Gas stove in the car. What is an autonomous interior heater? Everything ingenious is simple

Interior heating from a running engine is provided in all cars and most commercial vehicles. Such heating is effective during the trip, as it allows you to utilize the excess heat generated during the combustion of fuel. When the car is stationary, the use of such heating is unjustified, because it reduces the life of the motor and leads to big expense fuel, therefore autonomous interior heaters are used as an alternative. In this article we will talk about the design of autonomous heaters, the features of their use and safety measures that will protect you from negative consequences use of these devices.

Types of autonomous heaters

All autonomous heaters can be divided into the following types:

air;
water;
electrical;
gasoline;
diesel;
gas.

The main division of heaters is made according to the method of influence - water, connected to the engine cooling system and air, heating the air in the cabin. The advantage of water heaters is that they not only heat the air in the cabin, but also maintain the temperature of the engine, facilitating cold starts and making long warm-up unnecessary. The downside of these heaters is the greater consumption of fuel and electricity, because it is necessary to warm not only the air, but also an uninsulated engine, which quickly releases heat into the atmosphere, so an additional battery is required to install them. If an autonomous heater is used to heat a motorhome or some building, then an air heater is many times more efficient, because a radiator will have to be installed to connect a water heater.

In addition, heaters are distinguished by the method of obtaining heat for liquid fuel, gas and electric. In liquid fuel and gas heaters, heat is obtained by burning fuel in a special chamber, which is part of the water or air register (radiator). This register takes away the heat generated during the combustion of fuel and heats the coolant, which is air or antifreeze. Then the pump drives the coolant into the cooling system or into the interior of the car.

Such heaters require connection not only to the fuel tank, but also to the outside air, as well as to a pipe that provides the output of combustion products to the atmosphere.

In electric heaters, heating is carried out using an electric heater connected to an alternating current network of 220 or 380 volts. Thanks to this, electric heaters are safer, but less autonomous, because it is not always possible to find a free outlet. It is not uncommon to find battery-powered autonomous heaters in stores, but we do not recommend buying them.

After all, even to maintain the temperature in the cabin, you need at least 10 amperes per hour. Consequently, a battery with a capacity of 75 ampere hours after 4–5 hours is unlikely to be able to create enough voltage to start a cold engine. Therefore, electric autonomous heaters will not be described in this article. You will find all the information about them in the article Engine preheater.

Models and prices of car interior heaters 12 and 24 volts

The most effective and popular models include the following:

Do-it-yourself installation of an autonomous heater on a car

The installation of electric heaters and heaters is described in detail in the article (Engine preheater), and the installation gas heater with their own hands is a serious danger. Therefore, we will not describe the connection of these devices, but we will talk about the connection of air and water heaters running on gasoline and diesel fuel.

Safety regulations

If you are going to install the heater, carefully read the article (safety for car repair and maintenance). Remember, all wires, tubes and hoses must be positioned so that they do not interfere with anyone and securely attached to the body. This will protect you from open circuits, short circuits, fuel leaks or carbon monoxide from entering the cabin. In places where wires and hoses pass through the body walls, be sure to install protective rubber cuffs that will prevent wires and hoses from being damaged by sharp metal edges. Check the fuel and water hoses for leaks at least quarterly and tighten the clamps if necessary.

A modern gas autonomous heater has a number of undeniable advantages compared to electric and steam type heating equipment.

The effective operation of such a device is very successfully combined with the simplicity and economy of operation.

Advantages of the device

The indisputable advantage of gas heaters is the possibility of autonomous heating of premises for any purpose. Among other things, gas-fired heating equipment belongs to the category of the safest options, due to the slight heating of the case and the lack of user contact with the heating element in conditions of proper operation.

According to experts, the main advantages include small dimensions and a variety of designs, which allows the installation of gas heaters in rooms that are characterized by a small area.

Properly selected equipment is easy to move and mobile.

Such devices are completely independent of the power grid and the centralized gas pipeline.

Refueling of cylinders with gas is carried out as needed.

