Grid Heater Project (Proof of Concept)

weeks101 · **Joined:** Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:29 pm **Posts:** 747

Right now there are 3 prototypes in the wild, one here in Minnesota, one in Colorado and another in Ohio. So far it's been effective down to 0F degrees. Any lower than that and the limiting factor becomes the battery, due to the extended run-times needed to be effective at those temps. That said, I am still waiting for more data from my testers. I am starting to think next winter will be the earliest possible release for production heater kits.

That said, if you're willing and and you understand that this is a beta product and may not perform exactly the same as the final production units, I can build you a kit, but it'll be as-is with no guarantees. If you're interested let me know. The ETA would be 3-4 weeks. Contact me here: https://shop.sasquatchparts.com/contact/

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Wed Jan 07, 2015 8:40 pm

flman wrote:

I am surprised no one has ever attempted an espar heater, I am fortunate enough to be able to park indoors during the winter.

There is one guy at least that has done it. He is supposed to be emailing me some info. It's nice to not have to worry about plugging in. Since our Jep seems so sensitive to cold, my wife has not been driving it. She can not plug in at work. She's been driving my 94 K3500 CC LB. Gotta be liking that

minisub · **Posted:** Wed Jan 07, 2015 10:25 pm

weeks101 wrote:

Right now there are 3 prototypes in the wild, one here in Minnesota, one in Colorado and another in Ohio. So far it's been effective down to 0F degrees. Any lower than that and the limiting factor becomes the battery, due to the extended run-times needed to be effective at those temps. That said, I am still waiting for more data from my testers. I am starting to think next winter will be the earliest possible release for production heater kits.

That said, if you're willing and and you understand that this is a beta product and may not perform exactly the same as the final production units, I can build you a kit, but it'll be as-is with no guarantees. If you're interested let me know. The ETA would be 3-4 weeks. Contact me here: https://shop.sasquatchparts.com/contact/

Weeks, sorry if I missed this along the way, but would the heater components be able to be added to an existing elbow kit down the line? Been holding off on the elbow; not sure I want to get into a pre-production unit, and honestly, by waiting until the chimes stop instead of the WTS light going out I've been starting easier lately. That said, if it was a simple swap and came with some added costs down the line but not a complete replacement, that would be attractive to me.

Jrsavoie, is Greg Landyut (sp?) still active on the page? He was an Espar dealer/advocate and always seemed willing to offer advice and help. Perhaps could help you figure out how to make one work on these things. Although if I recall, they are pretty spendy.

weeks101 · **Joined:** Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:29 pm **Posts:** 747

minisub wrote:

Weeks, sorry if I missed this along the way, but would the heater components be able to be added to an existing elbow kit down the line? Been holding off on the elbow; not sure I want to get into a pre-production unit, and honestly, by waiting until the chimes stop instead of the WTS light going out I've been starting easier lately. That said, if it was a simple swap and came with some added costs down the line but not a complete replacement, that would be attractive to me.

Yeah, we could definitely work something out.

Honestly, I think this has the potential to be the best solution to our collective problem:

cevans wrote:

I'm working on this problem too - I'm attempting to have custom ceramic tipped plugs made by a manufacturer that CAN make reliable, break-free ceramic plugs.

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Thu Jan 08, 2015 8:31 pm

minisub wrote:

weeks101 wrote:

Jrsavoie, is Greg Landyut (sp?) still active on the page? He was an Espar dealer/advocate and always seemed willing to offer advice and help. Perhaps could help you figure out how to make one work on these things. Although if I recall, they are pretty spendy.

I don't know. Haven't been there much lately. With my health issues, I've been half in the bag a lot of times I am online.

I'll try to look him up. I've dealt with him before he is actually not all that far from me.

lubricationspecialist.com for people that want to check out his site.

The guy I talked to is running a webasto coolant heater - and here's his thread. LOL viewtopic.php?f=5&t=78297

http://doc.webasto-russia.ru/Car/Jeep/C ... .8_d_D.pdf

mecne · **Posted:** Thu Jan 08, 2015 11:10 pm

weeks101 wrote:

Right now there are 3 prototypes in the wild, one here in Minnesota, one in Colorado and another in Ohio. So far it's been effective down to 0F degrees. Any lower than that and the limiting factor becomes the battery, due to the extended run-times needed to be effective at those temps. That said, I am still waiting for more data from my testers. I am starting to think next winter will be the earliest possible release for production heater kits.

