Starting the engine “on the cold” is a serious test for any of its systems. A cold start is several tens of kilometers in difficult conditions. Also, the driver and passengers of the car are not very comfortable. So, for all those who live in the cold regions of our country, we need not a leather interior and various options, but a coolant heater. Installing such a device can significantly extend the life of the power unit, save a decent amount of money on fuel, because a cold engine consumes much more.
These devices have become very common in the military. In almost every military vehicle, heating boilers were installed, which, by the principle of operation, as well as by their purpose, were very similar to coolant heaters.
Advantages of these heaters
These devices are widespread because of their merits. The coolant heater has a simple device and can heat the coolant even in severe frosts. In addition, the device heats the coolant long before the engine is started.
Between the elements of the power unit and the coolant there is a uniform heat exchange. Parts that work in a cylinder-piston group are not subject to wear during cold start. These devices provide a stable start even in very severe frosts.
Thanks to these heaters, it is possible to significantly reduce the load on the starter and other components that are involved in starting. Significantly reduced fuel consumption. The coolant heater has other possibilities: it can be used to heat the interior or to melt ice on the windows of the machine.
Types of equipment
There are fuel heaters, electric and thermal. Let's consider each of them.
Each group of equipment has its own characteristics and features. Any heater is multifunctional.
Fuel pre-heater
So, fuel devices are probably the most popular among car owners.
Their work is based on energy that is generated in the process of fuel combustion. The advantage of this group of heaters is full autonomy. The heater not only warms up the coolant, but also makes the air temperature in the passenger compartment comfortable. Among the most famous manufacturers can distinguish Webasto, Teplostar, Eberspacher.
How a fuel heater works
According to the principle of operation, this is a stove operating on diesel fuel or gasoline. A special pump pumps fuel from the tank into the combustion chamber, where a mixture with air is prepared. Then the mixture is ignited using a ceramic pin, which is heated by a small current.
The coolant heats up as it passes through the heat exchanger. When it warms up to 30 degrees, the interior ventilation will turn on. When the coolant is heated to 70 degrees, the car coolant heater will start working at half its capacity.
Many devices have a special summer mode. These devices are turned on by various methods. So, a simple and affordable way is a timer that can be programmed. If the travel schedule is unstable, then remote control is provided by means of a remote control or GSM module. For those who choose autonomy, this is a great choice.
Electric heaters
An electric coolant heater is also popular with car owners. The device is operated using alternating current from external networks. Often, equipment is connected to 220 V. networks. But equipment starting from 12 V. also begins to enter the market. It is more economical. Such 12-volt devices can be more often found in northern Europe than in our country. The advantage is that the 220 V coolant heater does not emit any harmful substances into the atmosphere. Electric current is completely harmless.
These devices are silent, affordable and have a high heating rate. The device is somewhat reminiscent of boilers from a power outlet. Such a device is connected either in the cylinder block or in the pipes of the car cooling system . This group of equipment performs three functions - heats the coolant, heats the air in the passenger compartment, charges the battery. In general, operation from 220 V is a feature of these devices. Among the well-known manufacturers are Defa and the domestic companies Leader, Severs. The same can be said about the 12V coolant heater. However, it does not charge the battery, and you can power the device from the cigarette lighter.
Principle of operation
The principle of operation of these devices is similar to the operation of a boiler.
It is believed that to create true comfort, the basic kit may not be enough. So, it is necessary to purchase an additional separate module with a fan for heating the passenger compartment. You also need a device to charge the battery, if you use a device under 12 V.
If it is not always convenient to turn the heating system on and off in the cold, then you can equip the heater with a remote control or a timer. But the price of such a kit will differ significantly from the base. Among the available models, the Severs-M coolant heater can be distinguished - almost an analogue of the Norwegian Defa. This is an excellent choice that does not depend on the battery charge level, does not consume fuel, has an affordable price in the basic configuration.
Thermal battery
Finally, the last type is heaters, or batteries. They have also been marketed recently. They are very effective, but not very popular. As well as electrical equipment, this coolant heater is powered by 220 V. However, its function is not to heat the coolant, but to store it already heated. The device performs several functions. So, thermal energy is accumulated, stored, used for heating.
How it works?
This is a thermos. It contains the liquid in the same volume as in the car cooling system. While the engine is running, the fluid in the tank is constantly changing and thereby maintains a constant supply of hot coolant. Before the engine is started, through the operation of the pump, the cold antifreeze changes places with the hot one. In just 15 seconds, a hot coolant will appear in the cooling system of the machine.
The main thing when working with these systems is the regular operation of the car. In the conditions of Moscow winters, warm antifreeze can maintain a temperature of up to three days, however, in severe frost it is recommended to store hot liquid every day.
DIY coolant heater
If buying a branded device is an expensive pleasure, then there are schemes with which you can do the same yourself. It will be an electrical device. There are many different options. For the heating element, you can take a small piece of pipe with a wall thickness of 0.8 mm, nozzles of size 20 mm, metal in sheets, a nichrome spiral and a pump from GAZelle.
At first the pipe is sawn off. The length of the segment should be about 80 mm.
From a metal 1 mm thick, it is necessary to cut plates along the inner diameter of the tube. Two more plates are also cut out.
The whole difficulty lies in the manufacture of a heat exchanger. It is recommended to do it using a welding machine. You can also just solder. For insulation, you can apply asbestos in the sheets. It is inserted into the heat exchanger from two sides.
The spiral is cut so that its resistance is from 2.5 to 4 ohms. The lower the resistance, the more it will warm up, but there is a risk of overheating. Two disks with a diameter of 80 m are cut from paronite, on which a spiral is fixed.
It is also necessary to make a body of metal. These may be covers. Heating elements are inserted inside the pipe. They must be laid with spirals down. Next, the heaters are laid asbestos, install covers. To increase thermal insulation, the entire resulting structure is wrapped with foam. Here is the heater and ready. It is powered by 12 V.
Installing a coolant heater
The installation process is simple, but it will take time. For installation, you should prepare clamps, tees for branching, bracket, spring and the device itself. Installation should be carried out in a place where the coolant can easily flow directly into the tee and upper pipe of the system. That is, it is best to install the device under the hood on the left.
The part should be installed as low as possible, but not lower than the motor protection.
Further, the liquid is poured into the device. Antifreeze from the system merges. A bracket is put on the device, a nozzle is inserted into the hole and tightened with a clamp. Then the drain plug is removed, the nozzle is pulled up to it and the fitting is put on, which is then screwed back together with the plug.
The short pipe is removed and divided into two. The tee is lubricated with sealant and put on the nozzles. Then all this is tightened with clamps, the thick pipe is screwed back. Now everything is ready, you can fill in antifreeze and use the device.