All about liquid heaters for cars. Types of engine preheaters and the principle of their operation. Homemade preheater

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The engine preheater is a device that allows you to warm up the car engine without starting it. It will be especially useful to those drivers who live in places where the coldest winters. Thus, God himself ordered Russian drivers to acquire such a system. The dimensions and power of the engine heating device depend on the purpose.

vehicle interior;
windshield;
wipers.

The device includes:

A boiler with a combustion chamber and a radiator.
The piping system through which the fuel flows.
A pumping device responsible for pumping fuel and coolant.
Thermal relay that controls the fan.
Control block.
Launch system.

Types of preheaters, principle of operation

If a car enthusiast uses this device, he will greatly facilitate starting the engine of his car at low temperatures. An automotive engine heater warms up the engine by raising the temperature of the coolant, oil, and glow plugs.

Electric engine preheater

It is a device inserted into the cylinder block. It works from an external power supply and requires a voltage of 220V. The main component of such a device is a special electric spiral. When it is installed, a plug is removed from the cylinder block, which prevents the formation of ice. In its place, a spiral is mounted.

Operation of the engine preheater happens as follows.

Due to the strong voltage, the electric spiral heats up. The fluid is circulated by natural convection. This circulation option is less efficient than artificial circulation and wastes more time.

For the operation of the electric engine heater 220V, you will need a permanent connection to the network. In addition, it consumes a lot of electricity. A specially provided timer helps to save electricity a little, which monitors the temperature of the liquid and, when the desired degree is reached, automatically regulates the operation of the device.

When using the electric engine heating, the battery can also be automatically charged. This feature will be very useful for drivers in the cold season.

Autonomous starting preheater

Systems that provide autonomous heating of the engine, in turn, are divided into two types.

Autonomous liquid preheaters able to heat not only the engine, but also the interior of the car. They are called liquid because they use fuel from the tank of the car to work. In order for such a device to perform all its functions correctly, it must be installed in the engine compartment and connected to the system. liquid cooling. Cabin heating is carried out due to the access of warm air through the internal air duct.

To the advantages of an autonomous engine heater for passenger cars mobiles can be attributed to its economy. It consumes a small amount of electricity and fuel. During operation, it does not cause inconvenience to the driver and passengers with strong noise.

You can activate the device using a timer, remote control or even mobile phone. signal trips the electronic unit, which, with the help of another signal, drives the executive motor. This motor, through rotation, makes it move fuel pump and fan. The pump pumps fuel into the burner, where a fuel-air mixture is created, then ignition occurs using a candle. Then the heat that was formed during the combustion of the fuel is transferred to the coolant. The liquid circulates thanks to the pump and gradually transfers thermal energy to the machine body. When the coolant reaches the desired temperature, the fan turns on, which drives the heat into the cabin.

Air propulsion engines have no effect on the engine of the car. Instead, they accelerate the heating of the air in the cabin. As a rule, such devices are not installed on cars, but are used on passenger buses. They do not consume a large amount of electricity and do not make noise. However, they are much larger in size than their liquid counterparts and much more productive. True, fuel consumption in them is slightly higher.

Benefits of using preheaters

Motorists who have been driving a car for more than a year say that such a device in the conditions of the Russian winter is simply necessary for any car. Such devices increase the comfort of driving a vehicle and reduce driver fatigue. They also increase the life of any engine and provide more economical operation.

It happens like this:

1. The heater reduces the number of cold starts of the motor. Each of these launches is accompanied by increased consumption fuel and consequently increases the cost of its purchase. The heating device can thus save the driver about three hundred milliliters of fuel for each engine start. Fuel consumption depends on the outside temperature of the vehicle. Thus, an engine preheater can save a car enthusiast about one hundred and thirty liters of gasoline over the winter.

2. The so-called hard starts of the engine lead to its premature wear . This happens due to the fact that when starting the engine without heating, the viscosity of the engine oil is much higher than usual, and accordingly it loses some of its lubricating properties. Thus, wear is significantly increased, especially in crank and piston mechanisms. Increased wear inevitably leads to a reduction in engine life and early breakdowns and malfunctions.

If it is cold enough inside the car, then the driver's body begins to give off much more heat, which leads to accelerated fatigue. The result is drowsiness and distraction. It also increases the likelihood of catching both a harmless cold and a serious cervical or lumbar osteochondrosis.

