Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Posted: **Tue May 31, 2005 10:45 am**

I have a question about a car's heater.

When you turn the heater on, does the flow of water get pushed through the heater element by the water pump or does the water just flow on its own from hot to cold? I.e. if the heater was blocked, would it stop the flow of water around the engine?

I am asking because I have a small heat exchanger from a hot water system, one of the "Billi" systems used in offices for coffee/tea. It is a small stainless box with 1/8" pipes. It only flows enough to fill a coffee cup in about 3 seconds. I am thinking of using it like a "glind" for hot drinks - as its food quality rated. It would take a while, but it might be able to fill a bucket with hot water in a couple of minutes for a shower too...

thanks guys.

Posted: **Tue May 31, 2005 1:09 pm**

the heater has water pushed through it by the waterpump, but only if the valve is open.

the inlet to the heater is always under pressure created by the water pump so when the heater valve is opened water flows. Water to cool your engine does not go through your heater.

Posted: **Tue May 31, 2005 1:27 pm**

Thanks for that.

So I guess I would be safe putting something more restrictive inline with the water heater.

Can anyone tell me if the $25 shower pump/heads create enough flow or should I be looking for a bilge pump?

Posted: **Tue May 31, 2005 1:29 pm**

grazza wrote:Thanks for that.

So I guess I would be safe putting something more restrictive inline with the water heater.

Can anyone tell me if the $25 shower pump/heads create enough flow or should I be looking for a bilge pump?

should do, but a shurflo pump with the auto cut ofs are good, can get em from whitworths online for around $145.00 delivered

Posted: **Tue May 31, 2005 7:21 pm**

grazza wrote:Thanks for that.

So I guess I would be safe putting something more restrictive inline with the water heater.

Can anyone tell me if the $25 shower pump/heads create enough flow or should I be looking for a bilge pump?

your water flow through the heater will be too slow for the heater to work anymore and your billi won't get hot enough for drinks.

Posted: **Tue May 31, 2005 7:26 pm**

would be better to put it in parallell with the heater, just T the two heater lines.

Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Heater water flow to heat exchanger for shower question

Heater water flow to heat exchanger for shower question