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Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2016 5:34 am
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.

Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 3:51 pm
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.

Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 11:37 am
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.

Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 2:35 pm
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/
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Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 8:16 am
by kikkegek
an australian friend of mine has build e pre heater using diesel glow plugs......would that be a good idea?

Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 2:15 pm
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.

Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Posted: Mon May 22, 2017 8:45 am
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.

Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Posted: Mon May 22, 2017 8:50 am
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

Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Posted: Mon May 22, 2017 10:30 am
by kikkegek
found these on a Ecomodder forum

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Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 2:37 am
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 ;-)

Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 6:50 am
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.

Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 7:07 am
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.

Re: Electric warming of vaporizer/convertor?

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 7:20 am
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.