The uniformity of fuel consumption allows you to get significant savings when using gas autonomous heating, even if the coefficient useful action in 80%.

Application

Gas-type heating devices are currently the most efficient and convenient heat emitters, which make it possible to provide sufficient thermal energy for a large area of space.

Produced mobile models can be used not only indoors, but also outdoors.

When choosing equipment, please refer to Special attention on the following main factors:

indicators of performance or power of the device, which should be calculated based on the parameters of the heated room and the level of its insulation;
the presence of a security system, a thermostat and flame control, as well as a protective mechanism for fuel leakage when the device capsizes and the oxygen level in the heated room;
the versatility of the device, represented by autonomous operation and the ability to connect equipment to the central gas pipeline.

An equally important criterion when choosing a device is the mobility of a gas autonomous heater. In this case, the consumer has a great opportunity to use such a heater not only indoors, but also outside the household.

For country houses

In suburban buildings, the following highly efficient autonomous gas equipment for heating an enclosed space:

heat gun, allowing to heat the room with dimensions within 30-500m 2 . Such equipment provides the supply of heated air through a gas generator, and the removal of combustion products is carried out by a special closed system. Automatic device reacts to the lack of fuel supply and insufficient oxygen in the room air.
Gas convectors appearance resemble water heating radiators, and the design in modern models it is possible to connect the device to liquefied and main "blue fuel". Combustion products are automatically discharged to the outside.

One of the best options for heating a small summer cottage is to use a catalytic heater that runs on fuels such as gasoline and gas.

gas heat gun

The heating element is a catalytic fiberglass panel, which makes the device reliable and almost completely fireproof.

The disadvantages of budget models of gas autonomous heaters include the formation exhaust gases and the presence of a characteristic odor, which is not too pronounced, but can have a negative effect on people's well-being.

For camping tents

The design of a camping gas heater has a thermal fan, a power level regulator, a gas burner, reflectors and protective valves that are placed inside a metal case. Depending on the type of heat emitter, a gas camping heater can be ceramic, metal or catalytic.

The first option is optimal, characterized by the presence of a ceramic plate and an efficiency of 50%. Such a tourist gas heater has a compact size and a convenient carrying handle.

Kovea Tent Gas Heater

The advantages of the device include efficiency or low fuel consumption, as well as a slight release of combustion products. A camping gas heater is used with small cylinders that fit easily into an ordinary tourist backpack.

The safest are tent heaters that have a metal emitter and a steel working element protected from the surface of the burner. Behind the screen is a reflector that provides directional and uniform heating.

For car garage

In order to heat up a small garage space as quickly and periodically as possible, it is advisable to use heaters with a catalytic oxidizer. Such devices are characterized by the simplest connection, small dimensions and the ability to install in almost any part of the garage.

To ensure constant gas heating of the garage, you need to focus on the size of the room and the level of comfortable temperature conditions. Heating of a specific zone is recommended to be carried out with a ceramic gas mobile heater, which very successfully combines such advantages as reliability, durability and safety of operation.

Heater in the garage

Availability in garage room a high-quality ventilation system and sufficient insulation allows you to make a choice in favor of a convection gas heater.

Modern models are equipped with a convenient automation system, which makes it easy to maintain optimal indoor temperature. temperature regime at a given level, regardless of the weather conditions outside the garage.

For auto

Portable infrared gas heaters for car showroom- relatively new equipment, easy to use. The design of a portable gas heater determines the functionality and almost complete safety of use with the use of "blue fuel".

All modern devices have a reliable and safe ceramic emitter, as well as a heating plate, which ensures stable operation in low-temperature conditions.

Gas heater in a car

The design also provides for an overpressure valve, which allows you to turn off the fuel supply if the pressure in the gas cylinder is too high.

At right choice equipment, the benefits of its operation are obvious. As practice shows, the average maximum consumption of "blue fuel" with a power of 1.67 kW is approximately 120 g / hour.

Principle of operation and device

Gas autonomous heaters designed for heating residential and utility rooms, along with other similar models, are characterized by general principle action, and the main difference is, as a rule, in the size of the device, power indicators and materials used.

