Starter heaters are a proven solution for car owners who live in regions with cold winters and leave their cars in open-air parking or garages (hangars) without heating.
The review presents best models starting preheaters, the use of which will avoid huge starting loads of the engine in cold weather and significantly extend its life. For the convenience of the reader, the information has been structured into typical installation categories. The position in the rating of each model was formed on the basis of the estimated characteristics of heaters and feedback from owners who have real experience operation.
The best liquid preheaters
The indisputable advantage of liquid fuel heaters is complete independence from other energy sources and the time spent by the machine in the cold. Pre-heaters of this type burn the fuel that is in the car's tank. In order for the stove to work properly, the regular battery must be in good working order.
3 Binar-5S
The best domestic liquid heater
Country Russia
Average price: 24150 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9
The domestic company "Teplostar" has developed a whole line of autonomous heaters for gasoline and diesel cars. Opportunities possesses the Binar 5S Diesel model. The device can work not only in the preheating mode, but also as a heating device. It is equipped with a GPS modem, which expands the possibilities of controlling the heater. The model is designed for diesel engines up to 4 liters.
Car owners who have decided to install Binar-5S for engine heating note such advantages in their reviews domestic development, how compact dimensions, mounting and control variability. The device is different affordable price, high quality workmanship, there is a self-diagnosis function.
2 Webasto Thermo Top Evo 5 petrol
The most popular autonomous heater
Country: Germany
Average price: 50720 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9
The heaters of this German concern have become so popular among motorists that the concept of preheater is often replaced by the single word Webasto. Many models are designed for specific cars. The device can be started by a timer, from a key fob or via a mobile phone. One of the most popular modifications was the heater Webasto Thermo Top Evo 5 which is great for passenger cars mobiles, jeeps and minibuses with an engine capacity of not more than 4 liters.
Car owners note high performance device, long and trouble-free operation, unpretentiousness. The heater is completely self-contained, runs on gasoline and consumes 0.64 liters at peak load (almost half as much in support mode). Moreover, in Russia there are many service centers where you can maintain and repair the popular Webasto.
The types of preparation of the car presented in the table for a trip to winter time have both their advantages and disadvantages. This allows each owner to choose the option that best suits the prevailing operating conditions.
|
Advantages |
Flaws |
|
|
autorun |
Remote control and monitoring; An additional advantage of the two-in-one device is the presence of an alarm; The ability to configure the operation of autorun according to a schedule or engine temperature (the most relevant option for the northern regions). |
Reduced vehicle anti-theft security (many Insurance companies even refuse to provide the risks of theft or significantly increase the cost of the policy); State of the art high performance motors Idling do not heat up, which means a cold interior; Provides a sparing mode of starting the engine only in the mode of operation when the engine temperature drops. |
|
Autonomous starting preheater |
Does not depend on external sources energy; Provides heating of the passenger compartment and engine fluids; |
High cost and maintenance costs; Runs on fuel from a car tank; |
|
Electric preheater |
Affordable cost; Easy to install and operate; Different devices are required to heat the car interior and the engine; Increases the life of the motor by reducing the load at start. |
Availability of "step-by-step" access to the AC network; In the absence of electricity, it will not be able to ensure the preparation of the car for the trip. |
1 EBERSPACHER HYDRONIC B4 WS
Excellent combination of price and quality
Country: Germany
Average price: 36200 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9
Eberspacher models are rightfully considered the best liquid autonomous heaters. They combine high quality and cost. One of the most common heaters was the Eberspächer Hydronik B4WS 12V. It is installed by many car manufacturers on Cars with engines of more than 2 liters. The heater power ranges from 1.5 to 4.3 kW. The range includes modifications for gasoline engines, as well as devices for heating diesel engines.
Consumers note the reliability and durability of the device. It is easy to operate and convenient to use. Due to the wide distribution of heaters, many car services are engaged in their repair and restoration. Of the minuses, car owners note the high price of the device.
