The principle of operation of the engine heater in the pipe. We install a pre-heater in the car. Liquid engine heater

An electric engine preheater is one of the most affordable devices among other types of on-line pre-start systems for a car.

You can, of course, start the engine on a cold one, but, firstly, this is fraught with increased wear on the entire motor system, and secondly, it is much more pleasant to sit in a warm, preheated interior on a cold winter morning. Therefore, it is wiser, and in the future more economically in terms of Maintenance, will take care of the early heating of the engine by installing special heating elements in the cooling system circuit of your car. Since heating devices operating on electrical principle there are different power and types, you should take into account the time required for your engine and interior to reach the desired temperature, on average it takes up to half an hour.

What types of electric engine heating are the most common:

An electric engine heater of a remote, external type, which receives energy for its operation from an alternating current network of 220V. Its heating elements are made of quality materials They are durable and low maintenance. The only feature that should be taken into account is the underdeveloped infrastructure of places where you can use the heating service. In the Scandinavian countries, in parking lots and near supermarkets, you can often find such small posts, just for this purpose. For our man, buying an external pipe heater definitely makes sense if the car owner has an equipped garage or the opportunity to use the electrical network in the car park, in which case this is an excellent solution.

Block-type electric preheater installed in the cylinder block or oil pan. The absence of many meters of wiring and hoses makes them extremely convenient and efficient heating elements. They act pointwise, they heat exactly the node that is primarily necessary for the safe and quick start of the motor. Heater control, that is automatic shutdown when a sufficient temperature is reached, it is carried out using a thermostat, or a timer. Although there are low-power models where this option is completely absent simply because they are not capable of bringing liquids to a boil, which means they are completely safe, even if you forget them turned on.

Most of these devices can be purchased as separate components, if you only need an electric preheater, or as complete installation kits for installation from Atlant, Defa, Calix, Severs, Start, Alliance, Lestar. In such kits, in addition to the heater itself, the following are often available:

- cabin heater block, which starts to work long before the standard stove
- control panel, operating range up to 1000 m on average
- a device for recharging the battery, a completely useful addition in a snowy winter
- pump, for a more uniform warm-up of the motor

You can buy a 220V engine heater, with a complete installation kit, in a specialized online store, it’s hard to run into low-quality goods or marriage here, which often happens when buying spare parts in spontaneous markets or flea layouts.

So, electric heater 220V engine, makes it possible to start the engine at any time of the year, easily and with minimal wear, reduces the burden on the environment and fuel consumption by up to 24%, harmful emissions by up to 71%, due to the use of safer electrical energy.

Installing an engine preheater costs an average of 5,000 rubles. It can be done both independently and contact our specialized car service. The masters will take into account the specifics of the provided cooling system and give their recommendations on the purchase and installation of a specific model or electric heater installation kit.

Preheater engine is installed on various types of equipment, ranging from civilian passenger cars and ending with heavy trucks, special vehicles, etc. Equipping with a preheating device for the engine and interior makes it easier, to increase the resource power plant and greatly increase the comfort of operation in the winter.

On machines that do not have a pre-installed heater, it is possible to separately purchase and install such a solution. At the same time, engine heating can be installed on almost any car model. The main thing is to choose the right required device of those options that are commercially available, as well as perform high-quality installation.

Next, we will consider what engine preheaters are, we will study the principle of operation of preheater. We will also try to answer the question of what advantages and disadvantages this or that type of engine and car interior heaters has from the general group of similar devices.

Let's start with the fact that there are several types of ICE heaters, which differ in the principle of operation, purpose, performance, dimensions and a number of other parameters and characteristics. As a rule, heaters are often divided into:

liquid autonomous;
electrical;

Now let's look at these solutions in more detail. So, the most common option is an autonomous liquid engine preheater. Many drivers are well aware of such devices by brands, Teplostar, etc.

Please note that autonomous pre-heaters are divided into liquid and air. Liquid heating is intended for heating the engine before starting, as well as for warming up the passenger compartment. The air heater allows you to heat only the interior, that is, the problem of cold starting the internal combustion engine in this case is not solved.

In this case, both types of heaters are autonomous. The devices take fuel (gasoline, diesel fuel) from the main tank or a separate tank (complete with an autonomous heater). This fuel is then burned in a small combustion chamber.

