Greg, we're not talking radiant heat - we're talking about running a "mini-radiator" system (think of a house). Why should it not work? It's working in my Mercedes diesel currently bringing the temp. of my veggie oil to 65 deg celcius, feeding it to my engine and operates just fine (going on one year now). As a matter of fact, I have TWO of them working at the same time (one by the tank and one in the engine bay - setup this way to ensure correct heat ratings) So I doubt there are any electrical-drain issues. See these pics: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/xr4timan/935f551b.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/xr4timan/1683e2b0.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/xr4timan/6e694800.jpg Here's the link to the inline 12v heater I have been using: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=4628802278&rd=1,1
Greg Potts <greg@pottsfamily.ca> wrote: Hi Mike, It's not going to work. You can't extract enough energy from a 12V battery to heat 180 cubic feet of Vanagon interior. Your alternator could not keep up with the draw, either. It's basic physics, and the question has come up on the aircooled list every fall since the lists started. If it was practical, automotive engineers would have adopted electrical heating a long time ago.
There are tiny little 12V hairdryers that are popular for defrosting bus windshields, but they don't supply enough heat to warm the interior of a bug.
The best approach for electric heat in a vehicle is to wear heated clothing. That might not be as convenient, but it will work. http://cozywinters.com/heated-clothing/?source=go&gclid=CMSk6eXm4ogCFSLrPgodnGpapQ
Happy Trails,
Greg Potts 1973/74/75/77/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato" www.pottsfamily.ca/westfakia www.busesofthecorn.com
On 25-Nov-06, at 12:54 PM, Mike Rouby wrote: Thought of this, this morning mainly for camping...but it should work for when the vehicle is moving as well....Kinda a DIY project that makes me wonder why the Bug crowd hasn't done this already...So i'm second-guessing myself.
Anyway...here's my idea....Since I already converted my Mercedes Diesel to run on veggie oil - I realized the same parts can be utilized to build a heating system.
Parts:
* Inline 12v heater (bought on Ebay for $70 - basically a temp. controlled glow plug in a metal Tee) * inline electric carb fuel pump (or 12v water pump - eg early Westy) * water container (small windshield resevoir or header tank from an import car) * antifreeze/water * small 12v electric fan (forced heating) * vent panel (fitment under rear seat) * small heater core * 3/8" hose - a couple of feet * some bracketry * relay and wiring to aux. battery including switch
Fit the whole thing under the rear seat.
Can anyone tell me why this would be a bad idea?
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