Home Generator Which preheater is better. Installing a heater on a VAZ car Warming up the car engine from the 220 network

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Which preheater is better. Installing a heater on a VAZ car Warming up the car engine from the 220 network

On the eve of winter, many car owners began to think about how to better prepare their vehicle for it. Basically, all such preparations come down to a banal replacement of rubber, oil, battery(or recharging it) and other "cosmetic" activities. However, few people decide to approach this issue more thoroughly, but in vain ... After all, if, for example, due to severe frost, the engine of the car does not start, then new rubber and the battery will not help you to leave the parking lot or poorly insulated garage.

Given this fact, it will not be superfluous to turn your attention to such a device as preheater engine, since in any weather and under any circumstances it is it that will be able to provide a quick, and most importantly, trouble-free start of the motor. Of course, it is best to purchase such a device ready-made, as they say "from the manufacturer", but if you wish and have skilled hands, you can make it yourself, even if it sounds a little unrealistic. In any business, the main thing is to delve into the details of the work and deal with all possible nuances, and then it is a matter of technology, there would be an instruction. This is exactly what we will talk about today, but first, a little theory ...

1. Distance traveled: blowtorches - modern electric preheater

As you know: “everything new is a long forgotten old”, although personally I would slightly change this statement and instead of the word “forgotten” I would use the concept of “improved”. But the way it is, many modern devices have a very interesting story its development. So many things our ancestors didn’t think of: an iron iron on coals, the first car resembling a cart with a motor, etc. In this regard, the aforementioned preheater and if you turn to history, you can find many interesting facts associated with this device. For example, do you know that the "great-grandfather" of modern designs is the most common blowtorch, the alternative of which (at that time) was perhaps the no less famous kerosene (the so-called "kerosene stove"). It was them that our grandfathers and great-grandfathers used so cleverly in many spheres of their life.

Of course, the functions and capabilities that these devices possessed cannot be compared with the powerful functional characteristics and numerous advantages of modern equipment, but they nevertheless coped with their task and since this was more or less enough, it means that they need to be given their deserved place in history. ... A modern engine preheater, nowadays, is used to facilitate starting the engine in low temperatures, and in some cases, also to warm up the air in the car.

Regardless of the type and model, all heaters perform approximately the same functions, responsible for heating and maintaining the temperature of the vehicle's coolant (antifreeze or antifreeze) in the desired range. In addition, the described device can significantly reduce fuel consumption, because it takes much less time to warm up the engine. But the most important advantage of using is more high quality protection resources of the engine block, which, accordingly, increases its service life.

If we analyze the types and possible types of heaters in more detail, then it is worth noting that absolutely all devices are classified using a certain, single scheme. Based on this, the following main models are distinguished:

- gas heaters;

Devices using liquid fuel for operation;

Heaters powered exclusively from an external source.

Concerning last kind, then it is to him that the electric pre-heater of the engine considered today belongs.

2. The principle of operation of the electric pre-heater

Electric heaters are referred to as non-autonomous devices, that is, for their operation, they need to be powered from the mains (220 V). Now we will take a closer look at the principle of their work, but first, a few interesting facts.

Did you know? The first inventor of the electric motor heater is considered to be Andrew Freeman(Andrew Freeman), who in 1949 received a patent for a coolant heater capable of screwing in place of one of the cylinder block bolts. IN modern world, electric type heaters are widespread in the northern countries of different states (Russia, USA, Scandinavia, cities in Canada), since it is here that they are urgently needed. Moreover, automakers in these regions include them in standard equipment cars, and the sockets required to connect devices can be found in many multi-storey car parks and car parks.

Electric heaters existing today are a whole system, which consists of several important parts. These include:

- the electronic unit control with a built-in timer; battery recharging unit;

A 500-5000 W heating element located in a sealed heat exchanger (installed in the technological opening of the cooling jacket, or connected to it using branch pipes);

Fan heater for heating the passenger compartment.

In some models, in addition to the listed elements, there is also a built-in pump, the main task of which is to quickly and evenly warm up the engine.

Standard electric heater It is presented in the form of a spiral device, which is inserted into the engine cylinder block and operates from an external 220 V power network. A small electric spiral acts as the main executive element. During its installation in the cylinder block, the anti-ice plug is removed from it, and the named part is installed in its place. When a current flows through the coil, under the action of a high voltage, it begins to heat the coolant (). The circulation of the liquid in the system takes place due to natural convection, although it is less productive than artificial movement with the help of a pump (it also takes more time). The most famous representatives of this type of preheater are models Defa WarmUp.

