In what? 90 percent of motorists start the engine, not suspecting that as a result, its wear increases, starting becomes more difficult, battery fails etc. The problem is exacerbated in winter, in cold climates. However, there is a good way out of the situation - to use engine preheating, which for a real Russian winter is a solid plus in every respect.
Electric engine heating
If earlier the heating of the internal combustion engine, due to the operation of the motor on idle was considered the only viable option, although not without flaws, today it is clearly inferior to the new method. And first of all, this concerns the side, negative consequences of natural heating.
Table of models of electric heaters
| Block | branch pipes | Remote | External |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Defa" or "Kalix" - power 0.4-0.75 kW, price from 4 thousand rubles | "Lestar" - power 0.5-0.8 kW, price from 1.7 thousand rubles | "Severs-M" - power 1-3 kW, price from 2 thousand rubles | Keenovo flexible heating plate 0.25 kW 220 V, price - 3650 rubles. |
| Domestic "Homeless" - power 0.5-0.6 kW, price from 1.5 thousand rubles | "Alliance" - power 0.7-0.8 kW, price from 1 thousand rubles | "Start-M" - power 1-3 kW, price from 1.9 thousand rubles | "Keenovo" - power 0.1 kW 12 V, price - 3610 rubles. |
| Domestic "Start-Mini" - power 0.5-0.6 kW, price from 1 thousand rubles | "Start M1 / M2" - power 0.7-0.8 kW, price from 1.4 thousand rubles | "Alliance" - power 1.5-3 kW, price from 1.6 thousand rubles | Hotstart AF15024 - power 0.15 kW 220 V, price - 9700 rubles. |
| DEFA, heaters of the 100th series 0.5-0.65 kW, price 3.4 thousand rubles | "Siberia M" - power 0.6 kW, price from 1 thousand rubles | "Xin Ji" (China) - power 1.8 kW, price from 1.5 thousand rubles | "Hotstart" - power 0.25 kW 220 V, price - 9700 rubles. |
The most democratic in terms of price are electric preheaters. They are easy to maintain, and do not fail even in the most severe frost. However, they have the only drawback - they need a 220 V socket. Although the external ones from the Keenovo company also have a heater powered by the 12 V on-board network, the cost is from 3.5 thousand rubles.
Effective heating of the motor is possible only with the help of special devices that act directly through the cooling system circuit. So experts say, citing a lot of facts as evidence.
Block
For our motorists, in terms of affordable prices, heaters that are built into the cylinder block are suitable. They are also quite simple in terms of design, as they are endowed only with a connector and a heating element. Other attachments, clamps and additional components are not provided in such a heater.
Preheater Defa
The heaters of devices built into the business center are not very powerful, 400-750 W is the maximum. They do not give a quick result, and they are powered by a stationary 220 V / 50 Hz outlet, so you can use the heater mounted in the engine block only in the garage or by throwing an extension cord near the house. On the other hand, due to the fact that the BC is heated, the engine warms up in the center and evenly.
Advantages of built-in block heaters:
- One of advantages of built-in heaters is an ability to work for a long time. Due to their low power, it is not necessary to constantly monitor them - they will not spoil the antifreeze, so you can leave them operational all night or day. If it is nevertheless necessary, it is recommended to control the heating process, at least for household, economical purposes. use a regular mechanical timer. It is inexpensive and versatile in operation. Of the shortcomings - buggy in the cold.
- It should also be noted safety of use. As a rule, the kit includes a heat-insulating fabric that does not allow the insulation of nearby wires to melt and the energy to spread into the surrounding space, thus increasing the efficiency of the device.
- Easy to install, also by the way, one of the advantageous features of such heaters.
Longfei Block Heater
There are only two disadvantages:
Long heating time And the need for a fixed socket 220 volt. Since, for example, at an ambient temperature of about 0 ° C, a 600 W heater will heat up the liquid for one hour. If the temperature is -10 ° C, then the time will increase to two hours. And if you buy a budget one with a power of 0.5 kW, then even longer.
Today, among the numerous models budget segment built-in heaters, electrical equipment from Defa and Kalix stand out. They cost, complete with a wire and a plug, no more than 4 thousand rubles.
The system can be easily supplemented with all sorts of useful equipment. For example, you can add a start timer, a remote control, a battery charger, a cabin fan heater, and more. However, this will already cost more than 25 thousand rubles, not counting the funds for installation.
There are also domestic block heaters, but their use is limited. For VAZ engines, a device with a price of 1.3 thousand rubles is suitable. You can buy Start-mini equipment for an even lower price, which is suitable not only for domestic cars, but also Japanese or Korean, such as Toyota or Hyundai.
