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[email protected] October 5th 03 10:11 PM

Car heating
 


PoP wrote:
I've just done a search on the web. Preheaters are available for £250
and upwards - which is quite a lot of money. I think I'll stick to my
putting a small heater under the engine compartment.


Our standby genny has a small immersion heater in a steel can and
circulates 50 degree water by convection round its block, try genny
suppliers for one off an old unit?

Niel.


PoP October 6th 03 06:26 PM

Car heating
 
I wondered what the other experts here think about the following
idea.....

During the winter months my garage does get a bit on the cold side
when the temperature plummets. It isn't attached to the house and has
no heating.

No big deal when I'm not working in there, and when I am I can always
use a fan heater to warm up the corner I'm working in. But what I'd
like to do is arrange things so that the car engine (Freelander -
plenty of room underneath!) isn't stone cold when I go out in the
morning - it can take a while to reach operating temperature and on
short journeys I'd reach the destination before the heater is working.

What I was thinking about was to put a couple of tubular heaters under
the engine bay, on a timer that comes on at about 3am. These things
are insulated against moisture and so on, and at 120W each they don't
get particularly warm:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind...ers/index.html

What I'm thinking is that the little warmth they do generate would
rise into the engine compartment, taking the chill off the engine so
that once I start up and move off it doesn't take so long for normal
temperature to be acquired.

Does this sound like a plausible idea, or has Dr Strangelove got hold
of my noggin?

PoP


Hywel Jenkins October 6th 03 07:06 PM

Car heating
 
In article , E-
says...
I wondered what the other experts here think about the following
idea.....

During the winter months my garage does get a bit on the cold side
when the temperature plummets. It isn't attached to the house and has
no heating.

No big deal when I'm not working in there, and when I am I can always
use a fan heater to warm up the corner I'm working in. But what I'd
like to do is arrange things so that the car engine (Freelander -
plenty of room underneath!) isn't stone cold when I go out in the
morning - it can take a while to reach operating temperature and on
short journeys I'd reach the destination before the heater is working.

What I was thinking about was to put a couple of tubular heaters under
the engine bay, on a timer that comes on at about 3am. These things
are insulated against moisture and so on, and at 120W each they don't
get particularly warm:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind...ers/index.html

I've seen infrared lamps that you hang in your garage to do pretty much
the same thing I guess. Alternatively, walk the short journeys!

--
Hywel I do not eat quiche
http://hyweljenkins.co.uk/
http://hyweljenkins.co.uk/mfaq.php

Bob Minchin October 6th 03 07:31 PM

Car heating
 
PoP wrote:

I wondered what the other experts here think about the following
idea.....

During the winter months my garage does get a bit on the cold side
when the temperature plummets. It isn't attached to the house and has
no heating.

No big deal when I'm not working in there, and when I am I can always
use a fan heater to warm up the corner I'm working in. But what I'd
like to do is arrange things so that the car engine (Freelander -
plenty of room underneath!) isn't stone cold when I go out in the
morning - it can take a while to reach operating temperature and on
short journeys I'd reach the destination before the heater is working.

What I was thinking about was to put a couple of tubular heaters under
the engine bay, on a timer that comes on at about 3am. These things
are insulated against moisture and so on, and at 120W each they don't
get particularly warm:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind...ers/index.html

What I'm thinking is that the little warmth they do generate would
rise into the engine compartment, taking the chill off the engine so
that once I start up and move off it doesn't take so long for normal
temperature to be acquired.

Does this sound like a plausible idea, or has Dr Strangelove got hold
of my noggin?

PoP


There is an aftermarket device that you fit to the car that keeps the coolant water
warm. I expect it is a atandard fit in countries where the winter temps get really
cold. Your dealer should know about it. A mate of mine had one on a Disco some
years back.

Bob



BillR October 6th 03 07:54 PM

Car heating
 
Bob Minchin wrote:
PoP wrote:

I wondered what the other experts here think about the following
idea.....

During the winter months my garage does get a bit on the cold side
when the temperature plummets. It isn't attached to the house and has
no heating.

No big deal when I'm not working in there, and when I am I can always
use a fan heater to warm up the corner I'm working in. But what I'd
like to do is arrange things so that the car engine (Freelander -
plenty of room underneath!) isn't stone cold when I go out in the
morning - it can take a while to reach operating temperature and on
short journeys I'd reach the destination before the heater is
working.

