Build a Heater or Buy?

[TroySD]

Can a person build a cab heater with say a heater core from a passenger car and build a case and mount a fan to push the air?

Or is it just easier to buy one for $250? That seems to be the going rate on ebay.

I want to use a liquid heater not an electric.

I'm in the process of building a cab for my tractor and thinking the heat would feel real nice on days like this.

 

[deereman75]

Can a person build a cab heater with say a heater core from a passenger car and build a case and mount a fan to push the air?

Or is it just easier to buy one for $250? That seems to be the going rate on ebay.

I want to use a liquid heater not an electric.

I'm in the process of building a cab for my tractor and thinking the heat would feel real nice on days like this.

Well you would need to tie the heater core into the cooling system of the tractor. And that might void the warranty. (if it is still under warranty) If you dont care about the warranty (or is it is over) it is worth a try. I think it could work.

 

[TroySD]

Yeah, I know I'll have to add the lines.

I was looking at a parts store at a heater core to say an F150. $45.00, figure it'll cost a few bucks for some hose and clamps and whatnot but the last expensive part would be the fan to run it and the metal shroud to encase it all.


The warranty shouldn't be an issue. As far as I'm aware, the only way adding an aftermarket accessory could void warranty is if it caused a failure to a certain part directly affected by the add-on. ie if you added the heater and the electronic dashboard went out it would still be covered. At least thats the way it was when I was in the auto business.

So back to the original thought....buy one for $250 or try to make it work on my own? Doesn't look to hard to be but just curious if I'm missing anything.

 

[Travelover]

I'd build one in a minute. That way you can make it fit your cab nicely. You can get one or two pancake fans cheaply to move air over the core. Just Google "12 volt computer fan". They come in every size and shape imaginable.


Example:

Amazon.com: R/T - 12 Volt Amplifier Cooling Fan: Car Electronics

 

[PILOON]

I built mine using the under seat heater core from an old school bus.
Measures about 5" X 5" and I drove it with one 4" computer fan.
Works like a charm, however only one speed so it's on off to control heat.
With a larger core and 2 fans you could hi/low by switching from 2 to 1 fan.

The big advantage of computer fans is their high efficiency and compactness but more important the low amperage draw.

 

[Travelover]

I built mine using the under seat heater core from an old school bus.
Measures about 5" X 5" and I drove it with one 4" computer fan.
Works like a charm, however only one speed so it's on off to control heat.
With a larger core and 2 fans you could hi/low by switching from 2 to 1 fan.

The big advantage of computer fans is their high efficiency and compactness but more important the low amperage draw.

Good thoughts. You could also wire in a resistor or two and use a multi-positon switch, which is how cars get different fan speeds.

Example:
Panel-Mount Switches by CARLING TECHNOLOGIES - Switch Accessories by Zoro Tools Industrial Supplies

 

[o2batsea]

Google 'flex a lite Mojave heater'. Jegs has them for 200.

 

[Wyld Bill]

I am in the process of trying to build my own heater right now. My wife has us on a tight budget (per my request) so I got to make this happen for cheap or free. I've had a bunch of Suzuki Samurais so I was going to try to put the entire heater box in but on my compact tractor it was WAY too large.

So I took it apart & got the core out of it. The coil part measured about 5"X5-1/2". The in & out tubes were about 1/2" OD. So after looking for a 5" 12v fan on Ebay I eventually figured out what you guys already said, a computer, amplifier fan fits perfect! So my buddy that works on computers is giving me one for free.
By the way they have some sweet 3 speed fans on Ebay for like $18. The switch is right on a pigtail already set up. I may swap one of these on eventually.
So I am going to run 3/8" heater hose from the ports on the engine then at some point change to 1/2" heater hose which I already have the hoses.
I'm going to put a ball valve on one of the lines to regulate heat output or shut it off altogether when I don't need it.
I was going to make my own plenum box with louvers out of sheetmetal since I am an HVAC tech but I think I'll just go with the coil & the fan on the back side. I'm going to hang it from the roof in the back corner over my shoulder pointed at the windshield but have it hagning on a bolt so I can spin it to point at the back window if I need to.
So basically I need to buy some hose clamps & two 1/2"X3/8" barbed fittings.
I want to put quick disconnects on the lines so I can take it off the tractor for the Spring, Summer, & Fall. I'll try rigging that up later.
I'll try to get some pics up as I go.

 

[roygage]

Can a person build a cab heater with say a heater core from a passenger car and build a case and mount a fan to push the air?

