Grid Heater Project (Proof of Concept)

ArmyChief · **Posted:** Fri Dec 05, 2014 7:44 pm

Or an external Ardunio/Paralex unit

cevans · **Joined:** Wed Aug 24, 2005 12:48 pm **Posts:** 278

65Corvair wrote:

My plan is not to replace the glow plugs, but for this to help out on very cold days where the steel glow plugs have trouble starting. Below 10F or so.

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.

ArmyChief · **Posted:** Fri Dec 05, 2014 8:14 pm

cevans wrote:

65Corvair wrote:

My plan is not to replace the glow plugs, but for this to help out on very cold days where the steel glow plugs have trouble starting. Below 10F or so.

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.

Excellent keep us posted

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

Thanks guys. I am of course trying to keep costs down on this thing. Low-volume production is not cost-effective and I am not willing to skimp on quality. So automating it or integrating it into the ECU is not in the cards, at least not yet. Using the switch panel with integrated voltmeter is working well so far, but more testing remains to be done. It's not even cold yet in Minnesota! :5SHOTS:

thermorex · **Posted:** Sat Dec 06, 2014 11:24 am

The idea to have the ecu turn on/off the heater is neat, but other than Keith, maybe squeeto and yeti, for somebody else to try to reverse engineer and reprogram the ecu, will be a very hard task.

I one like the manual control, when Seth will release the heater will have recommended on time interval for the heater prior to start, and recommended on period after the start, depending on outside temperature. It is a lot of research mapping the ecu to specific temperatures for on/off for the heater, which will drive the costs way up. Plus, the idea of controlling the heater time manually appeals more for some versus having no control when the computer does its thing...

ArmyChief · **Posted:** Sat Dec 06, 2014 3:59 pm

Was stationed at Fort Drum, I don't miss snow or COLD weather

mecne · **Posted:** Mon Dec 08, 2014 10:49 am

weeks101 wrote:

Thanks guys. I am of course trying to keep costs down on this thing. Low-volume production is not cost-effective and I am not willing to skimp on quality. So automating it or integrating it into the ECU is not in the cards, at least not yet. Using the switch panel with integrated voltmeter is working well so far, but more testing remains to be done. It's not even cold yet in Minnesota! :5SHOTS:

Just sent some emails .. more than willing to test what looks like an amazing product for us cold weather CRD'rs .

We have have had many mornings of -10 to -15 C ( 14 to 5 F ) weather here already A few of which I have forgotten to plug the Liberty in .. It started but did so kicking and screaming .
We've had enough snow to get the Ski-Doo out .. here is the oldest son enjoying his first ride ..

M

gmctd · **Posted:** Mon Dec 08, 2014 11:27 am

Holy cow, dude! Dunno if you've noticed, but the cold weather has shrunk the door in that house across the street, and it has slipped halfway down the wall.........................

mecne · **Posted:** Mon Dec 08, 2014 11:37 am

gmctd wrote:

Holy cow, dude! Dunno if you've noticed, but the cold weather has shrunk the door in that house across the street, and it has slipped halfway down the wall.........................

LMAO , joys of a Raised Ranch style . My house is pretty much the same , minus the nice 2 car +++++ garage .. I droll every time I look at their garage , it's almost as long as the house :shock:

. I have a single that is so packed with stuff I can barely get the Jeep in.
But I have a BIG deck to compensate for the garage ..

Sorry for the Off Topic .

M

gmctd · **Posted:** Mon Dec 08, 2014 11:49 am

mecne wrote:

gmctd wrote:

Holy cow, dude! Dunno if you've noticed, but the cold weather has shrunk the door in that house across the street, and it has slipped halfway down the wall.........................

LMAO , joys of a Raised Ranch style . My house is pretty much the same , minus the nice 2 car +++++ garage .. I droll every time I look at their garage , it's almost as long as the house :shock:

. I have a single that is so packed with stuff I can barely get the Jeep in.
But I have a BIG deck to compensate for the garage .. You got the spelling correct, right?

Sorry for the Off Topic .

M

jws84_02 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 08, 2014 3:28 pm

^^hahaha

jws84_02 · **Posted:** Wed Dec 31, 2014 11:00 am

Damnit, I forgot to plug my jeep in last night. 10 F out and the metal gp's wouldn't do it. I need this heater to happen. Hustle it up on the testing. Lol

synthetic-oil · **Joined:** Tue Sep 24, 2013 8:03 pm **Posts:** 140

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.

Try NGK http://www.ngk.de/en/products-technolog ... low-plugs/

ArmyChief · **Posted:** Thu Jan 01, 2015 11:18 am

synthetic-oil 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.

Try NGK http://www.ngk.de/en/products-technolog ... low-plugs/

How far in the process are you?

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2015 8:42 am