If you store your vehicle in a garage or in a parking lot equipped with electrical outlets, then the use of such a device will be very useful, otherwise it is impractical to use it (when parking under the windows of a house, you simply have nowhere to connect the heater, which means there is no sense from it will be). Same, the disadvantage of using is a strong "gluttony", and electricity today is by no means cheap. It would seem that the manufacturers provided for this drawback and equipped the heater with a special timer that allows you to set the required liquid temperature (when crossing the set edge, the spiral turns off or on), but in practice this could not completely solve the problem.

Standard options for an electric engine heater include:

- battery charge;

Heating up the working fluid;

Heating the passenger compartment by supplying thermal air through the stove.

In general, the working principle of the electric engine preheater is the same as in the stand-alone system - also, through the heating of the coolant, heat is transferred to the power unit. The main difference lies in the heating method itself (using an electric power source), which makes it possible to use an additional function - charging the battery, and in winter period when low temperatures contribute to quick discharge, this is very useful.

3. Do-it-yourself engine preheater

If the engine preheater is not included in standard equipment car, but you would really like to have such a device - nothing is impossible. The easiest option is to go to an auto parts store and choose a suitable model (there should not be many problems with the installation, especially since the corresponding instructions should be attached to the device). However, there is another way, which provides self-production desired device. It will take more time, but having done everything with your own hands, you can be sure of the quality of the finished product, plus you will save a little money.

And so, in order to create an electric pre-heater, you will need simple materials that are available “on the farm” by almost any car owner, these are:

- an incandescent spiral (called a heating element), even suitable from some old teapot;

Metal tank;

Fittings (sold, probably, in every plumbing store);

Junction box (can be found at an electrical store).

Now, armed with basic electrical knowledge, we are assembling a device that should provide high-quality pre-heating of the power unit, fuel economy and preservation of engine functionality for a longer service life. Proceeding directly to the actions, one must understand that the task at hand is not simple, which means that the entire process (both manufacturing and installation) will most likely be accompanied by some difficulties and specific nuances.

Compared to factory (factory) products, a hand-made device will not be clearly and ideally placed in engine compartment, therefore, all measurements must be carried out with an accuracy of the centimeter. However, you should not regard this opportunity as an insurmountable obstacle, especially if there is a lift or a viewing hole in the garage. If they are not there (which is rare, but it happens), then, most likely, you will not be able to independently place all the necessary wires and electrical equipment as the space under the vehicle will be limited and difficult to climb under. Also, I would like to warn about the risk of making a homemade heater, because one wrong move and you can get serious problems with the engine.

4. Installation of an electric preheater of the engine

Suppose you have a ready-made (purchased) set of an electric pre-heater and you decide to install it yourself. In this case, at the initial stage, you need to evaluate the space available under the hood and decide where exactly the device will be mounted. This can be a place under, metal parts of the wheel arch liners, or a place next to expansion tank cooling system. The latter option is more relevant in the case of installation on an SUV, which often moves in swampy areas. Also, do not forget to check the prepared harness with wires, because its length may not be enough to connect all the nodes together.

Now for the control panel. When installing the "commander" in the car, you must immediately determine the free space on dashboard, where you can display the control elements (you may even have to dismantle some part of it). Boilers for heating liquids are installed only on a reliable base, moreover, there should also be enough space around them, because all wires must be placed in a free order and as far as possible from moving mechanisms.

Well then when preparatory stage passed, we will consider the entire installation procedure in step-by-step mode:

1. The main part of the electric pre-heater is fixed to a pre-selected location;

2. Then it is worth checking the quality of the installation, if necessary, you can use special brackets;

3. Next, the fuel intake is installed (either included in the purchased kit, or purchased separately). Installation locations are the connection points of filters and fuel hoses, and the procedure is performed using a tee;

4. After that, connect electrical system heater: power is supplied to the device, and on / off control is displayed in the passenger compartment;

5. Now the device can be connected to the cooling system (note: after completing the procedure, you will have to add about 1 liter of liquid to the system);

6. We visually check all connections of the system, they must be strong and reliable;

7. The last step is to check the operation of the preheater: start the engine and observe the result.

The most difficult part of the whole self-installation process is working with electricity, but even if you have to turn to an electrician for help, installing a heater with your own hands will still cost less than the services of a service center. One more, no less important point installation, is the exhaust from the device system. Since the ejected air stream has a high temperature, it is worth avoiding the possibility of it getting on the wires and hoses located under the hood. The best solution to this problem is the direction of the exhaust to the engine crankcase, which will also lead to additional heating of the oil.

Now imagine the following: You have followed all the instructions in the instructions supplied with the device, everything is connected as it should, and the electric heater does not work, what should I do? Naturally, for self-installation device, the warranty for it is lost, which means that you will have to deal with the problems on your own or turn to specialists, but no longer for free advice.

