How to install engine heating. Which heater is better for the engine: electric or autonomous

In winter, many car owners experience problems with starting the power unit, as well as warming up the engine to the desired temperature. This is due to the mass of options for malfunctions, with the design features of the engine, as well as with the ambient temperature. If you are wondering if preheating the engine in winter makes sense, first think about your climate zone, the type of power unit and its normal operating temperature. The higher the normal operating temperature of the engine, the more sensitive the unit is to frost. For diesel power units, it is simply necessary to install a pre-heater for normal winter car operation. However, on many modern cars, this element is already installed at the factory. Almost all medium and high-end cars are equipped with pre-heaters.

Before installing the heater and disrupting the operation of the standard electrical network, read the instructions for your car. Perhaps the heater is present in the base, and you don't need a buyer for anything. But a standard heater can only warm up the fuel in the system during the trip, preventing it from freezing, and also increase the engine operating temperature. If you want a pre-heater to warm up the unit before starting, you will have to buy and install additional equipment. Consider the features of the operation of a non-standard heater and a modern car system.

Diesel car heaters - a necessity or a luxury?

As mentioned above, pre-heaters are often already installed on modern diesel vehicles. However, their functionality is very limited, which forces owners to think over options for additional equipment of the car. In particular, it is possible to install an additional device to warm up the engine cooling system before starting, or completely replace the pre-installed version of the heater with a more functional device. For a modern diesel car, the following functions of such an irreplaceable device as a preheater will be extremely desirable:

• heating the coolant in the engine to the normal starting temperature and safe commissioning;
• maintaining the temperature of the antifreeze at a certain level due to the low heat transfer of the diesel engine;
• heating the air in the cabin - sometimes with a diesel engine it is extremely difficult to arrange the desired climate in the car;
• warming up the fuel lines, which will help to avoid freezing of low-quality diesel fuel;
• heating the tank before starting and during operation, which will keep the fuel in the right state.

When exposed to severe frost, diesel fuel turns into a jelly-like mass. The engine simply will not be able to pass such jelly through the injectors, despite the enormous pressure in the system. Fuel freezing inevitably leads to significant powertrain problems. At the very least, the engine will stall and no longer want to start. Without a pre-heater, it will be extremely difficult to drive a diesel engine in winter. This is fraught with stopping in some deserted place and the car's refusal to perform its main functions. If you do not want such an outcome, it is better to buy an electric heater and install it correctly in the system.

Gasoline engine - do I need a preheater?

In the case of a gasoline unit, everything is somewhat more complicated. There is an opinion that a preheater is not needed for a car with a gasoline engine. In fact, in extreme frosts and this type of unit is extremely difficult to start, therefore such a convenient and functional device clearly does not hurt. However, high-quality heating can be convenient for those drivers who dream of automatically starting their car. By remotely starting the preheater or setting a timer, you can achieve the same effects as with a self-triggered alarm:

• the engine will warm up before you arrive, you can sit down, start and immediately start moving;
• a certain comfortable temperature for you will be pumped in the cabin, subject to the presence of a climate module;
• the heater can be started remotely much easier than the car is started, especially in frost;
• with the help of the heater, the operating conditions of the engine will be noticeably changed, the operation will be improved;
• the heating device can also easily help the standard climate system in heating the passenger compartment;
• you can set a timer or control the functions of the heater remotely from the remote control.

Today there are many types of heaters for gasoline engines. It is enough to choose the option that suits you in terms of functionality. This will help to completely get rid of the problems associated with starting the engine in cold weather, with a cold interior and other troubles. If you have to regularly face such problems in winter, it is better to protect yourself from them by installing a heating device before starting. It is better to choose a functional and time-tested heater, giving preference to the most well-deserved manufacturers in this context.

