Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

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BigBlockMopar
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Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Post by BigBlockMopar »

Are there any kits or models that warm up a convertor electrically, instead of with engine-coolant?
Although I can imagine the power draw of an electric heater inside the convertor would be high and put a strain on the electric system of a car.
https://www.bigblockmopar.com
'73 Dodge Dart - 360ci - 11.3:1cr
MegaSquirt + HEI 7-pin timing control - Edelbrock AirGap - Cold Air Intake
IMPCO E / 425 mixer - A518 OD-trans - 3.55 gears - 225/50/17" tires.

fpvmustang
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Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Post by fpvmustang »

I know on the old tractors they had a vapor valve for warm up.
A friends harvester will ice if he drives it before he shows some water temp. He doesn't have the vapor valve for warm up.

Frank
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Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Post by Frank »

Presumably, the need for an electric heater is a cold weather issue. Have you considered adding a block or circulation heater to your cooling system? It is very common to see cars "plugged in" overnight here in Canada.

kuchen
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Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Post by kuchen »

I did the calculations once and came up with something like 1.1kW of heat required for the LPG supply of a Citroen 2CV at rated power of 20kW - Only for the evaporation, let alone the superheat and ambient losses. Used exhaust heat instead, see viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1667#p12532
There is a kit that provides approx. 0.7kW electrically for dedicated setups to assist the cold start, but still hot water required once you draw real power:
http://www.ac.com.pl/products-autogas/r ... 01-cs/339/
Image

kikkegek
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Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Post by kikkegek »

an australian friend of mine has build e pre heater using diesel glow plugs......would that be a good idea?
storage/project: 1974 GMC 25HUNDRED Suburban - fresh rebuild 350 small block - TH350-NP203 - 4.10 gears - IMPCO425 mixer
driver/project: 1977 GMC C15 Suburban - 454 big block - 4L80E- LPG VSI - 3.08 gears
sold: 1986 Chevrolet Suburban K20 Silverado

kuchen
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Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Post by kuchen »

well, take a closer look. The AC CS is exactly that.
Can't change the laws of thermodynamics and the limits of 12V automotive electrical systems.

kikkegek
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Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Post by kikkegek »

kuchen wrote:well, take a closer look. The AC CS is exactly that.
Can't change the laws of thermodynamics and the limits of 12V automotive electrical systems.
problem is that its only 250hp and I have a 7.4L V8 engine....250hp would be awesome for now, but I hope to make a little more in future

and its rather expensive reducer compared to a KMG Gold even the Turbo version.
storage/project: 1974 GMC 25HUNDRED Suburban - fresh rebuild 350 small block - TH350-NP203 - 4.10 gears - IMPCO425 mixer
driver/project: 1977 GMC C15 Suburban - 454 big block - 4L80E- LPG VSI - 3.08 gears
sold: 1986 Chevrolet Suburban K20 Silverado

kikkegek
Posts: 416
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2011 2:12 pm
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Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Post by kikkegek »

a simple system of simple parts would make a good solution "I think".

- one or two glowplugs from a diesel engine?
- piece of pipe to install the glowplugs in
- simple adjustable thermostat set to 30 or 40C to turn off the glow plugs
storage/project: 1974 GMC 25HUNDRED Suburban - fresh rebuild 350 small block - TH350-NP203 - 4.10 gears - IMPCO425 mixer
driver/project: 1977 GMC C15 Suburban - 454 big block - 4L80E- LPG VSI - 3.08 gears
sold: 1986 Chevrolet Suburban K20 Silverado

kikkegek
Posts: 416
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2011 2:12 pm
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Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Post by kikkegek »

found these on a Ecomodder forum

Image


Image
storage/project: 1974 GMC 25HUNDRED Suburban - fresh rebuild 350 small block - TH350-NP203 - 4.10 gears - IMPCO425 mixer
driver/project: 1977 GMC C15 Suburban - 454 big block - 4L80E- LPG VSI - 3.08 gears
sold: 1986 Chevrolet Suburban K20 Silverado

kikkegek
Posts: 416
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2011 2:12 pm
Location: Netherlands, The Hague

Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Post by kikkegek »

BBM, did you ever research this any further?

