Types, device and principle of operation of engine preheaters

In cold winter conditions, starting the engine becomes a real challenge for both the driver and the power unit itself. In this case, a special device comes to the rescue - an engine preheater.

Purpose of preheaters

It is believed that each "cold" start of the engine reduces its resource by 300-500 kilometers. The power unit is under heavy stress. The viscous oil does not enter the friction couples and is far from optimal performance. In addition, a lot of fuel is consumed to warm up the engine to an acceptable temperature.

In general, it is difficult to find a driver who enjoys being in a cold car while waiting for the engine to reach the right temperature. Ideally, everyone wants to get into a car with an already warmed up engine and a warm interior and go straight away. Such an opportunity is provided by the installation of an engine preheater.

On the modern market for car heaters, different models are presented - from foreign to domestic, from cheap to expensive.

Types of preheaters

The whole variety of such systems can be divided into two categories:

• autonomous;
• dependent (electrical).

Autonomous heaters

The category of autonomous heaters includes:

• liquid;
• air;
• thermal accumulators.

Air the heater acts as an additional heater for heating the passenger compartment. It does not warm up the engine or warms up, but only slightly. In such devices there is a combustion chamber, where the fuel-air mixture is supplied with the help of a fuel pump and air intake from the outside. The already heated air is supplied to the vehicle interior. The device is powered by a 12V / 24V battery, depending on the size of the vehicle and the required power. It is installed mainly in the vehicle interior.

Liquid heaters help warm up not only the interior, but primarily the engine. They are installed in the engine compartment of the vehicle. The heater communicates with the engine cooling system. Antifreeze is used for heating, which passes through the heater. The generated heat through the heat exchanger heats the antifreeze. A fluid pump helps circulate fluids through the system. Warm air is supplied to the passenger compartment by means of a fan, the electric motor of which is powered from the vehicle's electrical network. The heaters use their own combustion chamber and a control unit that controls the fuel supply, combustion process and temperature.

The fuel consumption of the water heater will depend on the operating mode. When the liquid warms up to 70 ° C - 80 ° C, the economy mode is activated. After the temperature has dropped, the pre-heater starts up again automatically. Most liquid devices work according to this principle.

Heat accumulators not as common, but they are also standalone warming devices. They are arranged according to the principle of a thermos. They represent an additional tank in which the heated coolant is located. There is a vacuum layer around the channels with the liquid, which does not allow it to cool down quickly. During movement, the fluid circulates fully. It remains in the device while it is parked. Antifreeze remains warm for up to 48 hours. The pump supplies fluid to the engine and it warms up quickly.

The main requirement for such devices is the regularity of travel. In severe frosts, the liquid will cool faster. It is advisable to use the car every day. Also, the device takes up quite a lot of space.

Electric heaters

The principle of operation of electric analogs can be compared with conventional boilers. The device with a heating element is connected to the engine block. The device is powered by a 220V household power supply. The spiral heats up and gradually warms up the antifreeze. The circulation of the coolant is due to convection.

Warming up with electrical devices takes longer and is not as efficient. But such devices benefit from affordability and ease of installation. Dependence on the outlet becomes their main disadvantage. An electric heater can heat a liquid to its boiling point, therefore a timer is supplied with the device. With its help, you can set the required warm-up time.

Main manufacturers and models of autonomous heaters

In the market of liquid and air heaters, the leading positions have long been occupied by two German companies: Webasto and Eberspacher. Teplostar is one of the domestic producers.

Heaters Webasto

They are reliable and economical. Their products are somewhat inferior in cost to their competitors. In the line of heaters from Webasto there are many models that differ in power. For cars, trucks, buses, special equipment and yachts.

Model Thermo Top Evo Comfort + from Webasto is suitable for cars with engine displacement up to 4 liters. This is the most popular option. There are varieties for gasoline and diesel engines. Power 5 kW. Power supply - 12V. Fuel consumption for 20 minutes of warming up is 0,17 liters. There is an option to warm up the cabin.

Eberspächer Heaters

This company also produces high-quality and economical heaters for all types of transport. Liquid heaters are of the Hydronic brand.

Model Eberspacher HYDRONIC 3 B4E great for passenger cars with a volume of up to 2 liters. Power - 4 kW, power supply - 12V. Fuel consumption - 0,57 l / h. Consumption depends on the operating mode.

There are more powerful models for small cars such as HYDRONIC B5W S... Power - 5 kW.

Heaters Teplostar

Teplostar is a domestic manufacturer of heating devices analogs Webasto and Eberspacher. Their products differ significantly in price from their competitors for the better, but are somewhat inferior in quality. Liquid heaters are produced under the BINAR trademark.

A popular model is BINARY-5S-COMFORT for small vehicles with a volume of up to 4 liters. There are petrol and diesel options. Power - 5 kW. Power supply - 12V. Gasoline consumption - 0,7 l / h.

Teplostar model Diesel engine-heater 14TC-10-12-C Is a powerful heater with a 24V power supply and a power of 12 kW - 20 kW. Works on both diesel and gas. Suitable for buses, trucks and special vehicles.

Major manufacturers of electric heaters

Among the manufacturers of dependent electric heaters are DEFA, Severs and Nomacon.

DEFA heaters

These are compact models powered by 220V.

Model DEFA 411027 has a small size and is easy to operate. During operation, the oil is heated. To warm up at temperatures below -10 ° C, an average of half an hour of heater operation is required.

You can also highlight the cabin and engine heater. Defa Warm Up Warm Up 1350 Futura... Powered by mains and battery.

Heaters of the Severs company

The company manufactures pre-heaters. A popular brand is Severs-M... It is compact and easy to install. Power - 1,5 kW. Powered by household power. Heats up to 95 ° C, then the thermostat works and turns off the device. When the temperature drops to 60 ° C, the device automatically turns on.

Model Severs 103.3741 has similar characteristics as Severs-M. Differs in operating mode. On average, it takes 1-1,5 hours to warm up the engine. The device is protected against moisture and short circuits.

Heaters Nomakon

Model Nomakon PP-201 - a small compact device. Installed on the fuel filter. It can work from a regular battery and from a household network.

Which preheater is better

All of the above devices have their own advantages and disadvantages. Liquid autonomous heaters such as Webasto or Eberspacher are very good, but they are quite expensive. The average cost starts from 35 rubles and more. Of course, if the driver is able to install such devices, then he will receive maximum comfort. The devices are controlled from the passenger compartment, via a smartphone and a remote key fob. Customizable as desired.

Electric heaters offer significant cost savings. Their cost starts from 5 rubles. Some models show themselves quite well in practice, but they depend on the outlet. You need to have access to electricity. This is their minus.

Thermal accumulators do not use any resources at all, but depend on the regularity of travel. If you drive every day, then these devices will work well for you. The prices for them are quite reasonable.