Which heater is better for internal combustion engines: electric or autonomous
Content
What is the problem with starting a cold engine? 90 percent of motorists start the internal combustion engine, not suspecting that as a result, its wear increases, starting becomes more difficult, battery fails etc. The problem is exacerbated in winter, in cold climates. However, there is a good way out of the situation - to use the pre-heating of the internal combustion engine, which for a real Russian winter is a solid plus in every respect.
Electric heating of the internal combustion engine
If earlier the heating of the internal combustion engine, due to the operation of the engine at idle, was considered the only effective option, although not without drawbacks, today it is clearly inferior to the new method. And first of all, this concerns the side, negative consequences of natural heating.
Table of models of electric heaters
| Block | branch pipes | Remote | External |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Defa" or "Kalix" - power 0,4-0,75 kW, price from 5,2 thousand rubles | "Lestar" - power 0,5-0,8 kW, price from 1,7 thousand rubles | "Severs-M" - power 1-3 kW, price from 2,8 thousand rubles | Keenovo flexible heating plate 0,25 kW 220 V, price - 3650 rubles. |
| Domestic "Homeless" - power 0,5-0,6 kW, price from 1,5 thousand rubles | "Alliance" - power 0,7-0,8 kW, price from 1 thousand rubles | "Start-M" - power 1-3 kW, price from 2,2 thousand rubles | "Keenovo" - power 0,1 kW 12 V, price - 3450 rubles. |
| Domestic "Start-Mini" - power 0,5-0,6 kW, price from 1 thousand rubles | "Start M1 / M2" - power 0,7-0,8 kW, price from 1,4 thousand rubles | "Alliance" - power 1,5-3 kW, price from 1,6 thousand rubles | Hotstart AF15024 - power 0,15 kW 220 V, price - 11460 rubles. |
| DEFA, heaters of the 100th series 0,5-0,65 kW, price 5,6 thousand rubles | "Siberia M" - power 0,6 kW, price from 1 thousand rubles | "Xin Ji" (China) - power 1,8 kW, price from 2,3 thousand rubles | "Hotstart" - power 0,25 kW 220 V, price - 11600 rubles. |
The most democratic in terms of price are electric preheaters. They are easy to maintain, and do not fail even in the most severe frost. However, they have the only drawback - they need a 220 V socket. Although the external ones from the Keenovo company also have a heater powered by the 12 V on-board network, the cost is from 3,5 thousand rubles.
Block
For our motorists, in terms of affordable prices, heaters that are built into the cylinder block are suitable. They are also quite simple in terms of design, as they are endowed only with a connector and a heating element. Other attachments, clamps and additional components are not provided in such a heater.
Preheater Defa
The heaters of devices built into the business center are not very powerful, 400-750 W is the maximum. They do not give a quick result, and they are powered by a stationary 220 V / 50 Hz outlet, so you can use the heater mounted in the engine block only in the garage or by throwing an extension cord near the house. On the other hand, due to the fact that the BC is heated, the internal combustion engine warms up in the center and evenly.
Advantages of built-in block heaters:
- One of the advantages of built-in heaters is ability to work for a long time. Due to their low power, it is not necessary to constantly monitor them - they will not spoil the antifreeze, so you can leave them operational all night or day. If you still need to control the heating process, at least for domestic, economical purposes, it is recommended use a regular mechanical timer. It is inexpensive and versatile in operation. Of the shortcomings - buggy in the cold.
- should also be noted safety of use. usually, the kit contains a heat-insulating fabric that does not allow the insulation of nearby wires to melt and the energy to spread into the surrounding space, thus increasing the efficiency of the device.
- Easy installation, also by the way, one of the advantageous features of such heaters.
Block heater Defa
Longfei Block Heater
There are only two disadvantages:
Long heating time и the need for a fixed socket 220 volt. Since, for example, at an ambient temperature of about 0 ° C, a 600 W heater will heat up the liquid for one hour. If the temperature is -10 ° C, then the time will increase to two hours. And if you buy a budget one with a power of 0,5 kW, then it will also take longer.
