Cabin heat alternative..

[KentT]

Was searching around last night, just in case I may need to forego heater boxes on my new engine build and ran across a link on Samba to these electric heaters….

480 Watt, 8016 BTU, with two heat levels, and multple-speed fan:

http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/usa-made-12-volt-ducted-heater.html

Certainly would require at least a 55 amp alternator to run them, but these MIGHT be an alternative. Even then, you wouldn’t likely want to run the 50 amp, 600 watt, 10,020 BTU version.  Note that you can get 3-outlet models so you could run one hose up to a defrost vent…  

Anyone ever seen one of these things installed and operating?

Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...

[edward ericson]

I think Alan “Dr. Clock” Merklin tested some electric heaters for Speedster builds. Came away unimpressed, as I recall. The verdict was something along the lines of maybe OK for early fall evenings in the North Carolina flatlands.

It’s just very hard to make enough BTUs from a car battery.

For comparison’s sake, consider this model Jegs Universal heater I’m considering for Bridget with the Soob swap. It boasts a blistering 12,000 BTU output, which is 50 percent more than the electric you are considering.

I like this box because it’s very much the size and shape of the original aftermarket Arnolt heaters TDs had.

So I figure the Jegs is likely to be comparable in heat output (though I hope the Soob’s higher operating temp might give me a small advantage, the longer run of my heater hoses might negate it).

OK? With me?

So here is the best description I have yet heard of the output of an Arnolt heater in a TD: “It’s rather like a hamster coughing on my ankle.”

So. If 12,000 BTUs = approx. one hamster coughing, what do you suppose 8000 BTUs will do?

I have some stock heater boxes if you are interested. Bridget actually had pretty decent heat with the Type 1.

[KentT]

LOL at coughing hamsters… but thanks for the feedback.  Guess that’s a dead end!!!!!

I have the old dirty OEM heaterboxes off my 1500 SP that I can clean up.  I was just looking at possible alternatives should they be TOO restrictive.  The aftermarket larger ones don’t have fins and don’t seem to put out much heat either….

Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...

[Gabor Kesseru]

I used the Jeg’s 28000 BTU model. Same price. It works great, mounting was not bad. Comes with all controls. Instead of hoses, I mounted a heater grill from Lowe’s in front of it. It will keep you warm with top down.

[billnparts]

http://www.napaprolink.com/detail.aspx?R=BK_7451048_0361070879#

This is the unit that came with my Fiberfab kit. Installation instructions in the manuals to the left.

(edited to make the link live)

edsnova2014-01-15 08:12:11

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[edward ericson]

Um. That link does not get to a particular part.

[KentT]

edsnova wrote:

Um. That link does not get to a particular part.

Without a Napa Pro account, it doesn’t really do any good, anyway… and, as a lowly individual owner, I don’t qualify for the account, AFAIK.

Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...

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