Heater complete set - choosing optimal functions

First, it is worth deciding on the global type of heater. This can be an option with a small gasoline engine and intensive heating of the coolant due to heating of the power unit, as well as an electric type of heater with a powerful heating element, powered by your car's battery. Each option has its own pros and cons. For a diesel unit, it makes no sense to install a gasoline heater. But when installing an electrical module, you may need to get a larger battery. The important functions of the preheater are as follows:

• heating the coolant with the possibility of passing it in a circle for uniform heating;
• an increase in the air temperature in the passenger compartment due to heating the liquid and turning on the fan or a separate climate module;
• work on the fuel system, warming up the tubes for supplying fuel fluid to the engine, as well as the tank;
• automatic switching on at a certain temperature after the car has cooled down in the parking lot;
• remote control of the pre-heater to obtain the desired functions;
• timer for a certain time of turning on the heater in order to ensure comfort in operation.

You can buy a heater from a variety of manufacturers. Today, diesel fuel preheaters have become widespread. But experts do not recommend installing them, because the quality of diesel fuel is relative, at -30 degrees most diesel fuel options turn into gel. As a result, even with the pre-heater installed, you will not be able to obtain the necessary operating conditions for the power unit. All that remains is to wait for the diesel fuel to melt and take on the desired shape. Not only that, many diesel vehicles will require cleaning after the fuel in the system has solidified. See an overview of autonomous heaters and some features of operation:

Summing up

A quality pre-heater will always be an interesting addition to your car. But if you live in a climatic zone in which there is never a frost of -40 degrees, then this purchase is not so important. Many people install affordable pre-heaters in order to replace autonomous engine start modules with them, because in this case, car owners receive the same functions at lower costs, as well as certain additional functionality for their car.

If you want to choose a pre-heater, use the forums and special sites with technical reviews. Most often, on such resources you can find truthful information, which is confirmed by the operating experience of a particular heater model. This will help you to more easily decide on one or another device option, as well as choose the fully suitable functionality. How do you feel about the idea of ​​installing an additional pre-heater on the car?

In the northern regions, the problem of starting the engine in the cold is always relevant - frost thickens the oil, complicating the cranking and worsens the volatility of the fuel, and reduces the current output of the battery. Even the difference in the thermal expansion of individual parts plays a role: the piston with a floating fit of the finger bites it in the cold, and the lower head of the steel connecting rod is compressed more than a cast-iron crankshaft.

Therefore, having started the engine, it is necessary to warm it up so as not to risk breakdown when starting to move. Here the minus of diesel engines is revealed: when idling, they slowly heat up even in summer, while in winter it is impossible to warm up a diesel in morse. Running in the cold - there is a considerable risk of cranking the crankshaft liners, scuffing the camshaft beds.

The practice of preheating the engine is as old as the cars themselves - and now you can 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 clearances 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 oil-and-oil heat exchanger) and the intake manifold. For diesel engines and engines with distributed injection, this is less important, for a carburetor motor, heating the manifold and the carburetor itself in the area of ​​the idle system jets is necessary. The motor will give part of the heat to the gearbox, which is also important. Once in the car, you can immediately defrost the glass.

Preheaters are divided into two categories

1. Electrical.
2. Autonomous.

The simplest prestarting electric heaters are heating elements in metal pipes, cut into the lower radiator pipe. Such designs are homemade 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 post with a socket.

The minus of this is also understandable - 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 that warm up the engine and at the same time recharge the battery.

The liquid (autonomous) heater is connected to the electrical system, the fuel line and the cooling system.

But how to warm up the engine when the outlet is not nearby? There is only one option - to burn your own fuel. This is how autonomous pre-heaters are arranged: these are small stoves that burn fuel taken from the tank and heat the built-in heat exchanger. It is easy to automate such a pre-heater - connect a timer to it, a control output from an alarm. Thanks to this, on commercial vehicles, such models, which can even have 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:

1. First, they need fuel - with an almost empty tank, you will be left with a cold car.
2. In the same way, a battery charge is also needed - with an old battery, the motor will warm up, but the starter will not turn it over.

Therefore, many heating systems integrated with on-board electronics are automatically blocked when the fuel level or the battery charge drops below a critical level.