These solutions are economical, since fuel consumption is low, a minimum of electricity is also consumed, heaters are distinguished by a reduced noise level during operation. The versatility should also be noted, since the heater can be installed on a gasoline, diesel, gas or engine, engine with, etc.

As a rule, autonomous starting preheaters are installed in engine compartment, after which they are also connected to . The air heater does not need such a connection. The device is placed in the cabin, since its task is not to heat the coolant, but to supply heated air to the air ducts.

How an autonomous engine preheater works

Let's start with the fact that the liquid heater is a ready-made installation kit. The main elements are:

boiler with a combustion chamber;
liquid radiator;
lines for fuel supply;
fuel pump;
liquid pump;
thermal relay;
heater electronic unit;
governing bodies;

So, after the start signal comes to the device, the electric current begins to be supplied to the executive motor. This engine drives a special fuel pump, which is included in the design of the heater. At the same time, the fan also starts to work. The pump pumps fuel, after which the fuel evaporates in the evaporator. Also, air enters the heater.

As a result, a fuel-air mixture is formed, which enters the combustion chamber and is ignited by a spark on the spark plug. The thermal energy that is generated after combustion is transferred to the coolant in the cooling system through a special heat exchanger.

The coolant itself circulates. Circulation becomes possible due to the operation of the booster pump, which is included in the design of the heater. Thus, the liquid heated and circulating through the cooling jacket is able to transfer heat to a cold engine.

After the heating of the coolant reaches 30 degrees Celsius, the fan of the standard heater (stove) in the cabin turns on automatically. As a result, heated air is supplied to the vehicle interior. Then, when the antifreeze or antifreeze warms up to 70 degrees, the intensity of the fuel supply to the heater is reduced to save fuel. If the coolant cools down to 55 degrees again, the entire process described above will be repeated.

If we talk about air heaters, in this device the burner heats only the air, while not heating the coolant. In automatic mode, the device “orients itself” according to the air temperature in the passenger compartment or cabin. In other words, the heater maintains one or another air temperature set by the user, and also works for as long as the driver has programmed.

Both liquid and air heaters are equipped with various controls, which allows you to control the device not only from the vehicle interior, but also remotely. Among the main functions, it is worth highlighting the possibility automatic start preheater by timer, starting the heater remotely from the key fob or using mobile phone.

The principle of operation of the electric engine heating

The electric heater is a coil that is screwed into the engine block. An electric spiral is placed instead of a plug in the block. The principle of operation is quite simple. A current passes through the spiral, the spiral heats up, which makes it possible to heat the antifreeze or antifreeze as a result. Coolant circulation and heat distribution occurs naturally (due to convection).

Note that such heating is less efficient and also takes a lot of time. It is also important to understand that although an electric engine preheater is a more affordable and simpler alternative, it is largely inferior to air and water heaters.

The fact is that the electric heating of the engine is not autonomous. The device is powered by an external outlet, which in many cases becomes significant disadvantage. Another disadvantage is that such a solution consumes a lot of electric current.

To ensure that the coolant is heated to a certain temperature and then maintained at such a temperature, the owner himself sets the temperature range. Simply put, it comes with a timer that allows you to set the desired temperature. After the coolant is warmed up to the desired value, the coil is turned off.

Then, when the temperature of the liquid drops to a certain threshold, the device will turn on automatically again. We also note that the electric heater allows you to warm up not only the engine, but also the interior. After the coolant is heated, the regular stove fan turns on, after which warm air comes out of the air ducts. It is also possible to implement in parallel with preheating power unit.

Engine heating with a heat accumulator

This type of engine heaters is less common compared to other analogues. Similar solutions on the market are represented by Gulfstream, Autotherm, etc. systems.

The principle of operation of these heat accumulators is that after the coolant warms up as a result of engine operation, antifreeze or antifreeze accumulates in a special container, where it remains hot for up to 48 hours. The next time you start a cold engine, warm fluid enters the cooling system, which allows you to quickly warm up the engine and interior.

Engine preheater: pluses

As you know, engine wear is most intense at the time of its start. At the same time, low temperatures affect the viscosity engine oil(grease thickens), lubricating and protective properties deteriorate.