Which engine preheater is better to choose

For a passenger car, of course, an autonomous liquid engine heater is best suited. It is universal, as it heats both the interior and the engine at the same time. Quite economical and can be started remotely. Such a device is quite functional and can be installed on all types of cars.

Popular Models:

1. Webasto Thermo TOP E is a classic liquid heater. It is very compact and can be used in even the smallest cars. Even during startup, it consumes little electricity, so it is considered one of the most economical. Preparing the motor for a safe start can take a maximum of 15 minutes. In summer, this model can even ventilate the interior and replace the air conditioner. The only downside is its price. Not every car enthusiast can afford such a device. But for wealthy drivers who value efficient operation and economy, it is ideal.

2. Teplostar 04TS is a domestic device. It heats up the coolant and can be activated from a distance of over 100 meters with a remote control. However, if something has happened to the heating device, the driver will only know about it when he gets into the car. However, it has another useful feature. The control unit of this model checks each system for operability before starting. If problems are found, the information is displayed on a specially equipped display. This model is usually chosen by those who need increased reliability and at the same time a low price.

3. Severs 103.3741- Another Russian engine heater. However, it is non-autonomous and must be connected to the mains in order to work. It is equipped with a special regulator that will not allow the engine to overheat. The engine warms up within an hour. The main advantage of the Severs engine preheater (220V) is increased protection against moisture and electric shock. This model is suitable for those drivers who put the car in the garage every evening.

On various types of cars, heavy trucks, special vehicles, an engine preheater is installed. Equipped with this device, it makes it easier to start the engine internal combustion, increases the service life of the power unit, and also increases 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, and correctly install it.

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.

To solve the problems of starting the engine in winter, 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 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 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, at extremely low temperatures, 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 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

The climatic conditions of most of the territory of our country are characterized by a very wide range of temperatures: from hot summer to freezing cold in winter. V summer time car operation is quite simple, although it has its own specific features. And in the cold season, the car engine takes a long time after starting, so that its temperature reaches operating values. And to facilitate a cold start and save time when you warm up the car, there is an electric engine heater, which in a fairly short period of time is able to bring its temperature to acceptable values.

Features of starting the engine in the cold season

An internal combustion engine, due to its design features, is capable of developing its maximum power and torque in a rather narrow temperature range. That is why a cold start, especially in the winter season, is so harmful to engines. Previously, before the advent of preheaters, the only way was to start and warm up at idle or increased speed. Now, with the advent of various means and methods of heating, this method can be neglected. Moreover, modern engines distribute heat from the combustion chambers very efficiently and warm up quickly, so you can start moving almost immediately after starting. But this can be done in a normal winter, and if at night the temperature reaches 40-45 degrees below zero? Here, additional heating of the engine in winter is simply necessary.

What is an engine heater

In general, engine preheating is carried out by artificially raising the temperature of the coolant so that it heats the engine parts (cylinder block and head, as well as the heater radiator). This allows you to significantly reduce the negative impact of increased friction force at start-up and local (uneven) heating of its parts.

Types of engine heaters

Actually, there are only two types of heaters - autonomous and electric. Autonomous heating, as the name implies, does not depend on external conditions and is part of the automotive power plant: It uses fuel from the tank to operate. The most famous example is an autonomous heater Webasto engine. Special boilers, by burning fuel, heat the coolant that circulates through the system - and all this without starting the engine.

An electric auto-heater is also built into the engine cooling system and, with the help of a special heating element, like a boiler, heats the coolant.

Electric heater as an alternative to stand-alone devices

Installing a 220v engine heater is much easier (since it has, in fact, only one element and wires for connection) and much cheaper, while it does not use gasoline as a heat source, using electricity.

Varieties of electric heaters

Block

The simplest type of heaters that are installed in the cylinder block instead of a side plug. They are an electrical heating element in a housing and a connector. Such models do not have a large power consumption (500-700W), however, due to the fact that they are located directly in the engine, they warm it up almost in the center. More sophisticated engine heating systems can be equipped with interior fan heaters, a start timer with a remote control. The only problem with installation may be the engine breather (crankcase ventilation hose), since it is often installed so that it overlaps the plug in the block.

branch pipes

Such devices are installed in the context of the main pipes of the cooling system. The heater itself is equipped with a special adapter housing, which is installed directly on the hoses. The disadvantage is that most of these devices are designed for standard hose diameters. For such devices, the power may be higher (up to 2-3 kW), the functionality and equipment are approximately the same as in the previous group.