The fantasy is not limited to this, but its other fruits are considered rather curiosities. For example, heat accumulators have been invented - these are thermoses in which a certain volume of coolant is stored. While the motor is running, the heat accumulator is included in the general circuit and warmed up to the operating temperature; when the motor is turned off, it is turned off, retaining heat in itself. Starting a cold engine, the driver again receives a dose of antifreeze that has retained heat. It is difficult to take such developments seriously because of the short "shelf life" of the heat supply and because of the size. But they manage to be sold - these are the Canadian Centaur systems and the Russian AutoTerm.

If we recall the unambiguously useless devices, then these are oil heaters inserted through the dipstick. Not to mention the ineffectiveness of heating the oil in the pan, and the power of such "heaters" is so scanty that they cannot heat the oil, uselessly draining the battery.

Installation

Installation diagram Binar-5

The simplest electric heaters are installed simply - we drain the antifreeze, cut out the section of the lower radiator pipe to the desired length, insert the heater into the cut pipe, tighten the clamps and re-fill the antifreeze. It remains to stretch the wires so that the car is easy to "plug into the socket".

Why does the electric heater bump into the bottom pipe? This speeds up heating due to thermal convection - heating systems also work without forced circulation. When inserting into the upper pipe, antifreeze is heated in the radiator, and not in the motor - a closed thermostat will not allow liquid to flow into the block due to convection.

Video: Making an external coil type diesel fuel heater with your own hands

If you have not a cheap Russian heating element, but a more advanced device, then it crashes into the pipe that goes to the stove. Such devices are a monoblock that combines a pre-heater with a low-power pump, so they cannot be connected to the main cooling line, which has a large flow area. But warming up the engine with them faster, and at the same time, the salon stove heats up at the same time.

For a number of motors, electric heaters are produced with the expectation of installing instead of technological motor plugs - to install them, you will need locksmith skills, since you will first have to remove the necessary plug from the motor, and then install the heater hermetically into the hole of the block. It is better to entrust this to professionals, as well as the installation of an autonomous heater - here you will need to intervene in the fuel system of the engine, and to correctly place the exhaust of the heater.

The best models of electric pre-heaters

Defa

The Norwegian company is a leading manufacturer of heaters of this type. It produces electric heaters, which both cut into the unit and are installed in the cooling circuit. The main advantage of Defa systems is modularity: the heater is supplemented with a battery charger, an autonomous fan for the passenger compartment, and an on timer. If desired, choose a model of a heater with a thermostat - such a heater is left permanently on, without risking overheating the motor and saving energy, since when the set temperature is reached, the heater will automatically turn off.

Calix

Another Scandinavian firm. In its model range there are universal heaters cut into the nozzles, they are simple, reliable and efficient. Modular design is also used: the buyer can configure the desired system by himself, by purchasing additional control devices and battery chargers for a suitable heater. Diesel vehicle owners will appreciate the easy-to-install electric tank heaters in the Calix range.

Severs

And these are the products of ZAO Leader. With all the advantages of European heaters, the price remains a disadvantage, so the proposals of the Russian manufacturer will not be superfluous.

The model range includes simple convection heaters and "Severs +" models with forced circulation. The heater is supplemented with a timer and a battery charger.

Popular autonomous pre-heaters

The German concern with a century of history is known primarily for autonomous heaters. OEM models are available, installed on conveyors by the car factories themselves, and kits for self-assembly.

Each such set is created for a specific car and therefore stands up with a minimum of possible modifications. For control, own units are used, which are interfaced with the heater with a proprietary digital bus. It is used in conjunction with modern alarms - for example, StarLine systems were able to control Webasto in the last generation. Thus, the pre-heater is started by a timer and by a command from an alarm key fob and a mobile phone.

Eberspacher

The second German "titanium", the brand of which did not become a household name, perhaps because of the difficulty of pronunciation for the Russian language. Branded Hydronic heaters are universal units that are equipped with their own installation kit for a specific car model. Airtronic air heaters are produced separately for cabins - they are relevant for commercial vehicles, where the driver can spend the night in the cab in winter, while there is no point in spending fuel on constant heating of the engine all night long.