We present for you popular models built-in heaters.
| Model | Description and features | |
|---|---|---|
| "Start Mini" | Voltage 220 V, power 600 W, installed instead of the technological plug of the block with a bore diameter of 35 mm. The seating depth is 11 mm, the body height is 50 mm. The heater is suitable for cars: Toyota with 4A-FE, 5A-FE, 7A-FE, 3S-FE, 4S-FE, 5S-FE, 1G-FE, 1GR engine; Hyundai Accent with G4EC -1.5L engine; Hyundai Elantra XD with G4EC -1.5L and G4ED -1.6L engine; Hyundai Tucson with G4GC -2.0L engine; Hyundai Trajet with G4GC -2.0L engine. | 1300 rubles |
| DEFA, heaters of the 100th series (from 101 to 199) | Power is 0.5 ... 0.65 kW, voltage 220 V, bore diameter 35 mm, weight 0.27 kg. | 3400 rubles |
| Calix-RE 163 550W | Power - 550 W, voltage - 220 V, suitable for use with Duramax DAIHATSU Rocky 2.8D, 2.8 TD/FIAT Argenta 2000iE, 120iE/ FIAT Croma 2.0 turbodiesel/FIAT Daily diesel/FIAT Ducato 1.9 D, TD/1987-1998/ 2.5 diesel, turbodiesel/1995/FIAT Regatta/Regata diesel/FIAT Ritmo 130 TC/diesel/FIAT Tempra 1.9 turbodiesel/FIAT Tipo 1.9 diesel, turbodiesel/FIAT Uno diesel, turbodiesel/FORD/NEW HOLLAND FORD 1900, HYUNDAI H-100 2.5 D/1993-1998/D4BA, IVECO Daily 2.8Tdi/2002/diesel/turbodiesel, MITSUBISHI Galant 2.3 turbodiesel/ MITSUBISHI L200 2.2 diesel 2WD/2.5 diesel 2WD/MITSUBISHI L300 2.5 diesel 2WD /2.5 diesel 4WD/ MITSUBISHI Lancer Evo 9 2.0 16V / 2006- /4G63, MITSUBISHI Lancer Evo VI, EVO VIII 2.0 16V / 4G63. MITSUBISHI Pajero 2.3 turbodiesel / 2.5 turbodiesel, SEAT Malaga 1.7D. | 5000 rubles |
| Calix-RE 167 550W | Power - 550 W, voltage - 220 V, suitable for such cars: Matiz 0.8 / A08S, 1.0 / ¤B10S, Spark 1.0 / 2010- / B10D1, 1.2 / 2010- / B12D1, NISSAN Monteringssats, 300 ZX / VG30, Almera 2.0 D/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, Patrol 2.8TD / RD28T, Prairie 1.5 / E15, 1.8 / CA18, 2.0 / CA20, Stanza 1.6 / ¤CA16, 1.8 / CA18, Sunny 1.3 / 1984- / E13, 1.4 12V / 1989-1991 / 1.5 / 1984- / ¤E15, 1.6 / -1988 / ¤E16, 1.6 12V / 1989-1991 / ¤GA16, 1.6 GTI 16V / ¤CA16, 1.7D / ¤CD17 1.8 GTI 16V / CA18 Monteringssats LT 31D/Perkins, VOLVO BM/VCE/VOLVO CE MonteringssatsEC 15C-/D1.1, EC18C-/2010-/D 1.1 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 | 4900 rubles |
| Calix-RE 153A 550W | Voltage - 220 V, power - 550 W, works with the following machines: 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 /ROVER 825, 827- / -1995 / | 7200 rubles |
branch pipes
In addition to devices built into the business center, there are also systems for in-section installation of thick pipes. They differ in the presence of an adapter case. Installation does not carry any special complexity, the return is not bad. but there is a minus– electric heaters from this series are designed for standard nozzle diameters.
Defa and Kalix produce not only block heaters, but also branch pipe heaters. They are also made in our country, being sold at a very low prices. But such options for heaters are intended only for VAZ, UAZ or Gaz models of cars.
There are also universal models equipped with a hardened case. However, they are hardly suitable for foreign cars.
Electric heaters have gained the greatest popularity in our country, as they are structurally easy to install and universalized. Them easy to cut into the contour using attachments. They are equipped with powerful heaters, the power of which reaches 2-3 kW.
Remote
Of particular note are electric heaters, called remote. They are more complex in design, imply the presence of hoses, thermostats, clamps, etc. domestic producers, such as Severs-M, Alliance and many others.
Longfei Heater Installation (Xin Ji)
A foreign manufacturer of such equipment is also popular in Russia. This is the US Hotstart TPS. The equipment costs at least 6.8 thousand rubles, but it can only be purchased on order.
Models with forced coolant circulation deserve special attention among electric heaters. The options for electric heaters were discussed above. with natural circulation.
So, the most famous among this series are systems from the same American Hotstart (price 23 thousand rubles). There are also cheap domestic options, costing no more than 2.4 thousand rubles. Chinese heaters are also known, such as Xin Ji, at a price of 1.5 thousand rubles. Their power does not exceed 1.8 kW.
Disadvantages of electric heaters:
- Requires a 220V household outlet.
- Mandatory opening of the hood to access the fork. These difficulties sin the old Russian models of heaters. Modern ones have bumper connectors.
- The reliability of some models is not impressive. Cases of domestic and Chinese heaters are especially weak, they let antifreeze through and are leaky. An experienced installer initially puts the cover on the sealant.