In any case, it would be most correct to check the performance of the pre-heater even before installing it on the vehicle, suddenly it is already inoperative, but ... if you knew where you would fall, you would spread a mattress. However, there are times when everything worked before the installation, and after it the activity stopped. There are several main reasons for this phenomenon: most likely, during installation, the connection of the device to the car's electrical network was confused or the heater itself was damaged; it is also possible that fuel is simply not supplied to the system and it is necessary to connect in a different way.

If independent attempts to eliminate these reasons have not been successful, you will have to seek help from specialists. There you can get more thorough answers to all your questions and eliminate the problem as quickly as possible.

Some car owners connect the heater to, but for this you have to re-solder the contacts in its block, which requires special skills in electrical engineering. Therefore, if a similar thought occurs to you, think twice whether it is worth doing. In general, we have described only general points for installing an electric pre-heater, and you can find out all the subtleties and nuances of this process by reading the instructions or with a specific installation guide for a particular brand of device.

Engine heater designed specifically for the vehicle allows the engine to start vehicle with amazing ease. Special equipment is required to facilitate starting the power unit, and in some cases, to warm the air in the car interior. It is not surprising that many Russians are trying to understand which engine heater is better to install and how to implement a heating system.

A similar question, first of all, interests the owners of cars with a diesel engine, since diesel fuel shows a great tendency to freeze. In fact, car owners with gasoline engine they can also appreciate the advantages of using the unit, because it always allows you to bring the oil temperature to the optimal level and makes it easier to start the car for further travel.

Heater types

Interested in which engine heater is better to choose, you need to carefully study them technical features... The variety of types allows you to understand which option it is desirable to opt for with a guarantee of a high level of functionality of the unit.

Electric heaters

This version of the product provides for the lack of autonomy in operation, but it pleases with its reliability. The unit appeared back in 1949 thanks to A. Freeman.

Attention! It is customary to screw the electric heater instead of one of the bolts of the used engine block. In the future, for its operation, an electrical network with a voltage of 220 volts is used, which is supplied from a special outlet. Taking into account such a connection scheme, the device is often included in the complete set of machines.

Electric heaters have gained the most popularity in Canada and Scandinavia, as both regions have a climate with northern characteristics. In Russia, the application will also be appropriate.

The species under consideration has a complex structure.

The main functional part is the heating element. Its power is 500-5000 watts. The heating element is located in a sealed heat exchanger, which is installed in special holes in the engine cooling system. In addition, a connection with a cooling jacket based on branch pipes is provided.
An additional component is an ECU with a timer. A timer is provided that allows you to control the operating time of the charge.
The recharging unit must be provided for by the design of the main device.
The fan allows you to heat the interior and car engine compartment.
Improved models include a pump that allows the engine to warm up evenly.

Despite the complex structure, the principle of operation is simple and understands the general laws of physics. The heating element interacts with a coolant that circulates until the optimum temperature is reached. For successful work It is recommended to install the device in the lower part of the cooling system, since a warm liquid always rises up, a cold one goes down. A heater equipped with a pump assumes the possibility of abandoning the top placement of the structure.

Autonomous heaters

Autonomous heaters are always installed under the car's hood.

To use them, one of the following fuel options is required:

petrol;
diesel fuel;

It is imperative to implement the correct structure of an autonomous device, and the control unit is complex in design.

A special control unit allows you to control the following characteristics:

temperature regime;
features of the fuel used;
the nuances of the air flow;
a pump that is responsible for supplying fuel;
air blower;
a boiler connected to the fuel combustion chamber;
pump for regulating the circulation of the coolant;
relay with a cabin fan of the stove (additional attributes).

Advice! Choosing a modern model, you can warm up the engine and the car interior. Interested in which engine heating is better, it is recommended to pay attention to the autonomous version. Using the timer and remote control remote control will allow you to maintain a comfortable environment in the cabin.

The principle of operation of the device is clear and available scheme... A remote control or timer is required to start the system. For work you need fuel pump capable of pumping fuel from the tank into the combustion chamber. At the same time, another pump assists the air flow. The fuel is ignited thanks to a modern spark plug, after which the coolant receives the required heat. A third pump is used to circulate it. After the heated fluid reaches the optimum temperature, the passenger compartment fan starts working, guaranteeing heating of the entire passenger compartment and creating comfortable conditions for the passenger. The system may shut down after reaching optimal temperature conditions. The heater provides for an increase in the volume of gasoline consumption by 0.5 liters per hour. Despite this, financial investments are fully justified.

The disadvantages boil down to the following aspects:

using the energy of the battery installed on the car;
a weak battery suggests the risk of full discharge with the inability to start the car in the morning.

Analyzing other aspects of the device, the shortcomings cannot be identified.