I am currently driving only LPG on my suburban, took the gasoline tank out. So really would love to stay single fuel.

Maybe I'll keep the IMPCO 300 mixer for now, so I can start in cold weather conditions and switch to injection when its warm enough. but I dont like how the 300 mixer looks on the engine ;-)
storage/project: 1974 GMC 25HUNDRED Suburban - fresh rebuild 350 small block - TH350-NP203 - 4.10 gears - IMPCO425 mixer
driver/project: 1977 GMC C15 Suburban - 454 big block - 4L80E- LPG VSI - 3.08 gears
sold: 1986 Chevrolet Suburban K20 Silverado

BigBlockMopar
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Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Post by BigBlockMopar »

No, but I'll look into it again when the need arises when I start using vapour injection.
My plan for now, is to also keep the ol' trusty Impco vaporizer in the loop as primary, cold start fuel source, and once engine/coolant temp is at a certain level, then automaticly switch over to vapour injection.

Although I haven't thought out yet what the issues would be with wasted spark and a modern engine like the 5.7/6.1L Hemi.
I don't see much issues with my current 360ci engine I think.
https://www.bigblockmopar.com
'73 Dodge Dart - 360ci - 11.3:1cr
MegaSquirt + HEI 7-pin timing control - Edelbrock AirGap - Cold Air Intake
IMPCO E / 425 mixer - A518 OD-trans - 3.55 gears - 225/50/17" tires.

kikkegek
Posts: 416
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2011 2:12 pm
Location: Netherlands, The Hague

Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Post by kikkegek »

BigBlockMopar wrote:
Sat Aug 11, 2018 6:50 am
No, but I'll look into it again when the need arises when I start using vapour injection.
My plan for now, is to also keep the ol' trusty Impco vaporizer in the loop as primary, cold start fuel source, and once engine/coolant temp is at a certain level, then automaticly switch over to vapour injection.

Although I haven't thought out yet what the issues would be with wasted spark and a modern engine like the 5.7/6.1L Hemi.
I don't see much issues with my current 360ci engine I think.
I think switch should be manually, because you need to open up the "air valve" under the IMPCO 300 mixer to make sure that all air isnt going through the mixer anymore, which will be a restriction when switched over to injection. And still that only adds a small opening, thus not really optimal for good air flow.

I like keep the 300 mixer for warming up, but dont like how I need to switch over and will be a restriction for air flow during injecton.

using the two injectors in my TBI will be better for air aiflow and let me use normal air filters, but I would need to keep a gasoline system operational. Where I'd prefer to go single fuel.

I am currently monitoring how fast my Big Block warms up the coolant. if its quick, then maybe I'll just go for a simple coolant preheater from diesel engine like I posted before connected to a simple thermostat that turns it off once the engine coolant goes over 30 or 35C.
storage/project: 1974 GMC 25HUNDRED Suburban - fresh rebuild 350 small block - TH350-NP203 - 4.10 gears - IMPCO425 mixer
driver/project: 1977 GMC C15 Suburban - 454 big block - 4L80E- LPG VSI - 3.08 gears
sold: 1986 Chevrolet Suburban K20 Silverado

BigBlockMopar
Posts: 394
Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2007 3:29 pm
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Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Post by BigBlockMopar »

I have not been using a 'silly' ;) IMPCO 300 for a long time anymore because my setup runs on LPG only (425 carb), but even that air-valve could be 'automated' with a solenoid and a MegaSquirt ECU I would think.
https://www.bigblockmopar.com
'73 Dodge Dart - 360ci - 11.3:1cr
MegaSquirt + HEI 7-pin timing control - Edelbrock AirGap - Cold Air Intake
IMPCO E / 425 mixer - A518 OD-trans - 3.55 gears - 225/50/17" tires.

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