Modern ceramic gas heaters are characterized by a refractory ceramic panel, a burner, the heating of which quickly generates thermal energy transferred to the air of the heated room.

Diagram of a gas heater

The operation of catalytic heaters is characterized by the absence of a flame, and the combustion process is due to the oxidation of "blue fuel" on the surface of the catalytic type. Gas convectors have a highly efficient heat dissipator in the form of a fan.

The principle of operation of infrared gas heaters contributes to the most efficient and smokeless combustion of fuel, so such equipment is quite deservedly popular with domestic consumers.

Precautions for use

Any type of gas appliance needs regular cleaning and inspection of equipment for possible fuel leaks.

Gas heaters should only be used for their intended purpose.

Do not install such devices near flammable materials and objects, and also without the need to dismantle the protective grille on the housing.

Repair of equipment is carried out only in specialized centers after-sales service. It is important to remember that the heat source can be propane or butane. The first option is the most effective winter period, and the second allows you to create a comfortable temperature in the off-season or when heating non-residential premises.

What is an autonomous interior heater?

Autonomous interior heater - a device for heating the interior of the car. This "assistant" is most in demand among professional drivers, truckers and construction crews.

All heaters for cars are divided into the following types:

1. Air.

Devices designed to warm up the interior of the vehicle (cargo compartment, car interior, luggage compartment etc).

These products work on the principle of a hair dryer. Air is passed through the heater, heated and fed back.

Thanks to the presence of adjustment, the driver has the opportunity to economically spend the battery charge and fuel resources.

The most popular manufacturers are Planar, Webasto, Belief and others.

In the photo, the Planar interior heater.

2. Liquid.

More functional devices that heat the engine first, and then the car interior. This feature simplifies start-up vehicle in cold weather when the air temperature is below 0 degrees Celsius.

Such heaters can be controlled from a remote point or programmed in advance for a specific time. Popular manufacturers of such devices are Binar, Webasto, Eberspacher.

It should be noted that autonomous interior heaters can operate from four different power sources:

voltages - 12 and 24 Volts;
gas (propane);
gasoline;
diesel fuel.

Combined options are also possible when the device needs power (12/24 Volts) and one of the fuel types (gasoline / diesel).

In what cases and on what vehicles are heaters used?

The task of autonomous interior heaters is to maintain the optimum temperature in the cabin or luggage compartment.

Feature - work without starting the power unit. The principle of operation is based on capturing air, warming it up and sending it back to the cabin.

The devices can operate in several modes - with air suction from the outside or in standard ventilation mode.

The heater is started by an external thermostat or a built-in timer (programmed by a car enthusiast).

Autonomous interior heaters provide a comfortable temperature for the work of various categories of motorists - operators of special equipment, drivers trucks mobiles, truckers and so on.

Any of these professions requires maximum attention and is different increased level difficulties. Full heating allows you to perform tasks with high quality.

In the CIS countries, the cold season lasts for 4-5 months, so the use of special heaters is very important.

These devices are installed in ambulances, truck cabs, vans with goods that are sensitive to cold weather, and so on.

The heater will be useful in the passenger compartment of a minibus, in the compartments of truckers, in the cabins of construction and road special equipment.

High-quality and timely warming up eliminates the problem of driver freezing, eliminates icing on windows and control panels.

Frequent heating of the machine Idling has low efficiency and leads to excessive fuel consumption. That is why heating appliances, distinguished by their autonomy, are so popular with motorists.

Characteristics of autonomous interior heaters:

high-quality cabin heating even in severe frost;
autonomy from the engine, fuel tank and battery (not relevant for all models);
ease of use and reliability (no rotating elements, no electronic parts);
no harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

Electric interior heaters for 12 and 24 V

Until recently, almost all electric interior heaters had a spiral design.

Today, most of the devices are made using ceramics.

The advantage of this product is its oxygen-saving properties, which allows you to maintain the quality of the air in the cabin and not “dry” the air.

The ceramic heat fan can be powered by 12 or 24 volts, it warms up quickly and heats up the room.