Heat accumulators

Heat accumulators are a kind of thermos, in which the required volume of heated coolant is always collected. After the engine is started, fluid will be injected from the device. In most cases, the temperature rises by 10-15 degrees, so an extra load for the power unit is excluded. It is important to note that heat accumulators are capable of storing heated liquid, taking into account the optimal temperature, up to two days. Trying to understand which engine heater is best for diesel engine, you can stop at this option. In addition, the use of fuel and electricity is not required.

How to choose a heater

Every motorist who is trying to understand which engine preheater is best to use should determine the basic aspects the right choice devices.

Autonomy

In this case, it is advisable to choose a special autonomous heater that is comparable to a gas stove or diesel fuel.

Features and Benefits:

the achievement of a suitable temperature regime involves the use of a small current, thereby ensuring the saving of battery power;
the interior fan also turns on when the fluid used reaches 30 degrees, so it is much easier to maintain comfortable conditions for the driver and passengers;
the transition to the "half" mode, and then to the standby mode, occurs after the liquid warms up to a temperature of more than 70 degrees Celsius;
the cycle repeats automatically if the coolant temperature drops by about 20 degrees.

This option allows you to count on the successful warming up of the vehicle without unnecessary effort.

In most cases, convenient switching on of the device involves the use of a timer with which you can program the switching on time and operating time. However, you can use the remote control, as it also pleases with maximum convenience.

Devices from Webasto, Eberspacher are popular in Russia.

Keep warm for future use

For this, we recommend a heat accumulator for the car engine, working on the principle of a thermos. Regular travel is required to use the device, as the heat remains for 2-3 days. Only regular trips allow us to note the functionality of the device.

For the first time, a thermal accumulator was proposed by the Canadian designer Oscar Schatz. Currently, the domestic market offers models from the Avtoplus MADI brand, as well as AutoTerm.

Socket required

Recently, motorists have been trying to understand which 220v engine heater is better to use. This option provides for comparison with a home boiler. Despite the need to use an outlet in a car interior, the device promises to please with a high level of functionality.

Ideally, the device is complemented by a heating module with a fan, which allows the interior to warm up before the standard stove starts operating.

Only if you think over the features of using heating products, you can evaluate its functionality.

Wanting to understand which electric engine heaters are better, it is advisable to choose Defa or Severs products. Both brands strive to offer reliable products.

The main tasks of heaters

Modern engine heaters successfully cope with the following tasks:

protection of the engine from wear when starting in winter;
guaranteed fuel economy, since a cold engine consumes more of it;
timely heating car showroom and guaranteed defrosting of glass before getting into the car;
a guarantee of departure by car, which will remain in good working order.

Choosing a modern heater, you can count on its high level of functionality and reliability.

A device that allows you to prepare the engine for easy starting and fill the interior with warmth is still considered a luxury item. But it is really capable of preserving health - both yours and the car.

A cold start of an engine is a difficult test for all its systems, comparable to several tens of kilometers under difficult conditions. The driver and passengers also have a hard time: frozen fingers do not hold the steering wheel well, the cold from the seats almost reaches the spine, and the steam from breathing strives to freeze on the windows. But how nice it is to sit in the salon, where the temperature is almost room temperature, to throw off the gloves, hats and scarves that are restricting movements and not wait for the frosty glass to thaw ...

So those who live in cold regions have a reason to spend money not on leather upholstery and all kinds of bells and whistles, but on a pre-heater. Its installation allows not only to extend the life of the engine, but also to save fuel, which cold engine consumes much more willingly.

Liquid heaters: g we vote for autonomy

Perhaps the most common are autonomous liquid heaters. In fact, this is a stove that runs on gasoline or diesel fuel. The pump pumps fuel from the tank into the combustion chamber, where the fuel-air mixture is prepared. It is ignited by a red-hot ceramic pin, which, unlike a metal one, requires a small current to reach the operating temperature, which saves battery power.

The heater heats the liquid from the car's cooling system by pumping antifreeze through its heat exchanger. Heat is transferred to the engine and radiator of the standard stove. When the liquid heats up to about + 30 ° C, the passenger compartment fan turns on.

As soon as the temperature reaches the required value (more than 70 ° C), the heater switches to the “half” mode, and then to the standby mode, leaving the device for blowing the combustion chamber, the liquid pump and the fan of the standard heating system working. When the coolant temperature drops by about 20 ° C, the cycle repeats.

The system also has a summer mode, when the air in the cabin is blown from time to time by a fan. The air conditioner is not activated - it is possible to reduce the temperature even to the "outboard" temperature without its participation.

