DIY sump/ oil pan heater

[tolsen]

Washer fluid heater is now ready for commissioning and testing.


Intend to wire heater such that it turns on when washer pump is operated. This simplifies wiring as only fuse, relay, cable and crimp terminals are required. No drilling of holes in dash for switches.

[tolsen]

More complications. Front panels must come off to run wiring and fit washer heater. The problem is the ambient temperature. Minus 5 C at the moment and my Smart is totally iced over. Risk cracking brittle front panels so this job will have to wait. Intend therefore to fit on the Trekka first. Although made by Renault, access to the washer system on the Trekka is remarkably good.

Some info that may interest Mottofree:

On my Smart 450 Cdi I have had the 150 Watt oil pan heater plugged in for 3 hours. Ambient temperature has remained constant at - 5 C. Surface temperature at top of engine - 3 C. Temperature at bottom external surface of oil pan + 10 C. Did not measure oil temperature as I wish my gauge to remain clean and not be soaked in black diesel engine oil. Surface temperature measured with a Fluke 62 IR thermometer.

[tolsen]

Taps just arrived. £4.23 with delivery.

Might have a prototype working within a few hours.

[tolsen]

Delayed here. Missing M12x1.25 taps.



Above glow plugs fit early 1990 Peugeot Citroen 1.9 Diesel engines. Only £2.50 each on eBay with delivery. Mine of course cost me nothing.
Overall length is 71mm. Tested both and found single plug heat output is about 250 Watts. That ought to be more than enough to heat windshield washer water.

[tolsen]

It is advisable to run wipers a wee bit to wipe windshield clean of water after having operated the heater and washer.

Have already acquired about a dozen second hand glow plugs and intend to manufacture the heater tomorrow since a rather dull day and no open pub so not much to do.

[tolsen]

No rear jet on mine since a Cabrio.

[mottofreee]

Last winter I tried this method.
Indeed, the ice is removed from the windshield.
After a short distance (100 ... 500 yards), the temperature felt on the windscreen surface decreases by 10 degrees and the remaining water film crystallizes. I tried to mechanically remove the film (card method) but it's like scabies:
you can not finish it all the way.
Windshield becomes semi-opaque, reason for which we went by car on the pavement in a curve; my luck is there is nobody there.
Then, before leaving, the windshield was clean like a tear ...
After climbing on the sidewalk, I gave up this windshield wipe because it's not good to force your luck.

[Thrumbleux]

That explains it!

If you really want to experiment with jet propulsion TK, start with the rear screen wash jet......

[tolsen]

My Cabrio will soon become a fiery dragon.

[tolsen]

Well you wouldn't if it's missing!

Page#4 here. The post prior to your posting at 12.37am is dated 14/12/17. We were up to six pages prior.

I also get confused now and then. There are two similar threads. Mine (this one) and Mottofree's http://smartmaniacs.co.uk/forum/the-...l-heater/page7

[mottofreee]

Unlocking in nozzles is done by heating the nozzle with electric resistance - heated nozzles.
Emptying liquid after each use is impossible to do gravitationally.
150W leads to melting the nozzle.
5W are sufficient to unlock the nozzle.

[mottofreee]

OE devices are made with incandescent glows plugs.
https://www.pieseauto.ro/alte-piese-...908645915.html or

https://www.pieseauto.ro/alte-piese-motor/renault/clio/incalzitor-apa-cod-8200044922-renault-clio-1-5-dci-1512758857.html

The efficiency of these devices is indeterminate but I think they are ineffective. The incandescent spark plug has been optimized to work for short periods at high temperatures (800 ... 1000C). At low temperatures (-15 ... + 30C) the operation is of some efficiency because it was designed to work in the air, not in the liquid.

The solution from the car manufacturers consists of blowing hot air onto the interior of the windscreen (in the cabin) or electric windscreen wiper, similar to the rear window but with invisible electrodes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIhZsVwFJlQ The other way is to use the capacitor reactance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmpROemcd4E
Reducing visibility by changing the diy windshield first comes to the driver. From a legal point of view, it is "the key to the prison".

[Thrumbleux]

Unlike you I want instant heat and steam. Steam should in theory unblock nozzles. Not much risk of cracking windscreen but time will tell.

.

I'd have thought your proposal better deployed to heat the incoming (to HP pump) fuel.

I can’t see any missing half of this thread.

Well you wouldn't if it's missing!

Page#4 here. The post prior to your posting at 12.37am is dated 14/12/17. We were up to six pages prior.

[tolsen]

Why not just wrap the washer tubing around the top radiator hose? Not as hot, but safer for the screen.
450 washers are a PITA for blocking and losing aim. Any improvement there would be welcome.
Where has half of this thread gone?

Unlike you I want instant heat and steam. Steam should in theory unblock nozzles. Not much risk of cracking windscreen but time will tell.

I can’t see any missing half of this thread.

[Thrumbleux]

Why not just wrap the washer tubing around the top radiator hose? Not as hot, but safer for the screen.
450 washers are a PITA for blocking and losing aim. Any improvement there would be welcome.
Where has half of this thread gone?