The best electric heaters
Electric heaters powered by 220 V are easy to install and low price. The only downside appliance is the need for a household power supply near the car. The devices are suitable for cars that spend frosty nights in garages or boxes.
3 Longfei 3 kW
The most affordable price
Country: China
Average price: 2350 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.5
The Chinese Lunfei preheater is designed to increase the temperature of the coolant in a car using a household electrical outlet. One of the most popular devices was Longfei 3 kW. The liquid is heated using a heating element, and antifreeze is pumped through the cooling system circuit thanks to a centrifugal pump. To operate the device, a 220 V power supply is required. The heater can be installed on any cars and trucks. The model is equipped with a thermostat, which allows you to maintain a given temperature regime of the coolant.
Buyers speak flatteringly about products from the Middle Kingdom. The only downside is the short cord. But the device can be independently installed under the hood, it has small dimensions and weight.
2 Satellite NEXT 1.5 kW with pump
Optimal ratio of quality and price
Country Russia
Average price: 2550 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6
Excellent inexpensive solution for engine heating passenger car or minibus. You can install "Sputnik NEXT" yourself - simple circuit integration into the engine cooling system has this. Thanks to forced circulation, even in severe frosts, the temperature of the antifreeze rises above zero.
Owners consider this model a worthy alternative to more expensive pre-start engine heaters. Judging by the reviews, the equipment performs its function quite effectively. The presence of simple automation will not overheat the antifreeze above the permissible limits (95 ° C), but will turn off the heater for a while. In operation, the device is simple and unpretentious, and maintenance requires minimal time costs. Thanks to the circulation, partial heating of the passenger compartment is also achieved (dashboard and windshield area).
1 Severs+ with pump 2 kW
Ease of installation. Presence of a mechanical timer
Country Russia
Rating (2019): 4.8
The domestic manufacturer CJSC "Leader" produces pre-heaters under the Severs brand. The new generation device was the Severs + 2 kW model, equipped with a pump. This design provides fast and uniform heating of the coolant, both in passenger cars and in trucks. The manufacturer has equipped the device with a thermostat, protection against overheating, which makes its operation comfortable and safe.
Motorists can easily cope with the installation of the heater, the kit includes detailed instructions. It is very convenient to set the device to turn on using a daily mechanical timer.
The best fuel heaters
One of the main problems diesel car fuel waxing becomes in winter. The lower the temperature, the more the diesel fuel thickens, clogging the pores of the filter. Effective way preservation of fluidity is the installation of a fuel heater.
3 ATK PT-570
Most Economical
Country Russia
Average price: 4702 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6
A reliable heater will prevent waxing diesel fuel in severe frosts and will allow you to continue moving, regardless of weather. Powered by the car's cooling system and requires virtually no Maintenance. Tapping into the fuel line can be carried out experienced driver independently - the procedure is not at all complicated and will require a minimum of time.
The owners in their reviews highlight the simplicity of the equipment, the lack of the need to connect to onboard network car. With this heater, possible use summer "diesel fuel" at temperatures down to -40 ° C. In addition, the heated fuel enters the tank and moves further through the system in a heated state, without forming paraffin crystals, which increases the service life of the lines. In addition, significant fuel savings (up to 10%) are achieved, and drivers value the PT-570 fuel heater the most for this.
2 EPTF-150 Ya (YaMZ)
The best heater fuel filter
Country Russia
Average price: 1305 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9
Based on experience domestic motorists NPP "Platan" has released a series of fuel filter heaters. This device prevents the formation of paraffin in the filter element of diesel cars. Thanks to the heating of the fuel in the filter, it is possible not only to facilitate the start of the engine, but also to somewhat expand the limit of the use of diesel fuel towards lower temperatures. One of the effective models is EPTF-150 Ya (YaMZ). The device is mounted inside the fuel filter, which provides fast warm-up diesel.
Motorists speak positively about the efficiency of the heater. A semiconductor heater can warm up even a frozen filter in 5-10 minutes. The device continues to ensure the filterability of diesel fuel while the car is moving.
