The diesel engine pre- heater is an indispensable device in extreme weather conditions. Most often, it is preferred by the inhabitants of the area, where the temperature most of the time in the year does not exceed zero degrees.
The pre-heater is switched on by remote control. Thus, the car owner does not have to get into his vehicle when it is not yet warmed up. At the same time, he will always be completely sure that the car will start in any weather. Using the remote control, the car owner, without leaving home, activates the device.
general characteristics
Such a device in the climatic conditions of Russia, of course, is a necessity. After all, most of the year the weather here is not the most favorable for the operation of the car. Starting the motor often becomes problematic. Therefore, thanks to the heater, the service life of the diesel unit increases along with ease of use.
It is pretty easy to use. The motorist can only choose the appropriate option, and this is the only thing that can be difficult, since there are already many manufacturers of this device and choosing the right model from the whole variety sometimes becomes a daunting task.
Air heater or diesel engine pre-heater?
If a car enthusiast wants to get into an already warmed car, then he cannot do without an air device. Often the car is heated with a running engine. However, this method cannot be called the best. And fuel consumption with this approach will increase significantly. Therefore, air heaters are part of the standard equipment of many large vehicles. But for cars, the device can be useful.
Advantages of an Air Heater
The advantages of using a heater are the following points:
- improved visibility;
- comfort;
- increased safety and quality during operation;
- fuel economy.
In addition to saving fuel and lubricants, it is possible to prevent rapid wear of the motor and reduce the money for its repair and maintenance.
Of course, the car enthusiast begins to think about how to purchase a pre-heater for a diesel engine in the first place in order to increase ease of use. But only for this, an air heater is quite suitable. But if you also want the life of the engine parts to increase, then you should think about the option under consideration. And manufacturers are ready to offer a wide selection of devices.
Benefits of a Pre-Heater
It can be activated remotely and is able to warm the motor to 25 degrees. The interior of the car will also become warm, which will significantly increase ease of use.
Among the most important advantages of the device are the following:
- The motor always starts without problems. The car owner will save a lot of his nerves and save fuel. A regular and stable start will increase the life of the engine parts. In addition, the load on the battery will be reduced and the amount of harmful emissions will decrease.
- Warm interior. This will increase the convenience for the car owner, protect him, as in this case the risk of diseases will be reduced.
- Clean glass. Excellent visibility will be provided from the very beginning of the trip.
Thanks to all these components, diesel engine pre-heaters become universal devices for car owners.
A variety of models of prestarting heaters are characterized by various features with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Difficult choice
To answer your question about which pre-heater for a diesel engine is better to purchase, you need to consider different nuances. This is the frequency of use of the vehicle, and the features of the car itself, as well as the conditions of its operation and the duration of the engine.
If the climatic conditions are satisfactory, then there is no particular need for a device. Also, if the car is in a heated garage most of the time, then a heater is hardly required. Another thing is if the car is operated in harsh climates, where the winters are usually long and frosty. Then the pre-heater will be truly in demand.
Naturally, a modern new car will easily start in the cold, but the wear on the parts of its engine will accelerate, as they are subjected to an additional and heavy load. Therefore, motorists who want the vehicle to serve as long as possible should take care of it and purchase a diesel engine pre-heater.
The feedback from those who already use the device is mostly positive. Someone prefers models of domestic production, while someone chooses only imported ones. Both of them have their advantages and disadvantages.
Consider the brands that are most in demand among motorists.
Electric heater
Electric diesel engine preheaters are powered by 220V. This device is notable for its relative simplicity and low price. It will be the best option for those cars that are part of the time in the garage, and sometimes - parked on the street. It is clear that it requires power from the network. Therefore, such a device is not the most convenient, since before starting the motor it will have to be connected to the network. Some models of such heaters have a fan that allows heating the interior.
In shape, the device is a conventional boiler with antifreeze in the cooling system. This option is the most budget. You can find cheap models of domestic production with minimal functionality.
Foreign-made heaters that are protected from overheating will cost more. And some choose devices that have many features, including battery charging and a start timer.
Standalone devices
Unlike the above, these devices do not need to be connected to the mains. In order for autonomous devices to work, it is sufficient to have fuel in the car, with the help of which they function. Diesel fuel forcibly circulates coolant over a small radius.
The small stove enters the cabin heater. Therefore, the car as a result of the operation of the device becomes completely warm. The equipment provides advanced functionality, as well as protection against overheating.
With constant use of the car in extreme conditions, of course, it is better to purchase this type of device. Given the features of the engine and choosing the model of a trusted manufacturer, the motorist will ensure a comfortable ride from the very start of the engine, slow down the wear of parts and save from unforeseen situations when the engine simply does not start.
Teplostar, Binar and Kamaz
Since 1995, the companies have pre-starting diesel engine preheaters Teplostar and Advers together. Among the models you can find both liquid and air devices.
The most common of these were the pre-heater of the Binar and Teplostar diesel engines, as well as the Planar airborne devices. They are all compact in size, easy to install and operate and very accurately display temperature data.
Domestic models are of reasonable price with decent quality. Sometimes such devices are purchased for installation on trucks. But for KAMAZ, long-proven special Kamaz diesel engine pre-heaters have been used for a long time.
The battery with such a device will never be discharged, since a regular stove is constantly working here. If you need to wait for loading / unloading, there is no need to bask at idle, wasting a large amount of fuel. At the same time, the engine resource will be saved each time by 400 kilometers (this is exactly how much is allocated to wear of parts during cold start at Kamaz).
Webasto or Hydronic
Those who trust only foreign manufacturers should pay attention to Webasto and Hydronic diesel engine pre-heaters.
The first are represented by three models:
- E - for passenger cars;
- C - for engines from 2200 cubic meters;
- P - for SUVs, minivans and vans.
The pluses of the models include the presence of an automatic programmable timer and a remote control. And to the minuses - the possible freezing of the LCD screen and the high cost of equipment.
The hydronic starting engine heater is available in five versions:
- 4 - for small cars with an engine capacity of up to two liters;
- 5 - for cars with an engine of more than two liters;
- ΞΞ - for trucks and special equipment - from 5.5 to 15 liters;
- ΞΞ Comfort - for engines from two liters;
- LΞΞ - for trucks and construction equipment - over 15 liters.
Devices are capable of self-diagnosis, however, glow plugs can often clog in them , which will have to be changed at your own expense.
DIY diesel engine pre-heater
Some car owners prefer to do everything with their own hands. Consider what a homemade heater is and how to make it.
The device includes a small boiler chamber, where the fuel-air mixture and a component for its arson are supplied. Diesel gets here directly from the fuel tank. The heater provides a circuit with a coolant that heats up and transfers heat to the space after the transition to a small circuit.
To make this device, you will need:
- a heater, in which a spiral from an electric kettle is quite suitable;
- fittings;
- tank;
- junction box.
Preparation and installation of the device
Fittings for fuel are installed and strengthened at the bottom of the tank. Another fitting is sealed in the wall to bleed air. A heater is attached to the lid, and its contacts are brought out.
Connection is carried out through a prepared junction box. Then the wire can be unfastened and removed at any time.
Then the tank is sealed with epoxy and the hoses are connected.
You can install the device in the car in various ways, for example, using an additional circuit that heats the engine oil.
Of course, such a method is resorted to only if it is not possible to purchase a ready-made pre-heater for a diesel engine, the price of which varies from several thousand rubles, and in some models exceeds one hundred.
But itβs better to fork out and trust professionally manufactured heaters.