Anyone used there vehicle for heating there garage???

[RedDevil]

Originally Posted by modproductions

Ok let do some MATH
(...)
1 calorie heat 1 litre up 1 deg Celsius

Actually the definition of a calorie is the energy required to heat 1 gram of water from 14,5 °C to 15,5 °C.
A liter of water weighs approx. 1000 grams. Which is handy; your result is correct after all, times 1000.

Btw. I LOVE hot water!

[pgfpro]

Thanks everyone for your input it looks like it's not going to be worth it. this morning I added an extra 500 pounds to my normal cargo weight after driving about a third way into my delivery I realizing the handling of the truck is not so good I'm think I'm going have to scrap this idea thanks for everyones input!

[RedDevil]

... then there are better solutions than just plain water like a container of salt with a high melting point; when it cools down the solidification yields a lot of extra heat.

You could keep the installation lighter and smaller for the same capacity, or get more capacity for the same weight.

Of course systems like these have been discussed before at ecomodder
(just rubbing my 2 grams of salt into the discussion)

[RedDevil]

Another thought; the engine has a lot of residual heat.
Keep the water tank in the garage, connect it to the secondary cicuit of a heat exchanger that gets fed from the coolant system and run the pumps on both the car and your water tank to harvest it.

Next morning, when the car is freezing cold and your storage tank inside the garage is warmer, do the same again to preheat the car...

[roosterk0031]

For about $60 you can buy a programmable t'stat so you can reduce the time your heaters running.

Buy LuxPro ELV4 (PSPLV512) Programmable (5+2) Line Voltage Thermostat, Heat Only | LuxPro PSPLV512

I use one almost exactly like this but with cool mode to control a fan behind my wood stove once it hits 85 degrees, that way keeps the wall cooler and turns back off when the fire has died down.

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by pgfpro

...this morning I added an extra 500 pounds to my normal cargo weight after driving about a third way into my delivery I realizing the handling of the truck is not so good...

Really? It's a 1/2 Ton truck! How much does the normal delivery weigh?

[pgfpro]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Really? It's a 1/2 Ton truck! How much does the normal delivery weigh?

Usually around 600 lbs. So I had around 1100 lbs in the back today. Plus around 200 lbs in the cab. Plus me at around 190 lbs.

I too was surprised how the truck reacted. Plus I had to dodge one flying lawn mower that fell out of a on coming truck and ended up in my lane, and a couple deer. Sometimes I think I live in a third world country. lol

I need shocks all the way around and its about due for a new set of tires. The truck has 271,000 miles on it and we bought it new in 2001.lol

[Frank Lee]

So the truck has suspension deficiencies; it isn't really the load at fault.

600lbs is easily handled by a mini truck, mini van, or even a station wagon- heck, even my Tempo- all garage parkable.

[pgfpro]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

So the truck has suspension deficiencies; it isn't really the load at fault.

600lbs is easily handled by a mini truck, mini van, or even a station wagon- heck, even my Tempo- all garage parkable.

Correct and me being a wimp when it comes to hauling more then my norm.

It wasn't really that bad, but I do need to get some better tires next time with a better load rating. These tires on it now our more of a old man's tire. Good for hauling to bags of lawn grass and one cute poodle with a very plush soft ride. lol
EDIT:

The main reason for killing the project is because after seeing the math to heat the garage and what the available amount of energy in the water tank it just doesn't look like it would be worth it?

[slowmover]

1k-lbs in a 1/2T certainly deserves best tires and shocks. And poly bushings for FF and RR anti-roll bars. Springs may also be "old". If it's a business vehicle, treat it well . . the IRS deduction pays for maintenance/repairs if one uses it.