Today, among the numerous models of the budget segment of built-in heaters, electrical equipment from Defa and Kalix stand out. They cost, complete with a wire and a plug, no more than 4 thousand rubles.
There are also domestic block heaters, but their use is limited. For VAZ ICEs, a device with a price of 1,3 thousand rubles is suitable. You can buy Start-mini equipment for a lower price, which is suitable not only for domestic cars, but also Japanese or Korean ones, such as Toyota or Hyundai.
We present for you popular models of built-in heaters.
| Model | Description and features | Price as of autumn 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| «Start Mini» | Voltage 220 V, power 600 W, installed instead of the technological plug of the block with a bore diameter of 35 mm. The seating depth is 11 mm, the body height is 50 mm. The heater is suitable for cars: Toyota with ICE 4A-FE, 5A-FE, 7A-FE, 3S-FE, 4S-FE, 5S-FE, 1G-FE, 1GR; Hyundai Accent with ICE G4EC -1.5L; Hyundai Elantra XD with ICE G4EC -1.5L and G4ED -1.6L; Hyundai Tucson with ICE G4GC -2.0L; Hyundai Trajet with ICE G4GC -2.0L. | 1300 rubles |
| DEFA, heaters of the 100th series (from 101 to 199) | Power is 0,5 ... 0,65 kW, voltage 220 V, bore diameter 35 mm, weight 0,27 kg. | 5600 rubles |
| Calix-RE 163 550W | Power - 550 W, voltage - 220 V, suitable for use with Duramax DAIHATSU Rocky 2.8D, 2.8 TD / FIAT Argenta 2000iE, 120iE / FIAT Croma 2.0 turbodiesel / FIAT Daily diesel / FIAT Ducato 1.9 D, TD / 1987-1998 / 2.5 diesel, turbodiesel/1995/FIAT Regatta/Regata diesel/FIAT Ritmo 130 TC/diesel/FIAT Tempra 1.9 turbodiesel/FIAT Tipo 1.9 diesel, turbodiesel/FIAT Uno diesel, turbodiesel/FORD/NEW HOLLAND FORD 1900, HYUNDAI H-100 2.5 D/1993-1998/D4BA, IVECO Daily 2.8Tdi/2002/diesel/turbodiesel, MITSUBISHI Galant 2.3 turbodiesel/ MITSUBISHI L200 2.2 diesel 2WD/2.5 diesel 2WD/MITSUBISHI L300 2.5 diesel 2WD /2.5 diesel 4WD/MITSUBISHI Lancer Evo 9 2.0 16V / 2006- /4G63, MITSUBISHI Lancer Evo VI, EVO VIII 2.0 16V / 4G63. MITSUBISHI Pajero 2.3 turbodiesel /2.5 turbodiesel, SEAT Malaga 1.7D. | 6300 rubles |
| Calix-RE 167 550W | Power - 550 W, voltage - 220 V, suitable for such cars: Matiz 0.8 / A08S, 1.0 / ¤B10S, Spark 1.0 / 2010- / B10D1, 1.2 / 2010- / B12D1, NISSAN Monteringssats, 300 ZX [Z31] / VG30 , Almera 2.0D / 1995- / DA20, Bluebird 1.6 [T12] / 1984- / CA16, 1.8 [U11, T12] / 1984- / CA18 1.8 turbo [T12] / 1984- / CA18, 2.0 [U11, T12] / 1984- / CA20, Cherry 1.0 [N12] / 1982- / E10, 1.3 [N10, N12] / 1982- / ¤E13, 1.5, 1.5 turbo [N10, N12] / 1982- / ¤E15, 1.7 diesel / CD17, Patrol 2.8TD [Y60, Y61] / RD28T, Prairie 1.5 / E15, 1.8 [M10] / CA18, 2.0 [M10, M11] / CA20, Stanza 1.6 [T11] / ¤CA16, 1.8 [T11] / CA18, Sunny 1.3 [B11, N13] / 1984- / E13, 1.4 12V [N13] / 1989-1991 / 1.5 [B11] / 1984- / ¤E15, 1.6 [N13] / -1988 / ¤E16, 1.6 12V [N13, B12] / 1989-1991 / ¤GA16, 1.6 GTI 16V [N13] / ¤CA16, 1.7D [B11] / ¤CD17, 1.8 GTI 16V [N13] / CA18, 2.0D [N14] /CD20, SUZUKI Monteringssats, Alto 1.1 / 2002- / F10D, TOYOTA Monteringssats Carina 1.8 diesel / 1C, Corolla diesel *** / Lite-Ace diesel /WEIDEMANN Monteri ngssats T4512CC35 - /3TNV82A, VOLKSWAGEN Monteringssats LT 31D / Perkins, VOLVO BM / VCE / VOLVO CE MonteringssatsEC 15C - / D1.1, EC18C - / 2010- / D1.1 EC20C - / 2010- / D1.1, EC27C - / 2010- / D1.6 EC35C - / 2010- / D1.6, ECR 28 - / ECR 38 - / ECR 58 - / ECR 88 - / ECR48C - / 2010- / ¤D2.2, ECR58 Plus - / ¤D3.1. 