Remote

This is a special group of devices that are also built into the cooling system, but are more complex in design and installation. Such models are more like Webasto heaters, only they run on electricity, not gasoline. Such models most effectively warm up the coolant and the cylinder block. The external heater can also be provided with forced circulation of the coolant, which better contributes to uniform heating of the cylinder block and minimizes the harmful effects of a cold start. The cost of such units differs by more than an order of magnitude (from 1.5 thousand rubles for ordinary Chinese models to 23 thousand rubles for a really good American HotStart). The power of the heating element also varies greatly and depends on the displacement.

Advantages of 220v engine heating:

low cost installation kit and the installation itself (from 1 thousand rubles).
Wide the lineup , compatible with almost all motors, simple design and high efficiency.

Disadvantages of an electric heater:

A 220v household socket should be located in the immediate vicinity.
Open hood during heating operation. On the modern models this is not so relevant, since they are equipped with a special connector that cuts into the front bumper.
Reliability of some models, which over time begin to pass coolant through the junction with the engine.

How to install engine preheater

Do-it-yourself engine heating installation is a relatively simple task. It does not require special tools and special knowledge. All you need is a general understanding of the principles of operation of automobile engines and an idea of the location of components and assemblies under the hood.

To understand how to install the engine heater, just look at the installation instructions that came with the kit. The general installation sequence is as follows.

Since the heater is installed in the cooling system, it is necessary to drain part of the antifreeze (at least 2 liters to lower its level and prevent leakage during depressurization)
In the case of installing a block heater, the plug is removed from the cylinder block and install the heating element. For a remote or pipe version, the hoses leading to the heater radiator are removed. It is better to use the hoses included in the installation kit so as not to cut the factory ones. When installing new nozzles, all connections are fixed with clamps, and it is advisable to coat the fittings with sealant to prevent leaks.
The body of the device is fixed with a bracket included in the kit.
All necessary connections are made, the rest of the assembly is carried out in the reverse order.
Antifreeze is poured back to the desired level. When filling, it is desirable to avoid the appearance of air pockets (pour antifreeze into expansion tank carefully, in a thin stream!).

Installing engine heating is a task that is quite feasible for almost everyone. And which type to choose depends on the specific operating conditions and design features car.

Article about starting heaters automotive engines- their types, purpose, functioning. At the end of the article - a video about which preheater to buy

The content of the article:

When creating new car models, designers make sure that the cars serve for a long time and are highly reliable. High-quality full-fledged operation of the engine for decades is not a fantasy, modern cars have a very decent functional resource.

In order to ensure long-term operation, a device such as a pre-heater is provided. We will find out what its benefits are and how to choose the right model.

As the name of the device implies, it is necessary in order to warm up the engine before it receives a full load. The operation of the motor "cold" leads to the following undesirable situations:

the oil thickens in the cold, and the oil pump cannot cope with its supply in the required volumes;
the lack of oil supplied to the engine leads to the fact that those engine parts that should move in the lubricant actually function “dry” and thus quickly wear out, becoming unusable;
the air-fuel mix in the cold ignites more difficult and burns more slowly;
slow combustion of the air-fuel mixture leads to burnout of the cylinder block gasket, pistons and engine valves.

As follows from the above list, starting the engine in the cold is not only difficult ( fuel mixture“does not want” to ignite), but it is also extremely detrimental to the entire engine.

One way to get the car working in the cold is to start the engine and hold it for a while. idling thus warming up the engine to normal operating temperature. However, in this case, the problem is still not completely solved: engine wear increases even when it is idling if the car was started in the cold.

Statistics collected by automotive design bureaus show the following disappointing figures: during the initial start-up of the engine in a cold state, its wear increases ten (!) times. It is believed that one cold start can be safely compared in terms of the load on the motor in terms of the degree of load and wear to a couple of months of operation of the machine under normal conditions at a stable temperature of +25 degrees.

It was in order to avoid the maximum number of negative phenomena and save the engine resource that preheaters were developed.

Let's make a reservation right away: in a climate where the daily temperature does not fall below +10 all year round, there is no need for this device. It is also not required if you do not operate the car at all in winter. But in fact, the realities of our country are such that it is still not worth using the car without a preheater.

This device is designed to set the desired temperature for the operation of the car engine, so that even in cold weather, the operation of all systems is carried out smoothly and without destroying car parts.

The pioneers in the development and use of the heater were the countries of Northern Scandinavia and Northern Europe, where climatic conditions, although not as severe as in our territory, nevertheless spoil a lot of nerves for car owners, forcing them to invent numerous ways to start the engine in the cold, avoiding while damaging the engine.

