dj_efk
A2OC Donor
As per my blog, I’ve been looking into engine pre-heating for Merlin and have bought a Calix coolant heater kit.
This does not heat up the oil however, hence I wondered whether a separate heater attached to the sump would further shorten the long warm-up time of the TDi (my car is an ATL 90 version). The aim is to have petrol-like heated air available for demisting and heating within moments of starting, then a similar engine warm-up time to operating temperature, thanks to 60-90 minutes or so of pre-heating before the first start of the day; something that I understand can take a long time on a diesel A2 - This would literally cost pence in electricity yet save fuel and on engine wear - the latter is important as I want to keep Merlin running many more 100ks of miles.
I’ve found a brand with a good reputation for safety (there are a lot of generic Chinese ones out there with no thermostat control or earth wiring!) and the only requirement for them to work safely is that they must be mounted on a flat part of the sump (it doesn’t matter where as aluminium is such a good thermal conductor), plus of course it cannot be mounted right next to the plastic under tray.
For reference, I was thinking of one this shape (15x4cm) ....
Or perhaps this shape (8cm, round):
Here’s the full range of these, for interest: https://www.t7design.co.uk/engine-heating/phillips-temro-industries.html?cat=106&voltage=6103
My plan was to somehow incorporate the wiring for this into the on-board inlet wiring for the Calix, hence both would operate together. The 125w model is sufficient for this application (up to 4.5l of oil being heated).
My question is, can anyone with a diesel A2 suggest a good place to mount one with this in mind? They are pretty small in size as below.
Those of you who know me will know I’m overseas / not near my A2 at present and hence can’t look under my car for myself!
This does not heat up the oil however, hence I wondered whether a separate heater attached to the sump would further shorten the long warm-up time of the TDi (my car is an ATL 90 version). The aim is to have petrol-like heated air available for demisting and heating within moments of starting, then a similar engine warm-up time to operating temperature, thanks to 60-90 minutes or so of pre-heating before the first start of the day; something that I understand can take a long time on a diesel A2 - This would literally cost pence in electricity yet save fuel and on engine wear - the latter is important as I want to keep Merlin running many more 100ks of miles.
I’ve found a brand with a good reputation for safety (there are a lot of generic Chinese ones out there with no thermostat control or earth wiring!) and the only requirement for them to work safely is that they must be mounted on a flat part of the sump (it doesn’t matter where as aluminium is such a good thermal conductor), plus of course it cannot be mounted right next to the plastic under tray.
For reference, I was thinking of one this shape (15x4cm) ....
Or perhaps this shape (8cm, round):
Here’s the full range of these, for interest: https://www.t7design.co.uk/engine-heating/phillips-temro-industries.html?cat=106&voltage=6103
My plan was to somehow incorporate the wiring for this into the on-board inlet wiring for the Calix, hence both would operate together. The 125w model is sufficient for this application (up to 4.5l of oil being heated).
My question is, can anyone with a diesel A2 suggest a good place to mount one with this in mind? They are pretty small in size as below.
Those of you who know me will know I’m overseas / not near my A2 at present and hence can’t look under my car for myself!
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