88, ECR3.1 Plus - / DXNUMX | 5200 rubles |
| Calix-RE 153 A 550W | Voltage - 220 V, power - 550 W, works with the following cars: FORD Probe 2.5i V6 24V / HONDA Accord 2.0i-16 / -1989 / B20A, HONDA Legend 2.5, 2.7 / HONDA Prelude 2.0i -16V / 1986-1991 /B20A, MAZDA 2 1.3 (DE) / 2008- / ZJ, 1.5 (DE) / 2008- / ZY, MAZDA 3 1.4 (BK) / 2004- / ZJ, 1.6 (BK) / 2004- / Z6, MAZDA 323 2.0 i V6 24V / MAZDA 626 2.5i V6 / MAZDA MX-3 1.8i 24V V6 / MAZDA MX-6 2.5i 24V V6 / MAZDA Xedos 6 2.0i 24V V6 / MAZDA Xedos 9 2.0i 24V V6 /K8-ZE, 2.5i 24V V6 /ROVER 825, 827-/-1995/ | 9700 rubles |
branch pipes
In addition to devices built into the business center, there are also systems for in-section installation of thick pipes. They differ in the presence of an adapter case. Installation does not carry any special complexity, the return is not bad. However there is a minus – electric heaters from this series are designed for standard nozzle diameters.
Pipe heater
Remote heater
Defa and Kalix produce not only block heaters, but also branch pipe heaters. They are also made in our country, sold at very low prices. But such options for heaters are intended only for VAZ, UAZ or Gaz models of cars.
Electric heaters have gained the greatest popularity in our country, as they are structurally easy to install and universalized. Them easy to cut into the contourusing attachments. They are equipped with powerful heaters, the power of which reaches 2-3 kW.
Remote
Of particular note are electric heaters, called remote. They are more complex in design, they imply the presence of hoses, thermostats, clamps, etc. They are produced by domestic manufacturers such as Severs-M, Alliance and many others.
Longfei Heater Installation (Xin Ji)
A foreign manufacturer of such equipment is also popular in Russia. This is the US Hotstart TPS. The equipment costs at least 6,8 thousand rubles, but it can only be purchased on order.
Models with forced coolant circulation deserve special attention among electric heaters. The options for electric heaters were discussed above. with natural circulation.
So, the most famous among this series are systems from the same American Hotstart (price 23 thousand rubles). There are also cheap domestic options, costing no more than 2,4 thousand rubles. Chinese heaters are also known, such as Xin Ji, at a price of 2,3 thousand rubles. Their power does not exceed 1,8 kW.
Disadvantages of electric heaters:
- Requires a 220V household outlet.
- Mandatory opening of the hood to access the fork. These difficulties sin the old Russian models of heaters. Modern ones have bumper connectors.
