UKCRC Forum

My ex-polo heater has finally given up. Looking to upgrade to an electric option. Any recommendations for small electric heaters

Russ shows his neat solution.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oJ26L8EsqE&list=PLSA2RobRiCWrZcaHUSKxPG_veSA8F79-R&index=9

Parts are from Car Builder solutions.

https://www.carbuilder.com/uk/heatac

That Install is a recipe for disaster.

It would be nice for your reasons which might help the group and what your thoughts on your solution.

Quote from: alunwill on Feb 20, 2024, 11:07 PMThat Install is a recipe for disaster.

Hi Alun, yes I would like to know what problems you can see with my heater install solution, compared to the option in the AK instruction manual.

Its a simple heater, in an aluminium box, installed in a slot. Which is all easily removable and kept clean from the elements swirling round the engine bay.
Air ducts fitted (on early version) so air pulled in from cockpit. Later version box is wider so air pulled in from behind dash, so no additional ducting required.

and they both vent to windscreen for demist.

Original Polo heater in AK instructions, was sealed in. Bit of plastic over the intake, and ducting into cockpit.
And primary issue was all open to the elements in engine bay.

Good to hear of any fixes to issues you can see.

However i note you want an electric solution, so maybe you see issue with the water pipes. Routing is difficult, from the front of the engine, but all seems ok after 4 builds,

Russ

Quote from: RussHowell on Feb 22, 2024, 08:59 AMHi Alun, yes I would like to know what problems you can see with my heater install solution, compared to the option in the AK instruction manual.

Its a simple heater, in an aluminium box, installed in a slot. Which is all easily removable and kept clean from the elements swirling round the engine bay.
Air ducts fitted (on early version) so air pulled in from cockpit. Later version box is wider so air pulled in from behind dash, so no additional ducting required.

and they both vent to windscreen for demist.

Original Polo heater in AK instructions, was sealed in. Bit of plastic over the intake, and ducting into cockpit.
And primary issue was all open to the elements in engine bay.

Good to hear of any fixes to issues you can see.

However i note you want an electric solution, so maybe you see issue with the water pipes. Routing is difficult, from the front of the engine, but all seems ok after 4 builds,

Russ
I have your set up in my AK and I have never had a problem with it, I did add 2 cockpit vents for warm air to the legs / foot well and it works fine with closable vents from car builders. Water Hose route is no problem and mine run along the top of the inner wing with no problem, the only addition I made was, I added a bleed fitting close to the bulk head/ fire wall in the engine bay, so no chance of getting an air lock. Only down side I can see, is lack of speed adjustment to the fan, but its no real big deal. Great neat and tidy install.

Quote from: alunwill on Feb 19, 2024, 05:06 PMMy ex-polo heater has finally given up. Looking to upgrade to an electric option. Any recommendations for small electric heaters

Just be aware that any electric upgrade will be vastly inferior to the heating ability of a water-based system.
Power in the electric case is just 12 time the amps you choose. I spent a long time looking into this, and drew a blank, unless you want to go to a 24 Volt cab heater that is used in crane cabs.