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Anyone install a Tank heater ??

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by kswebb1, Dec 13, 2011.

  1. kswebb1

    kswebb1 Junior Member

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    Thinking of buying a kats tank heater for my prius.And I am looking for info about doing it from anyone that has.How did you install yours??Any issues??Would you do it again??Would you do anything any differently???
     
  2. Teakwood

    Teakwood Member

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  3. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Ahh whah???

    [​IMG]
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    heats the cooling system fluid.
     
  5. kswebb1

    kswebb1 Junior Member

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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    wonder what the advantages/disadvantages over block heating are?
     
  7. Troyroy

    Troyroy Member

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    I have had these on other cars......they do not circulate the fluid.....just heat it up and it circulates it's self.....as would any other block heater.....however the wattage on this unit is much higher then the block heater you would get at the dealer. 400 versa 1500 of this unit.
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i think kats makes one with a pump that connects to the lower radiator hose.
     
  9. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Ahh, that explains it. Another one of those mysterious devices to us southerners like engine block heaters, heated seats, ice scrapers, snow blowers, etc.



    :D
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sure, rub it in.:smow:
     
  11. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

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    I would trade my seat warmer for a/c ventilated seats any day!

    BTW, that heating unit would make a good cheap source of hot water in my garage shop.:humble:
     
  12. josh2008

    josh2008 Active Member

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  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    interesting, i wonder how it compares to the instant hot water tap?
     
  14. walter Lee

    walter Lee Hypermiling Padawan

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    If the gallons per minute is high enough maybe
    it to could double as a tankless hot water heater
    for a log cabin in a pinch? :D
     
  15. Stocktonmanners

    Stocktonmanners aaaaaaa

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  16. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Companies like Temro also make circulation "tank" coolant heaters. There are also heaters, typically used for industrial engines, that fit into the lower rad hose

    A thermosiphon heater has a couple of checkballs and springs inside. Its VERY important to ensure the cooling system is properly bled before first use, or you will fry the heater

    When you plug it in, the element rapidly heats the coolant inside the little tank. The hot coolant expands and pushes out past the top checkball. Then the top checkball closes and the bottom checkball opens to draw in cold coolant. The cycle repeats

    The better tank-style heaters have a thermostatic control too
     
  17. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    We have a Webasto diesel fired heater on our boat. It uses a magnetically coupled impeller to move the coolant, and is good for 43,500 btu/hr. Would that do the job?

    Tom