What I was thinking about was to put a couple of tubular heaters
under
the engine bay, on a timer that comes on at about 3am. These things
are insulated against moisture and so on, and at 120W each they don't
get particularly warm:


http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind...ers/index.html

What I'm thinking is that the little warmth they do generate would
rise into the engine compartment, taking the chill off the engine so
that once I start up and move off it doesn't take so long for normal
temperature to be acquired.

Does this sound like a plausible idea, or has Dr Strangelove got hold
of my noggin?

PoP


There is an aftermarket device that you fit to the car that keeps the
coolant water warm. I expect it is a atandard fit in countries where
the winter temps get really cold. Your dealer should know about it. A
mate of mine had one on a Disco some years back.

Bob


Oil sump heaters are common in Scandinavian countries. They appear to screw
in instead of the drain plug.
I have even seen points to plug them into at some parking places in Finland.

Reminds me of many years ago at a very posh hotel in the New Forest, Chewton
Glen, I got talking to a wealthy long term resident. He had garages on the
site which were centrally heated to keep his car collection warm .... They
were better housed than the staff.



Mindwipe October 6th 03 07:55 PM

Car heating
 

"Bob Minchin" wrote in message
...
PoP wrote:

I wondered what the other experts here think about the following
idea.....

During the winter months my garage does get a bit on the cold side
when the temperature plummets. It isn't attached to the house and has
no heating.

No big deal when I'm not working in there, and when I am I can always
use a fan heater to warm up the corner I'm working in. But what I'd
like to do is arrange things so that the car engine (Freelander -
plenty of room underneath!) isn't stone cold when I go out in the
morning - it can take a while to reach operating temperature and on
short journeys I'd reach the destination before the heater is working.

What I was thinking about was to put a couple of tubular heaters under
the engine bay, on a timer that comes on at about 3am. These things
are insulated against moisture and so on, and at 120W each they don't
get particularly warm:


http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind...eaters/index.h
tml

What I'm thinking is that the little warmth they do generate would
rise into the engine compartment, taking the chill off the engine so
that once I start up and move off it doesn't take so long for normal
temperature to be acquired.

Does this sound like a plausible idea, or has Dr Strangelove got hold
of my noggin?

PoP


There is an aftermarket device that you fit to the car that keeps the

coolant water
warm. I expect it is a atandard fit in countries where the winter temps

get really
cold. Your dealer should know about it. A mate of mine had one on a Disco

some
years back.

Bob

dont think they ever caught on here though bob

:-)



John October 6th 03 07:57 PM

Car heating
 
It will save fuel and wear and tear. However, some sort of water heater is
the only efficient way.

--


Regards

John



---
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Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.522 / Virus Database: 320 - Release Date: 29/09/2003



Andy Hall October 6th 03 08:10 PM

Car heating
 
On Mon, 06 Oct 2003 18:26:13 +0100, PoP
wrote:

I wondered what the other experts here think about the following
idea.....

During the winter months my garage does get a bit on the cold side
when the temperature plummets. It isn't attached to the house and has
no heating.

No big deal when I'm not working in there, and when I am I can always
use a fan heater to warm up the corner I'm working in. But what I'd
like to do is arrange things so that the car engine (Freelander -
plenty of room underneath!) isn't stone cold when I go out in the
morning - it can take a while to reach operating temperature and on
short journeys I'd reach the destination before the heater is working.

What I was thinking about was to put a couple of tubular heaters under
the engine bay, on a timer that comes on at about 3am. These things
are insulated against moisture and so on, and at 120W each they don't
get particularly warm:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind...ers/index.html

What I'm thinking is that the little warmth they do generate would
rise into the engine compartment, taking the chill off the engine so
that once I start up and move off it doesn't take so long for normal
temperature to be acquired.

Does this sound like a plausible idea, or has Dr Strangelove got hold
of my noggin?

PoP


Keeping the engine warm is very reasonable. In countries with colder
climates such as Sweden - especially in the north where it can go
below -40 degrees - vehicles are fitted with engine warming. Some is
done by the manufacturer but I am pretty sure that there are after
market products as well. It is common for parking places to have
220v outlets for people to plug them in.

You can also get small heaters to go inside the passenger compartment,
often a small fan heater and timeswitch.




..andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

Mindwipe October 6th 03 09:01 PM

Car heating
 

"Andy Hall" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 06 Oct 2003 18:26:13 +0100, PoP
wrote:

I wondered what the other experts here think about the following
idea.....