1 NOMACON PP-101 12V
The best instantaneous fuel heater
Country: Belarus
Average price: 4700 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9
Simple and effective devices for heating diesel fuel were created by Belarusian developers from Nomacon. One of the most popular devices was Nomacon PP-101. It crashes into the fuel line, and the heating comes from the on-board network. The heater can be controlled automatic mode or manually. Before starting the engine, it is enough to briefly turn on the heating for 5-10 minutes to ensure the filterability of diesel fuel. When driving, the device is powered by a generator.
Consumers note the unpretentiousness and durability of the device. It is easy to install it under the hood yourself, following the manufacturer's recommendations.
The best interior heaters
This category contains best devices, which will allow the owner to forget what it means to drive a frozen car. Heaters will provide not only comfortable operation in the winter months, but also save the owner the most precious resource - time.
3 Calix Slim Line 1400w
High quality equipment
Country: Sweden
Average price: 7537 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8
The device does not have an operating mode and is automatically regulated according to the temperature indicators of the passenger compartment air. The heater does an excellent job and is optimal solution for most passenger cars and small crossovers. The device has a special stand and can be placed anywhere in the cabin (as a rule, it is placed in the area center armrest or in the driver's seat).
The heater is easy to operate, has protection against overheating and short circuit. In their reviews, the owners note the rather compact size of the device and its high efficiency. The automatic control of the heater operation is also positively noted - there are no fears that with prolonged use the air in the cabin will be unacceptably overheated.
2 DEFA Termini 2100 (DEFA connector) 430060
The most powerful electric heater
Country: Norway
Average price: 9302 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8
An excellent solution for heating the interior of a large car, jeep and even the cab of a truck. The electric heater is connected to a conventional network with a voltage of 220 volts and has two heating modes. The built-in fan provides air circulation in salon and its fast heating. Sharing with systems of preheaters of the engine of this firm and remote control through the SmartStart panel is possible.
Owners who decide to install DEFA Termini heaters in their cars are more than satisfied - a cold steering wheel and windows frozen from the inside are a thing of the past. Thanks to the built-in sensors, the cabin air will be warmed up to a comfortable level, and with a further increase in temperature, it will automatically turn off (55 ° C inside the device). Judging by the reviews, this device cannot be compared with ceramic heaters powered by the on-board network (their power is clearly not enough to fully warm up the car interior).
1 Teplostar PLANAR-44D-24-GP-S
The best interior heating
Country Russia
Average price: 23900 rubles.
Rating (2019): 5.0
The device is autonomous system, running on diesel fuel, and is a more affordable analogue of Webasto heaters. It can be put on any type of transport - it perfectly warms up the interior of a passenger car to a minibus, and will also cope with heating the body space in small cargo vans.
In the reviews of the owners, the compactness of the equipment is noted. Installation is quite simple and can be done on your own. When installed on vehicles with gasoline engine need your own small fuel tank. It is also positively noted that remote control, with which you can adjust the temperature of the cabin. At maximum power(4 kW) for an hour of operation PLANAR-44D will spend a little less than 0.5 liters of fuel. With normal heating or a small car, the consumption will be only 0.12 liters of diesel fuel per hour.
MITSUBISHI Lancer Evo VI, EVO VIII 2.0 16V / 4G63
MITSUBISHI Pajero 2.3 turbodiesel /2.5 turbodiesel, SEAT Malaga 1.7D
Duramax DAIHATSU Rocky 2.8D, 2.8TD.
