Heater for Ratbag

[benchmark51]

Just ordered a heater for Ratbag! Ordered from T7 Design. Been thinking about it for so long I thought I would go for it now! I have got ally bulkhead connectors already, so a good chance I will be nice and toasty soon.

['Mendip Wurzel']

Presumably it runs from electric, or is it connected to water. If it is electric, with the headlights on etc won't the battery struggle to keep up with the discharge

[Moleman]

You will be having heated seats next.   

[benchmark51]

No it is water heated through 1/2 inch hose from the engine.

specs:

    Heat Output: 3.5kw
    Airflow: 190cfm (322m3/h)
    Voltage: 12v
    Amps: 3a startup, 2a continuous running
    Weight: 1250grams
    Hose Fittings: 1/2" (13mm)

[Moleman]

Are these any good with the top down then? 

[sanzomat]

I'd be interested to know how well it does heat a 7 whilst on the move. With a roof and sides on it should make a big difference but open I'm not so sure. My Spyder's heater blows out some pretty hot air, in fact it easily gets too hot with the roof up and windows shut but with the top down it just about keeps your feet warm. You really notice it when you stop at lights/junctions though! I actually think heated seats would be a better option in many respects although don't know how much current they draw.

[Facial Hair Optional]

I actually think heated seats would be a better option in many respects although don't know how much current they draw.

I don't have a heater in the Tiger and my legs and abdomen stay really toasty. In fact they can get very warm indeed, center tunnel one side, hot exhaust the other and hot bulkhead at my toes. I'm not sure a heater would be any better in a 7 tbh, most of it will escape and if your car is owt like mine your legs etc won't need any further heating than they get now.

I have heated seats in my tin top and they are bloody awesome, I think Dave is right, heated seats in a 7 is a really great idea. That is the option I would choose if I were going to do it. Or get one of Colin's plug in electric heated coats!

Of course I don't have a screen to demist or worry about which is where a heater really scores.

[benchmark51]

Well we shall see.....

I have a certain amount of heat vented from the tunnel, but not a lot and certainly not enough.
The heater is modular so you can configure how many outlets and where the heat is delivered. How and where I duct the warm air is to be decided, but will start with 2 closable/ directional vents into the footwells. That leaves 1 spare outlet on either side, which could be ducted to the seat area. Then a centre duct which can be used for demisting.

At the moment if I go out on a run and get wet and cold then that is how it stays untill I get home.
Now with a roof, sidescreens and heater I have a chance to get warm and dry.

Obviously any car is going to lose cabin heat if you take the roof off, but if that is a problem you can put the roof back on

[sanzomat]

I reckon with your roof on and side things you'll really notice a big difference.

[Facial Hair Optional]

Get an MX5, or a onesie!! ha ha!! 

[benchmark51]

Had a onesie, but the dog ate it! MX5 has been considered if I can get one the right flavour.

['Mendip Wurzel']

I don't have a heater in the Tiger and my legs and abdomen stay really toasty. In fact they can get very warm indeed, center tunnel one side, hot exhaust the other and hot bulkhead at my toes. I'm not sure a heater would be any better in a 7 tbh, most of it will escape and if your car is owt like mine your legs etc won't need any further heating than they get now.
[/quote]

I also get a lot of heat from my engine in the foot wells which is fine in cooler weather but can be hard work on a hot summers day. I have spent quite a bit of time trying to seal my foot wells and insulate, to keep heat out.     

[Facial Hair Optional]

Had a onesie, but the dog ate it! MX5 has been considered if I can get one the right flavour.

Cracking little cars the original ones. What flavour suits your taste Dave? I hope you have better taste then your dog!!!

[Facial Hair Optional]

I also get a lot of heat from my engine in the foot wells which is fine in cooler weather but can be hard work on a hot summers day. I have spent quite a bit of time trying to seal my foot wells and insulate, to keep heat out.   

Has it worked? If not how about venting the footwells to let the heat escape somehow? A system that can be closed to keep heat in the footwell in winter but open to let it out in summer would be cool (no pun intended!)

[benchmark51]

A few pics of the heater fitted to a seven.

[Facial Hair Optional]

Looks very neat Dave and smaller that I thought it would be too. Should be good in Ratbag mate

[Moleman]

Agreed, I did think it would be bigger for some reason. 

[Gary RH7]

Hope you got your 10% off Dave. Keep us posted on how good it is.

[benchmark51]

Agreed, I did think it would be bigger for some reason. 

They do a smaller one! 2.2kw output, used by rally cars as demisters

[benchmark51]

Hope you got your 10% off Dave. Keep us posted on how good it is.

Well, yes and no really. I'll let you know tomorrow when I get it

[benchmark51]

Well it's tomorrow already and the heater was delivered by Interlink express bang on time! 24 hour delivery too. Peeing down so didn't do anything on Ratbag today .