As a result, after a cold start, friction increases, in the first seconds the loaded parts experience oil starvation. Often, the elements wear out the fastest, and. At the same time, the ability to avoid a cold start and a quick warm-up of the internal combustion engine to operating temperatures suggests that the engine is operated in a gentle mode.

As can be seen, the presence of an autonomous or electric heating tel allows you to increase the service life of the engine, reduce fuel costs and improve the environmental friendliness of power units. It is also possible to achieve an increase in comfort during the operation of the vehicle in the winter.

Why do you need a pre-heater?

A 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 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 needed to work with this device.

For problem solving winter launch engine, you need to purchase a preheater - 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 traveling in a heated cabin and reduces fuel consumption.

Types of car preheaters

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

Electrical.
Autonomous.

In its turn, autonomous heaters are divided into:

Air.
Liquid.

Engine preheating systems are also divided according to the type of fuel used by the car. For petrol and diesel engines use different types of heaters.

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

220 Volt Electric Preheaters

The electric heater has a simple device. The coolant is subjected to heating - subsequently, it, flowing through the pipes of the cooling system, warms 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 battery machines, timer with thermostat, fan, remote control.

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

Drain at least 2 liters of antifreeze.
Disconnect the pipe from the stove.
Install heater. To do this, use the complete heater bracket.
Connect the car heater to the stove using hoses.
Connect the pipes to the stove, assemble the entire system.
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, with excessive low temperatures ah, the time will increase to 1-2 hours. The heating device, which is connected to the car heater, warms up the engine, the systems connected to it, and the interior of the vehicle. The heater must 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, fire may result from overheating.

The average cost of an electric heater varies from 1000–5000 rubles, depending on the brand, country of origin and functionality.

In the Scandinavian countries, parking lots are equipped with bollards equipped with 220V sockets, which allows you to put the car on warm-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 which a drip pin is placed, and an air-fuel mixture. The chamber walls have a constantly circulating coolant, which, when warmed up, warms the engine, interior and helps to thaw the windows.

A self-contained type heater is mounted either in the vehicle's cooling system or in the electrical power system. Applies equally to both petrol and diesel engines.

Autonomous heaters are divided into:

Liquid.
Air.

Liquid autonomous heating devices are intended for SUVs, minivans and compact cars. Pre-heating device for small cars, is installed on cars whose engine size does not exceed 2.0 liters. Differs in high economy. The heaters, which are intended to be used on SUVs and minivans, have big size and efficiency. However, they consume much more fuel. Also on sale you can find universal heating systems, 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 emit more heat. They are used on ships, aircraft, special vehicles and large trucks.

Thermal accumulators

Thermal accumulators belong to the liquid type of an automobile heater. The essence of the work is that the tubes of the car's cooling system pass through such a battery. During engine operation, excess heat accumulates in the battery and is stored there for up to 48 hours. When starting a cold engine, the pump turns on and when pumping antifreeze or antifreeze, 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 installation, and the need to replace the components of the apparatus. 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 motorist 7-8 thousand rubles.

When buying a heat accumulator, you should not purchase models made in China or Russia. It is best to pay attention to devices created in the Scandinavian countries. Such heaters boast high quality, good heat preservation and work efficiency.

Diesel fuel heaters

Under the influence of low temperatures, diesel fuel loses its fluidity. Diesel fuel 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 allows you to protect diesel fuel from freezing is a preheater. Thanks to its use, the fuel in the tank and the filter-separator are warmed up. For these purposes, heaters of the following types are used:

Heated fuel intakes and tank heaters.

One of the most common options. After the warm-up is completed, diesel fuel enters fuel line. Heat is retained by the supply of warm diesel fuel from the return.

Bandage heaters (have the form of a flexible tape).

Warm up the filter fine cleaning, the device control button is displayed in the car interior. After reaching operating temperature, the heater switches off automatically.

Popular models of starting heaters

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

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

Teplostar 04TS.

Domestic heater produced in Samara. Powered by a 220V outlet, easy and efficient to operate and maintain. Many motorists will be pleased with the relatively low cost this fixture. The remote control can be called a special feature. remote control device. Also, in the event of a failure, the operation of the preheater stops.

Norwegian non-autonomous type heater. In addition to the main function - 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 basic and advanced kits, and combine them at their own discretion.

