Car heater

[Bro]

Am considering using a car heater in the return line from calorifier. I'm sure many have tried this before but can't find threads (used search terms "car heater").

Be grateful if someone will show me a link.

[Mike Jordan]

If you look on the Waterways World website, you can download the December 2011 issue which has an article on exactly this idea complete with suggested sketches, photo, and sources.

[pearley]

I used to install air conditioning systems in vehicles and sometimes second heaters in minibuses. When I retired I had one of these

 

http://diavia.it/eng_aura.php?categoria=89&sottocategoria=0&marchio=0&id=117

 

left so had it fitted in the lounge under the kitchen cupboard.

 

Regards

Pete

[Bro]

I used to install air conditioning systems in vehicles and sometimes second heaters in minibuses. When I retired I had one of these

 

http://diavia.it/eng_aura.php?categoria=89&sottocategoria=0&marchio=0&id=117

 

left so had it fitted in the lounge under the kitchen cupboard.

 

Regards

Pete

 

 

And did it work OK?

[pearley]

And did it work OK?

Yes. Just need to make sure that calorifier is up to temperature before turning heater fan on as otherwise hot water doesn't get as hot as it should.

 

Regards

Pete

[steelaway]

Am considering using a car heater in the return line from calorifier. I'm sure many have tried this before but can't find threads (used search terms "car heater").

Be grateful if someone will show me a link.

 

 

 

Been there done that - not very successful.

Sorry, there doesn't seem enough or hot enough water available to make it worth while.

I had more success pumping the calorifier water through the C/H radiators.

 

Alex

[nebulae]

Have not got a calorifier,so used calorifier feed to a modified ford escort heater.Trad.stern,heater next to steerer.Keeps steerer and engine room cosy in all weathers.Hang wet clothes in the engine room at the end of the day.Dry by morning.Works well for us.

[Arthur Brown]

Seaarch ebay for "hydronic" there are usually some under plinth heaters and in vehicle radiators. Plumbed in well it will work, however only experience will tell how well it will work.

 

An engine burning one litre an hour will generate 11KWh of energy. Some is used for propulsion some for electricity generation and some is lost up the exhaust. How much is left as heat is variable and only this can be used by radiators.

[Bro]

Thanks to all who contributed and especially Mike Jordan who followed up with a detailed p.m. Him very fine fellow!

 

Just one thing; the calorifier piping is 15mm yet car heater matrix I've seen so far are about 10mm so there would be a restriction in flow and that might not be good. I'd prefer to use a car heater because it comes with fan, multi-speed switch, etc.

 

Possibly I'll tap off the calorifier return and put the heater matrix in parallel with main flow. Just a case now of sourcing a suitable car heater (then actually doing the job!).

[twbm]

Does the increased pressure in a car system not raise the temperature of the water thus getting more heat out if it?

[pearley]

Thanks to all who contributed and especially Mike Jordan who followed up with a detailed p.m. Him very fine fellow!

 

Just one thing; the calorifier piping is 15mm yet car heater matrix I've seen so far are about 10mm so there would be a restriction in flow and that might not be good. I'd prefer to use a car heater because it comes with fan, multi-speed switch, etc.

 

Possibly I'll tap off the calorifier return and put the heater matrix in parallel with main flow. Just a case now of sourcing a suitable car heater (then actually doing the job!).

 

The Diavia unit I sent details of has a 3 speed fan built-in, just find a suitable switch and has 16mm water inlets.

 

Does the increased pressure in a car system not raise the temperature of the water thus getting more heat out if it?

 

My Beta 43 has a pressurised cooling system. I think it's 10psi.

 

Regards

Pete

[nb Innisfree]

Does the increased pressure in a car system not raise the temperature of the water thus getting more heat out if it?

No, it just raises the boiling point.

[Bobbybass]

Here's one..purpose made....at a price !

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Quality-Heater-Matrix-2-Speed-Fan-12v-for-Webasto-or-Eberspacher-heating-/270932147496?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_BoatEquipment_Accessories_SM&hash=item3f14d07d28

[Bro]

I used to install air conditioning systems in vehicles and sometimes second heaters in minibuses. When I retired I had one of these

 

http://diavia.it/eng_aura.php?categoria=89&sottocategoria=0&marchio=0&id=117

 

left so had it fitted in the lounge under the kitchen cupboard.

 

Regards

 

Pete

Looks good. Acceptable heat output and as it would only be used when engine is operating (thus electrical power consumption not an issue) it would be fine but ........ pricey! You were fortunate to have a spare laying around.

[Pretty Funked Up]

If power was more of an issue you could try these

 

and add 12v PC fans, very low powered and almost silent.

[aread2]

Eberspacher make them wit 15mm plumbing for use with their heaters. They're readily obtainable from motor factors:here. Expensive when compared with one taken from a scrap car but designed for use with the plumbing. Do commercial vehicles use larger bore plumbing for their heaters?