- Low quality of additional equipment (again, we are talking about sets of Russian or Chinese production). It is advisable to replace attachments with imported hoses, plastic adapters with duralumin, flimsy holders with strong and wide clamps.
Advantages of electric heaters:
- Installation of heaters is inexpensive, even in the capital's car services. The approximate price is 1.5 thousand rubles. You can easily put it on your own, but you can’t do without specific knowledge.
- The widest model range and unpretentiousness in operation.
heating plates
Also recently, the so-called heating plates, which are installed on the engine housing, cylinders, crankcase, and so on, have become increasingly popular. These heaters are used not only in cars, but also in other equipment - generator sets, microprocessor technology, engines of boats, diesel locomotives and electric locomotives, and many others.
The heating plates work on the basis of heat electric heaters (TEHs). Most of them can be connected both to a stationary network with a voltage of 220 V / 50 Hz, and to the vehicle's on-board electrical network (12 V DC). Power can be different, the interval is from 100 to 1500 watts. And the temperature developed by various plates is +90°С…+180°С. As for installation, the devices are attached with an adhesive film (the surface must first be cleaned and degreased).
Electric heating plates cannot be used for heating batteries. Other devices are used for these purposes.
A feature of the heating plates is that they are designed for continuous operation. That is, with their help it is impossible to quickly warm up / heat up the engine or its individual elements. Although there are separate high-power models that work with a time relay.
The advantages of heating plates include:
- Economy. Using electricity will cost you less than using liquid fuels.
- Reliability and durability. Most electric heating plates do not need repair and routine inspections, they do not need to be contacted by service centers. In this case, manufacturers, as a rule, establish significant warranty periods.
- Easy to install. Most heating plates are simply glued to the heated surface using the adhesive film that comes with the heater. Installation can be done independently, without seeking help from a service station.
- Abrasion resistance. The surface of the heating plate is covered with a special material that is resistant not only to abrasion, but also to significant mechanical damage.
- Safety of use. This applies to both the driver and the elements of the car itself. The heating plates are well protected from moisture and small particles getting inside them (the degree of dust and moisture protection is IP65 for most models).
As for the disadvantages of heating plates, they should include:
- High price. The payoff for the benefits described above is high cost.
- Battery wear. Due to the fact that the plates use electricity from the battery to operate, the driver must constantly monitor the condition and performance of the latter. Up to replacing it with a more capacious and / or new one.
However, as practice shows, electric heating plates are very convenient to use, and their purchase justifies itself, especially in regions with a cold climate. Therefore, we would recommend that you, if possible, buy heating plates and use them for installation as an alternative to conventional engine preheaters.
Now we present to your attention several popular plates used by car owners.
| Models | Description and features | Price as of autumn 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Keenovo Flexible Heating Plate 100W 12V | Specific power - 0.52 W / cm². Maximum temperature +180°С. A feature of the plate is the presence of a high-temperature self-adhesive surface on one side of the plate, as well as the presence of a porous surface on the other side to reduce heat loss. The size is 127×152mm with a 5mm jaw. The plate is designed for autonomous preheating engine with a working volume of up to 3 liters, has an adhesive layer that provides maximum adhesion between the plate and the surface at elevated temperatures. The plate has an additional layer of thermal insulation in the form of a porous sponge, which provides heating of the oil layer necessary for a warm start of the engine in about 15 minutes of operation. | 3610 rubles |
| The maximum heating temperature is +90°C. There is an additional rheostat for setting the temperature. Ideal for installation on the crankcase and engine block, hydraulic and transmission elements, as the dimensions are 127 × 152 mm. The coating of the plates is resistant to friction. Supplied with 100 cm cable as standard. | 3650 rubles | |
| Keenovo Flexible Heating Plate 250W 220V | Maximum temperature +150°С. Dimensions 127×152 mm. Ideal for installation on the crankcase and engine block, hydraulic and transmission elements, various types of pumps. The coating of the plates is resistant to friction. Supplied as standard with a 100 cm cable for power from a 220 V socket | 3650 rubles |
| Hotstart AF10024 | Power supply 220 V, power 100 W, dimensions 101 × 127 mm. | 7900 rubles |
| Hotstart AF15024 | Power supply 220 V, power 150 W, dimensions 101 × 127 mm. | 9700 rubles |
| Hotstart AF25024 | Power supply 220 V, power 250 W, dimensions 127 × 152 mm. | 9700 rubles |
Autonomous heaters
Otherwise, they are called fuel, as they operate on fuel. The principle of their operation is reduced to the following: the pump pumps gasoline or diesel fuel from the fuel tank into the combustion chamber. The mixture is ignited by a hot ceramic pin (the latter requires a small fraction of the current to heat up, unlike a metal one).
Eberspacher Hydronic D4W installed on a car
As a result of heating the heater, warm liquid circulates throughout the system, giving off heat to the internal combustion engine and the furnace radiator. As soon as the temperature reaches more than 70 gr. Celsius, the stove includes a semi-mode and a standby mode. That is, the device does not operate at full capacity, however, when the temperature drops below 20 gr. the cycle repeats, which explains the name - autonomous heater.