The main advantages are economy, protection against overheating and falls, compactness and lack of interference when driving.

Electric interior heaters are lightweight (up to 500-800 grams), which allows you to transport the product to any necessary place (to the garage, to the parking lot, and so on).

The only drawback for many of them is the high cost, but if you wish, you can pick up a device according to your own pocket. A lot depends on the manufacturer and power.

1. For passenger cars.

Autonomous heaters for this type of machines are represented by a whole group of high-quality models.

Here are some of them:

Calix Slim Line 800W is a very powerful device that can heat the interior in a short time compact car. The device is equipped with a switch that allows you to adjust the car to the current climatic conditions. The heater has thermal protection, which eliminates erroneous operation (for example, when there is no air flow from the street). Calix Slim Line 800W is a quality heater with a high level of safety. Warranty - 3 years.

ZNICH PFJ is a heater for a passenger car interior, operating on a voltage of 12 and 24 Volts. The device is designed for passenger cars with a small interior. The advantages of the device include the ability to adjust the temperature, compactness, ease of installation, durability.

2. For trucks.

In the market of autonomous heaters for trucks, Airtronic products are in high demand.

Here you can highlight the D2-D5 models, which are distinguished by their unique power and are designed for heating different machines from commercial vehicles to yachts.

The devices are powered by a voltage of 12/24 Volts, they are distinguished by an affordable price and high efficiency.

Such heaters show high efficiency even with frequent opening of doors (for example, in fixed-route transport).

Gas heaters

Gas interior heaters differ from the “competitors” discussed above by the power source. In this case, the devices run on liquefied gas.

The main advantages of the designs are ease of execution, safety in use, complete autonomy from anything. With such a heater, you do not have to worry about battery discharge.

In addition, the products of gas combustion do not poison passengers, but are taken out into the street, which guarantees the safety of even long-term use.

The principle of operation of the device is to circulate air flows in the car. Heat transfer occurs due to the natural convection of air in the machine.

For more active mixing, an additional fan with low power can be mounted in the cabin.

Gas independent heaters do not cause problems during operation, they do not have rotating elements, which ensures maximum reliability and safety.

Structurally, the device is a system of coaxial pipes, when each of the subsequent pipes is located inside the other. Clean air from the street flows through one pipe, and exhaust gases are removed through the second.

As a result, the air in the cabin is not used and is not burned out. All that's left is warmth.

The device does not depend on the performance of the car, so even if the engine breaks down or the battery is discharged in winter (even in an open field), you can turn on the device to enjoy the heat.

The average life of such devices is about 14 years.

Advantages of gas autonomous heaters:

affordable price, due to the lack of electronics in the device;
availability, which is in most modern devices. At the same time, you can always set and maintain the optimal temperature regime;
independence from the resources of the car, which guarantees performance in any conditions;
the ability to power the device from cylinders different capacity- 12 and 24 liters.

Basic rules of operation:

the heater can be turned on both in the parking lot and in motion;
to activate the device, it is enough to open the valve through which gas is supplied, turn on the device and start it;
shutdown is performed by actuation of the corresponding toggle switch.

For example, a good option— SELENA PILOT-2-E1. The heater requires only gas to operate.

Power - about 2 kW, heated area - up to 20 square meters. meters. Thanks to this power, it can be used not only to heat the cab, but also to warm up the space inside the body.

Autonomous gas heaters are used wherever autonomous heat is needed - in cars (trucks and cars), in the garage, when working on special equipment, and so on.

Petrol autonomous interior heaters

Webasto is a popular brand that offers a wide range of quality heaters. One of them is Air Top.

The device comes with a control element and a mounting kit.

The device is able to quickly warm up berths and cabins even in large trucks(including those working in a harsh climate).

The use of ceramic technology minimizes the load on the battery.

Structurally, the device consists of:

air intake systems;
control unit;
built-in temperature sensor;
air blower motor;
burners with evaporative gasket;
heat exchanger;
switch;
fuel pump;
timers and other nodes.

Design and functionality may vary by model.

