DIY calorifier connections - is this brilliant or mad?

[Otter]

I can't connect the calorifier to the engine, but looking at the set up I had an idea - the exhaust elbow gets very, very hot, so why not wind some 6mm coper pipe three or four turns round it, put a little inline 12v pump in a circuit with some flexible hose back to the calorifier coil, only running the pump when the engine is on; slip a mini header tank into the circuit and circulate water through the coils inside the calorifier. Basically using the elbow as a heat exchanger.

Am I brilliant or stupid?

 

[captainboo]

the exhaust elbow gets very, very hot
Am I brilliant or stupid?

How hot? The danger is if the pump fails, will it boil the water in the coil or eventually heat the water in the tank to a dangerous level.

 

[prv]

It will work to an extent, but I would be doubtful as to how efficient a heat-exchanger your coils around the exhaust elbow will be. Seems like there would be relatively little firm contact between the two, to conduct the heat. You'd need to pack the whole lot with some kind of conducting medium, probably easiest with some kind of gel or paste but I don't know what.

Pete

 

[Spirit of Glenans]

Would it be possible to remove your heat exchanger, take it to an engineering shop where it can be drilled and tapped so as to insert suitable connections to heat your calorifier?

 

[vyv_cox]

What is preventing you from connecting a calorifier to your engine? Many people have drilled and tapped for hose tails on raw water cooled engines and with indirectly cooled ones it could hardly be more simple. Look at my website for some ideas.

 

[Ripster]

I can't connect the calorifier to the engine, but looking at the set up I had an idea - the exhaust elbow gets very, very hot, so why not wind some 6mm coper pipe three or four turns round it, put a little inline 12v pump in a circuit with some flexible hose back to the calorifier coil, only running the pump when the engine is on; slip a mini header tank into the circuit and circulate water through the coils inside the calorifier. Basically using the elbow as a heat exchanger.

Am I brilliant or stupid?

I agree with the others, it would probably work but with some risks and not that well perhaps - all a bit Heath Robinson. So best get it done properly and have suitable holes drilled and tapped for a proper connection. Or... are you actually saying that you are in fact very pleased with your idea, enjoy a bit of experimental engineering and want to give it a go - get the impression this might be the case

 

[Sandyman]

I can't connect the calorifier to the engine, but looking at the set up I had an idea - the exhaust elbow gets very, very hot, so why not wind some 6mm coper pipe three or four turns round it, put a little inline 12v pump in a circuit with some flexible hose back to the calorifier coil, only running the pump when the engine is on; slip a mini header tank into the circuit and circulate water through the coils inside the calorifier. Basically using the elbow as a heat exchanger.

Am I brilliant or stupid?

Think you would have to greatly increase the surface area of the connection betwix the 6mm pipe & the exhaust elbow to get a decent heat transfer. Also this would depend on how long you would need to run the engine to heat the calorifier water.
Seems simple enough. Well engineered it should work well. Stick thermometer in the lecky feed to the pump.

 

[Otter]

Or... are you actually saying that you are in fact very pleased with your idea, enjoy a bit of experimental engineering and want to give it a go - get the impression this might be the case

I didn't want to pay someone to do a job I reckon I could bodge myself

Sort of seemed like a non-invasive £15 job. But maybe getting it done properly would be better!

 

[Hadenough]

I didn't want to pay someone to do a job I reckon I could bodge myself

Sort of seemed like a non-invasive £15 job. But maybe getting it done properly would be better!

Don't know what engine you have but I'd be amazed if there were no tappings for connecting into the cooling water. Or tee into the flexible hoses. On my old Perkins I used a tapping off the top of the block for the flow but teed into the flexible hose for the return lower down to get a better flow.

 

[Otter]

Thanks, it's a Thornycroft 230.