The autonomous heater turns on different ways... The simplest and most accessible one is a timer in the salon, which can be programmed on time and duration of operation. This is convenient if you regularly travel at the same time. Remote control is preferable for variable schedule. The radio remote control operates within a radius of about one kilometer, if urban development does not interfere. It allows you to turn on / off the heater at a distance or program it. The most advanced solution is a GSM module that controls the stove through commands from mobile phone... In theory, you can turn on heating from anywhere in the world, as long as you and the car are within the network coverage area.

In Russia, the most popular devices are from two German brands - Webasto and Eberspacher. They make models for cars different types and engine size, as well as offer a wide range of methods for starting and controlling the heater. There are also Russian analogues, for example, the Samara Teplostar, which is two times cheaper than the Germans and is also produced in various modifications.

Heat accumulator: we store heat for future use

Officially, this device is called a heat accumulator. In fact, it is a large thermos in which there is a liquid of the same volume as in the cooling system. While the engine is running, the liquid in the thermos is constantly updated, maintaining the supply of "boiling water". Before starting, a separate pump changes the cold and hot antifreeze places. From a thermos in 10-15 seconds, liquid is supplied to the cooling system, and the motor quickly warms up - you can start it up. The salon immediately begins to receive warm air.

The main thing in the operation of such devices is the regularity of travel. It is believed that during a moderate Moscow winter, the heat will hold out in the "thermos" for about three days, but during severe cold it is advisable to renew the supply of "boiling water" every day.

For the first time, a heat accumulator was offered in Canada by the designer Oscar Schatz, where the first models of "thermoses" under the Centaur brand appeared, which is still considered the leader. However, domestic manufacturers are also challenging the palm. Russia has its own successful developments, among which the Avtoplus MADI brand is especially famous. Also, products of the AutoTerm brand are being promoted on our market.

Electric heater: looking for an outlet

Another popular solution is suggested by the home boiler. What is easier - to build the heater into the cooling system, of course, observing fire safety rules. Actually, this is how the simplest electric heater looks like, the connectors of which are usually displayed on front bumper and using wires are connected to a regular outlet.

But for complete comfort the basic kit is perhaps not enough. A logical addition will be a separate heating module with a fan, which heats up the interior before the standard stove comes into operation. Another necessary element is a device for recharging the battery - in cold weather it will not be superfluous. And if you can't turn on / off the system in the cold, you can install a separate module with a timer or a remote control kit. True, the price of a complete set differs from the original "boiler" at times. In our country, as in Europe, the products of the Norwegian Defa brand are distributed, which is recognized as a model in this segment. There are also Russian counterparts, for example, under the Severs brand.

Only without amateur performances!

People's technical thought in cold Russia was constantly looking for ways to start the engine in severe frosts. The most bizarre inventions were born on the basis of a blowtorch, wire spirals and other improvised means. Some handicrafts of unknown firms even flashed on semi-legal car markets. What is the electric spiral, which is inserted instead of oil dipstick and connects to the battery. Not only does the oil have a low thermal conductivity and it is not very promising to heat it, "planting" a frozen battery. It’s not far from a fire or a short circuit. So it's better not to look for easy and cheap ways. No matter how much you would like to revive the frozen iron friend, preference should be given only to proven certified products.

The engine preheater is installed on various types of equipment, ranging from civil passenger cars and ending with heavy trucks, special vehicles, etc. Equipping with a preheating device for the engine and the passenger compartment allows to facilitate, increase the resource power plant and significantly improve the comfort of use in the winter.

On machines that do not have a pre-installed heater, it is possible to separately purchase and install a similar solution. At the same time, the engine heater can be installed on almost any car model. The main thing is to choose the right device from those options that are on sale, as well as perform high-quality installation.

Next, we will consider what kind of engine preheaters are, we will study the principle of operation of preheating. We will also try to answer the question, what are the advantages and disadvantages of this or that type of heaters for the engine and interior of the car from the general group of similar devices.

Read in this article

What is an engine preheater and its structure

To begin with, there are several types of ICE heaters, which differ in principle of operation, purpose, performance, dimensions and a number of other parameters and characteristics. As a rule, heaters are often divided into:

liquid autonomous;
electrical;

Now let's take a closer look at these solutions. So, the most common option is an autonomous liquid engine preheater. Many drivers are well aware of such devices by brands, Teplostar, etc.

Please note that autonomous pre-heaters are divided into liquid and air. Liquid heating is intended for heating the engine before starting, as well as for warming up the passenger compartment. The air heater allows heating only the interior, that is, the problem of cold starting the internal combustion engine in this case is not solved.

Moreover, both types of heaters are autonomous. The devices take fuel (gasoline, diesel fuel) from the main tank or a separate tank (comes with an autonomous heater). This fuel is then burned in a small combustion chamber.

These solutions are economical, since the fuel consumption is low, a minimum of electricity is also consumed, the heaters are distinguished by a reduced noise level during operation. One should also note the versatility, since the heater can be installed on a gasoline, diesel, gas or engine, engine with, etc.

