Lowest temperature January 2024

[Californication69]

Anybody have the lowest temperature in their California last night ?
Drop them in here, or if you prefer
Answers on a postcard.

 

[andyinluton]

I don’t know what the lowest was, but it was a fresh -7.5 at 6am when I left for work.

Not the best start to a morning, the parking heater didn’t fire up for some reason & half my heated screen isn’t working due to the huge cracks in it.

 

[Perfectos]

I don’t know what the lowest was, but it was a fresh -7.5 at 6am when I left for work.

Not the best start to a morning, the parking heater didn’t fire up for some reason & half my heated screen isn’t working due to the huge cracks in it.

Probably diesel sludge (gelling) due to low temp , should work ok once it warms up , give it a try on the way home

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Probably diesel sludge (gelling) due to low temp , should work ok once it warms up , give it a try on the way home

I use a Diesel additive to increase Cetanes in situations like this. The one I use is from Liquimoly.

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

I asked AI:

In sub-freezing temperatures, diesel fuel can undergo several changes that can affect its performance. One of the main issues is the formation of paraffin wax crystals, which can give the fuel a hazy appearance and eventually clog fuel filters, blocking the flow of fuel to the engine
3
. This phenomenon, known as gelling, can cause the diesel to become non-combustible and can plug filters
5
. The temperature at which diesel starts to gel is typically around 15ºF or -9.5ºC
4
.
Another issue is the presence of water in diesel fuel. Water is almost always present in diesel fuel to some degree and can freeze in cold temperatures. Frozen water can clog fuel lines and fuel filters, starving the engine of fuel
2
8
.
The exact freezing point of diesel fuel can vary widely due to the different hydrocarbons it contains. The temperature at which diesel freezes solid in lines is called its pour point
1
. However, the pour point is usually lower than the temperature at which gelling issues begin to occur
1
.
To prevent these issues, it's recommended to use fuel additives that can lower the freezing point of diesel fuel and remove water from the fuel system
4
5
. Switching to a winter blend diesel fuel when temperatures start to drop can also help prevent cold weather diesel problems
7
.


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[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

To prevent diesel fuel from freezing in cold weather, several measures can be taken:
Use Fuel Additives: Fuel additives can lower the freezing point of diesel fuel and remove water from the fuel system. Products like Hot Shot's Secret Diesel Winter Anti-Gel and Lucas Anti-Gel Cold Weather Diesel Treatment are designed to prevent cold filter plugging in diesel fuels and effectively remove moisture from the entire fuel system
1
2
5
.
Switch to Winter Blend Diesel Fuel: Winter blend diesel fuel is enhanced to prevent it from gelling in cold weather conditions. It is recommended to switch to a winter blend when average overnight temperatures for the location are below or near 24 degrees F
3
6
.
Keep Fuel Tanks Full: Keeping the fuel tank as full as possible can help prevent condensation from forming and freezing
10
.
Insulate Fuel Lines: Insulating fuel lines can help prevent fuel from cooling down too quickly as it travels from the fuel tank to the engine
10
.
Use Emergency Diesel Additives: If you find yourself with already gelled or frozen fuel, emergency diesel additives like Fuel Ox Heat Bomb can thaw and restore gelled or frozen fuel
4
.
Remember, the exact freezing point of diesel fuel can vary widely due to the different hydrocarbons it contains. Therefore, these preventive measures should be taken as soon as temperatures approach freezing
7
.


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[Californication69]

I don’t know what the lowest was, but it was a fresh -7.5 at 6am when I left for work.

Not the best start to a morning, the parking heater didn’t fire up for some reason & half my heated screen isn’t working due to the huge cracks in it.

I liked your post, but don’t like the situation!
Bummer man.
Maybe try it through the console with heat continuously on number 6 for a bit.
Mine worked, it’s now a comfy 10 degrees in here. After an hour of heat immediately from the hotel room
But I got my yeti mug out the passenger side for a Starbucks and the passenger door handle is stuck open. Inside.
So had to hold door shut and turn the key in the lock, otherwise the passenger door would be swinging open whilst driving round roundabouts !!
Another item to add to the list for swansway

 

[Californication69]

I asked AI:

