11-19-2009, 01:07 AM
Good ideas. Unfortunately, salting the water enough to lower the freezing point would make it less than ideal for drinking. Also, I'm not too keen on the idea of having a lit candle in the car while driving, though it would work well to access the water if stranded. Moving water freezes at the same temperature as standing water, the only reason water in streams and lakes freezes at the shoreline first is because the ground is colder and sucks heat out.
Had another thought on the concept; solar heating. While I'd prefer to keep water in the trunk, I could keep it in a cardboard box, just a bit larger than the jug(s). Cover the jugs in black (duct tape or paint), and line the inside of the cardboard box with Mylar. Light could reach it in the back seat, heat the black plastic, and the Mylar might be enough added light to keep it from freezing, at least during the mornings/evenings.
Once it starts getting colder, I think I might have some experimenting to do. Low salt content water vs. 'solar box' water vs. regular water.
Had another thought on the concept; solar heating. While I'd prefer to keep water in the trunk, I could keep it in a cardboard box, just a bit larger than the jug(s). Cover the jugs in black (duct tape or paint), and line the inside of the cardboard box with Mylar. Light could reach it in the back seat, heat the black plastic, and the Mylar might be enough added light to keep it from freezing, at least during the mornings/evenings.
Once it starts getting colder, I think I might have some experimenting to do. Low salt content water vs. 'solar box' water vs. regular water.
Sector 7 Equipment Specialist
"Give a man fire, and he will be warm for the night.
Light a man on fire, and he will be warm for the rest of his life."
"Give a man fire, and he will be warm for the night.
Light a man on fire, and he will be warm for the rest of his life."