As a rule, autonomous pre-heaters are installed in the engine compartment, after which they are also connected to. The air heater does not need such a connection. The device is installed in the cabin, since its task is not to heat the coolant, but to supply heated air into the air ducts.

How does the autonomous engine preheater work?

Let's start with the fact that the water heater is a ready-made installation kit. The main elements are:

boiler with a combustion chamber;
liquid radiator;
fuel supply lines;
fuel pump;
liquid pump;
thermal relay;
heater electronic unit;
governing bodies;

So, after the start signal arrives at the device, electric current begins to be supplied to the executive motor. Such an engine drives a special fuel pump, which is part of the heater design. The fan also starts working in parallel. The pump pumps fuel, after which the fuel is evaporated in the evaporator. Air also enters the heater.

The result is a fuel-air mixture that enters the combustion chamber and is ignited by the spark on the spark plug. The heat energy that is generated after combustion is transferred to the coolant in the cooling system through a special heat exchanger.

The coolant itself circulates in this case. Circulation becomes possible due to the operation of the booster pump, which is part of the heater design. Thus, the liquid heated and circulating through the cooling jacket is able to transfer heat to a cold engine.

After the heating of the coolant reaches 30 degrees Celsius, the fan of the standard heater (stove) in the passenger compartment is automatically turned on. As a result, heated air is supplied to the vehicle interior. Then, when the antifreeze or antifreeze warms up to 70 degrees, the intensity of the fuel supply to the heater is reduced to save fuel. If the coolant cools down to 55 degrees again, the whole process described above will be repeated.

If we talk about air heaters, in this device the burner heats only air, while not heating the coolant. In automatic mode, the device is “oriented” according to the air temperature in the passenger compartment or cabin. In other words, the heater maintains one or another air temperature set by the user, and also works for as long as the driver programmed.

Both liquid and air heaters are equipped with various controls, which allows you to control the device not only from the vehicle interior, but also remotely. Among the main functions, the possibility should be highlighted automatic switching on pre-heater by timer, starting the heater remotely from a remote control or using a mobile phone.

The principle of operation of electric engine heating

The electric heater is a coil that is screwed into the engine block. An electric spiral is installed instead of a plug in the block. The principle of operation is quite simple. A current passes through the spiral, the spiral heats up, which as a result allows antifreeze or antifreeze to be heated. Coolant circulation and heat distribution occurs naturally (due to convection).

Note that such heating is less effective and also takes a lot of time. It is also important to understand that although an electric engine preheater is a more affordable and simpler alternative, it loses to air and water heaters to a large extent.

The fact is that the electric heating of the engine is not autonomous. The device is powered from an external outlet, which in many cases becomes a significant disadvantage. Another disadvantage is that such a solution consumes a lot of electric current.

To ensure that the coolant heats up to a certain temperature and further maintains this temperature, the owner himself sets the temperature range. Simply put, a timer is included in the kit, which allows you to set the desired temperature. After the coolant is warmed up to the desired value, the spiral is turned off.

Then, when the temperature of the liquid drops to a certain threshold, the device will turn on again in automatic mode. We also note that the electric heater allows you to warm up not only the engine, but also the interior. After heating the coolant, the standard stove fan is turned on, after which warm air flows from the air ducts. It is also possible to implement parallel preheating of the power unit.

Heating the engine with a heat accumulator

This type of engine heaters is less common than other counterparts. Similar solutions on the market are presented by the systems Gulfstream, Autotherm, etc.

The principle of operation of these heat accumulators boils down to the fact that after the coolant warms up as a result of engine operation, antifreeze or antifreeze accumulates in a special container, where it remains hot for up to 48 hours. The next time you start a cold engine, warm fluid enters the cooling system, which allows you to quickly warm up the engine and interior.

Engine preheater: pros

As you know, engine wear is most intense at the time of its start. At the same time, low temperatures affect the viscosity engine oil(grease thickens), lubricating and protective properties deteriorate.

As a result, after a cold start, friction increases; in the first seconds, loaded parts experience oil starvation. Elements, and are often the fastest to wear out. At the same time, the possibility of avoiding a cold start and quick warm-up The internal combustion engine up to operating temperatures allows us to say that the engine is operated in a gentle mode.

As you can see, the presence of an autonomous or electric heater allows you to increase the service life of the engine, reduce fuel costs and improve the environmental friendliness of power units. It is also possible to achieve an increase in comfort during the operation of the vehicle in the winter.

Engine heaters

Pre-starting mechanisms for engine heating are divided into two groups:

stationary (gasoline or diesel) - work autonomously, independently;
dependent - the devices do not work on their own, but only from the 220V electrical network.