- The reliability of some models is not impressive. Cases of domestic and Chinese heaters are especially weak, they let antifreeze through and are leaky. An experienced installer initially puts the cover on the sealant.
- Low quality of additional equipment (again, we are talking about sets of Russian or Chinese production). It is advisable to replace attachments with imported hoses, plastic adapters with duralumin, flimsy holders with strong and wide clamps.
Advantages of electric heaters:
- Installation of heaters is inexpensive, even in the capital's car services. The approximate price is 1,5 thousand rubles. You can easily put it on your own, but you can’t do without specific knowledge.
- The widest model range and unpretentiousness in operation.
heating plates
Also, the so-called heating plates, which are installed on the engine body, cylinders, crankcase, and so on, have become more and more popular recently. These heaters are used not only in automobiles, but also in other equipment - generator sets, microprocessor technology, internal combustion engines of watercraft, diesel locomotives and electric locomotives, and many others.
Heating plates for ICE Keenovo
HotStart heating plates
The heating plates work on the basis of heat electric heaters (TEHs). Most of them can be connected both to a stationary network with a voltage of 220 V / 50 Hz, and to the vehicle's on-board electrical network (12 V DC). Power can be different, the interval is from 100 to 1500 watts. And the temperature developed by various plates is +90°С…+180°С. As for installation, the devices are attached with an adhesive film (the surface must first be cleaned and degreased).
A feature of the heating plates is that they are designed for continuous operation. That is, with their help it is impossible to quickly warm up / heat up the internal combustion engine or its individual elements. Although there are separate high-power models that work with a time relay.
The advantages of heating plates include:
- Economy. Using electricity will cost you less than liquid fuel.
- Reliability and durability. Most electric heating plates do not need repair and routine inspections, they do not need to be contacted by service centers. In this case, manufacturers usually set significant warranty periods.
- Easy installation. Most heating plates are simply glued to the heated surface using the adhesive film that comes with the heater. Installation can be done independently, without seeking help from a service station.
- Abrasion resistance. The surface of the heating plate is covered with a special material that is resistant not only to abrasion, but also to serious mechanical damage.
- Safety of use. This applies to both the driver and the elements of the car. The heating plates are well protected from moisture and small particles getting inside them (the degree of dust and moisture protection is IP65 for most models).
As for the disadvantages of heating plates, they should include:
- High price. The payoff for the benefits described above is high cost.
- Amount of AKB. Due to the fact that the plates use electricity from the battery to operate, the driver must constantly monitor the condition and performance of the latter. Up to replacing it with a more capacious and / or new one.
However, as practice shows, electric heating plates are very convenient to use, and their purchase justifies itself, especially in regions with a cold climate. Therefore, we would recommend that you, if possible, buy heating plates and use them for installation as an alternative to conventional engine preheaters.
Now we present to your attention several popular plates used by car owners.
| Models | Description and features | Price as of autumn 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Keenovo Flexible Heating Plate 100W 12V | Specific power - 0,52 W / cm². Maximum temperature +180°С. A feature of the plate is the presence of a high-temperature self-adhesive surface on one side of the plate, as well as the presence of a porous surface on the other side to reduce heat loss. The size is 127×152mm with a 5mm jaw. The plate is designed for autonomous preheating of internal combustion engines with a working volume of up to 3 liters, has an adhesive layer that provides maximum adhesion between the plate and the surface at elevated temperatures. An additional layer of thermal insulation in the form of a porous sponge is provided on the plate, which provides heating of the oil layer necessary for a warm start of the internal combustion engine in about 15 minutes of operation. | 3450 rubles |
| Keenovo Flexible Heating Plate 250W 220V | The maximum heating temperature is +90°С. there is an additional rheostat for setting the temperature. Ideal for installation on the crankcase and engine block, hydraulic and transmission elements, as the dimensions are 127 × 152 mm. The coating of the plates is resistant to friction. Supplied with 100 cm cable as standard. | 3650 rubles |
| Keenovo Flexible Heating Plate 250W 220V | Maximum temperature +150°С. Dimensions 127×152 mm. Ideal for installation on the crankcase and engine block, hydraulic and transmission elements, various types of pumps. The coating of the plates is resistant to friction. Supplied as standard with a 100 cm cable for power from a 220 V socket | 3750 rubles |
| Hotstart AF10024 | Power supply 220 V, power 100 W, dimensions 101 × 127 mm. | 10100 rubles |
| Hotstart AF15024 | Power supply 220 V, power 150 W, dimensions 101 × 127 mm. | 11460 rubles |
| Hotstart AF25024 | Power supply 220 V, power 250 W, dimensions 127 × 152 mm. | 11600 rubles |
Autonomous heaters
Otherwise, they are called fuel, as they operate on fuel. The principle of their operation is reduced to the following: the pump pumps gasoline or diesel fuel from the fuel tank into the combustion chamber. The mixture is ignited by a hot ceramic pin (the latter requires a small fraction of the current to heat up, unlike a metal one).