Autonomous heating system car engine has different modes of operation. For example, summer, when the air inside the car is blown occasionally by a fan. If such a system is involved, the presence of an air conditioner is not needed, because it is easy to lower the temperature in normal mode.
The autonomous heater is switched on different ways, but the timer was and remains the simplest. It is located inside the machine, it can be programmed and set for any duration of operation.
Turning on with a timer is very convenient. For example, if a motorist goes to work every day, then the timer can be set to the same turn-on time.
How Webasto Thermo Top Evo works
If a variable schedule is more suitable, then it is better to use the remote control to turn it on. It is capable of operating within a radius of up to 1 km. In other words, the heater can be turned on from the balcony of a multi-storey building.
Another control option is the GSM module. You can use it from a regular smartphone, controlling the operation of the module through commands. Theoretically, the GSM module can be connected from anywhere in the world, as long as the car is in the coverage area.
The most popular devices of this type in our country are Webasto and Eberspascher. Their models designed for both foreign and domestic cars from different type and engine size.
Of the Russian manufacturers, Teplostar loudly announced itself, producing products that are almost twice cheaper than their foreign counterparts.
Table of autonomous heater models
Disadvantages of autonomous heaters:
- Difficulty of installation. This is not an electric heater that you can easily install with your own hands.
- High cost. They are even higher basic models, without additional components. In addition, the installation of such equipment is highly appreciated - at least 8-10 thousand rubles. And the more difficult it will be to find a place under the hood for installation, the installation will be more expensive.
- Battery dependency. You should always keep a recharged and reliable battery under the hood.
- Some models are dependent on fuel quality. It is recommended to pay attention to this, regularly carry out diagnostics and cleaning.
Advantages of autonomous heaters:
- Offline mode, no need to depend on external power sources.
- Super efficiency and the possibility of long continuous operation. On cold winter days, the interior of the car and the internal combustion engine can be heated up to operating temperature at a fuel consumption of less than 1 l / h in just 40-50 minutes.
- A wide range of ways to engage and program.
It will now be much easier to make a choice in favor of one or another heater. If financial resources allow, then it is better to install a standalone option. For other cases, you can choose a good and quite effective electric heater.
In the northern regions, the problem of starting the engine in the cold is always relevant - frost thickens the oil, making crankshaft cranking more difficult and worsens fuel evaporation, reduces battery current output. Even the difference in thermal expansion of individual parts plays a role: the piston with a floating pin bites it in the cold, and the lower head of the steel connecting rod compresses more than the cast-iron crankshaft.
Therefore, having started the engine, it is necessary to warm it up so as not to risk breakage at the beginning of the movement. Here, the minus of diesel engines is revealed: at idle they slowly heat up even in summer, while in winter it is impossible to warm up a diesel engine in morse. Progazovki in the cold - a considerable risk of cranking the crankshaft liners, badass camshaft beds.
The practice of preheating an engine is as old as cars themselves - and you can now see how the engine is heated with a blowtorch. But this method is inconvenient and unsafe. So both home-made and factory engine preheater systems appeared a long time ago and continue to remain relevant.
Operating principle
The idea of an engine preheater is simple: since the engine is filled with antifreeze, then by heating the antifreeze from an external source, it will be possible to evenly heat the engine itself. The working gaps between the parts will return to normal, the oil will warm up (it will heat up in the sump from the heat of the crankcase and, on many machines, after starting, it will begin to pass through the antifreeze-oil heat exchanger) and the intake manifold. For diesel engines and engines with distributed injection, this is less relevant; for a carburetor engine, heating the manifold and the carburetor itself in the area of \u200b\u200bthe system jets idle move necessary. The motor will also give off some of the heat to the gearbox, which is also important. Once in the car, you can immediately defrost the windows.
Preheaters are divided into two categories
- Electrical.
- Autonomous.
The simplest electric pre-heaters are heating elements in metal pipes cut into the lower radiator pipe. Such designs are self-made due to their simplicity, in the northern regions of Russia you can see cars with a 220V plug sticking out from under the hood. In Northern Europe, you can even find parking lots, where each parking space has a pole with a socket.
The minus of this is also understandable - the heating is slow due to the lack of forced movement of the liquid in the circuit. It is avoided by introducing an additional electric pump into the cooling circuit, but the need to connect the preheater to an external power source each time remains. But electric heaters do not lose popularity, there are interesting models, which warm up the engine and at the same time recharge the battery.
The liquid (autonomous) heater is connected to the electrical system, fuel line and cooling system.
But how to warm up the engine when there is no outlet nearby? The only option is to burn your own fuel. This is how autonomous preheaters are arranged: these are small stoves that burn fuel taken from the tank and heat the built-in heat exchanger. Such a starting preheater is easy to automate - connect a timer to it, a control output from an alarm. Thanks to this, in commercial vehicles, such models, for which you can even set a weekly heating schedule, are installed from the factory, and the name of the manufacturer of autonomous heaters Webasto repeated the fate of Xerox, becoming in colloquial language a synonym for preheating systems. 
Of course, autonomous heaters have their disadvantages:
- First, they need fuel - with an almost empty tank, you will be left with a cold car.
