Best FPHE ? recommendations ?? Flat Plate Heat Exchanger (FPHE) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

wilburtual · #1 10-30-2011, 10:48 PM

I am looking to add a FPHE to my 240D - i've been running 100% WVO for over a year now with no issues, single tank system with injection heaters 12v and 12v fuel line heater, im in los angeles so it doesnt get that cold ever, this sytem has been working great. - but, i'd like to add a FPHE just for insurance that my WVO is getting hot enough now that the "colder" weather is coming here.
I see lots of copper brazed/ stainless steel FPHE on ebay 20 plates for about $60- i've heard copper isnt so hot for WVO as far as poly goes..? any other options, or are folks having ok results with these?
I also see arctic fox has a couple stainless steel tube type exchangers, more like $150.
ideas?

whunter · #2 10-30-2011, 10:58 PM

For those who do not know what a FPHE is.

Flat Plate Heat Exchangers (FPHE)
Flat Plate Heat Exchangers - Google Search

.

oldsinner111 · #3 10-31-2011, 02:46 PM

Any thats UL rated meets quality issues.You sure don't want your fuel mixing with coolant.I have a 20 row.
Next If your using your steel fuel tank,its a &^%$#@* after you start running diesel due to oil shortage.I bought a 12 gal. boat tank for $2.00,and should have used it.
No veggie around here anymore large rendering company got all eateries.They clean their grease traps for free.
It should take me 6 months before old chicken skin off steel tank is gone.

wilburtual · #4 10-31-2011, 04:17 PM

thats a good idea about using a different tank- the couple times ive had to run on diesel for a few days is usually when i need a filter change..! were you just gonna use a different tank for veg and switch back to the original when using diesel?

oldsinner111 · #5 10-31-2011, 04:19 PM

Yeah I had a two tank system.

Renntag · #6 11-01-2011, 09:30 PM

I purchased my FPHE(s) from DudaDiesel.com

I may have even gotten them for less than $60 each.

So many to choose from. 16 to 20 plates should be fine for our benz diesels.

Consider getting 1/2"FIP ports for a more compact install. Attach the appropriate 90* fittings given what type of connections you wish to use. barb is simplest as hoses can be attached directly. 5/8" heater hose for the 617 and 3/4" on the 603 and 606 unless a 3/4-5/8-3/4 Tee is used for tapping into the cooling system.

Factory fuel hose sizing is 5/16". bumping up to 3/8" for as much of the VO segments makes it easier when sizing components. Use which ever suits you best.

Pex fittings at your local plumbing supply are a good choice for a compact T fitting. Be sure to measure your hose inlet and match it to the fitting size as the numerical sizes dont match.

wilburtual · #7 11-04-2011, 01:10 AM

thanks for the recommend renntag - i'll prob go with dudadiesel- im adding a FPHE to both my 240Ds so they look to have good options. thanks for the clarification of the hose sizes, etc too- makes it easy to reference when ordering parts! i believe i have the 616 in my 240D so i think 5/16 fuel and 5/8 heater hose. i'll probably go with 20 plates.
where did you plumb in your FPHE?
the 240s are pretty straightforward,
the water pump sits on the head, and goes to either the radiator or shoots off to the heater core... i think its a matter of tapping in after the water pump , before the heater core and then again after heater core where it goes to the back of the head...?

wilburtual · #8 11-06-2011, 09:21 PM

i think im gonna go with a 20 plate from dudadiesel... now i'm wondering if i understand correctly where to plumb it in... i (THINK) it goes like how i have it marked in the photo below, tap in behind the head to go to FPHE and output of FPHE taps in after heater core before the metal pipe that goes to the water pump...
is that right??
there is also a short hose after the metal return pipe right before the water pump, is there any advantage to tapping in there instead?
are my "flow arrows" on the heater hose correct in how the coolant flows in the system?

bmor_62 · #9 11-08-2011, 06:59 PM

Did you buy the 1/2" hose barb version?

wilburtual · #10 11-09-2011, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmor_62

Did you buy the 1/2" hose barb version?

i ordered the 1/2 FPT version, and i got some 1/2 MPT to 5/16"barb for the fuel lines and 1/2 MPT to 5/8" barb for the coolant lines

bmor_62 · #11 01-04-2013, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilburtual

i ordered the 1/2 FPT version, and i got some 1/2 MPT to 5/16"barb for the fuel lines and 1/2 MPT to 5/8" barb for the coolant lines

So I presume I'd want the 1/2" NPT male version? (There seems to be no FPT version)
www.dudadiesel.com/img/items/HX1220_ID654-L.jpg

BenzDieselTuner · #12 03-23-2013, 10:19 PM

when i installed my new 30 plate fphe this afternoon, both heater hoses, feed and return, on my 1980 240 D, were 3/4 and not 5/8 as "everyone" always says on the forums.....i had to run all over town and find 5/8 to 3/4 hose adapters to make it work on the fly with the hardware i had ordered from around ebay......it works perfectly now, and is extremely heavy and u can tell its well made....and my wvo is burning hot as well as my heat in the car

cost 80 bucks plus tax and shipping, from a company called WVO Designs.....i would recommend them....

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/attachments/alternative-fuels/110318d1364085718-install-oe-bosch-style-prefilter-after-30-plate-heat-exchanger-30-plate-heat-exchanger.jpg

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281058565816?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

bmor_62 · #13 03-24-2013, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilburtual

i think im gonna go with a 20 plate from dudadiesel... now i'm wondering if i understand correctly where to plumb it in... i (THINK) it goes like how i have it marked in the photo below, tap in behind the head to go to FPHE and output of FPHE taps in after heater core before the metal pipe that goes to the water pump...
is that right??
there is also a short hose after the metal return pipe right before the water pump, is there any advantage to tapping in there instead?
are my "flow arrows" on the heater hose correct in how the coolant flows in the system?

Is this the way to go? Again I have been told just before the water pump is a good place to return coolant to.

BenzDieselTuner · #14 03-24-2013, 01:18 PM

u have to take the air cleaner off to see it......see the metal tube that the short hose u have marked, coming out of the heater, goes into ? on the other end of that tube, there is a hose, which connects it to the water pump housing (at the return) look under the air cleaner.... this is where u want to put your T fitting for the water return....i will make pictures of my new setup later and post them so u get an idea.....keep in mind, its not "neat" (all perfect like it looks like it came that way from the factory), but it is all very heavy duty, and does its job !

(im talking about my setup i put together on the cheap and assembled in an hour)

BenzDieselTuner · #15 03-27-2013, 12:16 PM

here are the photos, sorry i'm late, i was busy.....