Daewoo Matiz 0.8 / A08S, 1.0 / B10S
Spark 1.0/2010-/B10D1, 1.2/2010-/B12D1
NISSAN Monteringssats, 300 ZX / VG30
Nissan Almera 2.0D / 1995- / DA20
Bluebird 1.6/1984-/CA16, 1.8/1984-/CA18 1.8 turbo/1984-/CA18, 2.0/1984-/CA20, Cherry 1.0/1982-/E10, 1.3/1982-/E13, 1.5, 1.5 turbo/1982 - / ¤E15, 1.7 diesel / CD17,
Nissan Patrol 2.8TD/RD28T
Prairie 1.5/E15, 1.8/CA18, 2.0/CA20,
Stanza 1.6 / ¤CA16, 1.8 / CA18
Suzuki Monteringssats, Alto 1.1/2002-/F10D
Toyota Monteringssats Carina 1.8 diesel / 1C
Toyota Corolla diesel *** / Lite-Ace diesel /WEIDEMANN Monteringssats T4512CC35 - /3TNV82A
VOLKSWAGEN Monteringssats LT 31D / Perkins
Volvo BM/VCE
Volvo CE Monteringssats EC 15C-/D1.1, EC18C-/2010-/D1.1 EC20C-/2010-/D1.1, EC27C-/2010-/D1.6 EC35C-/2010-/D1.6, ECR 28 - / ECR 38 - / ECR 58 - / ECR 88 - / ECR48C - / 2010- / D2.2, ECR58 Plus - / D3.1, ECR88 Plus - / D3.1
Ford Probe 2.5i V6 24V
Honda Accord 2.0i-16/-1989 /B20A
Honda Legend 2.5, 2.7
Honda Prelude 2.0i -16V / 1986-1991 /B20A
Mazda 2 1.3 (DE) / 2008- / ZJ, 1.5 (DE) / 2008- / ZY
Mazda 3 1.4(BK)/2004-/ZJ, 1.6(BK)/2004-/Z6
Mazda 323 2.0i V6 24V
Mazda 626 2.5i V6
Mazda MX-3 1.8i 24V V6
Mazda MX-6 2.5i 24V V6
Mazda Xedos 6 2.0i 24V V6 /
Mazda Xedos 9 2.0i 24V V6 /K8-ZE, 2.5i 24V V6
Land Rover 825, 827-/-1995.
Branch pipe electric heaters for internal combustion engines
In addition to block ones, which are mounted directly into the block, there are branch pipes, which are installed in the section of the pipe.
Such a heater is only suitable if the diameter of the nozzle corresponds to the diameter of the device.
The manufacturers START (M1 / M2), DEFA and Calix also have branch pipes. They are also not difficult to install with your own hands.
Such modifications of branch pipe preheaters are suitable only for domestic VAZ, UAZ and GAZ cars.
Remote heating devices for cars
One of the types of electric heaters is remote. The design is more complicated than that of the previous types. The kit includes hoses, clamps, thermostats.
Brands of domestic remote starting preheaters Severs-M (1-3), Alliance, Severs +, Atlant Smart, Atlant + and others.
An analogue of foreign-made Hotstart TPS (HOTSTART), as a rule, is already standard in cars. Its cost is about 8 thousand rubles.
There are also models with forced circulation of the coolant. All previous versions of electric motor heaters had natural circulation.
American Hotstart worth about 25 thousand rubles. Russian analogues with forced circulation are much cheaper, about 2.5 tr. These are Atlant, Atlant+, etc.
And how not to mention the world famous Chinese manufacturers- this is XIN JI, whose power is not more than 1.8 kW.
heating plates
The ability to heat the engine with special heating plates is gaining popularity. They are installed mainly on the cylinder block body and on the crankcase.
The principle of operation of the heating plates is similar to that of electric heating elements. There are models that operate on a 220V network with a frequency of 50 Hertz, and there are those that operate on 12 Volts.
Plate power range from 0.1 to 1.5 kW. Temperature regime from +90 to +180 degrees.
Do-it-yourself installation is also possible. Having previously chosen a place for installation, it is necessary to clean it of dirt and degrease this place and glue the plate.
Important! The heating plates must not heat the battery.
Such heating elements will not be able to quickly heat the coolant and the engine, they are designed to work in a long mode. 
Advantages of heating plates for internal combustion engines:
- Reliable and durable. Do not require repair. The warranty period is long.
- Easily mounted. There is no need to contact the service for installation. The kit includes an adhesive tape that must be glued to a cleaned and degreased place.
