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  #1  
Old 12-03-2020, 12:21 AM
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Any retro devices to get near instant heat in winter?

My brother told me that new cars can give you a nice warm car within 1 minute on a cold days. The older cars take a good 15 minutes to get warmed up and start blowing heat.

Are there any retrofit devices to make the old cars provide heat quickly?

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  #2  
Old 12-03-2020, 01:07 AM
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The new cars do indeed do this. My GLK does...

They accomplish this with a massively powerful electric grid heater in the plenum. On the GLK this is over 100 amps by itself....you can hear the load on the alternator (which is 180A) when its on. It hits fuel economy hard for the first few miles if you are running that + heated seats + all other accessories. Down into the low 20s until things warm up. On the plus side the load of all that also helps the engine warm up faster, allowing it to be turned off...win win.

The electrical system and alternators on the older cars are nowhere near capable of this. If its a 190d 2.2 or a 240d it might use so much power there's none left to move the car.
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  #3  
Old 12-03-2020, 01:18 AM
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Maybe add a remote start. Fire it up a couple of minutes before you head out.
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  #4  
Old 12-03-2020, 01:38 AM
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You could install a Webasto diesel coolant heater... I am doing this project in my truck.

Dkr.
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  #5  
Old 12-03-2020, 06:28 AM
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Plugging in my oil pan heater 30 minutes before leaving helped the heater blow warm sooner. Coolant heater would probably bet much better than than.
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  #6  
Old 12-03-2020, 07:28 AM
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could ac run in reverse like a heat pump?
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  #7  
Old 12-03-2020, 10:33 AM
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I thought SAAB did that for a heated/cooled glove compartment, but I couldn't find evidence for the heated part.

Should be as simple as a reversing valve.

Otherwise, zerostart coolant heater on an outlet and a timer.
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  #8  
Old 12-03-2020, 11:51 AM
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Drive with this on your lap

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  #9  
Old 12-03-2020, 01:41 PM
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Retrofitting a larger alternator is completely doable, I have a 150 amp continuous duty Delco 22SI knockoff on my 617 in my truck. It'll maintain charging voltage at idle with everything and the glow plugs on. Installed it to eventually run a power inverter and 12v air compressor. Never would have thought of using it to run an electric heater, but it would do so. I see 12v electric heaters on Amazon, and electric heated seat retrofits are common.

I just start a few minutes early. The engine's cranky and complains a lot if I start moving it before it's warmed up a little anyway. Fortunate to live in an area where I can leave a vehicle idling outside and expect it to still be there when I come back out.
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  #10  
Old 12-03-2020, 02:11 PM
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I went through this exercise years ago when I was daily driving an air-cooled VW beetle. Contrary to popular belief, the beetle actually had a very decent heating system, provided the thermostat and air flaps were present and functioning. Able to keep the cabin toasty warm on the coldest days, however the volume of heated air flow was dependent on engine speed. On the freeway it was full blast heat, a wonderful sensation, but around town sitting at stop lights, you didn't get much. Ultimately what I discovered for keeping yourself warm during those first fifteen minutes of driving, was a technology that not only was commonplace, but that I already had possession of - a wool sweater, flannel lined trousers, and a fur trimmed hat with ear flaps.
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  #11  
Old 12-03-2020, 03:36 PM
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Use the block heater.

It isn't going to give you instant heat, but it will definitely keep the engine coolant warmer than nothing.
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  #12  
Old 12-03-2020, 04:00 PM
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if you want retro

You can always get an auxiliary 12V plug in heater. These smaller units should work with your current alternator output, are portable and can be removed when not needed and stored in the glove box.

Used similar product many moons ago in a Jeep CJ for the same reason, till the engine got warm. You can find them at Walmart, Amaz, or fleabay etc...

https://www.walmart.com/ip/12V-Car-Vehicle-Portable-Heating-Fan-Heater-Defroster-Demister-Practical-Accessory-Gray-Black/816036428?wmlspartner=wmtlabs&adid=22222222222378762424&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=s&wl2=c&wl3=75041801414937&wl4=pla-4578641336504067&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=&%20wl10=Walmart&wl12=816036428_10001054316&wl14=electric%20car%20heater&veh=sem&msclkid=e84c301a4eda12f268726fd31e498bfe
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  #13  
Old 12-03-2020, 05:03 PM
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Martureo X2...use the block heater if equipped. Check the cord first, it plugs into the heater and can be in bad condition.

Good luck!!!
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  #14  
Old 12-04-2020, 06:42 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pawoSD View Post
The new cars do indeed do this. My GLK does...

They accomplish this with a massively powerful electric grid heater in the plenum. On the GLK this is over 100 amps by itself....you can hear the load on the alternator (which is 180A) when its on. It hits fuel economy hard for the first few miles if you are running that + heated seats + all other accessories. Down into the low 20s until things warm up. On the plus side the load of all that also helps the engine warm up faster, allowing it to be turned off...win win.

The electrical system and alternators on the older cars are nowhere near capable of this. If its a 190d 2.2 or a 240d it might use so much power there's none left to move the car.
I’m pretty sure all 4 of my cars have this. It is fed from a 200 A (!) fuse off the main dc bus. Very nice having instant heat but yeah you can definitely tell the load is on the system. Although in SC there is not much need for this.

The very newest models have the 42 V system with the sandwich motor/generator. I’m sure they have a much easier time with the instant heater on the 42 V system than the 12 V.

Was the Webasto a factory option back in the day or was that a retrofit?
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  #15  
Old 12-05-2020, 02:30 AM
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My W211 CDI has the PTC heater as well. 200A alt and it idles up to maintain charging voltage, pretty cool. Almost instant warm air. I didn't think my 603 took too long to warm up enough to have heat. Anything is doable with enough effort. 150A alternator on a 602/3/6 would be enough to keep voltage up for that time. Install heater grid on heater core. You would need some type of arduino controller to monitor voltage, engine coolant temp, outside air temp, heater discharge temp, and interface with the CCU so you use the PTC only as much as needed. I think a factory webasto would integrate much easier. Plugging the block heater in would be the easiest.

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