When buying a preheater, you should not save. Diesel heaters or heat accumulators, with poor assembly, can quickly fail, and technical fluids to get in engine compartment car. This will result in smoke or fire.

In summing up, it is worth saying 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 interior.

Below is a video about car preheaters

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

A cold start of an engine is a difficult test for all its systems, comparable to several tens of kilometers in difficult conditions. The driver and passengers also have a hard time: frozen fingers do not hold the steering wheel well, the cold from the seats gets almost to the spine, and the steam from the breath tries to freeze on the windows. But how pleasant it is to sit in the salon, where it is almost room temperature, to throw off gloves, hats and scarves that restrict movement and not wait until the frosty windows thaw ...

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

Liquid heaters: g we vote for autonomy

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

The heater heats the fluid from the car's cooling system by pumping antifreeze through its heat exchanger. Heat is transferred to the engine and the 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 purging the combustion chamber, the liquid pump and the fan of the standard heating system to work. When the coolant temperature drops by about 20°C, the cycle repeats.

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

Turns on heater different ways. The simplest and most affordable is a timer in the cabin, with which you can program the on time and duration of operation. This is convenient if you regularly leave at the same time. With a variable schedule, remote control is preferable. The radio remote control operates within a radius of approximately one kilometer, if urban development does not interfere. It allows you to turn on / off the heater at a distance or program it. The most advanced solution is a GSM module that controls the stove through commands from a mobile phone. Theoretically, you can turn on the heating from anywhere in the world, as long as you and the car are in the network coverage area.

In Russia, the most popular devices are two German brands - Webasto and Eberspacher. They make car models different type and engine size, and offer a wide range of ways to start and control 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.

Thermal accumulator: we store heat for the future

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

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

For the first time, a thermal accumulator was proposed in Canada by the designer Oscar Schatz, where the first models of "thermoses" appeared under the Centaur brand, which is still considered the leader. However, the palm is disputed and domestic producers. Russia has its own successful developments, among which the Autoplus MADI brand is especially famous. Also, products of the AvtoTerm brand are being promoted in our market.

Electric heater: in search of an outlet

Another popular solution is suggested by a home boiler. What is easier - to mount the heater in the cooling system, of course, following the rules fire safety. Actually, this is what the simplest electric heater looks like, the connectors of which are usually displayed on front bumper and wired to a regular outlet.

But for the complete comfort of the basic set, perhaps, it is not enough. A logical addition would be a separate heating module with a fan that warms up the interior before the regular stove comes into action. One more necessary element- a device for recharging the battery - in cold weather it will not be superfluous. And if you can’t turn the system on and off in the cold, you can install a separate module with a timer or a remote control kit. True, price complete set differs from the original "boiler" at times. We, as well as in Europe, distribute the products of the Norwegian brand Defa, which is recognized as a model in this segment. There are also Russian analogues, for example, under the Severs brand.

Only without self-activity!

Popular technical thought in cold Russia was constantly looking for ways to start the engine in 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 flashed in semi-legal car markets. What is the electric spiral, which, according to the "designers", is inserted instead of the oil dipstick and connected to the battery. Not only does oil have low thermal conductivity, and heating it, “planting” a frozen battery, is not a promising business. It's not far from a fire or a short circuit. So it is better not to look for easy and cheap ways. No matter how much you want to revive a frozen iron friend, preference should be given only to proven certified products.

In winter, the driver faces many problems. First of all, they are associated with poor starting of the car engine. In order to solve this problem, experts advise installing special preheaters. These devices are able not only to guarantee the engine start in any weather, but also significantly reduce emissions exhaust gases in atmosphere. Thus, the driver has the opportunity to take care of the environment. Some models of starting heaters save the owner quite a lot of fuel due to their action. Direct friction between engine parts is greatly reduced. At the same time, the wear of important elements occurs much more slowly, which positively affects the performance of all nodes. The most inexpensive type of engine preheater is electric, built into the cylinder block, or placed next to it. In fact, this is a modified electric boiler. Only its main task is not to bring the liquid to a boil, but to heat it to such a state that the engine can start quickly in the cold season.