Heating equipment example

Electric heaters are available 12V or 24V.

Electric (dependent) heating of the engine is called a boiler (TEN - tubular electric heater), which heats the cooled antifreeze to a predetermined temperature and passes through the cooling system of the machine's engine.

In the future, as soon as the antifreeze warms up to the desired temperature, the equipment automatically turns off, the heating element stops heating the antifreeze.

Electric start heaters are installed on the radiator. This mechanism regulates the correct operation of the cooling system. Structurally, the unit has such a device:

directly the one-piece, non-separable boiler itself - gas supply, combustion cavity, water pipes;
burner - with two cylinders;
pumping system - electric fan, fuel and water pumps;
control panel (board);
block - electric heater of oil products, nozzles, electromagnetic valve, air outlet.

The heating unit is included in the vehicle engine cooling module. The coolant flows through pipes into the boiler cavity, where it is split into two streams. One of them is directed through the fuel combustion chamber and gas supply pipes. Cooling antifreeze goes inside the surface of the water jacket.

Another stream washes through an external water jacket of pipes.

Both streams of means for cooling are connected in the body of the device. Further, from the starting nozzle, it enters the vehicle engine.

Operating principle

The basis of the action of the electric heater of antifreeze TEN. It heats the antifreeze from a battery or a 220V power supply.

The principle of operation of the boiler is to be connected to a 220V power grid, as a result of which the substance in the body heats up. Heating the temperature of the liquid, in turn, gives rise to an increase in pressure. The valve closes the supply suction pipe; when heated, the liquid enters the outlet pipe. When the pressure in the motor decreases, the valve opens and allows the agent to enter it through the inlet pipe.

Thus, the effect of targeted thermosyphon circulation from the preheater to cooling system... The thermal regulator automatically regulates the temperature of the liquid, which completely eliminates the risk of overheating of the boiler.

To figure out which boiler from 220V to choose from the whole variety lineup in the market, it is important to consider the following factors:

boiler from 220V with a specialized coating;
boiler without boiling points so that deposits do not form;
a cheap boiler does not work well with an aggressive antifreeze medium.

The boiler is manufactured with the following power gradation:

1.5 kW - for a 16kl engine;
1.0 kW - for an 8kl engine;
0.5 kW - for use in a parking lot for regular heating of the engine.

The period for heating is selected individually, experimenting and choosing. Decisive factors:

engine type;
boiler rated power;
ambient air temperature.

Now boilers are made of square plastic.

On average, the boiler heats up for 40-60 minutes. In this case, it is important that the engine is hot, but that the liquid does not boil.

You need to buy a boiler only from trusted commercial manufacturers of this type of product.

You can purchase a boiler on the manufacturer's websites, in specialized outlets or at the car market.

Due to the wide range and many models, the device is selected for cars and trucks, SUVs.

Boiler installation

The boiler is installed in a special section of the engine. In earlier cars, such a place is not provided.

The manufacturers of the pre-heater in the instructions regulate the process and the scheme of its installation. The installation procedure is simple, it is also performed on its own. What is needed for this:

purchase antifreeze;
two hours of time.

Depending on the manufacturer, the installation scheme has several variations. Installation is performed:

with installation in a block - the complexity of the installation, but the greater the efficiency of the device;
how separate device- at the lowest point of the system for cooling, it cuts into the ring of the small circle.

Boiler installation diagram:

an electric heater is mounted to the cylinders on special brackets;
take out the automatic temperature sensor;
connect the fitting;
screw the temperature sensor into the fitting;
remove the drain plug;
screw in the branch for the antifreeze supply hose;
clamps are placed on both hoses.

The installation diagram also contains an option in which the outlet from the heater into the tee. To do this, cut the upper radiator pipe. Then the cooling liquid goes into the block to exit to the boiler. In this case, the head will become very hot and the block will be warm.

Sometimes the opposite connection method is used, in which the output from the heater goes to the block. The coolant is hot, with a lower density, it is easier for it to pass through the adapter section. In this case, the block gets too hot, unlike the head, and during engine start its operating temperature does not drop.

Installation diagram

For this kind of pre-start electric heater models, according to the location of the thermostat and drain hole on the motor, one of the types of installation schemes is used:

progressive method;
parallel way.

The parallel method assumes not using the smaller of the coolant circulation revolutions from the resistance of the heater itself. The scheme is efficiently implemented by several solutions.

Thermal sensor on the upper branch pipe, no drain valve:

selection and injection of antifreeze from the return pipe through the trigeminal disc;
selection of coolant from the lower radiator hose, injection into the stove tube;
selection from the return pipe, injection through the tee into the upper pipe.