- Safe. Moisture and dust resistance increase the life of the plates.
- Wear resistant. Not afraid of moisture. The plates have a protective layer.
- Profitability. The cost of electricity is less than the cost of fuel (gasoline, diesel fuel).
Disadvantages of heating plates
- The high cost of such an engine heater.
- When feeding the plates from car battery(battery), it is subject to increased wear.
The spread of preheating plates is due to the fact that their use is very convenient.
| Model | Characteristics | Cost, rub. at the beginning of 2018 |
| Flexible heating plate Keenovo (Kinovo) 100W 12V | Max. temperature +180 degrees. dimensions 152x127 mm with 5 mm sponge. Suitable for engines up to 3 liters. | 3600 |
| Flexible heating plate Keenovo (Kinovo) 250 W 220 V | Heats up to a temperature of +90 degrees. Dimensions as in previous model. Included is a cable 1 m long. For installation on the engine crankcase, BC, transmission units. | 3600 |
| Keenovo Flexible Heating Plate 250W 220V | Can heat up to 150 degrees. The sizes are the same. 1m cable available. | 3600 |
| Hotstart (Hotstart) AF10024 | Power 0.1 kW. Voltage 220 V. Dimensions: 127x101 mm. | 8000 |
| Hotstart (Hotstart) AF15024 | Power 0.15 kW. Voltage 220 V. Dimensions: 127x101 mm. | 10000 |
| Hotstart (Hotstart) AF25024 | Power 0.25 kW. Voltage 220 V. Dimensions: 127x101 mm. | 10000 |
Conclusion
Having studied the advantages and disadvantages of heaters, we see that autonomous heaters are better. Therefore, if there is financial opportunity, then it is better to install a reliable autonomy immediately. Among the electric ones there are convenient plate heating elements.
The video shows a test of the popular VIBASTO engine heater.
A device that allows you to prepare the engine for an easy start and fill the interior with warmth is still considered a luxury item. But it is really capable of saving health - both yours and the car's.
A cold start of an engine is a difficult test for all its systems, comparable to several tens of kilometers in 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 gets almost to the spine, and the steam from the breath tries to freeze on the windows. But how pleasant it is to sit in the salon, where it is almost room temperature, to throw off the gloves, hats and scarves that restrict movement and not wait until the frosty windows thaw ...
So those living in cold regions have a reason to spend money not on a leather interior and all kinds of bells and whistles, but on a starting heater. Its installation allows not only to extend the life of the engine, but also to save fuel, which cold engine consumes much more readily.
Liquid heaters: g we vote for autonomy
Perhaps the most common can be considered 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 it cooks fuel-air mixture. It is ignited by a hot ceramic pin, which, unlike a metal one, needs a small current to reach operating temperature, which saves battery power.
The heater heats the fluid from the car's cooling system by pumping antifreeze through its heat exchanger. Heat is transferred to the engine and radiator regular stove. When the liquid heats up to about + 30 ° C, the passenger compartment fan turns on.
As soon as the temperature reaches the desired value (more than 70 ° C), the heater switches to the "half" mode, and then to the standby mode, leaving the combustion chamber purge device, the liquid pump and the fan to work standard system heating. 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 at least to the "outboard" without his participation.
The auxiliary heater is switched on different ways. The simplest and most affordable is a timer in the cabin, with which you can program the on time and duration of operation. This is convenient if you regularly leave at the same time. With a variable schedule, remote control is preferable. The radio remote control operates within a radius of approximately 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. Theoretically, you can turn on the heating from anywhere in the world, as long as you and the car are in the network coverage area.
In Russia, the most popular devices are two German brands - Webasto and Eberspacher. They make car models different type and engine size, and also offer wide selection ways to start the heater and control it. 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.