Teplostar

The Samara manufacturer will interest many: prices for Webasto or Eberspacher products were considerable even before the crisis, but now they have doubled. Teplostar's model range includes models of pre-heaters designed for different engine sizes, for different fuels and voltage of the on-board network. An interesting feature of the company is that the heaters are equipped with GSM modules: you can turn on the heater from your own phone, if you wish.

Video: Installing the Longfei engine pump heater

What is it? 90 percent of motorists start the engine, not suspecting that, as a result, its wear and tear increases, starting becomes more difficult, the battery fails etc. The problem is exacerbated in winter, in cold climates. However, there is a good way out of the situation - to use preheating of the engine, which for a real Russian winter is a solid plus in all respects.

Electric engine heating

If earlier the heating of the internal combustion engine, due to the operation of the engine at idle mode, was considered the only effective option, although not devoid of drawbacks, today it is clearly inferior to the new method. And first of all it concerns the side, negative consequences of natural warming up.

Electric heater model table

The most affordable in terms of price are electric pre-heaters. They are both easy to maintain and do not fail even in the most severe frost. However, they have only one drawback - a 220 V socket is needed. Although the external ones from the Keenovo company have in their arsenal a heater operating from the 12 V on-board network, but the cost is from 3.5 thousand rubles.

Effective heating of the motor is possible only with the help of special devices acting directly through the cooling system circuit. This is what experts say, citing many facts as proof.

Blocky

For our motorists, in terms of a democratic price, heaters are suitable, which are built into the cylinder block. They are also quite simple in terms of design, since they are endowed with only a connector and a heating element. Other attachments, clamps and additional components are not provided in such a heater.

Defa preheater

Heaters for devices built into the BC are not very powerful, 400-750 W is the maximum. They do not give a quick result, and they are powered from 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 warming up, the engine warms up in the center and evenly.

Advantages of built-in block heaters:

1. One of advantages of built-in heaters is an the ability to work for a long time... Due to the low power, it is not necessary to constantly monitor them - they will not spoil the antifreeze, so you can leave them working all night or day. If it is nevertheless necessary, to control the heating process, at least for household, economical purposes, it is recommended use a conventional mechanical timer... It is inexpensive and versatile in use. Of the shortcomings - buggy in the cold.
2. Also it should be noted safety of use... As a rule, the kit contains a heat-insulating fabric that does not allow the insulation of adjacent wires to melt and energy to spread into the surrounding space, thus increasing the efficiency of the device.
3. Easy to install, also by the way, is 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. Because, for example, at an ambient temperature of about 0 ° C, a 600 W heater will heat 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 of the budget segment of built-in heaters, electrical equipment from Def and Calix stand out. They cost no more than 4 thousand rubles, complete with a wire and a plug.

The system can be easily supplemented with all kinds of useful equipment. For example, you can add a start timer, remote control, battery recharge, interior fan heater and much 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 for Japanese or Korean cars, such as Toyota or Hyundai.

We present for you popular models of built-in heaters.

Branch pipes

In addition to the devices built into the BC, there are also systems for installation in the cut of thick pipes. They differ in the presence of an adapter case. The installation does not carry any particular complexity, the return is not bad. but there is a minus- electric heaters from this series are designed for the standard diameter of the nozzles.

Defa and Kalix produce not only block heaters, but also branch pipe heaters. They are also made in our country, sold at very low prices. But such options for heaters are intended only for VAZ, UAZ or gas car models.

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 versatile. Their easy to cut into the contour using attachments. They are equipped with powerful heaters, the power of which reaches 2-3 kW.

Remote

Electric heaters, called external heaters, should be especially noted. They are more complex in design, imply the presence of hoses, thermostats, clamps, etc. They are produced by domestic manufacturers such as Severs-M, Alliance and many others.

Installing Longfei (Xin Ji) Heater

A foreign manufacturer of such equipment is also popular in Russia. This is the state-owned TPS Hotstart. The equipment costs at least 6.8 thousand rubles, but you can only buy it to order.

Models with forced circulation of coolant deserve special attention among electric heaters. The options for electric heaters were considered 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 cost of 1.5 thousand rubles. Their power does not exceed 1.8 kW.

