Engine Pre Heaters

GIBBO66 · Post by **GIBBO66** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:52 pm

Does anyone have an engine preheater kit fitted to their bongo? I have seen them advertised by Kenlowe in the past. Also would it be possible to keep this connected while on a hookup at a campsite and then use the cooling system to keep the heater on?

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 9:40 pm

What are they for then?

GIBBO66 · Post by **GIBBO66** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 9:47 pm

You plug the engine in to the mains and it heats the coolant so you can start the engine warm. They reckon it pays for itself pretty quickly with all the saved fuel and also cuts down on engine wear.

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 9:55 pm

Haven't seen them for years - you used to fit them into the bottom hose.
Can't see how you could use them to heat the van, because the water wouldn't be circulating through the heater matrix without the engine running.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 9:59 pm

But it is a VERY interesting thought. My MPG is poor I suspect cos of my very short runs to work esp. in this cold weather. Any thoughts - Supreme Beings?

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:09 pm

Just looked up the website - it looks as if you can get them with a pump to circulate the water, so it could heat the van if you had the ignition and heater fan on.
Looks like you would need the lower powered one to use a 10amp supply.

cezeta · Post by **cezeta** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:46 pm

you can get them that run on 12v with twin heat exchangers so the water to the tap can be heated.

just like the heated shower tents ect, america is the place you will find them.

GIBBO66 · Post by **GIBBO66** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 11:04 pm

francophile, they advertise one that goes fro 5A - 12A. Might be OK for all purposes, I assume there must be a knob on it to adjust.

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 11:28 pm

Oh yeah - I missed that one. Have you found a price?