During the winter months my garage does get a bit on the cold side
when the temperature plummets. It isn't attached to the house and has
no heating.

No big deal when I'm not working in there, and when I am I can always
use a fan heater to warm up the corner I'm working in. But what I'd
like to do is arrange things so that the car engine (Freelander -
plenty of room underneath!) isn't stone cold when I go out in the
morning - it can take a while to reach operating temperature and on
short journeys I'd reach the destination before the heater is working.

What I was thinking about was to put a couple of tubular heaters under
the engine bay, on a timer that comes on at about 3am. These things
are insulated against moisture and so on, and at 120W each they don't
get particularly warm:


http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind..._Heaters/index.

html

What I'm thinking is that the little warmth they do generate would
rise into the engine compartment, taking the chill off the engine so
that once I start up and move off it doesn't take so long for normal
temperature to be acquired.

Does this sound like a plausible idea, or has Dr Strangelove got hold
of my noggin?

PoP


Keeping the engine warm is very reasonable. In countries with colder
climates such as Sweden - especially in the north where it can go
below -40 degrees - vehicles are fitted with engine warming. Some is
done by the manufacturer but I am pretty sure that there are after
market products as well. It is common for parking places to have
220v outlets for people to plug them in.

You can also get small heaters to go inside the passenger compartment,
often a small fan heater and timeswitch.




.andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

an under sump parafin heater used to be available with a small wick,would
warm up the sump and oil ready for a cold start,not so sure about fuel leaks
though?



PoP October 6th 03 09:17 PM

Car heating
 
On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 19:57:50 +0100, "John"
john.plant90@NO-SPAMntlworldDOTcom wrote:

It will save fuel and wear and tear. However, some sort of water heater is
the only efficient way.


I've just done a search on the web. Preheaters are available for £250
and upwards - which is quite a lot of money. I think I'll stick to my
putting a small heater under the engine compartment.

PoP


The Natural Philosopher October 6th 03 10:35 PM

Car heating
 
PoP wrote:

I wondered what the other experts here think about the following
idea.....

During the winter months my garage does get a bit on the cold side
when the temperature plummets. It isn't attached to the house and has
no heating.

No big deal when I'm not working in there, and when I am I can always
use a fan heater to warm up the corner I'm working in. But what I'd
like to do is arrange things so that the car engine (Freelander -
plenty of room underneath!) isn't stone cold when I go out in the
morning - it can take a while to reach operating temperature and on
short journeys I'd reach the destination before the heater is working.

What I was thinking about was to put a couple of tubular heaters under
the engine bay, on a timer that comes on at about 3am. These things
are insulated against moisture and so on, and at 120W each they don't
get particularly warm:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind...ers/index.html

What I'm thinking is that the little warmth they do generate would
rise into the engine compartment, taking the chill off the engine so
that once I start up and move off it doesn't take so long for normal
temperature to be acquired.

Does this sound like a plausible idea, or has Dr Strangelove got hold
of my noggin?



Used to be able to buy these thins at halfords. They do work. Up to a point.

Trouble is you want an engine water temp of about 90C. the difference
between coming up to that from 0C or 20C isn't huge.

What you REALLY want is a immesrion heater in teh radiator, switched on
ten minutes before uyou start teh engine :-)


PoP





Dave Plowman October 6th 03 10:43 PM

Car heating
 
In article ,
PoP wrote:
What I'm thinking is that the little warmth they do generate would
rise into the engine compartment, taking the chill off the engine so
that once I start up and move off it doesn't take so long for normal
temperature to be acquired.


You can buy purpose made heaters that fit in a water hose - I think Kenlow
make them. I'd say they would be a bit more efficient at keeping the
engine warm. And if you're going to fit one add a battery trickle charger
as well for that instant start.

IIRC, these are fitted to fire engines so they can be driven flat out from
a 'cold' start.

I'd also add a relay so the engine couldn't be started with the mains
still plugged in, although I suppose something like an IEC would pull out
ok if it was in a straight line.

--
*How can I miss you if you won't go away?

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

Richard Savage October 6th 03 10:53 PM

Car heating AKA Kenlowe Hotstart
 


PoP wrote:

I wondered what the other experts here think about the following
idea.....

During the winter months my garage does get a bit on the cold side
when the temperature plummets. It isn't attached to the house and has
no heating.