- In the same way, a battery charge is also needed - with an old battery, the engine will warm up, but the starter will no longer spin it.
Therefore, many heating systems integrated with on-board electronics are automatically blocked when the fuel level or battery charge drops below the critical level.
The fantasy is not limited to this, but its other fruits are considered rather curiosities. For example, thermal accumulators were invented - these are thermoses in which a certain amount of coolant is stored. While the motor is running, the heat accumulator is included in the general circuit and warmed up to operating temperature; when the motor is turned off, it turns off, retaining heat. winding up cold motor, the driver receives a dose of antifreeze that has retained heat again. It is difficult to take such developments seriously because of the short “shelf life” of the heat reserve and because of the dimensions. But they manage to be sold - these are the Canadian Centaur systems and the Russian AvtoTerm.
If we recall the unambiguously useless devices, then these are oil heaters inserted through the dipstick. Not to mention the inefficiency of heating the oil in the sump, the power of such “heaters” is so meager that they cannot heat the oil, uselessly discharging the battery.
Installation
Installation scheme Binar-5
The simplest electric heaters are easy to install - we drain the antifreeze, cut out a section of the lower radiator pipe to the desired length, insert the heater into the cut pipe, tighten the clamps and refill the antifreeze. It remains to stretch the wires so that the car is easy to "connect to the outlet."
Why does the electric heater crash into the bottom pipe? This speeds up heating due to thermal convection - heating systems without forced circulation also work. When inserting into the upper pipe, the antifreeze is heated in the radiator, and not in the motor - a closed thermostat will not allow liquid to flow into the unit due to convection.
Video: Making a do-it-yourself diesel fuel heater of the "external coil" type
If you do not have a cheap Russian heating element, but a more advanced device, then it crashes into the pipe going to the stove. Such devices are a monoblock that combines a preheater with a low power pump, therefore, they cannot be included in the main cooling line, which has a large flow area. But warming up the engine with them is faster, and at the same time, the salon stove is warming up at the same time.
For a number of motors, electric heaters are produced with the expectation of installation instead of technological motor plugs - for their installation, locksmith skills will be required, since you will first have to remove the necessary plug from the motor, and then hermetically install the heater in the hole of the block. It is better to entrust this to professionals, as well as the installation of an autonomous heater - this will require intervention in the engine fuel system, and proper placement of the heater exhaust.
The best models of electric preheaters
Defa
The Norwegian company is the leading manufacturer of this type of heaters. It produces electric heaters that crash into the block and are installed in the cooling circuit. The main advantage of Defa systems is modularity: the heater is complemented charger for the accumulator, the independent fan for salon, the inclusion timer. If desired, choose a heater model with a thermostat - such a heater is left constantly on, without the risk of overheating the motor and saving electricity, since when the set temperature is reached, the heater will automatically turn off.
Calix
Another Scandinavian company. In her model range universal heaters cut into pipes, they are simple, reliable and efficient. Modular design is also used: the buyer can configure the required system himself by purchasing additional control devices and battery chargers for a suitable heater. Owners diesel vehicles will appreciate the presence in the Calix model range of easy-to-install electric tank heaters.
severs
And this is the production of CJSC "Leader". With all the advantages of European heaters, the disadvantage is the price, so the proposals of the Russian manufacturer will not be superfluous.
The range includes simple convection heaters and Severs + models with forced circulation. The heater is supplemented with a timer and a battery charger.
Popular stand-alone preheaters
The German concern with a century of history is known primarily for autonomous heaters. OEM models are produced that are installed on conveyors by car factories themselves, and kits for self-assembly.
Each such set is created for a specific machine and therefore gets up with a minimum of possible modifications. For control, own blocks are used, interfaced with the heater by a proprietary digital bus. It is used in conjunction with modern alarm systems - for example, StarLine systems were able to control Webasto in the last generation. Thus, the start of the heater is carried out according to the timer and on command from the alarm key fob and mobile phone.
Eberspacher
The second German "titanium", the brand of which did not become a household name, except perhaps because of the difficulty of pronunciation for the Russian language. Branded Hydronic heaters are universal blocks, completed for a specific car model with their own installation kit. Airtronic air heaters are produced separately for cabins - they are relevant for commercial transport where the driver can spend the night in the cab in winter, while spending fuel on constantly heating the engine all night makes no sense.
Teplostar
The Samara manufacturer will be of interest to many: the prices for Webasto or Eberspacher products were considerable before the crisis, but now they have doubled. Teplostar's lineup includes models of starting heaters designed for different engine sizes, for different fuels and on-board network voltages. Interesting feature firms is that the heaters are equipped with GSM-modules: you can turn on the heater, if desired, from your own phone.
Video: Installing the Longfei engine pump heater
It is known that diesel fuel in winter is prone to an increase in viscosity and waxing, which makes it difficult or impossible to pump it through the fuel line pipes, and also worsens the conditions for mixture formation.
