Pre heated coolant

[Graham]

Going off a topic the other day about thermostats sticking and not reaching operating temp.

Could this devise be powerfull enough to pre heat the coolant in the car over night, to aid faster warm up. They do a 150w as well at half that price.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AQUAEL-KOI-FIS...item2eb13f7dde

Your thoughts, or is it a silly idea?

[I cdti]

Not totally silly, faster warm up / demist, better fuel comsumpsion. You'll need a pump too...then a 2nd thermostat to stop the coolant boiling and best to keep temp below vehicles thermostat temp - no point heating the extra water in the rad side.....or spend a bit more and get a parking heater - there's an accessory kit avalible.

[Das]

But what you need to remember is that with a thermostat is that, especially in winter, as you drive along the temp of the fluid drops because of the natural cooling from the radiator, the thermostat then closes and allows the coolant just to circulate around the engine, once it reaches the right temp again, think its 92 degress, it opens and allows full circulation. If you tried to pre heat the coolant yes it will be nice and warm but as soon as you drive off the coolant will just start to cool and before you know it the temp gauge will be flat on the floor.
As Graham states you'd also need to sort out some kind of pump or all you would heat would be that coolant in the expansion tank, They heaters waste electricity like its going out of fashion too, a week of that thing running and you'd be cheaper just sorting the thermostat.
Sorry tbh its a silly idea IMO.

[Jezzy]

I know some people in Canada that use these in their cars in winter:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/BRAND-NEW-ACURA-T...item4154aac87e

[164161413]

In Sweden we use thing like this:

http://cor.defa.com/

[keefy*2010]

Ask the guys in Scandinavia countries
I know in Norway they have mains operated pre-heat units that warm the coolant up before you get into the car, these are normally on time switches.
They even have the sockets at their workplace (P17 16 amp water proof sockets. at their workplace.
Kemp
Do they have the same system in Denmark? are there any part numbers for the unit? Would'nt be any use to me as I cannot park outside my house but ok for members with drives. I never got into a cold car on my many trips Norway.

[Graham]

In Sweden we use thing like this:

http://cor.defa.com/

Do like that idea, looks impressive. Not sure on the cost, but like any thing probably more hazzle than its worth getting it all set up.

Think ill just put up a with cold car in the morning.

[simon1]

kenlow do a heater system that plumbs in to the rad hose and heats the water up