Only the main fuel for work remains unchanged - gasoline.

The advantage of a petrol independent heater:

high water resistance of parts and connections;
fast air heating even in a large cabin;
air capture not from the cabin, but from the street;
low noise level;
control by means of an automatic control unit;
battery life - up to two hours;
the presence of a temperature controller, an alarm clock function and so on.

Characteristics of one of the most popular Air Top 200 ST models:

power - from one to two kilowatts;
voltage - 12 Volts;
gasoline consumption - 140-270 grams per hour;
the volume of incoming air - 78 cubic meters. meters;
total weight - 2.6 kg.

Gasoline heaters are used:

for heating cargo compartments when transporting certain goods;
to normalize the temperature in passenger transport;
in construction, loading and road equipment;
on yachts or ferries.

Diesel autonomous interior heaters

Diesel heaters for cars have the same principle of operation as their gasoline counterparts.

The difference is only in the fuel used and the main characteristics. Among the most popular models are:

1 Belief FJH-5/1C.

Diesel autonomous heater with a power of up to 5 kW and an operating voltage of 12 Volts.

It is used for heating small buses, medium yachts, compartments of trucks and rescue equipment.

Fuel costs - from 190 to 600 grams per hour. The volume of heated air per hour is 200 cubic meters. m. (at maximum mode).

The main advantages are ease of use, functionality, availability electronic block control, durability and operational safety.

The device comes with a mounting kit and a regulator. The country of origin is Hong Kong. Warranty - one year.

2. Webasto Air Top 5000.

Another popular device that runs on diesel fuel. Heater power - from one and a half to five kilowatts. Supply voltage - 12 or 24 Volts.

Total fuel costs (per hour) - from 180 to 600 grams. The volume of blown air is about 200 "cubes". Weight - 5.9 kg.

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Long hours of waiting in a car in a traffic jam or, worse, spending the night in an open field in the cold inevitably lead to the idea that an autonomous interior heater is by no means a whim of a hunter-fisherman or an attribute of a professional driver's motor home.

In the cold or slight frost, every hour we warm up the engine to a more or less comfortable temperature of 60-70 degrees. At -20 ° C, you have to warm up every 35-40 minutes at medium speed so that the battery does not die. If an additional electric pump was installed on the stove, we use a warm motor as an autonomous heat source. Depending on the level of interior insulation and air temperature, the engine cools down in 2-3 hours, the car interior - twice as fast.

After 6 hours of waiting, there is a risk of being left with an empty tank and a dead battery. In search of protection from the impending cold, the driver is ready to buy or make an autonomous cabin heater with his own hands. The situation stimulates to think about the benefits of an additional autonomous heater of the car interior better than any advertisement.

It's worth recognizing - standard equipment and equipment of the car is not conducive to long-term parking in the cold. When buying a car, few people want to spend money on additional equipment machines as a potentially unnecessary unit. But reality takes its toll. The standard version of interior heating is good only in motion. The operation of the car engine as a cabin heater is inefficient, 95% of the heat flies out into the pipe.

Modern designs of an additional interior heater for heating use the following options:

the heat of air flows flowing around a hot heat exchanger heated by the flame of an internal burner device, this option is called an autonomous air heater of the car interior;
the classic version is air heating by the surface of a heat exchanger, through which an additional amount of coolant heated to a relatively low temperature is pumped through by a pump;
heating with an electric coil made of a metal alloy, a ceramic element or a special metallized carbon fiber cloth.

Car interior air heater

Leading in the selection of professional drivers. The cost of purchasing and installing a stand-alone air heater about half the cost of fuel used to warm up the cabin during the year of operation of the tractor.

The device and design of an air autonomous interior heater in general terms is akin to a primitive starting heater. Unlike the latter, an autonomous heater uses air for heating and is installed directly in the cab or car interior.

The heat generated by the combustion of a small amount of fuel in the combustion chamber is transferred through an aluminum heat exchanger to the air flow forced by a low-noise fan into the passenger compartment. Combustion products are discharged through a metal heat-resistant hose outside the cabin. Fuel is stored in a tank located, as a rule, on the rear wall of the tractor cab. A control panel and an air intake regulator are installed in the cabin. On average, an autonomous device consumes 200 ml of fuel per hour with a battery load of 40-50W. Thermal power ranges from 2 to 7 kW/h.

