Stripped out and heaters???

[dhdev (Oli)]

I know I am a weight saving freak but enough is enough, it's winter and its freezing, plus in this country it rains all the time so de-misting really is an issue. What heaters have people tried that actually work? I've had a try with one of those 200W cigarette lighter socket ceramic jobbies and it was pathetic!
I've scanned the net and found these options so far...

Ebay 300w ''truck heater'' (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Automotive-Truck-Car-Fan-Cabin-Heater-12v-300w_W0QQitemZ290274083473QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item 290274083473&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1432%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318)

http://i14.ebayimg.com/01/i/001/19/7d/3274_1.JPG

Kit-car 4,500W heater jobbie (http://www.nfauto.co.uk/heater_plenum.htm)

http://www.nfauto.co.uk/images/jan_2005/heater.jpg

The reason I don't want a standard one is that I would need to take my inlet manifold off and fit a take off for the heater matrix, as the SBD manifolds don't come tapped as standard.

Anyone else got any good ideas, or have something fitted to theirs?

[Welsh Dan]

Could you use the standard heater return pipe just before the water pump, but 'T' into the hose between the thermostat and radiator for the supply? I know it wouldn't work until the thermostat opened but it would save having to take the inlet manifold off.

If I had another nova I wouldn't hesitate to buy another heated windscreen :).

[jord4n]

if I had another nova I wouldn't hesitate to buy another heated windscreen :).
Think he's cold tho, not just the misting up

been looking at this to but im thinking im just going to keep the matrix now.

or you could get a dc to ac converter and use a house hold fan heater.

[dhdev (Oli)]

The problem with DC to AC converters is they don't operate high power equipment such as heaters, only the mega expensive converters are capable of this.
I think if I was gonna chop into pipes I'd go the whole hog and sort the fannymold out. I was kinda hoping for a plug and play solution :(

[Southie]

Just gets some nice thermals, to keep you snug in the winter months oh and a thermos flask :)

Seriously thou my mate is going through a similar predicament with his rally car. I will give him a call later this evening, to ask him what he has done on his, if no one comes up with anything for you.

[dhdev (Oli)]

Cheers :)

[loggyboy]

DONT go for the Maplin one at about £15 pounds. You cant even feel the heat if your more than about 3 inches from it.

[jord4n]

just thought cut a hole in the bulk head, let some of the heat from the engine bay into the cab.

[loggyboy]

This link comes from another site, but i cant view it as its blocked at work, so apologies if its rubbish!
http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/45kw-heater-heat-301-p.asp


just thought cut a hole in the bulk head, let some of the heat from the engine bay into the cab.

The probly with that is condensation, I currently have my blowers sourcing the air from the engine bay, (as i have removed my upper bulkhead), when standing in traffic in the rain it just pumps in very damp air and mists the screen terribly.

[Southie]

Seriously thou my mate is going through a similar predicament with his rally car. I will give him a call later this evening, to ask him what he has done on his, if no one comes up with anything for you.
Gave my mate a call. He said he runs copper pipe through where the matrix would have been, and then got a small fan to direct the warmth. Obviously similar to a matrix without the room needed.

Not sure myself though how warm it would be but must do the job as he said the phrase he dad said was "bring out the copper lad" when the heaters went in his old mini lol

Hope this is of some help :thumb:

[dhdev (Oli)]

As said above, if I'm cobbling something together that uses the cooling system, think I'll do it using the original matrix tbh.

Loggyboy - that link you posted is the same heater as the 4500W heater I posted. I was dubious as to how they got so much power and it's because it is again coolant powered :cry:

Looks like I'm gonna need to pull the inlet manifold off :cry::cry::cry:

[Stuart]

Just buy a decent coat you skinny runt :p (or put on some winter insulation like I did)


If you want a sort of "all in one" heater matrix solution, look at the Lotus Elise item as its pretty cheap, small, one outlet etc

[Adam]

Just fit the std blower motor, but no matrix. It should still keep the screen clear.

Or do you want it to be nice and warm?? Lol

[dhdev (Oli)]

I want it nice and warm too lol!
If I get festively plump or put on thermals, gloves and a coat then the extra weight is there anyway, so I may as well have the heat and demisting of a proper heater ;)

It appears the Elise uses the same heater matrix as a TX2 black cab PMSL

[Mike]

You can get a 12v Ceramic fan for as little as £8 of eBay!

Mount it to the underside of the metal plate youve used to blank the matrix hole, face it into the under dash ducting, run a switch into the dash and hey presto.

[Benn]

I was thinking about this for a mate,
Leave the matrix in place, well add a small cage to hold it up (no dash)
Mount a powerfull 12v fan under neither it pointing up. On the top a bit of ducking that takes the heat up to the screen.

That way it keeps the screen clear and keep you warm. Should only add a few kgs too.