This applies especially to summer diesel grades, whose viscosity already at +3°C causes an increase in fuel consumption and a decrease in power. At -5…-7°C paraffin crystals begin to form, and at -12…-14°C diesel fuel is completely paraffinized and loses its filterability. Similar processes occur in winter varieties at lower temperatures. Thus, in order to ensure a stable supply of fuel through the fuel line, it is necessary first of all to solve the problem of the patency of the filter elements. The experience of operating vehicles both abroad and in our country shows that the best way to solve the problem of engine warm-up is local heating of the filter or heating of diesel fuel at the filter inlet.
"Two years ago, starting our work, we were faced with the fact that people know very little about diesel fuel heaters. Knowledgeable people bought heaters according to their needs, delivered them to the place with an opportunity and installed them on their own, - says Alexey Kashin, technical director of Princip. - So quite recently, only a select few had this equipment. Today, we are trying with all our might to convey to car owners that there is the necessary equipment for engine heating, and its installation is a real solution to the problem of uninterrupted operation. diesel engine in winter, in our Ural climate".
Specialized companies produce different types electric fuel heaters operating from the on-board network.
Photo source: website
To begin with, let's consider pre-heaters of fine filters and flow-through fuel heaters installed in the fuel line before the filter. Operating experience has shown high efficiency of their use for warming up diesel engines in climatic zones with temperatures up to -45°C.
If a pre-heater is used to provide the necessary throughput of the fine filter by reducing the viscosity of diesel fuel and dissolving the petroleum paraffins formed in it at low temperatures, then a diesel fuel flow heater is usually used to automatically heat the diesel fuel in the fuel line with the engine running.
For example, the PP6-2 model has electronic circuit control, which automatically turns on the engine warm-up when the fuel temperature drops to +5°C, and when this temperature rises, the heater automatically turns off. Versatility is its hallmark, as this fuel heater is suitable for installation in front of the fine filter on any type of vehicle.
Bandage heater PB and PBA. It is designed to provide the required capacity of the fine filter by reducing the viscosity of the fuel and dissolving the oil paraffins formed in it during frost. Warms up fuel filter and fuel in it in three to five minutes depending on weather conditions. Runs on battery and alternator. It has three standard sizes, as well as options with an off timer.
Due to the limited energy consumption of the battery and generator, it is practically impossible to heat diesel fuel along the entire fuel route in the field, and even more so in fuel tank. To this end, the NOMACON plant has developed and successfully produces a heated fuel intake, in which the source of thermal energy is hot antifreeze coming from the engine.
Photo source: website
It is designed for combined heating of diesel fuel directly in the fuel tank. At the same time, the fuel intake not only performs the functions of a standard one, namely, taking fuel from the tank and draining the "return", but also provides heating of diesel fuel during vehicle operation. Instead of a standard one, it is installed on such vehicles as KamAZ, MAZ, Ural.
Heating of diesel fuel is carried out by posistor heating elements installed at the inlet to the fuel intake. And constant (operational) heating occurs due to heat exchange with hot coolant supplied to the TP from the cabin heating system. The efficiency of such heating is ensured by a significant thermal power - up to 2 kW, released during the circulation of antifreeze in the heat exchanger, and the original design of the heat exchanger. The use of TP makes it possible to abandon intermediate heaters, since the heat stored in the fuel, which has a large heat capacity, is sufficient to prevent paraffinization of the filters on the way to the fuel pump.
The design itself implements the idea of heating diesel fuel in a thin layer, which is washed in volume by a hot coolant moving at a higher speed. It is recommended to use it, including in frost, when the intake of frozen fuel with a regular fuel intake is impossible. In different models, a decrease in the viscosity of diesel fuel in winter conditions is ensured by heating the fuel with an electric heater, heated coolant and hot "return".
However, there is an alternative to this equipment. For example, the "anti-gel" additive, which is poured into the tank together with the fuel when refueling. It costs, of course, not cheap, and the standard dose is only enough for a couple of refills. In addition, by buying low-quality or fake additives, the car owner can cause considerable harm to the engine. "We propose to simplify the process and reduce the cost of the car owner,- says Alexey Kashin. - A man prepares a car once before the start of winter. To equip it, purchase and install by this time all the components and elements of the fuel line, filters and tank on the car cargo type, its owner will spend, roughly speaking, 9 thousand rubles. Depending on the on-board network: someone has 12, someone has 24 V. We give a one and a half year warranty, that is, people can drive for three seasons without any problems at all. So the competitive advantage becomes clear".
Photo source: websiteAdditive "antigel" is poured into the tank when refueling along with fuel
Autonomous liquid heaters are designed to warm up a diesel engine in winter in an independent and programmable mode. They are installed in any way. vehicle, including in trucks, buses and special equipment. According to Aleksey Yakimov, Deputy Director of Avesto-Ural LLC, autonomous heaters owe their advantages primarily to programming capabilities. You can set any desired parameters, set the start time to the nearest minute. The simplest means of controlling engine warm-up is a mini-timer, smaller than a pack of cigarettes. It is designed to be programmed within the next 24 hours.
On the modular timer, which is slightly larger in size, it is possible to lay the program for the week ahead. In addition, you can choose a radio switch that looks like a small cell phone. It operates within 600 m.And the remote control, which fits in the palm of your hand, is generally something futuristic: a display, a built-in timer, and a range of up to 1,000 m.