Thermal accumulator: we store heat for the future
Officially, this device is called a heat accumulator. In fact, it is a large thermos, which contains liquid of the same volume as in the cooling system. While the engine is running, the liquid in the thermos is constantly updated, maintaining a supply of "boiling water". Before start-up, a separate pump changes cold and hot antifreeze places. From a thermos in 10–15 seconds, liquid is supplied to the cooling system, and the motor warms up quickly - you can start it up. In the salon immediately begins to arrive warm air.
The main thing in the operation of such devices is the regularity of trips. It is believed that during a moderate Moscow winter, the heat will last in the "thermos" for about three days, but in severe cold it is advisable to renew the supply of "boiling water" every day.
For the first time, a thermal accumulator was proposed in Canada by the designer Oscar Schatz, and the first models of "thermoses" under the Centaur brand, which is still considered the leader, appeared there. However, the palm is disputed and domestic producers. Russia has its own successful developments, among which the Autoplus MADI brand is especially famous. Also, products of the AvtoTerm brand are being promoted in our market.
Electric heater: in search of an outlet
Another popular solution is suggested by a home boiler. What is easier - to mount the heater in the cooling system, of course, observing the fire safety rules. Actually, this is what the simplest electric heater looks like, the connectors of which are usually displayed on front bumper and wired to a regular outlet.
But for complete comfort basic kit, perhaps not enough. A logical addition would be a separate heating module with a fan that warms up the interior before the regular stove comes into action. Another necessary element is a device for recharging the battery - in cold weather it will not be superfluous. And if you can’t turn the system on and off in the cold, you can install a separate module with a timer or a kit remote control. True, price complete set differs from the original "boiler" at times. We, as well as in Europe, distribute the products of the Norwegian brand Defa, which is recognized as a model in this segment. There are also Russian analogues, for example, under the Severs brand.
Only without self-activity!
Popular technical thought in cold Russia was constantly looking for ways to start the engine in very coldy. The most bizarre inventions were born on the basis of blowtorch, wire spirals and other improvised means. Some handicrafts of unknown firms even flashed in semi-legal car markets. What is the cost of an electric spiral, which, according to the "designers" is inserted instead of oil dipstick and connects to the battery. Not only does oil have low thermal conductivity, and heating it, “planting” a frozen battery, is not a promising business. It's not far from a fire or a short circuit. So it is better not to look for easy and cheap ways. No matter how much you want to revive a frozen iron friend, preference should be given only to proven certified products.
The climatic conditions of most of the territory of our country are characterized by a very wide range of temperatures: from hot summer to freezing cold in winter. AT summer time car operation is quite simple, although it has its own specific features. And in the cold season, the car engine takes a long time after starting, so that its temperature reaches operating values. And to facilitate a cold start and save time when you warm up the car, there is an electric engine heater, which in a fairly short period of time is able to bring its temperature to acceptable values.
Features of starting the engine in the cold season
An internal combustion engine, due to its design features, is capable of developing its maximum power and torque in a rather narrow temperature range. That is why a cold start, especially in the winter season, is so harmful to engines. Previously, before the advent of preheaters, the only way was to start and warm up at idle or high speeds. Now, with the advent of various means and methods of heating, this method can be neglected. Especially since modern motors they distribute heat from the combustion chambers very efficiently and warm up quickly, so you can start driving almost immediately after starting. But this can be done in a normal winter, and if at night the temperature reaches 40-45 degrees below zero? Here, additional heating of the engine in winter is simply necessary.
What is an engine heater
AT general case engine preheating is carried out by artificially raising the temperature of the coolant so that it heats the engine parts (cylinder block and head, as well as the heater radiator). This allows you to significantly reduce the negative impact of increased friction force at start-up and local (uneven) heating of its parts.
Types of engine heaters
Actually, there are only two types of heaters - autonomous and electric. Autonomous heating, as the name implies, does not depend on external conditions and is part of the automotive power plant: It uses fuel from the tank to operate. The most famous example is autonomous heater Webasto engine. Special boilers, by burning fuel, heat the coolant that circulates through the system - and all this without starting the engine.
An electric auto-heater is also built into the engine cooling system and, with the help of a special heating element, like a boiler, heats the coolant.
