Heater Improvements

[Strawhead]

2.0 L Aircooled with heat exchangers!!

I think i have looked at all sites now imaginable in order to find out what i can do to improve heating. bearing in mind that this is almost a daily driver and i use to commute at least three times a week it really needs the extra heat!!

so far I have managed to:

1) Insulate all panels with foil wrapped bubble wrap from our local DIY store.
2) Carpeted and foil/ bubbled floor on top of existing tiles!.
3) Insulated heater tube from rear of van through to front.
4) Insulated heater tube behind front grills.

I do have heat coming through but the pressure of the heat would be hard pushed to lift a feather. does clear the window of condensation after about ten - fifteen minutes at motorway speeds!! but does not keep the cab warm, just about takes off the chill butthat is frankly not good enough.

The state of the heat exchangers leaves a bit to be desired but they do work and they are currently hopefully being welded up! no fumes coming through!

my plan is to fit an in line blower on the front tubing behind the grill in an effort to increase air flow into the van and touch wood the heating abilities of the existing system!! has any one done this. it is a 3" bore bilge pump that will be operated by a switch in the cab area, so heat can still be run through it when not on but hopefully vastly increased when on!!

There is a diesel eber as well but am hoping to keep this for stationary use as the suplemental abilities when in motion seem not that much better!!

I am hoping that someone wil have further suggestions for improvements or tweaking! when i first started the engine with the exchangers connected properly i got a load of "pooh" bits from the heater pipe on the floor in the cab is it likely that the pipe work could be blocked !!


all thoughts appreciated with thanks

Andy

[Team28crew]

Try Bluebird for the blower to push the heat http://www.bluebird-type2.co.uk/heat%20 ... %20ins.htm or go watercooled

[CovKid]

To be honest, new or good condition exchangers will kick out a fair bit of heat once engine is warmed up and all the lagging done. Do sympathise though as first thing in the morning it can be a bitter experience. You can take the chill off by putting the stove (if you have one) on for 3 minutes and if you do become blighted with a frozen windscreen, a hot water bottle slapped on the dash will help no end first thing. Or you can fit a 12v ceramic heater (loads on ebay) to ease the pain a little.

[Damien]

I've put a curtain above my bulkhead to block off back half of van, leave it on the driveway for 5 mins or so and its all clear and fairly warm even with a leaky pipe and no heater pods and the thermostat flaps stuck in the open position. That reminds me of a little job i have coming up

[72BUG]

I've piped my Eberspacher up to the heating ducts for the winter and it works a treat. Nice clear windscreen and toasty warm feet.

[dugcati]

Try Bluebird for the blower to push the heat http://www.bluebird-type2.co.uk/heat%20 ... %20ins.htm or go watercooled

Would be interested to know if anyone has used one of these - I looked at them earlier in the year with a " I wonder how much difference they make?" head on!

Whats this watercooled thing?

[..lee..]

best thing on a air cooler is an aux heater like an ebber. if its a daily get one with a timer and it`ll be toasty by the time you are ready to leave every morning and every night.

[Strawhead]

Thank you for all your comments.

I will let you know how the auxiliary blower goes. it only cost £21 and is suitable for marine applications, just a case of plumbing in over the next few days.

With four little children in the back they need to be kept nice and warm!!