Anyone install a Tank heater ??

Wth?-o

 

Ahh whah???

 

heats the cooling system fluid.

 

wonder what the advantages/disadvantages over block heating are?

 

I have had these on other cars......they do not circulate the fluid.....just heat it up and it circulates it's self.....as would any other block heater.....however the wattage on this unit is much higher then the block heater you would get at the dealer. 400 versa 1500 of this unit.

 

i think kats makes one with a pump that connects to the lower radiator hose.

 

Ahh, that explains it. Another one of those mysterious devices to us southerners like engine block heaters, heated seats, ice scrapers, snow blowers, etc.

 

sure, rub it in.:smow:

 

I would trade my seat warmer for a/c ventilated seats any day!

BTW, that heating unit would make a good cheap source of hot water in my garage shop.:humble:

 

That's awesome, I'd love to put one on our '11 instead of the Toyota ebh that's in it now.

 

interesting, i wonder how it compares to the instant hot water tap?

 

If the gallons per minute is high enough maybe
it to could double as a tankless hot water heater
for a log cabin in a pinch?

 

Apparently a member has installed a coolant heater in his Gen III and it appears he was happy with the results.

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...-available-in-priuschat-shop.html#post1222437

I'm thinking about doing this, but I wonder what wattage to use...

Thanks,
Stockton

 

Companies like Temro also make circulation "tank" coolant heaters. There are also heaters, typically used for industrial engines, that fit into the lower rad hose

A thermosiphon heater has a couple of checkballs and springs inside. Its VERY important to ensure the cooling system is properly bled before first use, or you will fry the heater

When you plug it in, the element rapidly heats the coolant inside the little tank. The hot coolant expands and pushes out past the top checkball. Then the top checkball closes and the bottom checkball opens to draw in cold coolant. The cycle repeats

The better tank-style heaters have a thermostatic control too

 

We have a Webasto diesel fired heater on our boat. It uses a magnetically coupled impeller to move the coolant, and is good for 43,500 btu/hr. Would that do the job?

Tom