That said, if you're willing and and you understand that this is a beta product and may not perform exactly the same as the final production units, I can build you a kit, but it'll be as-is with no guarantees. If you're interested let me know. The ETA would be 3-4 weeks. Contact me here: https://shop.sasquatchparts.com/contact/

I don't feel special anymore Seth

.. LOL Just kidding .

I emailed you back with my address and info.

Cheers,
Mike

weeks101 · **Joined:** Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:29 pm **Posts:** 747

Just sent you an email Mike

nursecosmo · **Posted:** Sat Jan 17, 2015 12:56 pm

Now if you were to thread one of these babies into that elbow instead of the wire coil, it would start at any temperature as long as the starter could move the crank. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cummins-Engines ... 20f4a5f15e

weeks101 · **Joined:** Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:29 pm **Posts:** 747

That type needs a fuel line going to it

diesel_guy86 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 17, 2015 3:02 pm

For those that have a lift pump, a T could be put into the fuel line, a solenoid valve to turn it on an off from the cab, and wa la, 20 seconds of heat.
Have 2 of these on a deutz v10 diesel, over 1,000 cu in, these will get it started down to 10°.

thermorex · **Posted:** Sat Jan 17, 2015 7:29 pm

What's the required pressure for the burner to start pulverizing?

diesel_guy86 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 17, 2015 11:16 pm

Not much, on the deutz I mentioned, it's t'd into the return line from the pump. So a couple psi at most. The term "flame heater" makes it sound like a 2,000° flame thrower, but it's not. It's wire mesh around a glowplug, the fuel spreads out and fills up the voids in the mesh, the glowplug lights it, and it glows.

thermorex · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2015 12:58 am

diesel_guy86 wrote:

Not much, on the deutz I mentioned, it's t'd into the return line from the pump. So a couple psi at most. The term "flame heater" makes it sound like a 2,000° flame thrower, but it's not. It's wire mesh around a glowplug, the fuel spreads out and fills up the voids in the mesh, the glowplug lights it, and it glows.

It's an interesting concept then, if it works on the return line pressure.

nursecosmo · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2015 5:16 pm

The plumbing and wiring should be quite simple. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJPEfQvWhAI Skip to 6 minutes to see it in action.

diesel_guy86 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2015 7:43 pm

A push button switch, a relay, 12v solenoid valve with a built in restricor, and a T in the line after the fuel filter with a short bit of tubing to the heater and done.

diesel_guy86 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2015 9:10 pm

Think I'm really gonna pursue this route, our new holland 675d backhoe has a 12v heater plug, dealer lists it for $26, 12v fuel solenoid is $12, and a restrictor is $10. I'll get the heater tomorrow, get it plumbed up with a needle valve to measure how small of a restrictor I'll need.
A chunk of 1" aluminum rod will be welded to the intake elbow, then drilled and tapped 7/8"-24 to be a bung for the heater.

thermorex · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2015 9:19 pm

diesel_guy86 wrote:

Think I'm really gonna pursue this route, our new holland 675d backhoe has a 12v heater plug, dealer lists it for $26, 12v fuel solenoid is $12, and a restrictor is $10. I'll get the heater tomorrow, get it plumbed up with a needle valve to measure how small of a restrictor I'll need.
A chunk of 1" aluminum rod will be welded to the intake elbow, then drilled and tapped 7/8"-24 to be a bung for the heater.

You have the stock intake elbow?

diesel_guy86 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2015 10:38 pm

No I have weeks intake.

thermorex · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2015 11:04 pm

I wonder if the silicon hose will last at least 2 starts with that heater, lol. That's why I asked. Wonder if we can have an aluminum one done instead of the hose.

P.s. I am still super happy with the test grid heater from weeks, but I wonder if there are better alternatives for some crazy cold winters.

diesel_guy86 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2015 11:26 pm

I don't think it'd be on long enough to heat the intake up THAT much. At key on the lift pump only runs for 20 seconds am I right? If so it takes roughly 5 seconds for the heater to put out full "flame" so your left with about a good 15 seconds of burn. After that you'll have to start at which point the heat will travel with the airflow.
I'd imagine the best spot for it would be in the manifold, but 7/8" is a big hole to drill, with lots of shavings, and I don't feel like taking it that far apart to get it off, again.
Once I get it goin I'll do some testing with an ir gun to see where the heat is goin for sure.

Grid Heater Project (Proof of Concept)

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