Disadvantages of electric heaters:

1. You need a 220 V household outlet.
2. Mandatory opening of the hood to access the plug. The old Russian models of heaters are guilty of these difficulties. Bumper connectors appeared on modern ones.
3. The reliability of some models is not impressive. Especially weak are the cases of domestic and Chinese heaters, which are leaky and leaky. An experienced installer will initially place the lid on the sealant.
4. Poor quality of additional equipment (again, we are talking about sets of Russian or Chinese production). It is advisable to replace the attachments with imported hoses, plastic adapters - with duralumin, flimsy holders - with strong and wide clamps.

Benefits of electric heaters:

1. Installation of heaters is inexpensive, even in the capital's car services. The approximate price is 1.5 thousand rubles. You can easily do it yourself, but you can't do without specific knowledge.
2. The widest range of models and simplicity in operation.

Heating Plates

Also, recently, so-called heating plates, which are installed on the engine housing, cylinders, crankcase, and so on, have become more and more 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.

Heating plates operate on the basis of thermal electric heaters (TENs). 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). The power can be different, the interval is from 100 to 1500 W. And the temperature developed by various plates is + 90 ° С ... + 180 ° С. As for the installation, the devices are fixed with adhesive tape (the surface must first be cleaned and degreased).

Electric heating plates cannot be used to heat batteries. For these purposes, other devices are used.

A special feature of the heating plates is that they are designed for continuous operation. That is, they cannot be used to quickly warm up / heat up the engine or its individual elements. Although there are separate models of increased power, working with a time relay.

The advantages of heating plates include:

• Profitability... Using electricity will cost you less than using liquid fuels.
• Reliability and durability... Most electric heating plates do not need repairs and maintenance inspections, and they do not need to be taken to a service center. In this case, manufacturers, as a rule, set significant warranty periods.
• Easy to install... Most heating plates are simply glued to the heated surface using the adhesive tape that comes with the heater. Installation can be done by yourself, without asking for help at a service station.
• Abrasion resistant... 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 both to the driver and directly to the elements of the car. 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 price paid for the benefits described above is high.
• 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. Until 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 pays off, especially in regions with cold climates. Therefore, we would recommend that you buy heating plates whenever possible 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.

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 out gasoline or diesel fuel from the fuel tank into the combustion chamber. The mixture is ignited from a hot ceramic pin (the latter has a sufficiently small fraction of the current for heating, in contrast to a metal one).

Eberspacher Hydronic D4W installed on a car

As a result of heating the heater, a warm liquid circulates throughout the system, giving off heat to the internal combustion engine and the stove radiator. As soon as the temperature reaches over 70 degrees. Celsius, the stove includes half-mode and standby mode. That is, the device does not function at full capacity, however, when the temperature drops below 20 degrees. the cycle repeats, which explains the name - an autonomous heater.

The autonomous heating system of a car engine has different modes of operation. For example, in summer, when the air inside the car is occasionally blown by a fan. If such a system is involved, the presence of an air conditioner is not required, because it is easy to reduce the temperature in normal mode.

The autonomous heater is turned on in 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.

Switching on with a timer is very convenient. For example, if a motorist goes to work every day, then the timer can be set at the same turn-on time.

How Webasto Thermo Top Evo works

If a variable schedule is more suitable, then it is better to use a remote control to turn 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 an ordinary smartphone, controlling the work of the module through commands. Theoretically, the GSM module can be connected from anywhere in the world, as long as the machine is within the coverage area.

The most popular devices of this type in our country are Webasto and Eberspasher. Their models designed for both foreign cars and domestic cars with different type and volume of the motor.

Of the Russian manufacturers, Teplostar has loudly announced itself, producing products that are almost twice as cheap as their foreign counterparts.

Autonomous heater model table

Disadvantages of autonomous heaters:

1. Installation difficulty. This is not an electric heater that can be easily installed by hand.
2. High cost. Even basic models, without additional components, are worth an order of magnitude higher. 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.
3. Dependence on the battery. Always keep a charged and reliable battery under the hood.
4. Some models are dependent on fuel quality. It is recommended to pay attention to this, regularly carry out diagnostics and cleaning.