Unpacked it and it really is small. 1/2 inch pipe connections and with 2 opening outlets fitted, 2 x 2inch spigot pipes not fitted and 1 blanking plate. All ready drilled with a little bag of rivets. Aluminium, finished in a black crinkle finish. Looks well made too, so looking good.

The best discount offered was 5% by T7. I checked out several different ads' including Demontweaks and prices varied, as did the outlet configurations. The one I wanted, with the right outlets was from T7 and was £130 + £9.50 del. Luckily I found another T7 ad offering the same outlets at £120 inc del, so I went with that . Other ads' were down to £110 inc del, but not with closable outlets.

Overall quite happy with it and probably cheaper than a wet day at the track .

[Moleman]

Don't knock it until you try it Dave. 

[Lucky Ed]

The best thing about a wet track day is I can talk a very good lap in the cafe

Good luck with the heater Dave, it looks like you might need it this weekend

[Facial Hair Optional]

The best thing about a wet track day is I can talk a very good lap in the cafe

I can vouch for that! I learned a lot in the cafe that rainy day at Combe 

[Iancider]

I am a bit confused....

If this is 3KW and electric that means at 12Volts it is drawing 250 Amps - about what the starter motor uses and the alternator would only produce 40 amps tops.  So the battery would die in about 2-3 minutes. 

So I am guessing it is heated from the cooling water and the 3 amps is for just the fan.  Otherwise I cant see where the 3KW comes from.  Also if it is 3KW that is about enough to heat a 2 bed flat in mid-winter - toasty!

Ian

[Facial Hair Optional]

It does use the cooling water Ian, Dave says so near the start of the thead after Mendip Wurzel had similar misgivings....

No it is water heated through 1/2 inch hose from the engine.

specs:

    Heat Output: 3.5kw
    Airflow: 190cfm (322m3/h)
    Voltage: 12v
    Amps: 3a startup, 2a continuous running
    Weight: 1250grams
    Hose Fittings: 1/2" (13mm)

[damouk]

I am a bit confused....

If this is 3KW and electric that means at 12Volts it is drawing 250 Amps - about what the starter motor uses and the alternator would only produce 40 amps tops.  So the battery would die in about 2-3 minutes. 

So I am guessing it is heated from the cooling water and the 3 amps is for just the fan.  Otherwise I cant see where the 3KW comes from.  Also if it is 3KW that is about enough to heat a 2 bed flat in mid-winter - toasty!

Ian

You are right Ian the heat is from the hot water, we usually talk of heat output in the uk in btu's but as we are more global these days and a lot of heaters are electric it makes more sense to use the kw. 3kw is about 10000 btu which isn't too shabby, you have to remember the wind chill when moving and lack of insulation in cars compared to a house.

To put it in perspective our limos have at least 75000 btu's of cooling

[Iancider]

you have to remember the wind chill

Well you are certainly and expert on that part!

[damouk]

you have to remember the wind chill

Well you are certainly and expert on that part!

I am indeed, but won't feel the chill until next spring all being well :-)

[sanzomat]

Looks pretty major - keep posting updates.

[Facial Hair Optional]

Blimey mate! I hope you know where it all goes next Spring!!!

[benchmark51]

Have got a few more bits on the way. A manifold water pipe connector, a cable operated watertap for the manifold to top heater pipe. A 3 way connector for the header tank which will go into the lower heater pipe to water pump. Didn't order all at the same time as the heater as didn't know what I already had or what I might need. But no rush anyway. Sodding weather not playing ball either

[Moleman]

Hope you get it sorted mate.

[paintman]

I got the old Sierra one fitted but never bother to use it because loads of heat comes through the bulkhead after
i've given it a rant.....gets too hot in summer obviously!

[benchmark51]

I got the old Sierra one fitted but never bother to use it because loads of heat comes through the bulkhead after
i've given it a rant.....gets too hot in summer obviously!

I haven't ever found it too hot. It is getting the water tap so I can stop the heat then use the blower on cold if neccesary.

[paintman]

[/quote]

I haven't ever found it too hot. It is getting the water tap so I can stop the heat then use the blower on cold if neccesary.
[/quote]

I use a plumbing service valve to cut off the water to the heater matrix but the heater never runs cold 'cause it's situated
in a very hot engine bay.......maybe the new bonnet vents will help this year!

[benchmark51]

Yes, production cars usually feed the matrix with air from the outside. Some use a large diameter pipe. My heater is under the dash and shielded from the engine bay taking air from the cockpit area. The matrix has facility to fit a cowling and large diameter pipe so air can be accessed from elsewhere

[paintman]

I just turn it off and remove the side screens if I get too hot......that's easier!

[Iancider]

Benchmark

Will this now cure your overheating problems do you think?

[Gary RH7]

Benchmark

Will this now cure your overheating problems do you think?

Ian,
That crossed my mind as I have an overheating problem also. I was talking over it with Dave G when I was round his place and it suddenly hit me. Where I blocked off the pipes that would feed the internal heater I probably blocked off the return flow path somehow and there is air trapped. There should be a parallel path for when the heater is cut off.

Something I am working on.