Modern long-haul trucks and heavy construction equipment are equipped with a 24-volt diesel autonomous interior heater, which is due to the peculiarity of the fuel used and the voltage of the on-board network. American tractors use the supply voltage passenger transport, therefore, an autonomous interior heater is installed diesel power at 12 volts.

Airtronic (Eberspacher) and Air Top ST (Webasto) diesel autonomous car interior heaters enjoy the greatest authority and respect. German quality, trouble-free operation and convenient operation correspond to high prices for products. Among the advantages of branded autonomous heaters:

Among Russian models worth mentioning own development Samara company "Teplostar" - an autonomous heater of the Planar cabin. At low cost it is characterized by unpretentiousness and reliability. It uses diesel fuel and is controlled manually from the remote control in the car. The Planar-4D heater model, consuming 0.12-0.4 liters of diesel per hour, is able to heat the bus interior by 30 seats.

Cabin gas heater

It should be noted that diesel and gasoline autonomous interior heaters have a serious competitor - a gas heater of the car interior, which uses natural gas or propane butane. It is worth noting the autonomous interior heating devices of the German developer - Trumatic, whose products are distinguished by:

the quietest, almost silent mode of operation,
high efficiency - 97%;
the complete absence of the smell of combustion products, characteristic of diesel fuel.

For your information! According to the operating conditions, an autonomous gas-powered heater is allowed for use even in residential or temporarily inhabited premises.

Petrol autonomous heaters have found application mainly for use in conditions of low temperatures and severe frosts of the northern climatic zone.

Is it so simple

With the outward simplicity of the heating principle, an air autonomous heater can hardly be considered as an additional interior heater available for do-it-yourself manufacturing. In conditions of home-made production, it is almost very difficult to fulfill the requirements:

to the quality of welding of elements, taking into account the specifics of the thermal load and deformation of conjugated elements;
to the reliability of control systems necessary for the operation of an autonomous heater;
to the prevention of deviations from the specified combustion regime, the formation of a large amount of carbon monoxide, the burning of the chamber walls and, as a result, the mixing of combustion products and heated air;
to ensure control of the starting procedure without the risk of fire.

For your information! In some hunting lodges on wheels, there are structures that use converted gasoline or gas engines as an autonomous heater. blowtorches and primus. But this is rather an exception to the rule. This method does not require automation and special control, but can hardly be used in cars and trucks.

Another option for organizing heating

The classic version of an autonomous heater is a scheme when two circuits are simultaneously assembled in the heating device - an engine antifreeze heating circuit and a heat exchanger for the coolant sent to the cab heating system.

There are variants of an autonomous heating system with minor modifications that have a connected heat-insulated container or a tank with hot water. Such a boiler plays the role of both a heat accumulator and a source of hot water. An additional pump pumps and heats the container operating in boiler mode. Such an autonomous heater is most often used for mobile residential premises - mobile homes.

Third option

An electric autonomous heater, colloquially referred to as a "hair dryer", is used to quickly warm up the cabin when low temperatures air. If your car has a battery with a capacity of at least 75 Ah, use an electric car interior heater, which is structurally similar to a 12-volt hair dryer, with the difference that instead of 220 V household power, a voltage of 12 V battery and generator is used car. African heat in the cabin should not be expected, but during the warm-up of the car stove to the desired 70-80 ° C, such a car interior heater powered by a cigarette lighter is indispensable if you urgently need to warm up the lock or remove frost from the frozen glass.

Hair dryer disadvantages:

low thermal power and heating rate;
the need for a “healthy” and charged to the eyeballs battery and a good generator.
the heating element of the "hair dryer" is heated to a high temperature and partially burns the oxygen in the cabin air.
Care must be taken when handling the heater to prevent possible contact of flammable substances with the heating element.