No big deal when I'm not working in there, and when I am I can always
use a fan heater to warm up the corner I'm working in. But what I'd
like to do is arrange things so that the car engine (Freelander -
plenty of room underneath!) isn't stone cold when I go out in the
morning - it can take a while to reach operating temperature and on
short journeys I'd reach the destination before the heater is working.

What I was thinking about was to put a couple of tubular heaters under
the engine bay, on a timer that comes on at about 3am. These things
are insulated against moisture and so on, and at 120W each they don't
get particularly warm:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind...ers/index.html

What I'm thinking is that the little warmth they do generate would
rise into the engine compartment, taking the chill off the engine so
that once I start up and move off it doesn't take so long for normal
temperature to be acquired.

Does this sound like a plausible idea, or has Dr Strangelove got hold
of my noggin?

PoP


Had a plumb-in device by Kenlowe - called a Hotstart - in my diesel RR. I also
installed a thermostat to turn the interior heater fan on at a preset temperature.
Worked an absolute treat. Cost approx £150. Kenlowe were great. They replaced
it 3 times without quibble. Reason for replacement? The solid state relay in the
timer that I used to switch the Hotstart on in the morning developed a serious
fault that blew the wiring in the Hotstart. Nothing wrong with the Hotstart!

On another tack, IIRC warmth and damp are ideal breeding grounds for rust and
paraffin heaters produce a lot of water.

Richard


Richard Savage October 6th 03 10:54 PM

Car heating
 


PoP wrote:

I wondered what the other experts here think about the following
idea.....

During the winter months my garage does get a bit on the cold side
when the temperature plummets. It isn't attached to the house and has
no heating.

No big deal when I'm not working in there, and when I am I can always
use a fan heater to warm up the corner I'm working in. But what I'd
like to do is arrange things so that the car engine (Freelander -
plenty of room underneath!) isn't stone cold when I go out in the
morning - it can take a while to reach operating temperature and on
short journeys I'd reach the destination before the heater is working.

What I was thinking about was to put a couple of tubular heaters under
the engine bay, on a timer that comes on at about 3am. These things
are insulated against moisture and so on, and at 120W each they don't
get particularly warm:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind...ers/index.html

What I'm thinking is that the little warmth they do generate would
rise into the engine compartment, taking the chill off the engine so
that once I start up and move off it doesn't take so long for normal
temperature to be acquired.

Does this sound like a plausible idea, or has Dr Strangelove got hold
of my noggin?

PoP


Further thought; cross post to alt.fan.landrover

You may be diverted into spending SERIOUS money on an Erspracher heater ;-)

Richard


IMM October 6th 03 11:58 PM

Car heating
 

"BillR" wrote in message
...
Bob Minchin wrote:
PoP wrote:

I wondered what the other experts here think about the following
idea.....

During the winter months my garage does get a bit on the cold side
when the temperature plummets. It isn't attached to the house and has
no heating.

No big deal when I'm not working in there, and when I am I can always
use a fan heater to warm up the corner I'm working in. But what I'd
like to do is arrange things so that the car engine (Freelander -
plenty of room underneath!) isn't stone cold when I go out in the
morning - it can take a while to reach operating temperature and on
short journeys I'd reach the destination before the heater is
working.

What I was thinking about was to put a couple of tubular heaters
under
the engine bay, on a timer that comes on at about 3am. These things
are insulated against moisture and so on, and at 120W each they don't
get particularly warm:



http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind...eaters/index.h
tml

What I'm thinking is that the little warmth they do generate would
rise into the engine compartment, taking the chill off the engine so
that once I start up and move off it doesn't take so long for normal
temperature to be acquired.

Does this sound like a plausible idea, or has Dr Strangelove got hold
of my noggin?

PoP


There is an aftermarket device that you fit to the car that keeps the
coolant water warm. I expect it is a atandard fit in countries where
the winter temps get really cold. Your dealer should know about it. A
mate of mine had one on a Disco some years back.

Bob


Oil sump heaters are common in Scandinavian countries. They appear to

screw
in instead of the drain plug.


Just use fully sythetic oil and they are redundant. Use a water heater in
the bottom rad hose or in some case they replace the block drain plug.

I used these heaters in the desert on my Chevy Blazer run from 12v. Yes the
desert, summer and winter, using a separate battery and dynamo splitter, as
in a caravan. I nearly always had two batteries. Very handy having all
that spare power.




