Heater system

[chris.richard]

Anybody (other than Andreas) got pictures of their heater system in a car with a spare wheel?

I could use some ideas!

Thanks!

[Stratos]

My Allora has a heater mounted inside the passenger compartment. I think it is a Mini unit.

Worked well enough for the use I put it to.

[Sando]

Originally posted by chris.richard
.............. got pictures of their heater system in a car with a spare wheel

Chris
I was very tempted to send you a daft picture of my engine with a spare wheel on top!:D :D

Having seen so many people get out of their cars dripping in sweat even on a cold day and following my non purist outlook, personally I thought I'd go for minimum heating and plenty of ventilation. Even going to the effort of insulating the bulkhead and lagging my water pipes to stay as cool as poss.:cool: This should also help with misting up (I hope!) as this also seems to be common.

I took out a half plumbed in Mini heater (weighed quite a bit) and was a mess anyway, and put in a small electric heater (weighed bugger all) under the dash for demist. this is fed by fresh air ducted from the front, with option of another fan in line for boost or just cold (12v PC cooling fan) admittedly in my case this is ducted through where a spare wheel would be by a big 100mm Elephants trunk, but my battery is up front anyway, so it's a can of the gooey stuff or the RAC for me if I get stuck out on the roadside.

The electric heater was from NF / Car builder Solutions. http://www.nfauto.co.uk/ I'ts not megga powerful but will do for demist, and fits under the dash easily with some glass fibre work to duct up to the vents.


Rob:cool:

PS..... Mini Heater free to a good home !! :)

[JohnB_SPY8808053]

I don't know the brand of the core but mine had a rather neat alloy frame that sits in between the two pieces of box-section pipe under the dash. Fresh air is supplied by a tube that runs in from the nose and is blown straight up through the core towards the bottom of the vents which are (more or less) sealed by a rubber surround. It's not original but seems quite effective.

John B.

[chris.richard]

Thanks guys, lots of useful ideas as always. I intended to use Andreas' installation, but after I'd bought the bits and mocked it up in card, I found that his wiper motor is under the dash; mine is in the space where he put his heater matrix! So I have a matrix and blower to use, but need to build a casing for the matrix. The blower will go on the inner wing as per the original. but for the rest it's a tight squeeze in the front, but inside or traversing the bulkhead might work. Any particular problems with putting it under the dash?

[chris.richard]

Originally posted by Sando


Chris
I was very tempted to send you a daft picture of my engine with a spare wheel on top!:D :D



"Stupid Boy" said Captain Mannering!!:D :D

[quick_andreas]

Hi Chris,

as long as you find suficient space for the matrix (and it´s housing) I see no problem in putting it under the dash. I would make sure to get a bleeding valve on the highest point-this might be more difficult below the dash, and much less comfortable to operate. Other idea: Don´t you find some space below the spare-wheel (outside) to put the housing? This would provide very short (and light) water-connections. The hot-air inlet might then be done in the passengers footrest area and from there up to the two vents.

Have a thought

kind regards

Andreas

[chris.richard]

Originally posted by quick_andreas
Other idea: Don´t you find some space below the spare-wheel (outside) to put the housing?

I've been thinking about there, my only worry is it's possible vulnerability to damage from below. thanks for the help.

[David May]

I put mine at the front, behind the radiator and by the side of the spare wheel, to avoid passing even more heat into the cockpit in summer. It's high enough up not to be exposed to the elements athough I've now got a floor underneath it all. Works well, is easily reached and keeps some of the fan motor noise out of the cockpit.

Dave May

[chris.richard]

I've finally reached a decision! I'm putting it on the front bulkhead at the front of the passenger footwell, with the blower on the inner wing as per original. The Suziki matrix fits in a housing 6.5 X 6.5 X 3.5 inches, with the pipes and air intake passing straight forward through the bulkhead, so is quite unobtrusive.:)

[guy mayers]

If that's on the floor won't it be vulnerable to sixe 9 wellies?

[chris.richard]

I expect to have a navigators footrest in front of it. I don't think they're too fragile once in the airbox.