Thermal sensor on the lower element, there is a drain valve on the block:

withdrawal of the agent from the drain cock through the fitting, injecting into the engine block;
selection from the lower tube of the radiator, injection into the block;
extraction from the block, injection into the upper branch pipe through the tee element.

Installation progress:

determine the supply and take-off hoses according to the instructions;
choose a place and calculate the distance for both hoses;
draining the coolant;
remove the pipes going to the stove;
install ready-made hoses;
the heater is fixed to the free edges of the hoses;
fill the cavity with antifreeze.

It is recommended to make sure that the system is completely filled with liquid. At air congestion, the heater is threatened serious breakdown... For complete filling, you need to wait a certain period. The stove faucet is open during work, the temperature regulator is set to the maximum permissible indicator.

Some aspects and nuances

a switch with a time timer will provide engine heating in the mode that the owner needs vehicle;
the engine is started with the clutch depressed;
I do not lay 220V wire through high-voltage poles on the road;
if the boiler power is higher than 1.0 kW, do not leave it on overnight.

Compliance with these rules will protect you from a fine from the fire inspection and unpleasant situations.

Complete set luxury

Main advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of heating elements:

use in any climatic zone;
low cost;
not a complicated design;
simple circuit;
easy installation;
saving fuel consumption;
reliability;
high degree of security;
durability;
the battery does not lose charge;
rechargeable battery recharge;
ease of maintenance;
wear of parts is reduced;
additional features will allow you to pre-heat the cabin and eliminate icing on the windows.

The only disadvantage of such boilers is their dependence on the electrical network.

Starting heater maintenance

The installation of the unit for heating requires regular maintenance measures. The following actions are required during operation:

spray check - for this, turn on the heater;
carefully inspect the entire surface of the heater;
blowing holes - in the cavity of the nozzle and the entire body;
checking the correct tightening of bolts, fastening nuts and pump;
disassembly of the nozzle and cleaning of its parts in petroleum products;
cleaning devices;
flushing the burner, glow plugs;
flushing valve filters;
cleaning the pipes of the fuel pump.

Heating equipment simplifies the use of the vehicle, prolongs the engine's operating life. The acquisition is justified.

Types of heaters 12V and 24V

For travelers and long-distance trips for cargo transportation, it is acceptable, and sometimes simply irreplaceable, not a stationary, but a car network in the cabin - electric heaters, powered from the mains, or autonomous (onboard):

electric heaters (dependent) - equipment with modules with a timer and a fan, mechanisms for recharging the battery;
autonomous heaters - mounted under the hood and connected to the vehicle.

Installation option

An autonomous heater 12V or 24V is mounted only in the power supply system or also in the cooling system. The advantages of this type are installation where it is best for the motorist. During production, they are not built into the vehicle.

Autonomous devices are equipped and completed with a remote control panel. Modern models are controlled from devices mobile communications... The latest models are controlled from a fairly significant distance using GSM (control by means of car electronics). This is for devices that operate on 12V and 24V. It is possible to use smartphones for these tasks, and a number of different devices, which is undeniably a huge plus in favor of the convenience when using such a device.

Advantages of 12V and 24V units:

mobility, lack of dependence on the 220V electrical network;
multifunctionality;
the cooled liquid retains the set temperature for two or three days.

The disadvantages include:

discharges the battery;
high price;
rather difficult connection to the car network;
installation of a storage battery with more powerful potential.

Both types of heaters are installed independently or in car service centers.

Thermos analogs

Thermos devices keep the given working temperature two days. The principle of operation is that fuel (gasoline or diesel) is burned in the heater, which is taken from the system to heat the engine. Antifreeze is pumped in a larger circle and passes into a stationary radiator. The radiator heats the air masses, the heated flow of which is sent to the car interior. Thus, both the vehicle itself and the cooling system inside are heated.

Heater from 24V mains

Advantages:

reliability;
no need for additional food;
ease of connection;
low power.

The coolant circulates only due to the temperature difference (under pressure). When it has warmed up in the heating body, it goes further along a small cooling circle.

This process takes from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the ambient air temperature. The device consumes 450-550 ml of fuel per hour. For comparison, electrical counterparts consume about 40W of electrical energy over the same period of time.

Making homemade heating

A factory boiler or heater is more practical and safer than a one made on your own. Although the option with homemade device also with the right to exist.

It is important to remember that when self-manufacturing a device for heating the engine, observe the utmost possible diligence during subsequent operation. This is especially true for fire safety.

There are many options for DIYers. One example:

in the side panel and in the bottom of the gun case, sawed through a hole for threading a candle;
the sleeve is connected to the suction pipe;
installation of the structure directly into the tank of the machine;
onboard power supply cables.

The peculiarity of this installation method is that it is used to heat not the engine, but the fuel.

To avoid damage, this type of heating can be used after turning off the engine.

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