Electric heater as an alternative to stand-alone devices
Installing a 220v engine heater is much easier (since it has, in fact, only one element and wires for connection) and much cheaper, while it does not use gasoline as a heat source, using electricity.
Varieties of electric heaters
Block
The simplest type of heaters that are installed in the cylinder block instead of a side plug. They are an electrical heating element in a housing and a connector. Such models do not have a large power consumption (500-700W), however, due to the fact that they are located directly in the engine, they warm it up almost in the center. More sophisticated engine heating systems can be equipped with interior fan heaters, a start timer with a remote control. The only problem with installation may be the engine breather (crankcase ventilation hose), since it is often installed so that it overlaps the plug in the block.
branch pipes
Such devices are installed in the context of the main pipes of the cooling system. The heater itself is equipped with a special adapter housing, which is installed directly on the hoses. The disadvantage is that most of these devices are designed for standard hose diameters. For such devices, the power may be higher (up to 2-3 kW), the functionality and equipment are approximately the same as in the previous group.
Remote
This is a special group of devices that are also built into the cooling system, but are more complex in design and installation. Such models are more like Webasto heaters, only they run on electricity, not gasoline. Such models most effectively warm up the coolant and the cylinder block. The external heater can also be provided with forced circulation of the coolant, which better contributes to uniform heating of the cylinder block and minimizes the harmful effects of a cold start. The cost of such units differs by more than an order of magnitude (from 1.5 thousand rubles for ordinary Chinese models up to 23 thousand rubles for a really good American HotStart). The power of the heating element also varies greatly and depends on the displacement.
Advantages of 220v engine heating:
- low cost installation kit and the installation itself (from 1 thousand rubles).
- Wide the lineup , compatible with almost all motors, simple design and high efficiency.
Disadvantages of an electric heater:
- A 220v household socket should be located in the immediate vicinity.
- Open hood during heating operation. On the modern models this is not so relevant, since they are equipped with a special connector that cuts into the front bumper.
- Reliability of some models, which over time begin to pass coolant through the junction with the engine.
How to install engine preheater
Do-it-yourself engine heating installation is a relatively simple task. She won't require special tool and special knowledge. All you need is a general understanding of the principles of operation of automobile engines and an idea of the location of components and assemblies under the hood.
To understand how to install the engine heater, just look at the installation instructions that came with the kit. The general installation sequence is as follows.
- Since the heater is installed in the cooling system, it is necessary to drain part of the antifreeze (at least 2 liters to lower its level and prevent leakage during depressurization)
- In the case of installing a block heater, the plug is removed from the cylinder block and install the heating element. For a remote or pipe version, the hoses leading to the heater radiator are removed. It is better to use the hoses included in the installation kit so as not to cut the factory ones. When installing new nozzles, all connections are fixed with clamps, and it is advisable to coat the fittings with sealant to prevent leaks.
- The body of the device is fixed with a bracket included in the kit.
- All necessary connections are made, the rest of the assembly is carried out in the reverse order.
- Antifreeze is poured back up to right level . When filling, it is desirable to avoid the appearance air locks(Pour antifreeze into expansion tank carefully, in a thin stream!).
Installing engine heating is a task that is quite feasible for almost everyone. And which type to choose depends on the specific operating conditions and design features of the car.
Preheater engine is mounted on different kinds equipment, ranging from civilian cars to heavy trucks, special vehicles, etc. Equipping a device for pre-heating the engine and interior makes it possible to facilitate, increase the resource of the power plant and significantly increase the comfort of operation in the winter.
On machines that do not have regular installed heater, it is possible to purchase and install such a solution separately. At the same time, engine heating can be installed on almost any car model. The main thing is to choose the right device from those options that are commercially available, as well as perform high-quality installation.
Next, we will consider what engine preheaters are, we will study the principle of operation of preheater. We will also try to answer the question of what advantages and disadvantages this or that type of engine and car interior heaters has from the general group of similar devices.