A modern pre-heater performs the following functions:

warms up the engine to operating temperature;
makes starting the engine in cold weather easier;
heats the car interior;
heats the engine compartment, thereby raising the temperature of not only the fuel in the engine, but also other working fluids, as well as parts associated with the engine.

The use of a starting heater leads to the following results:

a noticeable reduction in the degree of wear of engine parts in winter period car operation;
fuel economy;
interior heating, elimination of frost on the windows by the time the driver gets behind the wheel;
for diesel engines - the possibility of additional heating of the engine.

The main advantage of using this device is that the driver is guaranteed to start the engine and drive away, regardless of whether it is frosty or not.

After we figured out the benefits of preheaters, it's time to pay attention to their diversity and figure out how to choose the right model.

First of all, you need to understand that heaters are:

for car interior;
for the engine;
combined (heating both the engine and the car interior).

Consider the main types of heaters, their advantages and disadvantages.

Electric type heaters

In fact, this is an analogue of a conventional boiler, which is built into the cylinder block. Its task is to warm up the coolant. The principle of operation is based on the fact that the warmer coolant rises, providing uniform heating of the entire volume of liquid.

Electric heaters are in good demand in Europe, but not very popular in our country. The reason is simple: in Europe almost every car parking equipped with electrical outlets, and the only question is whether the owner forgot to connect the heater.

For our country, the use of an electric heater is relevant if the car is left overnight in a garage equipped with a power outlet.

If you opt for this type of heater, it is best to choose a model with a temperature sensor. In this case, the system will automatically turn off when it reaches the set temperature level, and turn on again when the temperature drops.

There are also models equipped with a work timer, but they are not as effective because they do not rely on temperature indicators.

Air preheaters

Air-type heaters are of dependent and independent types. Dependent air preheaters are powered by a running engine. As a rule, an independent heater is only enough to heat the engine itself - it is not able to heat the interior of the car.

Design air heater relatively simple. It consists of a radiator system filled with heated antifreeze and a fan that supplies heated air. This device heats up the cabin air very quickly. In modern models, the temperature is maintained using a temperature sensor.

The scheme of this type of heaters includes autonomous engine, pumping fuel into the combustion chamber, which is mixed with air and ignited by a spark plug. Such a heater uses from 0.25 to 0.5 liters of fuel per hour of operation, depending on the outside temperature and the size of the heated area.

Engine preheater built into the cooling system

The principle of operation of this heater is very similar to the operation of an autonomous air heater. The fuel ignites, the heat exchanger heats the coolant.

One of the important issues when choosing the type of heater is its location. If the heater is to be mounted under the hood of a car, one should start with an analysis: is there free space there? Not all car models allow you to squeeze at least something extra under the hood.

Modern manufacturers of heaters launched a serious struggle for the miniaturization of their devices. However, it’s not worth it to go for absolutely miniature models: they have less power, and in our climate this can be a waste of money.

The most common option, from which, in fact, the production of pre-heaters began, is a unit with manual control. That is, before you start the engine, you need to manually activate the heater. After five to ten minutes, the engine will warm up, the cabin will become warm.

There are also models equipped with a timer. If the owner of the car drives it at the same time, you can set a timer to start and don’t worry anymore: by the right moment everything will be warmed up, all you have to do is get behind the wheel and start off on the road.

Another option is remote control heaters. The disadvantage of such a model is in the small radius of the signal transmitter. The declared one kilometer radius in urban areas is greatly reduced due to the density of buildings and poor signal transmission.

Summing up the above information, we can say the following:

A pre-heater in our latitudes is a necessary thing.
If there is access to power, electric models will solve the problem perfectly.
If it is problematic for a car to access electricity, it is better to opt for an autonomous heater built into the cooling system.

The use of a starting preheater will allow the car to do much longer without expensive engine repairs.

Video about which preheater to buy:

The engine preheater is installed on various types of vehicles, ranging from civilian cars to heavy trucks, special vehicles, etc. Equipping a device for pre-heating the engine and interior makes it possible to facilitate, increase the resource of the power plant and significantly 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 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 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. Such an 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 a 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 the pre-heating of the 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. Wherein 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 you can see, the presence of an autonomous or electric heater allows you to increase the life of the engine, reduce fuel costs and increase environmental friendliness. power units. It is also possible to achieve an increase in comfort during the operation of the vehicle in the winter.