Many car owners will surely appreciate the function feedback. Sitting at home or at work, they can find out, for example, what is the temperature of the air inside the car, or set an engine warm-up program without leaving the room.
According to experts' forecasts, in Yekaterinburg, the saturation of the diesel fuel heater market is about 30%. At the same time, if we do not take into account the regular installation of the heater, 40% of the total consumption falls on the cargo sector. Several manufacturers of fuel heaters, including foreign ones, are represented on the local market. An example is German company Webasto, producing Thermo Top heaters and Eberspacher, producing Hydronic.
Liquid heater "Gidronik" is connected to the cooling system, electrical network of the car and the fuel system of the car. The heating of the liquid in the cooling system occurs due to the heat released in the heater during the combustion of fuel. It warms up the engine and interior, saving fuel. The device has a diagnostic and safety system. The desired start time is selected using a digital timer. At the discretion of the car owner, Eberspacher offers several options for timers. One of the most popular today is EasyStart T - a "Comfort" class timer with the possibility of a seven-day preset. When "Hydronics" is turned on, the control lamp on the control panel lights up and the countdown of the heater's operating time begins. The duration of the work is from 10 to 120 minutes. Then the water pump starts to work and when the fluid circulates, the temperature of the fluid in the car's cooling system is measured by a special sensor. Depending on the received data, different operating modes can be set.
Photo source: site / trade /
Then, according to the program, the combustion chamber is pre-purged in order to remove the remnants of combustion products from the heater. After 45 seconds, fuel is supplied by the dosing pump. After the formation of a stable flame, which is monitored by a sensor, the glow plug is switched off and ignition fuel mixture comes from the walls of the combustion chamber.
The operating modes of the heater are provided by changing the composition of the fuel mixture supplied to the combustion chamber "Hydronic" in the ratio of the amount of air and fuel. When a certain temperature in the cooling system is reached, an additional relay turns on the car's standard electric fan, thereby providing interior heating.
When the liquid is heated to +85°, the supply of fuel and air to the combustion chamber stops and the heater goes into standby mode, in which only the water pump continues to work. When the liquid temperature drops, the heater is switched on again, and so on until the operating time set on the control has expired.
With the onset of cold weather (usually “sudden” for any of us), each car owner thinks about whether his car will start or not. And even if the battery coped with the difficult task and the “cold start” was successfully carried out, with this method of operation there are a number of negative consequences:
- engine parts wear out faster;
- the load on the battery increases: as a result, the service life is significantly reduced;
- engine has been running for a long time idling(and, this is not the most “useful” mode of operation for him).
Pre-heating of the engine will not only prolong the "life" of the engine without repair, but also greatly increase the comfort of using the car in winter.
The principle of operation and types of engine preheaters
All systems, regardless of design, installed in cars to facilitate starting the engine in the cold season, do not heat the engine itself, but increase the temperature of the coolant surrounding it (abbreviated as PZhD). Therefore, antifreeze, which saves the engine from overheating during movement, heated up with the help of a pre-start device, heats the engine elements, which contributes to its easy start (even at very low temperatures).
According to the principle of operation, all engine preheaters (both gasoline and diesel) are divided into two main groups:
- autonomous;
- electrical.
The first use the fuel of the car as a source of energy. To operate the latter, a 220-volt electrical connection is required.
Autonomous preheaters
This type of engine preheaters is the most functional, since it does not depend on connection to external energy sources (that is why they are called autonomous). However, their cost is higher than electric ones. Installing such an engine heating with your own hands, without having the necessary technical skills and sufficient experience, is quite difficult. In addition, self-installation of such high-tech devices leads to loss of warranty for the car.
On a note! If the heater is installed in an authorized center, then all warranty obligations remain.
And, despite the rather high cost, such devices are very popular. By analogy with autonomous heating systems for buildings, such devices are sometimes called boilers. Until recently, the most famous manufacturers of these products were the German "Webasto" and "Eberspacher (Hydronic)". But now Russian firms are worthy competition to them: Binar and Teplostar; as well as the Chinese "Belief".
Autonomous heating consists of:
- fuel pump;
- glow plug or glow plug (tungsten or cobalt);
- evaporation burner;
- combustion chambers;
- heat exchanger;
- blower motor;
- coolant inlet and outlet pipes;
- control unit.
The boiler is installed in engine compartment and built into the fuel and cooling systems of the car. The diagram below helps to understand how an autonomous heater works.
When the device is turned on (by a button, a signal from a timer, a block remote control or GSM module), the air-fuel mixture enters the combustion chamber and is ignited by a glow plug (or glow plug). When the mixture is burned, the heat exchanger heats up, which leads to heating of the coolant. The pump pumps antifreeze through the engine and the radiator of the standard interior heating system. When the liquid temperature reaches about 60ᵒС, the automation unit turns on the passenger compartment fan.