[General Baxter]

I was thinking about this for a mate,
Leave the matrix in place, well add a small cage to hold it up (no dash)
Mount a powerfull 12v fan under neither it pointing up. On the top a bit of ducking that takes the heat up to the screen.

That way it keeps the screen clear and keep you warm. Should only add a few kgs too.

baxter style :thumb: lol

[Stuart]

standard matrix weighs a funk load (think 10KG when full of water).... VX/Elise/TX2 taxi should weigh about half that

[General Baxter]

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a191/baxters83/Picture007.jpg

[Benn]

baxter style :thumb: lol

No i said it first so its Ben style..lol

[dhdev (Oli)]

Baxter have you got a link to the one you made?

This could be an option, bit pricey though :(

1.2kg blower and matrix combo (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lightweight-Heater-unit-1-2kg-Kit-cars_W0QQitemZ190263141305QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item 190263141305&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1432%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318)

[General Baxter]

iv gone back to a full interior now, so you can have my cut down matrix if you want :)

only problem i had was keeping the fan attached to the matrix :(

[dhdev (Oli)]

iv gone back to a full interior now, so you can have my cut down matrix if you want :)

only problem i had was keeping the fan attached to the matrix :(

i might just take you up on that offer! Cut-down how? And would cable ties not fix the two together?

[General Baxter]

if there think enough to go thru the matrix then yeah,

by cut down i mean, the casing, it bolts into the car using the orginal two bolts under the dash :)

[Benn]

Bugger didnt see that pic till i posted.

[dhdev (Oli)]

if there think enough to go thru the matrix then yeah,

by cut down i mean, the casing, it bolts into the car using the orginal two bolts under the dash :)
Can I get it off you this weekend? I'm back up in the Midlands visiting the missus. :)

[General Baxter]

iits allready off, just got to find the blower motor, i know the matrix its self is sitting on my sisters scooter :)

[loggyboy]

standard matrix weighs a funk load (think 10KG when full of water).... VX/Elise/TX2 taxi should weigh about half that
Are you serious???

Not only does that seem like a huge over estimation, (id say the matrix weighs in at 1kg tops empty) but the level of water would be completely dependent on how full the system was. Just leaving it on min level instead of max would be enough to save any amount of additional water the matrix and pipes might hold.

[Adam]

10kg? Bollocks lol
I bet even the radiator doesn't weigh 10kg when full
A kg or 2 for a full matrix imo

[burgo]

am i right in thinking a litre of water weighs 1kg?? if so i recon a litre is all the matrix holds

[MK999]

am i right in thinking a litre of water weighs 1kg?? if so i recon a litre is all the matrix holds

1ltr=1kg yeah :thumb:

[dhdev (Oli)]

I'd agree with the 2kg estimate for matrix and contents. Which is why i think its worthwhile re-installing it, lets face it an extra pair of socks, trousers, coat, gloves, scarf and hat probably weighs more than that! lol Plus if the car is hot inside it'll make it lighter, like a hot air balloon...right? lollollol

[burgo]

I'd agree with the 2kg estimate for matrix and contents. Which is why i think its worthwhile re-installing it, lets face it an extra pair of socks, trousers, coat, gloves, scarf and hat probably weighs more than that! lol Plus if the car is hot inside it'll make it lighter, like a hot air balloon...right? lollollollmfao. love your theory

[Welsh Dan]

Baxter have you got a link to the one you made?

This could be an option, bit pricey though :(

1.2kg blower and matrix combo (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lightweight-Heater-unit-1-2kg-Kit-cars_W0QQitemZ190263141305QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item 190263141305&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1432%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318)


Spot the difference (http://www.coolercases.co.uk/acatalog/XSPC_Radiators.html). Add a £10 fan and some ducting...

[dhdev (Oli)]

Spot the difference (http://www.coolercases.co.uk/acatalog/XSPC_Radiators.html). Add a £10 fan and some ducting...

Nice find! :thumb:
I'll see how I go with the General's modified matrix/blower combo first, although that would definately be an option.

Also inverters are a lot cheaper than I first thought. A 1000w inverter can be had for around £30, add a £15 800W fan heater, bolt to a plate of Ally and put it where the back seats used to be, pointing forwards and bob's your uncle! Dunno if 800W of heating is sufficient though :confused:

[Stuart]

When I took the matrix assembly out of a nova I weighed it and it was 7KG...add in the 1-2Kg of water it may or maynot hold and you are near 10Kg.

[Welsh Dan]

If you go for a radiator like the one I linked to, don't use a PC fan because they push very little air through a radiator like that, I'd use a nova blower or similar, also those PC radiators only hold a few hundred ml.

[General Baxter]

iv just put my cut down one on the scales, 2.24kg :)

[loggyboy]

including the 7kg matrix? :lol:

[General Baxter]

no that is the matrix and plastic housing :)

[General Baxter]

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a191/baxters83/Picture070.jpg