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Rain water - as coolant?
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
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Location: UK

PostPosted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 5:40 pm    Post subject: Rain water - as coolant? Reply with quote

Given how much water is (literally) floating around at the moment, is rain water (and indeed that from a de-humidifier) suitable for use in a coolant mix in a car's radiator? I had a quick look around online but didn't find a definitive answer.

RJ
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Penman



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
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Location: Swindon, Wilts.

PostPosted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 5:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi
If you live in an area where your kettle "furs"up then I would suggest it is a lot better than tap water.
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Rick
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 7:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Penman wrote:
Hi
If you live in an area where your kettle "furs"up then I would suggest it is a lot better than tap water.


Yes we have hard water here, so I was thinking that it might be ok.

RJ
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Penman



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 8:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi
The only suggestion I would make about rain butt collected water is filter it, perhaps through a few layers of 'er indoors's discarded stockings/tights.
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Rick
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Location: UK

PostPosted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 8:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Penman wrote:
Hi
The only suggestion I would make about rain butt collected water is filter it, perhaps through a few layers of 'er indoors's discarded stockings/tights.


Good point, I wouldn't want to use my own after all

RJ
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roverdriver



Joined: 18 Oct 2008
Posts: 1210
Location: 100 miles from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

PostPosted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 6:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Whenever possible I always used rain water in radiators. For the years 1990 to 2017 it became very easy as our only water supply was rain water collected off the house roof into tanks. Virtually no minerals in it. When living in an area of hard water via the mains, I would avoid putting it in the radiator unless no other option was available.
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lowdrag



Joined: 10 Apr 2009
Posts: 1585
Location: Le Mans

PostPosted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 7:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The water from the dehumidifier goes into SWMBO's ironing machine. Our water here is very hard and we are for ever running white vinegar through coffee machines, the washer, the kettle and all. And it's about the cheapest household cleaner going!
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Penman



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
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Location: Swindon, Wilts.

PostPosted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 10:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi lowdrag
Have you ever tried citric acid crystals?
I get them from a home brew shop only used a couple of teaspoons at a time.
I found them V effective and no taint to rinse out afterwards,
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PAUL BEAUMONT



Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 1281
Location: Barnsley S. Yorks

PostPosted: Sun Nov 24, 2019 12:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a 1000l plastic tank gathering the rainwater from my workshop roof. I always use it in the Jowett Radiator. It dramatically reduces lime buildup in the cylinders
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Churchill Johnson



Joined: 11 Jan 2011
Posts: 359
Location: Rayleigh Essex

PostPosted: Tue Nov 26, 2019 10:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Has anyone thought that if all these items get furred up what the hell do's it do to us............. Laughing
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