Auxilliary Style Electric Heating

[snotrag]

Its getting round to winter, and we're starting to get a touch of frost about. I use my Mazda every day, and thus its quite common to have to spend 5-10 minutes sat on the drive on a morning demisting, chipping ice off the screen etc.

I'm going to add in an electric heater - instant heat and dry air without waiting for the engine to warm up first, which should be quicker and kinder on the engine and oooling system.

I'm contemplating adding a unit under the dash and plumbing it into the existing HVAC system, maybe in through the (now unused) air con heat exchanger, or through the flap that the car takes air from when set to recirculate.

Has anyone done this? What kit did you use? How have you wired it up? These things are likely to draw a lot of power I'm guessing so it might need a chunky feed and a relay, and obviously i'll have to put a switch in somewhere. I've also got a un-used HRW loom (sold my hardtop) which uses a relay, so maybe i'll link it to that use the existing switch.

Any experience of this anyone? Hints or tips?

I'm also contemplating the feasabiltiy of allowing it to run while the cars off - so I can leave it on (webasto style) while I have my cornflakes on a morning - this would need a relay/timer of some sort to prevent accidentally leaving it on or flattening the battery - again, like a heated glass rear window.

Anyone seen a really nice powerful (and preferably quiet) 12 heater?

I like this one so far - http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/electric-demist-heater-...

[lost in espace]

2nd hand Kenlow hotstart, will only work at home though. Cheapest/easiest way.

[defblade]

snotrag said:

Anyone seen a really nice powerful (and preferably quiet) 12 heater?

I like this one so far - http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/electric-demist-heater-...

No. I had a look when I had a classic car with rubbish heater.... I bought the best, most highly rated I could find and I'd have been better off farting in the car to bring the temperature up.

168 watts is slightly warmer than a light bulb (and probably optimistic anyway (and probably includes the power for the fan)).

Save your money. Really.

[kev b]

Years ago I used to run an extension lead out to my car, connected to a domestic fan heater each night.I would switch it on in the morning whilst getting ready for work and unplug it when I left.Much better than messing about with de-icer and scrapers.
The lead entered the car through the door seal (Lotus!)

[anonymous-user]

kev b said:

Years ago I used to run an extension lead out to my car, connected to a domestic fan heater each night.I would switch it on in the morning whilst getting ready for work and unplug it when I left.Much better than messing about with de-icer and scrapers.
The lead entered the car through the door seal (Lotus!)

This. If your car is close enough to a power point, this is by far the best way. My mum has done it for years. I bought what I thought was a decent, efficient 12v dash-mounted heater for my old VW camper, and it was next to useless. A single candle would have heated the car more quickly.

[NDT]

I've always wondered about fitting an Eberspacher-type fuel-powered heater to warm the coolant up.
Land Rover have them as an option - I think with a remote control option.

IIRC they only run off diesel.

[plasticpig]

NDT said:

I've always wondered about fitting an Eberspacher-type fuel-powered heater to warm the coolant up.
Land Rover have them as an option - I think with a remote control option.

IIRC they only run off diesel.

Nope Eberspacher do petrol and diesel heaters for cabin heat and engine pre heat.

[NDT]

plasticpig said:

NDT said:

I've always wondered about fitting an Eberspacher-type fuel-powered heater to warm the coolant up.
Land Rover have them as an option - I think with a remote control option.

IIRC they only run off diesel.

Nope Eberspacher do petrol and diesel heaters for cabin heat and engine pre heat.

that's the answer then.
I assume they can be had as a retrofit with a timer...
So when I get to the station the cars nice and warm and I wouldn't feel too guilty about giving a bit of a frisk on the way home... (assuming of course that the oil gets up to temp, which it probably will given that the rest of the block will be pretty warm).

[plasticpig]

NDT said:

plasticpig said:

NDT said:

I've always wondered about fitting an Eberspacher-type fuel-powered heater to warm the coolant up.
Land Rover have them as an option - I think with a remote control option.

IIRC they only run off diesel.

Nope Eberspacher do petrol and diesel heaters for cabin heat and engine pre heat.

that's the answer then.
I assume they can be had as a retrofit with a timer...
So when I get to the station the cars nice and warm and I wouldn't feel too guilty about giving a bit of a frisk on the way home... (assuming of course that the oil gets up to temp, which it probably will given that the rest of the block will be pretty warm).

I would suggest for the UK that you only really need the engine pre heater. As you will get warm air straight away when starting the car. With a petrol engine you would need two separate units for cabin and engine as Eberspacher don't do a combined cabin/engine system for petrol (someone else might do).

A mate of mine has an expedition Defender which is equipped with both. He has a control unit which allows him to control the heating from his mobile. It will even send him a text when its heated up and ready to go.