Read in this article
What is an engine preheater and its device
Let's start with the fact that there are several types ICE heaters, which differ in the 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 look at these solutions in more detail. 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 you to heat only the interior, that is, the problem of cold engine start in this case is not resolved.
In this case, both types of heaters are autonomous. The devices take fuel (gasoline, diesel fuel) from the main tank or a separate tank (complete with autonomous heater). This fuel is then burned in a small combustion chamber.
These solutions are economical, since fuel consumption is low, a minimum of electricity is also consumed, heaters are distinguished by a reduced noise level during operation. The versatility should also be noted, since the heater can be installed on a gasoline, diesel, gas or engine, engine with, etc.
As a rule, autonomous preheaters 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 placed in the cabin, since its task is not to heat the coolant, but to supply heated air to the air ducts.
How an autonomous engine preheater works
Let's start with the fact that the liquid heater is a ready-made installation kit. The main elements are:
- boiler with a combustion chamber;
- liquid radiator;
- lines for fuel supply;
- fuel pump;
- liquid pump;
- thermal relay;
- heater electronic unit;
- governing bodies;
So, after the device receives a start signal, electricity begins to be fed to the executive motor. Such an engine drives a special fuel pump, which is included in the design of the heater. At the same time, the fan also starts to work. The pump pumps fuel, after which the fuel evaporates in the evaporator. Also, air enters the heater.
As a result, a fuel-air mixture is formed, which enters the combustion chamber and is ignited by a spark on the spark plug. The thermal energy that is generated after combustion is transferred to the coolant in the cooling system through a special heat exchanger.
The coolant itself circulates. Circulation becomes possible due to the operation of the booster pump, which is included in the design of the heater. 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 cabin turns on automatically. 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 entire process described above will be repeated.
If we talk about air heaters, in this device the burner heats only the air, while not heating the coolant. In automatic mode, the device “orients itself” 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 has 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, it is worth highlighting the possibility automatic start preheater by timer, starting the heater remotely from the key fob or using a mobile phone.
The principle of operation of the electric engine heating
The electric heater is a coil that is screwed into the engine block. An electric spiral is placed 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 makes it possible to heat the antifreeze or antifreeze as a result. Coolant circulation and heat distribution occurs naturally (due to convection).
Note that such heating is less efficient 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 is largely inferior to air and water heaters.
The fact is that the electric heating of the engine is not autonomous. The device is powered by an external outlet, which in many cases becomes significant disadvantage. Another disadvantage is that such a solution consumes a lot of electric current.
To ensure that the coolant is heated to a certain temperature and further maintained at such a temperature, the owner himself sets temperature Range. Simply put, it comes with a timer that allows you to set the desired temperature. After the coolant is warmed up to the desired value, the coil is turned off.
Then, when the temperature of the liquid drops to a certain threshold, the device will turn on automatically again. We also note that the electric heater allows you to warm up not only the engine, but also the interior. After the coolant is heated, the regular stove fan turns on, after which warm air comes out of the air ducts. It is also possible to implement in parallel with the pre-heating of the power unit.
Engine heating with a heat accumulator
This type of engine heaters is less common compared to other analogues. Similar solutions on the market are represented by Gulfstream, Autotherm, etc. systems.
The principle of operation of these heat accumulators is 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: pluses
As you know, engine wear is most intense at the time of its start. Wherein low temperatures affect the viscosity engine oil(grease thickens), lubricating and protective properties get worse.
As a result, after a cold start, friction increases, in the first seconds the loaded parts experience oil starvation. Often, the elements wear out the fastest, and. At the same time, the ability to avoid a cold start and a quick warm-up of the internal combustion engine to operating temperatures suggests that the engine is operated in a gentle mode.
As can be seen, the presence of an autonomous or electric heater allows you to increase the life of the engine, reduce fuel costs and improve environmental friendliness power units. It is also possible to achieve an increase in comfort during the operation of the vehicle in the winter.
Read also
What is Webasto? The principle of operation of autonomous preheaters. Pros and cons liquid heater and air heater(hair dryer).
