The desire to keep the car engine in optimal temperature conditions is more than justified. In winter, this is not only a kind of insurance against the fact that the car simply does not start. A frozen power unit spends much more resources on the activation of its functions - accordingly, its heating minimizes unnecessary stress and creates more favorable working conditions for the mechanisms. According to experts, even the simplest installation of engine heating, made in the cooling system through the sidebar, reduces fuel consumption and increases the service life of parts.
What is an engine heater?
This is a small-sized device that generates heat by heating it either directly to the engine or adjacent mechanisms. There are liquid models and electric ones. If you need engine heating in winter from an autonomous source, you should choose the first option. Such designs provide for a small combustion chamber, which, regardless of third-party sources, will fulfill its function. Electric heaters are advantageous in small sizes, but require a connection to the car mains. Heating control is usually implemented using the remote control, which is located at the owner. The owner of the machine activates the heating function independently at any time, if necessary, or programs the system according to a specific schedule.
General installation principles
The traditional installation scheme provides for the integration of the device into the cooling system. Accordingly, the question arises of how to put engine heating in this part of the technical stuffing of the car? This is done in two ways - either through the existing technological hole, or by tapping the device. But even this is not the main difficulty of the process, but in finding the optimal location for the heating. Experts recommend choosing the lowest possible point in the pipeline circuit, which will eliminate the risk of airing the heater.
If there is no technological hole in the line, and there is also no desire to dismantle the existing pipeline, then if possible it makes sense to use an additional hose, which is easier to connect to the cooling system. In any configuration, the installation of engine heating will also imply its mechanical fixation to the body. The search for attachment points depends on the specific car model, but in all cases it is not recommended to mount the muffler to the collector, since this solution in practice of operation can lead to ignition of not only the heater itself, but also the supply wiring along with the hoses.
Serial Installation Technique
In this installation model of the heater, the installation is carried out through a line connecting the engine with the heating in the passenger compartment through the cooling system. The main task of the contractor is to find the input and output channels of the pipes, then drain the liquid through them and connect a heating device to them. However, you cannot activate its function immediately after installation. It will be necessary to wait again until the liquid fills and the capacity of the integrated component. This installation of engine heating has many advantages that are provided by the isolation of the system and its reliability in terms of protection against fires. This option is simple, efficient, reliable, but at the same time it is recommended to execute it only with a high-quality heating device, since it will be a considerable responsibility during the operation of the engine.
Parallel Installation Technique
The previous version is implemented according to a simple but somewhat rigid scheme with respect to the cooling system. At the same time, the collision of hot streams with a cold liquid does not add efficiency to the heating process. Therefore, many turn to an alternative scheme, which provides not a direct connection of the device to the cooling system, but a parallel one. What is a parallel installation of engine heating? In this case, the coolant circuit remains virtually untouched, but a duplicate coolant circulation circle is connected to it, which will also interact with cold flows, but in a milder mode. The main disadvantage of this method is the use of additional materials in the form of hoses and pipes, which will essentially repeat the part of the circulation line of the cooling system.
Features of the installation of heating for diesel
Such systems operate on the principle of heating diesel fuel by splitting paraffins, which are formed at low temperatures. Before starting, the heating of the diesel engine can be powered by a battery, and after it there is also the possibility of power supply from the generator.
From the point of view of installation, such heaters are divided into several types. Bandage type models, for example, are installed in a fine fuel filtration system. Mortise flowing devices that work with the fuel line are also common. How to put a heater of this type of engine? It can be embedded in the main line of the fuel system, after which heating of the fluid passing through the formed jacket will be realized.
Thermostat Installation
In addition to the heater, it will not be superfluous to install a thermostat, which is usually included in the package of branded devices. The installation of this component is preferably carried out precisely in the technological holes. Another thing is that integration itself can be carried out in different ways. For example, there are devices with threads. This is not the best option, but if there is no way out, you will have to screw the mechanism into the existing hole due to the force impact. By the way, the engine heating system can be integrated in the same way, depending on the design features of the model. Another option involves installing a thermostat with spacers. First, the antennae of the mechanism are inserted into the niche of the pipe, and then, by clamping or by twisting, the spacers diverge and thus fix the device.
How much does an engine heater cost?
Kits with heating systems in the simplest versions can be purchased for 1-1.5 thousand rubles. As a rule, these are Chinese-made devices that do not differ in high quality and reliability. The products of large manufacturers are estimated at least 2 thousand. These are also simple modifications, but they are already characterized by durability and structural thoughtfulness. In the highest segment, engine heating is presented, the price of which is about 4-5 thousand. These are high-tech kits with advanced equipment, which also feature modern controls through multifunctional relays. Some manufacturers offer car owners to form a unified heating infrastructure for different parts of the car, the control of which will be provided by the same relay and control panel.
Conclusion
The need for a heating system for the powertrain of machines in cold regions has always existed. But this problem was solved in different ways. As professionals say, heating the engine in winter with a prestarting device is by far the most practical and effective method. Of course, it requires costs and, as a rule, is not the most pleasant installation procedures, but the end result justifies itself. In practice, the car owner will only have to control the heating process with a few buttons.