In sub-freezing temperatures, diesel fuel can undergo several changes that can affect its performance. One of the main issues is the formation of paraffin wax crystals, which can give the fuel a hazy appearance and eventually clog fuel filters, blocking the flow of fuel to the engine
3
. This phenomenon, known as gelling, can cause the diesel to become non-combustible and can plug filters
5
. The temperature at which diesel starts to gel is typically around 15ºF or -9.5ºC
4
.
Another issue is the presence of water in diesel fuel. Water is almost always present in diesel fuel to some degree and can freeze in cold temperatures. Frozen water can clog fuel lines and fuel filters, starving the engine of fuel
2
8
.
The exact freezing point of diesel fuel can vary widely due to the different hydrocarbons it contains. The temperature at which diesel freezes solid in lines is called its pour point
1
. However, the pour point is usually lower than the temperature at which gelling issues begin to occur
1
.
To prevent these issues, it's recommended to use fuel additives that can lower the freezing point of diesel fuel and remove water from the fuel system
4
5
. Switching to a winter blend diesel fuel when temperatures start to drop can also help prevent cold weather diesel problems
7
.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Interesting. I have a full tank of the premium diesel as I do this every 3 months.
Is the premium have a lower freeze delta ?

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Interesting. I have a full tank of the premium diesel as I do this every 3 months.
Is the premium have a lower freeze delta ?

Premium should have higher cetanes due to the additional cleaning additives they use. But can’t be sure. That’s why I use my own additives in Winter.


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[andyinluton]

Probably diesel sludge (gelling) due to low temp , should work ok once it warms up , give it a try on the way home

More likely to be me pressing the off button than the on one whilst half asleep.
It’s worked fine every other day this week.

 

[chockswahay]

Anybody have the lowest temperature in their California last night ?
Drop them in here, or if you prefer
Answers on a postcard.
View attachment 118266

I'm curious......what is a California Switchbot? ...... do I need one? I might be suffering from a lttle FOMO here........

 

[Van Diesel VW]

Anybody have the lowest temperature in their California last night ?
Drop them in here, or if you prefer
Answers on a postcard.
View attachment 118266

What devices / app are you using to record these temperatures.

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

What devices / app are you using to record these temperatures.

I’m using Ruuvi Tags connected to a Victron CerboGX on my side.

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[Skootyalan]

Anybody have the lowest temperature in their California last night ?
Drop them in here, or if you prefer
Answers on a postcard.
View attachment 118266

 

[Skootyalan]

Something seems to have gone with my previous attempt to post!!

I spent Tuesday night above Delph on Saddleworth Moor in the van. Temp was below -7deg. Setting 3 on diesel heater kept me very comfortable

 

[Hawthorn37]

Minus 4.5C this morning here in Derbyshire. A nice icicle dropping from the tap, all frozen up, no water flow - as I‘d forgotten / was too busy to / was too lazy to empty the water system after being away last weekend ! Thawed out the van using the diesel heater, opening the cupboard doors, and then emptied the system !

 

[Californication69]

I'm curious......what is a California Switchbot? ...... do I need one? I might be suffering from a lttle FOMO here........

SwitchBot WiFi Thermometer Hygrometer 3 Pack with Hub Mini, IP65 Indoor Outdoor Thermometer Wireless, Humidity/Temperature/Dewpoint/VPD/Absolute Humidity Sensor with Smart Alerts, Works with Alexa https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BVZDVFZG?tag=unique09f-21

 

[Californication69]

What devices / app are you using to record these temperatures.

SwitchBot WiFi Thermometer Hygrometer 3 Pack with Hub Mini, IP65 Indoor Outdoor Thermometer Wireless, Humidity/Temperature/Dewpoint/VPD/Absolute Humidity Sensor with Smart Alerts, Works with Alexa https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BVZDVFZG?tag=unique09f-21

 

[Californication69]

I’m using Ruuvi Tags connected to a Victron CerboGX on my side.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I likey.
So much data.
But any humidity data ?

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

I likey.
So much data.
But any humidity data ?

All the %’s are humidity


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[Californication69]

Nearly 25 degrees!
Toasty!
Bet you’re sat in your shorts

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Nearly 25 degrees!
Toasty!
Bet you’re sat in your shorts

I work in my van 4 days a week.


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[Californication69]

I work in my van 4 days a week.


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“Work” whilst sat in your shorts
Fair play. It’s a dream of mine.

All you need is a wood fired foldable hot tub.
Imagine that, sat by the side of the mountain in a hot tub. Nice and toasty.
Need to put this in the Swamper thread

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Cold today! Looks like the cold snap from the UK has hit Switzerland now.

All my tanks are empty of course. Nice having the alarms enabled with push notifications.


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[Californication69]

Yep, been cold the last week with wind chill down to -12
But a barmy 3 today and a high tomorrow of 13 !