so I just cleaned 'em with cold solvent. Another thing I think I should do is put a timer on the receptacle because I know I will forget to turn them off. And seeing a big 'ol timer on the wall above the tank might help me to remember that the heaters even exist.

 

[JradM]

I use solvent in mine so I'm not worried about anything freezing up, but since my shop is only heated when I am out there, that solvent is effing cold on the hands in January. I still haven't used the heaters but last weekend I thought about turning them on when I was cleaning the wheel bearings for my service truck but since I didn't want to wait for everything to get warm so I just cleaned 'em with cold solvent. Another thing I think I should do is put a timer on the receptacle because I know I will forget to turn them off. And seeing a big 'ol timer on the wall above the tank might help me to remember that the heaters even exist.

That's exactly my use-case!

I'm cleaning a bunch of parts right now restoring an old vehicle. I'm mostly working in my garage, walking over to my shop occasionally to use certain tools (I live on a farm, so I'm fortunate to have both). The shop isn't heated though, unless I fire up the woodstove. Often times I can't bring myself to plunge my hands in the freezing solvent to get things done in the parts cleaner.

I'm hoping the block heater might make it tolerable - we'll see!

 

[The_Geologist]

Here's what I have used in my parts washer (it's a bucket heater like mentioned above). It worked quite well to get the water up to about 115 F or so.

Amazon.com

 

[2oolhound]

It's been 35 years since I lived in a cold climate but we used to use circulating pumps in our vehicles. Cut 6" off the heater line from the water pump and stick in the - in line heater/pump and plug in to 110v. They were better than block heaters because they warmed the heater core and the rad equally as well. (You had warm air coming out of the heater as soon as you started up in 40 below). They were around $20 back in the day. I don't know how they've evolved since then but they didn't mind antifreeze in the line so likely will be fine with simple green too. They may be overkill but could be an option. Likely find one in a car scrapyard cheap.

 

[rust in the eye]

Disregard, wromg thread

 

[rooster59]

I would not put an immersion heater made for water in a solvent tank, especially inside a building