An autonomous electric heater for a car interior is easiest to make with your own hands using an electric fan powered by a cigarette lighter.

The most common and affordable design of the heater is a circuit consisting of a 12-volt fan-cooler used in power supplies and cooling systems for computers and a heating panel. The latter is made in the form of a frame or tube of non-combustible and dielectric material. Suitable elements of covers and cases of powerful electric starters made of textolite or fiberglass.

Alternatively, a nichrome spiral stretched on special ceramic mounting chips can be used as a heating element for an autonomous heater. In this case, the panel can be made from any heat-resistant material.

Advice! If the electric fan is supplemented with a low-resistance variable resistance, we get an autonomous electric interior heater with a controlled speed and temperature of the air flow.

Our additional interior heater is powered by a cigarette lighter and a voltage of 12 V, so we use low-resistance nichrome wire in the design:

measure the resistance of 1 m of wire using a tester;
to obtain a maximum current of 5 A, we cut off the length of nichrome with a resistance of 2 ohms and make a spiral by winding the wire on a rod or pencil;
slightly stretch the resulting spiral so that the distance between the turns of the spiral is at least 2-3 wire thicknesses;
Based on the obtained length of the spiral, we choose the dimensions of the heating panel such that there are at least 4-5 rows of the heating element in the cross section of the frame.
fix the spiral on the mounting frame, install the fan and connect a two-wire cord with a wire cross section of at least 1.5 mm 2 to the output contacts.

After assembling the design of an autonomous electric heater, we test it by connecting it to the battery terminals for a short time. If the installation is done correctly - the heater coil should not heat up to the “red” state, the direction of air movement supplied by the fan should correspond to the calculated one. Otherwise, the polarity of the connection must be reversed and taken into account when connecting the power plug to the cigarette lighter.

Important! Take care of the quality of the wiring contacts, as computer cooler fans easily fail when contacts spark or short-term power surges.

Video how to make a cabin heater yourself:

A stove in a car is very good, especially when winter comes and driving in a cold cabin is not only inconvenient, but also dangerous to health. However, conventional stoves consume quite a lot of car energy, as they can be powered by both the mains and the fuel tank. In order to somehow reduce the cost of the car, the owners began to use autonomous interior heaters, which, compared with the classic car heating, have a number of advantages, the main of which is savings.

Understanding the concept of "autonomous interior heater"?

An autonomous interior heater is a device capable of heating the air in the vehicle interior or its working fluids, regardless of operation. car engine. Depending on what medium they are intended to heat, all autonomous heaters should be divided into three types:

Air- they heat only the air in the cabin and often represent a familiar fan that pumps heat.

liquid- can heat up both the cooling system, if it is not activated by the engine, and fuel system, which is especially important for diesel vehicles. They can also be used for interior heating, defrosting locks and windshield.

Oily- they heat up the oil line of the car, which also speeds up and simplifies starting the engine in the frosty season.

As for the advisability of using one or another type of heater, it is better to stop the choice on several devices at once. Thanks to this approach, you can provide the car with full heating in the cold season: without problems and breakdowns, the engine will start and run, and you and your passengers will be comfortable driving a car.

The rationality of installing such a device on a car largely depends on how intensively the car is operated in the winter. If you drive it only once a month, then the heating of the working units and the interior can be provided in “old-fashioned” ways. However, if you have to travel every day, an additional heater in the car will not only help you save money, but also save your health. An autonomous heater is especially relevant for taxi drivers and truck drivers.

Important! With regular use of an autonomous interior heater, it is possible to save from 25 to 100 liters of fuel per one winter season. The % savings depends on the frequency of driving, driving style, and the type of heater that is used on the car.

There is another classification of "autonomy", which is based on what fuel is used to operate the device, as well as a classification depending on the power of the heater. We will consider the features of all types of these devices above, but in advance we will give a list of criteria by which you should choose an autonomous interior heater for your car:

dimensions of the "autonomy" and your car;

The power of the regular electrical network on the machine;

The frequency with which you plan to operate the heater for the car;

The climatic features of the area in which you live;

Profitability of the installation - its consumer characteristics;

Payback heater specifically for you;

The design features of the machine - is it possible in principle to connect an additional heating device to it.