Everything is clear with this view: the power of the devices is only 400-750 W. Their purpose is to maintain a certain temperature regime directly in the cylinder block. In addition to the heating element and the wire leading to the 220-volt outlet, there are no additional sensors, pipes and other devices here. The pipe leading to the radiator is simply cut and a heater is inserted from both ends. Is a “boiler” with a wire not enough for you? Then it will not be superfluous to buy an ordinary timer, if accuracy up to every second is so fundamentally important to you. The most famous Russian heaters of this type are Homeless (from 1,200 rubles), Start-mini (from 950 rubles). The mentioned devices are mainly designed for cars domestic brands, such as VAZ, GAZ, UAZ, but are there any obstacles for domestic craftsmen?

In fairness, it should be noted that our motorists still consider a car primarily a luxury on which too much money has already been spent. People are somehow not ready to “spoil” their iron horses with expensive heaters, and therefore the popularity of models is growing, the cost of which does not exceed 2,000 rubles. The same cohort includes models with the names "Lestar", "Start M1", "Start M2", "Siberia-M", "Alliance".

What determines the power of the preheater?

First of all, the power of the preheater is associated with the limiting frequency of the device. Usually this parameter lies within 50 Hz, however, its deviations are possible. Additionally, the piston diameter is taken into account. Its size ultimately affects the rate of circulation of the flow. The higher the operating power of the device, the faster the temperature rises. Usually in the engine antifreeze is able to warm up to 60 degrees. The average heating time is 3 minutes. In this case, much also depends on the location of the preheater. As mentioned earlier, it must be securely fastened and not blown.

Scheme of the starting heater "Webasto"

The Webasto model has a standard installation diagram. The pre-heater of the engine in the central part has a tubular electric heater. To connect it to the impeller, a special sleeve is installed. The thermostat in this case is located at the top of the structure. Fuel is supplied from the side of the cylinders. Thus, the circulation flow of the device is quite high. The main chamber of the device is made of stainless steel, so the temperature keeps high. There is a pump under the control box. As a result, the power of the preheater can be adjusted.

Device model "Webasto 220V"

Preheater Webasto engine 220V differs from other devices by a volumetric heat exchanger. It is located immediately above the tubular electric heater. In this case, the piston has a small diameter. However, the impeller takes up a lot of space. The fuel supply to the system is controlled by a special sensor. In order to change the limiting temperature of the liquid, there is a control unit. In this regard, many models are equipped with a self-diagnosis system. Additionally, the engine preheater Webasto 220V is available with fans. In this case, they cope with overheating of the main camera of the device.

Installing a heater with your own hands does not require much time and some special knowledge. Almost every motorist who knows where the main working components of the car are located will be able to cope with the task. The installation process itself will take no more than 3 hours. But if there is no certainty that the installation will be performed normally, it is better, after all, to visit a technical station. When self installation should be followed detailed instructions. As a rule, it comes with the device.

SEQUENCE OF ACTION WHEN INSTALLING THE PRE-START HEATER FOR 220v. 1 . Drain the antifreeze from the system. The volume of the drained fluid must be at least 2 liters. 2 . Disconnect the pipe from the stove. In this case, it is better not to cut the "native" hoses that the cooling system is equipped with. It is better to connect the purchased hoses of the desired diameter. When connecting all the elements, do not forget to use the hose clamps that usually come with the heater. 3 . We install the heater using the bracket that comes with the heater. 4 . We connect it to the stove with hoses. 5 . We assemble the entire system, while it is important not to forget to screw back all the previously unscrewed nuts and tighten them well. 6 . Pour antifreeze or antifreeze to the desired level.

What power heater should I buy?

0.5kW- heating element power, which can be used in the parking lot to maintain constant temperature engine. This power is not enough to warm up the engine in severe frost. 1kW- heating element power, which is recommended to be selected for 8kl engines VAZ 2110, VAZ 2114 1.5kW- heating element power, which is recommended to be selected for 16kl engines VAZ 2110, LADA Priora, Kalina How long does it take for an engine to warm up to start a car in cold weather? The time is selected experimentally and depends on many factors (engine type, electric heater power, air temperature, etc.). Approximately: in order to start the VAZ 2110 16kl engine without problems in frost -30C using a 1.5 kW electric heater, you need to count on a heating time of 30-60 minutes. Of course, you can turn on the engine heater for a longer time, then the engine will be already hot, but there will be no boiling.