The Webasto Thermo Top Evo Start heater (5 kW power), designed for installation on cars with an engine capacity of up to 5 liters, with a programmable weekly timer and installation parts, costs about 25,000 rubles. The remote control unit (range of action is about 1 km) and the GSM unit (for the possibility of control from a mobile phone) are purchased separately. Installation at a certified dealer will cost no more than 8000÷10000 rubles.
Passive electric heaters
In Canada and all Scandinavian countries, practically all parking spaces are equipped with sockets where such heaters can be connected.
In our country, while such a service is offered only by a few paid parking lots. And, if you live in a private house or store your car in a garage, then, undoubtedly, this device will greatly facilitate your life in cold weather.
The most technically simplest and most cost-effective way to pre-heat diesel or gasoline engine before starting in winter - installation of an electric heater in place of one of the plugs of the engine block. Technologically, it is a conventional boiler of a certain size and power. The circulation of the liquid is carried out by gravity (the heated one rises, and the cold one goes down). The choice of product depends on the specific engine model. Devices are widely represented on the market for almost all brands of cars from a wide variety of manufacturers.
For example, an electric engine preheater from DEFA for the VAZ-ovskaya "tens" with a power of 550 W with additional spacer bars (for better fixation with inside cylinder block) and a sealing o-ring costs 1700÷1800 rubles. And for " Subaru Forester»A similar device (with a threaded mount) with a power of 600 W from the same manufacturer will cost 2600÷2800 rubles.
Depending on the type of plugs, manufacturers produce such devices for both threaded installation and pressing. The model is chosen depending on the type of engine itself.
Possessing even minimal technical skills, installing such a device for heating an engine from 220 V with your own hands (with a cable and a socket for connecting) is quite simple:
- partially drain the coolant (usually 2 ÷ 2.5 liters is enough);
- dismantle the plug on the cylinder block (closest to the central part of the engine to ensure better warm-up);
- insert a heating element instead;
- connect the electrical cable;
- socket for connecting the mains or bring it outside through the radiator grill (for those who are not very worried about appearance car), or we mount it in a convenient place on the front bumper (or under it).
To make it convenient to use such a device, you can additionally set an on / off timer.
Electric heaters with forced coolant circulation
Electric heaters with a pump (to ensure the circulation of heated fluid through the engine and the interior heater radiator) allow you to evenly warm up the entire engine. Although these devices are more expensive than passive electrical systems, they are much more efficient. The thermostat built into the housing automatically turns off the heating when the liquid temperature reaches 80 °C.
The installation of such a device is quite simple:
- drain the coolant;
- fix the body of the device;
- we carry out a tie-in into the standard cooling system (between the outlet from the cylinder block and the inlet pipe of the passenger compartment radiator);
- fill with coolant.
Russian engine heater from 220 V "Sputnik NEXT" (power from 1.5 to 3 kW, which is selected depending on the climatic conditions of operation and engine size) with a pump and automatic shutdown food costs from 2200 to 3200 rubles.
By supplementing such a relay device with a temperature sensor to turn on the stove fan, we can count on not only an easy start of the engine, but also a car interior warmed up to a comfortable temperature.
Flexible thermoplates
The devices considered above, built into the cooling system, do not provide oil heating in engines. This is their significant shortcoming. At severe frosts even a well-warmed engine cranks thickened oil is quite problematic. Flexible heating plates for engine preheating allow you to easily make homemade device, rather quickly (in just 20 ÷ 30 minutes) raising the temperature of the oil. Technologically, they are a heating element pressed between two layers of silicone. On one side of the plate, an adhesive (3M) is applied, on the other, a porous material with good thermal insulation. The power of one heating element is from 60 to 400 watts. Such devices are produced for connection to the on-board network of a car with a voltage of 12 or 24 V, or to a 220 V household electrical network. The cost of these products from Hotstart or Keenovo, depending on size and power, is 2000 ÷ 8000 rubles apiece.
With the help of such devices, it is easy to heat the engine oil pan or automatic box gears. One plate with a size of 127 x 152 mm and a power of 100 W is enough for a car with an engine capacity of up to 3 liters.
Installation of such products is quite simple:
- clean the installation site from dirt and paint;
- then remove the protective film and do not forget to glue the plate;
- apply a layer of sealant along the edges;
- we fix electric wires and drag them to the connection point.
By installing such plates (with a built-in temperature sensor) on the car tank and fuel filter, you can create a heating device fuel system diesel engine.
The main advantages of such devices are:
- Low power consumption.
- The possibility of using for heating a variety of components and mechanisms of the car.
- Ease of installation (standard vehicle systems remain unaffected).
- Autonomy (when using plates powered by 12 V).
In custody
Which heater is better to install on a car depends on your personal preferences, financial capabilities and parking space. By installing a heating system from a proven and well-established manufacturer, you will not only save time, but you will also be sure that your car will start even in severe frosts.
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 that 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 range 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. Same dimensions as the 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 |
Output
Having studied the advantages and disadvantages of heaters, we see that autonomous heaters are better. Therefore, if there is a financial opportunity, it is better to install a reliable autonomy right away. Among the electric ones there are convenient plate heating elements.
The video shows a test of the popular VIBASTO engine heater.