Electrical devices for 12 and 24 Volts

Almost all autonomous heaters cabins, which are used by modern car owners, are designed for power from 12 to 24 volts. A similar fact makes many rush to friends for advice and look for information on the Internet, as it remains unclear which of these two heaters will be effective and safe for cars.

But in fact, everything is simple: interior heaters with a lower power of 12 volts are designed for use on cars, as they are ideal for connecting to the vehicle's on-board network, and at the same time their power is enough to heat a small interior. As for heaters with a power of 24 volts, they are designed for heavy vehicles.

Cabin gas heaters

Such "autonomous systems" work through the use of liquid gas. Thanks to its combustion, the fan starts, which in turn provides natural air circulation in the car, heating it to the required temperature. To speed up the heating process, additional fans are sometimes used.

Important!Gas independent heaters of the car interior are able to work even with the engine turned off and without being connected to the car's on-board electrical network, which is not typical for a regular car stove. Thus, even during a long parking, the driver of the car does not risk putting the battery in “0”, but at the same time he himself will not freeze in the cabin.

TO benefits This type of heaters also includes the absence of electronic elements in them, as well as the overall reliability of the design, which significantly increases the period of their operation. In addition, it is quite safe for the driver, since for gas combustion, air is supplied to the device not from the passenger compartment, but from the street. The gases formed during the combustion process are also thrown out.

To ensure the operation of such a device, you only have to periodically purchase cylinders of liquefied gas. Given the difference in the cost of gasoline, diesel fuel and gas, this option for heating the interior of a car is the most profitable from an economic point of view.

But such a device has its own limitations: with it, you can provide heating only the passenger compartment of the car. It is impossible to install a gas autonomous heater under the hood due to its dimensions and features of operation.

Gasoline devices

In the gasoline version, not autonomous interior heaters are often produced, but preheaters car engine designs. For this reason, such devices are distinguished by their compactness, and thanks to their placement under the hood of the car, they are also quiet in operation. At correct operation such a heater will also provide windshield defrosting. The fuel consumption of such a starting heater is on average 0.5 liters of gasoline per hour.

As for petrol devices for interior heating, it is rational to use them only if it is necessary to heat large vehicles, since due to the use of gasoline, the effect of the heater is large. But the fuel consumption during interior heating decreases, and is about 0.3 liters per hour.

Note! Often, autonomous interior heaters can operate on one of two types of fuel - gasoline or diesel fuel.

Diesel models of autonomous car interior heaters

Diesel heaters are not much different from gasoline ones, especially since they can represent the same device. But they have one significant disadvantage- the fuel used for operation can be adversely affected by freezing temperatures, so starting such a heater in the cold will be no less difficult than the diesel engine itself.

The advantage of diesel autonomous interior heaters is that modern device designs often use a charge to a minimum. car battery, which is no less important when making winter trips.

Features of the operation of "autonomous"

No matter how harmless autonomous interior heaters may seem, they still remain electrical devices(with the exception of gas), and therefore they must be handled with the utmost care:

1. When buying a device, be sure to study the features of its connection and carefully follow all the manufacturer's instructions. Particular attention should be paid to the power of the heater. If it does not match the power of the on-board network of your car, do not connect it.

2. Each time you turn it on, check that the device is working properly, that there are no damages or leaks.

3. When operating a gas heater, it is very important to prevent the leakage of liquid gas, as this can cause poisoning for the driver and his passengers.

4. In no case do not allow the maximum operation of the interior heater, as excessive heating of the air in the car interior may be undesirable for your well-being (when the interior is heated, the air in it may become excessively dry, which will require the most frequent ventilation). It should also be understood that the operation of the device "to the limit" can lead to its premature failure.

Also when buying cabin heater do not hesitate to ask the seller for maximum information about him and his manufacturer. It is very important that the device you purchase is compatible with your car, so it will not be out of place to ask your car dealers about the possibility of using an autonomous interior heater.