The advantages of autonomous heaters:

1. Standalone mode, no need to depend on external power supplies.
2. Super efficiency and the possibility of long-term continuous operation. On cold winter days, the interior of a car and internal combustion engine can be heated to operating temperature with a fuel consumption of less than 1 l / h in just 40-50 minutes.
3. A wide variety of engagement and programming methods.

It will now be much easier to make a choice in favor of this or that heater. If financial resources permit, then it is better to establish a stand-alone option. For other cases, you can pick up a good and quite effective electric heater.

An engine preheater is installed on various types of cars, heavy trucks, and special vehicles. Equipping this device makes it easier to start the internal combustion engine, increases the service life of the power unit, and also increases the comfort when using the car in winter.

On car models that are not equipped with a standard engine heating system, it is possible to install this device. However, during installation, you need to choose the right heater for the motor correctly, and install it correctly.

Why do you need a pre-heater?

Cold start of the power unit reduces its resource by 400-500 kilometers. In addition, not every attempt to start a car in winter ends successfully. It is most difficult to start the engine in the northern latitudes of Russia, where the drivers of heavy vehicles do not turn off the engine at night, thereby preventing it from cooling down. This affects fuel consumption and the resource of the power unit.

Previously, blowtorches were used to warm up the motor. The disadvantage of this method was that the flame could damage the car, in addition, certain knowledge and skills were required to work with this device.

To solve the problems of winter starting the engine, you need to purchase a pre-heater - a device that heats the engine and interior before starting the car. It significantly increases the service life of the power unit, increases the comfort of travel in a heated cabin and reduces fuel consumption.

Types of car preheaters

Prestarting car heaters, depending on the type of their power supply, and the field of application, are divided into:

• Electrical.
• Autonomous.

In turn, autonomous heaters are divided into:

• Air.
• Liquid.

Engine preheating systems are also divided according to the type of fuel used by the car. Different types of heaters are used for gasoline and diesel engines.

When installing, take into account the type of vehicle and the type of heater. If the device is selected incorrectly, heating the engine before starting will be ineffective or cause the brake fluid to boil.

Electric pre-heaters for 220 volts

The electric heater has a simple design. The coolant is heated - later it flows through the tubes of the cooling system and heats up the engine of the machine. Most often, an electric heater has a cord connected to a 220 volt outlet and a heating element.

The device, depending on the configuration, is equipped with a device for recharging the car battery, a timer with a thermostat, a fan, and a remote control.

Installation of such a device is quite simple and does not require a visit to a specialized service center. To complete it, you will need to carry out the following procedure:

1. Drain at least 2 liters of antifreeze.
2. Disconnect the pipe from the stove.
3. Install the heater. To do this, use the complete heater bracket.
4. Connect the car heater to the stove using hoses.
5. Connect the pipes to the stove, assemble the entire system.
6. Pour antifreeze or antifreeze.

As for the nuances of use, in most cases, it takes no more than 30 minutes to fully warm up the motor. However, at extremely low temperatures, the time will increase to 1–2 hours. The heating device, which is connected to the car heater, heats up the engine, the systems connected to it, and the interior of the vehicle. The heater should be used only if the air temperature does not exceed -5 degrees. In other cases, there is no need to use the vehicle heating system.

Do not exceed the engine warm-up time, this can lead to boiling of the coolant. In addition, overheating may result in a fire.

The average cost of an electric heater varies from 1,000 to 5,000 rubles, depending on the brand, country of origin and functionality.

In the Scandinavian countries, parking posts are equipped with 220V sockets, which allows you to put the car on warming up at any time.

Autonomous engine preheating system

Autonomous heaters are much more convenient than electric ones, as they can function without being connected to a 220 volt network. However, such devices are more expensive and difficult to install. The device is a small chamber, inside of which a drip pin and a fuel-air mixture are placed. The chamber walls have a constantly circulating coolant, which, when warmed up, warms up the engine, interior and helps to defrost the glass.