Eberspacher Hydronic D4W installed on a car
As a result of heating the heater, warm liquid circulates throughout the system, giving off heat to the internal combustion engine and the furnace radiator. As soon as the temperature reaches more than 70 gr. Celsius, the stove includes a semi-mode and a standby mode. That is, the device does not operate at full capacity, however, when the temperature drops below 20 gr. the cycle repeats, which explains the name - autonomous heater.
The system of autonomous heating of a machine internal combustion engine has different modes of operation. For example, summer, when the air inside the car is occasionally blown by a fan. If such a system is involved, the presence of an air conditioner is not needed, because it is easy to lower the temperature in normal mode.
The inclusion of an autonomous heater is carried out in different ways, but the timer has been and remains the simplest. It is located inside the car, it can be programmed and set for any duration of operation.
How Webasto Thermo Top Evo works
If a variable schedule is more suitable, then it is better to use the remote control to turn it on. It is capable of operating within a radius of up to 1 km. In other words, the heater can be turned on from the balcony of a multi-storey building.
also one control option is the GSM module. You can use it from a regular smartphone, controlling the operation of the module through commands. Theoretically, the GSM module can be connected from anywhere in the world, as long as the car is in the coverage area.
The most popular devices of this type in our country are Webasto and Ebershpecher. Their models designed for both foreign and domestic cars with different types and sizes of engines.
Of the Russian manufacturers, Teplostar loudly announced itself, producing products that are almost twice cheaper than their foreign counterparts.
Table of autonomous heater models
| Models | Price |
|---|---|
| Webasto Thermo Top Evo 4 - 4 kW | From 37 thousand rubles |
| Webasto Thermo Top Evo 5 - 5 kW | From 45 thousand rubles |
| Eberspacher HYDRONIC 4 - 4 kW | From 32,5 thousand rubles |
| Eberspacher HYDRONIC 5 - 5 kW | From 43 thousand rubles |
| Binar-5B - 5 kW | From 25 thousand rubles |
Disadvantages of autonomous heaters:
- Difficulty of installation. This is not an electric heater that you can easily install with your own hands.
- High cost. Even the basic models are an order of magnitude higher, without additional components. In addition, the installation of such equipment is highly appreciated - at least 8-10 thousand rubles. And the more difficult it will be to find a place under the hood for installation, the installation will be more expensive.
- Battery dependency. You should always keep a recharged and reliable battery under the hood.
- Some models are dependent on the quality of the fuel. It is recommended to pay attention to this, regularly carry out diagnostics and cleaning.
Advantages of autonomous heaters:
- Offline mode, no need to depend on external power sources.
- Super efficiency and the possibility of long continuous operation. On cold winter days, the car interior and internal combustion engine can be heated up to operating temperature at a fuel consumption of less than 1 l / h in just 40-50 minutes.
- A wide range of ways to engage and program.
It will now be much easier to make a choice in favor of one or another heater. Since 2017, when we started tracking the relevance of the devices listed above, by the end of 2021, their cost has increased by an average of 21%. If financial resources allow, then it is better to install a standalone option. For other cases, you can choose a good and quite effective electric heater.
