pre-heaters - has anybody got experience?

[Rubce]

Hi All

Has anyone got experience of fitting/using an engine pre-heater on a Stag,GT6 or other Classic?

http://www.kenlowe.co.uk/pre-heaters/cars/index.html

I am considering fitting one to the GT6 (daily user) to assist warm up in the morning.

Cheers

Bruce

[flying farmer]

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I used a pre heater on my PI saloon about 12 years ago.I got it from a scrapyard for a tenner and it worked well for a couple of years untill a dodgy connection to the heater element stopped it working. The only reason I didnt repair it was I moved house and didn't have a convenient power point, It was great to get into the car on a frosty morning, start it without choke, then drive away with a working heater.

I wonder if I have still got it in the thing in the back of the shed? The garage with Stag in it has got a power point. Must be worth a look

Neil

[Stagdad]

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Does it have a built in curculation pump?.

Steve

[DJT]

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Stagdad wrote:

Does it have a built in curculation pump?.

Steve

Hi Steve,

Under 'Specifications/Dimensions' it states:

RECIRCULATING PUMP
The pump circulates hot water around entire engine and heater; yet as a recirculation (not pressure) pump it presents no obstruction to the engine/heater coolant when the engine is running and the pre-heater is not in use. The integral pump has a patented shaded pole rotor running in coolant, the stator is in an adjacent but separate section so that the magnetic field can be completed whilst allowing the design to avoid any glands or seals. The patented KENLOWE pump ensures efficient distribution of the heat and avoids what would otherwise be mainly hopeful reliance on convected or thermo syphon heat transfer which, because of poor distribution, could only be of limited watts. This would significantly limit the temperature the engine can be heated to.

So I guess the answer is yes. Looks like a good investment if you use the car every day.

Dave

[Stagdad]

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Thanks Dave ,

I missed that bit .

Cheers Steve

[Arbman Al]

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I like the sound of these!

Could do with one in my works Navara, as always freezing cold inside at this time of year, with ice on the inside of the windscreen!:shock::shock:

Al

[Andy Rundell]

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Arbman Al wrote:

I like the sound of these!

Could do with one in my works Navara, as always freezing cold inside at this time of year, with ice on the inside of the windscreen!:shock::shock:

Al

i thought about one of these a while ago - but in the end i opted for something more simple - i leave a cheap electric blow heater in the car and turn it on 10mins before i leave in the morning - the car is lovely and warm for when i leave and doesn't need any defrosting or demisting.

.......Andy

[marshman]

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I fitted a kenlowe Hotstart to my land rover (nearly a classic in some peoples eyes)about 15 years ago. Still works ok, though I don't use it much these days. I originally got it so that the engine/heater was warm and the heater could instantly clear the windscreen in the winter. It was nice to get into a warm car and drive straight off. I'm not entirely sure its worth the expense though - I would put it into the catagory of a luxury. Aside from the cost of of purchasing it, you need it on for at least 30 minutes for a nice warm engine and heater - at 3kw thats 1.5 units of electric - every day in the winter if its a daily driver. There is also the hassle of a safe electric supply if your car is kept outside. If its just a warm car you want then Andys idea of an electric heater on for 10mins is much better. i'm not sure if the claims of reduced engine wear amount to much these days. I have'nt seen a really worn engine for years, if its been looked after with regular oil changes then you'll easily get 150k out of a petrol engine. My sons 106 1.3 rallye engine has done 110k and when we did the head gasket recently there was detectablebore wear, despite it spending half its life on the motorway at 5 to 6000rpm!

As always, just my opinion

Roger

[Rubce]

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I was thinking of it from the point of view of less engine wear, faster warm up, less need for choke, warm air from the heater sooner. The demist bit does not worry me as the GT6 lives under a cover so never needs de-icing. The issue of outdoor electric supply is no issue either as a mate of mine is a qualified electrician plus a power supply on the driveway is a useful thing to have.

Fifteen pence per day the car is in use, say 75 pence per week is nothing compared to the car running on twin choke. My wife has changed jobs which means I will be using the GT6 much more than I do currently. In the winter the engine has not warmed up by the time I get to work. So anyhting to assist reducing that problem is probably worthwhile.

Iam also planning on removing thecontinuous fan off that car and relying solely on theelectric fan. That should assist the winter warm up.

Think I will buy one for the GT6 and see how I like it before worrying about the Stag.

Bruce

[flying farmer]

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I have had a root through the back of the shed and found my old Kenlow hotstartI even found its old power lead hanging over the same electric socket where I last used it probably 15 years ago- must have a tidy up one of these days

I have managed to get the heater working again but the pump is not functioning. I shall strip it and see if it can be saved

Neil

[DF961]

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Hiya, I fitted a Kenlowe to my 35 year old Land Rover which hasa big, heavy,normally aspirated diesel enginewhich takes an absolute age to reach operating temperature when started from cold.I swear by it!After plugging in it gets it up to full temperature in50 minutes in freezing conditionsand makes starting a breeze. It then runs like a 'warm' engine which of course it is... If I was rich I'd fit one to all my Triumphs as well.I have had it fitted four over four years. Hope that helps. Dick

[Rubce]

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The cheapest I have found so far on the internet is from Rimmers. £219 for the version which also switches on the internal heater/fan for the cabin. Am definitely going to order one.

I covered the radiator air intake grill in kitchen foil this evening. Hopefully that will help warm the sucker up a bit faster tomorrow morning:?.

Bruce

[Arbman Al]

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Andy Rundell wrote:

Arbman Al wrote:

I like the sound of these!

Could do with one in my works Navara, as always freezing cold inside at this time of year, with ice on the inside of the windscreen!:shock::shock:

Al

i thought about one of these a while ago - but in the end i opted for something more simple - i leave a cheap electric blow heater in the car and turn it on 10mins before i leave in the morning - the car is lovely and warm for when i leave and doesn't need any defrosting or demisting. 

.......Andy

Followed your lead Andy and bought a cheap fan heater yesterday, and also a plug timer
Set the timer to come on 20 mins before I had to leave and it worked a treat - nice warm car and no de-icing to do:dude::dude::dude:

[Paul B]

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Bruce,

Sounds rather good, especially at the moment. I really am getting fed up of de-icing the car each morning and the weather man says its going to continue for another couple of weeks at least.

How do you plumb these into the water system?

[Andy Rundell]

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Arbman Al wrote:

Andy Rundell wrote:

Arbman Al wrote:

I like the sound of these!

Could do with one in my works Navara, as always freezing cold inside at this time of year, with ice on the inside of the windscreen!:shock::shock:

Al

i thought about one of these a while ago - but in the end i opted for something more simple - i leave a cheap electric blow heater in the car and turn it on 10mins before i leave in the morning - the car is lovely and warm for when i leave and doesn't need any defrosting or demisting.

.......Andy

Followed your lead Andy and bought a cheap fan heater yesterday, and also a plug timer
Set the timer to come on 20 mins before I had to leave and it worked a treat - nice warm car and no de-icing to do:dude::dude::dude:

Glad it worked well for you Al - it makes getting into the car on cold mornings almost a pleasure !! :dude::dude: i have never used a timer - but thinking about it, that would be a good idea - which i'll probably steal from you !! (i have left mine on longer than intended a couple of times )