66 replies to this topic

[Ethel]

Heaters aren't tested, it would be somewhat subjective if they were.

I really don't think you could better a standard heater while using the same space the heat output depends on how much heat you can get out of the matrix and that's down to surface area. A mini heater is little more than a matrix with an efficient radial fan stuck right next to it. The only way I can see you getting it smaller is to move the fan elsewhere - but you'd still need an airbox big enough to not restrict the flow going in to the matrix.

My suspicion is the temperature control valve is the biggest detractor, certainly with the earlier head mounted type.

[Woody2332]

I think http://m.summitracin...ts/sum-991102-1 is the way forward, only 90quid, half a days wage

[tommy boy]

Try www.cbsonline.co.uk and see heating/air con
Full range of easy fit heaters with all the gizmo`s to go with them.

[donjarr]

Ok tips on building your own heater, as I am on my forth version which finally works. PC fans just don't move enough air, not even the most powerful. Also those little flat slot fans for computers also don't work.

So version one went where the original heater did, made from thin sheet steel bent and riveted and used the same matrix and fan but just had four air pipe take offs which fed the screen and side windows. It worked much the same as the original except you had air fed to the side windows, but found the motor didn't move enough air to be really effective. Air flow is more important than heat, because its the air moving around that clears the windows.

The second version was the same heater with an aftermarket fan fitted, which worked much better, but only had one speed so was on full all the time, and a tad noisy.

After that I moved my seat into the middle so had to come up with something else. I used a oil cooler matrix in a small box which sat to the right with two computer fans fitted to it. It also had two more larger computer fans in boxes feeding the screen and two of those pc slot fans feeding the side windows. Heating worked fine, but the the fans just didn't more enough volume of air to be useful.

The last and latest version which is my super heater is a MGF heater cut about with the huge fan mounted under the wing and switchable air feed to blow inside the car, on the windscreen or out the window vents with extra constant vents to feed the side windows, and it works a treat. The heater matrix is not much bigger than a mini one, but the fan is huge and this is the key. The more air you can move the better the heater or cooler works.

So when I used to use my mini on a cold or wet day the whole car would steam up, the screen would clear after a while, bit the side windows were often misted up, but no more. I went out on some of the coldest and wettest days of last year and not once did the screen or side windows steam up and as daft as it sound I found I could wear just a tee shirt and have to turn the heater down because I was too hot, and not to mention got funny looks from people wrapped up in coats and scarf's.

I have added the link below and while it may seem a lot of work it wasn't really but that is the exception, if you want to improve your heating and cooling the best thing is add a second blower motor under the wing and have it connected to a variable speed switch. I also rearranged the way the cooling system flows in my car which allows me to turn the heater off, without causing the left hand side of the block to get hotter, which is useful in summer.

One last thing I looked at loads of aftermarket heaters, but most are just too big to fit in a mini, hence I built one to fit


http://www.donjarrs-.../10-mini-heater

Edited by donjarr, 24 July 2012 - 10:14 AM.

[mini93]

I think http://m.summitracin...ts/sum-991102-1 is the way forward, only 90quid, half a days wage

yeah... sure i own close on 50k a year and still drive mini

[Chance]

Id still own a mini if i earnt 50K

Along side another car.

[Brams96]

Donjarr - your link didn't work, all I get is a list.