A self-contained heater is mounted either in the vehicle's cooling system or in the power supply system. Equally applicable to both gasoline and diesel engines.

Autonomous heaters are divided into:

• Liquid.
• Air.

Liquid autonomous heating devices intended for SUVs, minivans and compact cars. The preheating device, designed for small cars, is installed on cars whose engine volume does not exceed 2.0 liters. Differs in high efficiency. The heaters intended for use on SUVs and minivans are large and efficient. However, they consume much more fuel. You can also find universal heating systems on sale; they can be used with equal success both on large cars and small cars.

Air ones are much larger than liquid ones, but they also generate more heat. They are used on ships, airplanes, special vehicles and large trucks.

Heat accumulators

Heat accumulators belong to the liquid type of car heater. The essence of the work lies in the fact that the tubes of the car's cooling system pass through such a battery. During engine operation, excess heat accumulates in the battery and remains there for up to 48 hours. When a cooled engine is started, the pump turns on and when antifreeze or antifreeze is pumped, heat is transferred to the cooling system.

The main advantage of such a device is high heating efficiency and long heat retention. The disadvantages include the complexity of the installation, and the need to replace the component parts of the device. Over time, valves, tubes and control levers wear out. Also, the disadvantage of operation is its cost. On average, a heat accumulator will cost a car enthusiast 7-8 thousand rubles.

When purchasing a heat accumulator, you should not purchase models made in China or Russia. It is best to pay attention to devices made in Scandinavian countries. These heaters boast high quality, good heat retention and efficiency.

Diesel fuel heaters

Under the influence of low temperatures, diesel fuel loses its fluidity. Diesel oil becomes cloudy, crystallizes and paraffinization occurs. As a result, the fuel becomes thick, which makes it difficult to pump through the filters, or completely makes it impossible.

One of the devices that makes it possible to protect diesel fuel from freezing is a preheater. Thanks to its use, the fuel in the tank and in the filter-separator is warmed up. For these purposes, the following types of heaters are used:

• Heated fuel intakes and heaters in the tank.

One of the most common options. After the end of warming up, diesel fuel enters the fuel line. Heat is retained due to the flow of heated diesel fuel from the "return".

• Bandage heaters (in the form of a flexible tape).

The fine filter is warmed up, the device control button is located in the car interior. After reaching the operating temperature, the heater switches off automatically.

Popular models of preheaters

Among the models of preheaters, the following devices are especially popular:

Device made in Germany. Refers to compact heaters, economical in energy consumption. Powered by a car battery. In the cold season, the engine warms up quickly and efficiently. In summer, it can ventilate the interior of the vehicle.

• Teplostar 04TS.

Domestic heater produced in Samara. Powered by a 220V socket, it is simple and efficient to operate and maintain. Many motorists will appreciate the relatively low cost of this device. A special feature is the remote control of the device. Also, in the event of a malfunction, the operation of the preheater stops.

Norwegian heater of non-autonomous type. In addition to the main function of warming up the engine, it can recharge the battery (this option is useful, since the battery loses its power significantly in the cold). The buyer has the opportunity to purchase the basic and advanced kits, and combine them at their own discretion.

When buying a pre-heater, you should not save. Diesel heaters or heat accumulators, with poor-quality assembly, can quickly fail, and technical fluids can get into the engine compartment of the car. This will result in smoke or fire.

Summing up, it should be said that the use of a heater significantly speeds up the process of starting a car, saves fuel, and also makes traveling in a car more comfortable by warming up the air in the vehicle's interior.

Below is a video about car pre-heaters

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

A cold start of an engine is a difficult test for all its systems, comparable to several tens of kilometers of run 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 almost reaches the spine, and the steam from breathing strives to freeze on the windows. But how nice it is to sit in the salon, where the temperature is almost room temperature, to throw off the gloves, hats and scarves that restrict movements and not wait for the frosty glass to thaw ...

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

Liquid heaters: g we vote for autonomy

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

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

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

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

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

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

Heat accumulator: we store heat for future use

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

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

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

Electric heater: looking for an outlet

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

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

Only without amateur performances!

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