Engine heater, Kenlowe

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

Hi,

well now I can park the T2 off the street I'm wondering about a block heater again.

The truck does seem little hesitant to start as it gets colder in the morning.

Looking at them on Kenlowe site, no prices but think were around the £100 mark
many years, 20 cough, or so....


Anyone got one or had one, opinions please?

 

[rustic]

If the car is hesitant as it gets cooler, then there could be other issues that need addressing first.

Glow plugs, are they all working?
Fuel, are you using straight diesel, bio or veg oil?
Battery, is it up for the job? Does the alternator put out full charge?
Battery leads, connections to the starter motor, earths etc.

My father had one of those heaters on his Disco, and it worked really well, also when started, the heater soon heated up and cleared the windscreen, and a warm cab, which he never achieved unless he drove 5 miles or more.

Some are just an immersion heater type threaded into the block, others are a seperate unit that have a small pump, which I would think would be better and give a better distribution of heat.

Whilst you are at it, installing power to the truck, then why not fit an intelligent battery charger, the type you can leave connected, that won't damage the battery by over charging.

This makes a huge difference on a cold morning, as the battery is sitting at 13.9 volts ready for action.

There was a thread on this topic about 2 years ago, worth looking for.

Rustic

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

thanks, all is fit though do get bit of grey? smoke on cold start.

emailed kenlowe, crikey they've gone up in price, I thought were
about £150 though might have been 20 years ago. Quoting me
just shy of £300, bargain as normally about £360!...

Already wondering about boosting battery, maybe having a domestic
fan heater in the car on a time, ok wont help engine but will make
cab cosy.

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

hmmm

more like it, under a ton!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Engin...d=100033&prg=7839&rk=2&rkt=4&sd=111154653756&

 

[AD Ent]

like. Good for winter.

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

so is there a pump in these as well as heater or is the heat spread by conduction?

 

[AD Ent]

220-240v
2kw Heating Element
65c Thermostat
Integrated Water Pump
1200l/hr Flowrate
125 x 80 x 70mm Dimensions
16mm (5/8") Hose Size
Approx 30min warm up time for an 2ltr engine from 0c

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

220-240v
2kw Heating Element
65c Thermostat
Integrated Water Pump
1200l/hr Flowrate
125 x 80 x 70mm Dimensions
16mm (5/8") Hose Size
Approx 30min warm up time for an 2ltr engine from 0c

cool, well warm really

did read spec but wondered about all heaters .

so how does/can the water pass the engine's own pump,
sorry bit dump on structure of pumps.

 

[solarman216]

Nice idea not new by any means, cost about 1 unit of electric per day, should mean long term less engine wear, and a good bonus is heater works right away, down side you need to remember to unplug it before driving away and not so good if you have to cross a foot path with the mains cable, but worth while if you can face the hiccups that go with it, like forgetting to turn it off over the weekend when you do not use the motor, do not forget that the radiator is a good giver of heat so you will be paying for heat to throw away, Rick

 

[AD Ent]

cool, well warm really

did read spec but wondered about all heaters .

so how does/can the water pass the engine's own pump,
sorry bit dump on structure of pumps.

I presume as the water heats up it opens the thermostat which allows the flow?

 

[AD Ent]

I would put it on a timer switch for an hour or so before.

 

[rustic]

I would put it on a timer switch for an hour or so before.

Timer, yes great, or have a 0-60 minute type run back timer, set it when you get up.
Put a 240 v light on the dash, which is wired in, so you don't forget to unplug it.
BUT doesn't help remind you if the power is off :doh
You could fit an electric hook up plug like a caravan, you could arrange an automatic disconnecting plug, as you reverse it disconnects, but don't use the cable, add a chain to the free socket. problem with this though is salt, and salt + water + electricity = ouch... So use an Earth leakage trip in any case.
Wire in a battery charger too.
The Temperature of 65c shouldn't be enough to open the thermostat on the radiator, so no wasted heat here, but there will be a slight flow due to the small hole that allows air out of the thermostat. So only the engine block and interior heater will get the heat, so nothing wasted.
The car water pump, is only a vane pump, and will not stop water passing through it.
I assume it goes in line with the interior heater, but which side is best, to the interior heater, or from it? I guess depends on how easy to fit and secure.
Eventually all will get hot so shouldn't matter, but if the interior heater gets hot, then there will be some convection of warm air that should help to clear the screen.

I really like the simplicity of this heater.

If you change cars, remove it, you will need a length of 15 mm copper pipe and a couple of jubilee clips.
TIP:- Worth keeping in the car anyway, should the interior heater matrix ever start a leak, you can by-pass it:thumb2

It does say keep the case dry, it might be possible to fit it in side the cab, to or from the heater.

Great buy. winter is coming...
Go for it, not many left.

Rustic