You Know What Would Be Cool...

[Archive]

I was thinking about stuff to add ont he Ram tonight, and was thinking about the ESPAR heater thing. I don't need the full benefits of the ESPAR, but I do like the fact that it circulates hot coolant. This got me thinking...

WHat if we install some kind of electric water pump that comes on with the engine block heater? You could have a 120 volt pump to circulate coolant through the engine and heater core. You could even hook up a cab heater somehow. Surely this would require much thought, but I am positive it could be done. Anyone have any input?

BOMBED


------------------
Evan A. Beck "NW PUNK"
Prez, NW BOMBers

'01 2500HD 4x2 QC, 139" WB, 6-speed, ETH, SLT... yadda yadda yadda... K&N, 3" "PIPE BOMB", 6-way turn signal conversion, aux. backup lights, Line-X. 2,945 miles and counting!

Check out NW PUNK for more info!

 

[Archive]

not to be sarcastic, but my only thought (especially after mowing the yard today) is that I am jealous of people who have to worry about cold weather. Don't get me wrong, I love where I live, but a little "frosty action" more than 2 days a year would be nice. The last time I used my engine block heater, I had left the truck in a friends shop and he had left the a/c on 50 deg. overnight... hehehehe

Evan, I'm sure it would work as long as the pump didn't restrict waterflow while it wasn't running... . I would also be concerned that the block heater might not make enough heat to heat both the engine and the coolant, and basically you might just be keeping everything cold (there is a LOT of coolant to heat up). who knows.....

------------------
FOR SALE: 98. 5 24v 5-spd std cab dually. ON ORDER: 2001 ETH quadcab 4x4 dually (need the back seet for the upcoming rugrat and that mandatory simpson racing child safety seat!)

icq61308432

 

[Archive]

Evan
Some years ago whenI lived in Oregon I installed a unit like you asked about. What it is was a small canister with heater hose connections on it that you installed by cutting the heater hose and slipping the cut ends over the connection on each end of the cannister. This unit had a heater in it and a small pump and if you left your heater control in the on position not only was your engine warm but the cab had some warmth from coolant circulating through the heater core all night. I dont know who made it but it worked great.
John

------------------
96 SLT C\C 2wd 5spd 3. 54 straight pipe. Bed liner,Twin Aluminum tool boxes, 45 gal bed mounted aux tank. Member
USPSA\NRA

 

[Archive]

Evan, Deezul's comment was close. The tank heaters installed in areas where it is really cold (where you better leave your transmission in reverse the night before, or you don't get out of your driveway in the morning), are meant to be installed in the heater lines between the block and the heater core. You have to make sure that the tank heater is below the level of the heater core. Then through convective action, the heated coolant rises, passes through the heater core, and then through the block, and back to the tank heater. In the morning, warm engine, and warm heater, instantly, like magic, no moving parts.

 

[Archive]

I use the same unit that DTAUG describes on all of our John Deere tractors,they work great. Any John Deere dealer can get you one for about $79. 00. They get very hot so be careful where you locate the canister. On my Ram the stock block heater works just as well. I have it wired thru a line voltage thermostat set at 45 degrees and the wait to start never has come on,even at 25 below zero!It also melts the snow off the hood and windshield as long as its above 20. I also have the power cords secured so I can just backup to disconnect,no worry about forgeting to unplug. Of course here in power buckle of the Great Northwest we have cheapest electricity in the world the power bill for the home,shop and farm is never over 20 bucks!!!

 

[Archive]

illflem, quiet! No one back east is supposed to know about your power rates. If they did, they would want you to help pay for theirs. Haven't you heard about electric utility deregulation? This is supposed to be our little NW secret. They think we burn salmon to generate our power.