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froggers October 7th 03 07:51 AM

Car heating
 
Webasto make a small diesel heater intended for coaches and larger cars and BMW part
prepare for these at manufacture on the 3 litre diesels - they are remote controlled and
presettable
to come on for 10 to 60 mins, heat the coolant, have their own circulating pump and a low
volts
cut off so you can still start the engine - seems to give about 6Kw output and use about 6
amps
at 12 volts and uses the vehicles diesel for fuel. (you preset the fan speed and temp)

Intended for not only warming the engine but also the interior of the car to defrost it on
icy mornings
and it works very well.

It can also be used to switch the interior blower only on (you have to pre-set the speed)
to cool the car
on hot days 10 or 20 mins before you get to it - the remote has a range of a quoted 600
metres
which seems remarkable.

I am sure you could buy these from Webasto or one of their agents but again probably quite
pricey (£500 ? I would hazard a guess )

Nick



PoP October 7th 03 07:52 AM

Car heating
 
On Sun, 05 Oct 2003 22:11:32 +0100, wrote:

Our standby genny has a small immersion heater in a steel can and
circulates 50 degree water by convection round its block, try genny
suppliers for one off an old unit?


I think a major problem would be to install something which didn't
have the capacity of setting fire to the engine compartment. From that
perspective I'd rather not be fiddling around with any modification to
the vehicle, otherwise the insurance company might decide the fire and
theft policy only worked for burglars.....

PoP


PoP October 7th 03 07:54 AM

Car heating
 
On Mon, 06 Oct 2003 22:54:48 +0100, Richard Savage
wrote:

Further thought; cross post to alt.fan.landrover


Hadn't thought of that - thanks!

PoP


PoP October 7th 03 08:00 AM

Car heating AKA Kenlowe Hotstart
 
On Mon, 06 Oct 2003 22:53:28 +0100, Richard Savage
wrote:

On another tack, IIRC warmth and damp are ideal breeding grounds for rust and
paraffin heaters produce a lot of water.


So I gather - which is why I don't plan to use paraffin heaters in the
garage at any time.

PoP


IMM October 7th 03 11:35 AM

Car heating
 

"froggers" wrote in message
...

Webasto make a small diesel heater intended for coaches and larger cars

and BMW part
prepare for these at manufacture on the 3 litre diesels - they are remote

controlled and
presettable


I rigged one of these up in my Chevy Blazer. Point an infra red controller
at the car and the heaters came on running off the spare battery. You can
point at the car from office windows.



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Andy Dingley October 7th 03 11:39 AM

Car heating
 
On Tue, 07 Oct 2003 07:52:29 +0100, PoP
wrote:

I think a major problem would be to install something which didn't
have the capacity of setting fire to the engine compartment.


Dead easy, just use an element with a negative thermal coefficient
that doesn't need a thermostat. They're not common (Kenlowe still
palm off unreliable overpriced crap on us), but they're available as
commercial process heating. I don't know why we don't see more of
them.

I once built a pre-heater using an injection moulder nozzle heater of
some huge power. But run off a 50V transformer, it was a reasonable
power to pre-heat a Rangie.

--
Die Gotterspammerung - Junkmail of the Gods

[email protected] October 7th 03 01:19 PM

Car heating
 
On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 21:01:16 +0100, "Mindwipe"
wrote:
snip
an under sump parafin heater used to be available with a small wick,would
warm up the sump and oil ready for a cold start,not so sure about fuel leaks
though?

Take care ! my brother used one of these until 2 years ago when it
caused a fire in the engine compartment of his Fiat Punto - nearly
burnt the garage down as well.


IMM October 7th 03 01:29 PM

Car heating
 

wrote in message
...
On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 21:01:16 +0100, "Mindwipe"
wrote:
snip


an under sump parafin heater used to be available with a small wick,would
warm up the sump and oil ready for a cold start,


Using fully synthetic oil eliminates having to warm up engine oil, unless
you are in the Antarctic. It is very thin at low temperatures.



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Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
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Dave Plowman October 7th 03 07:14 PM

Car heating
 
In article ,
IMM wrote:
Using fully synthetic oil eliminates having to warm up engine oil, unless
you are in the Antarctic. It is very thin at low temperatures.


Oil viscosity isn't dependant on the type of oil. And regardless of how
'thin' the oil is when cold, you should still treat an engine carefully
until fully warmed up.

--
*A fool and his money can throw one hell of a party.

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn


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