Or is it just easier to buy one for $250? That seems to be the going rate on ebay.

I want to use a liquid heater not an electric.

I'm in the process of building a cab for my tractor and thinking the heat would feel real nice on days like this.

I am a auto tech so when I needed one for my cab was a natural to modify a heater from a old car. Only problem was I had inherited a aftermarket heater from my father, a Maradyne 8000.

Tempted by it's compact size I gave it a try and have been very happy with it. I mounted so is bringing in cold air from outside.

Model 8000 Heater

Here is a link to my blog, scroll down 3/4 of the way to see pictures of it in use.

Life on Highway 9: Building a tractor cab.

 

[sandman2234]

I built a heater for an open station forklift (propane). I used the heater core out of a '79 Corvette and a fan off of a watercooled Susuki motorcycle. Both I had, so no parts required to buy. I built a wooden box to fit the heater core in, with a round hole on one side for the fan and a square hole on the opposite side for the warm air to leave the box. I loved it for warming my hands and keeping my legs warm. The guy that came into work two hours before me always used my forklift during the cold parts of the year, so he must have liked it too. I think that durn thing is still in the 40' container out back, lol.
David from jax

 

[TroySD]

I'm in the process today of finishing building the cab. I bought a cheap heater core for $30 today at Advanced Auto Parts since I was in town anyway. I also picked up a cheap DC fan at Walmart but I don't think it will be strong enough. Plan is to mount it in the front right of the cab down low and use pvc piping to make defrost in the front and rear windshields. A friend helping me suggested just drilling a few holes, like a water broom, in the pvc and it will then defrost even without having to make louvers.

I got a few pics of the frame of the cab coming but I'll make one post for all of that.

**** cold and windy today. We'll see how well the Shelter Logic tent works with a diesel heater.

 

[Wyld Bill]

I'm in the process today of finishing building the cab. I bought a cheap heater core for $30 today at Advanced Auto Parts since I was in town anyway. I also picked up a cheap DC fan at Walmart but I don't think it will be strong enough. Plan is to mount it in the front right of the cab down low and use pvc piping to make defrost in the front and rear windshields. A friend helping me suggested just drilling a few holes, like a water broom, in the pvc and it will then defrost even without having to make louvers.

I got a few pics of the frame of the cab coming but I'll make one post for all of that.

**** cold and windy today. We'll see how well the Shelter Logic tent works with a diesel heater.

I was thinking th esame thing with PVC drill some holes all in a row for an air knife.

 

[sandman2234]

I was thinking th esame thing with PVC drill some holes all in a row for an air knife.

saw blade via a table saw or an endmill if you happen to have a milling machine, or a router would make a slot which would allow more air, and still keep it directional. Drilling enough holes to get sufficent air flow would take some time...
David from jax

 

[wh22366]

I bought a Curtis cab 3-4 years back and went through several winters trying not to breathe too much while inside cleaning up after a snow storm. I wrestled with the thought of cobbling up a heater just as you gents are describing now - in the end my wife gifted me with a hot water heater from Curtis through dealer Northwood Power Equipment. Slick unit, heat can be directed at the pilot or the glass and it keeps the windshield (and most of the glass rear window) clear. I was able to use the fabrication time I saved to build an overhead switch box for the wipers, utilty lights and heater.

 

[TRETECH]

15 years ago I was driving a 1973 jeep cj5 with a seriously drafty soft top. It had a replacement fiberglass body and absolutely none of the original heater parts. I drove it for two winters in western Massachusetts with no heat, no defroster. I used to drive hunched over with one hand between my leg and the seat to keep warm. I was in college and had no money at the time. A friend gave me a heater core out of a '77 dodge tradesman van, and I had a electric radiator cooling fan from a 1990 VW fox. I put it all together in a box that was maybe 14"x14"X12". The fan pushed air through the radiator core mounted at the front of the box. I put the box in the back between the front seats so that the heat was pushed forward towards the windshield. It worked so well that I would have to shut it off every five minutes so that I didn't die of heat exhaustion.

Funny thing is, to this day I sometimes catch myself driving in the winter, hunched over with one of my hands under my leg, with no heat on. Then I realize I'm in my truck and reach over and turn the knob. Old habits die hard...

 

[Smallplot]

Someone please explain what is do undesirable about the electric cab heaters? A warm cab is better than freezing your butt off right? Or am I missing something?

 

[TroySD]

15 years ago I was driving a 1973 jeep cj5 with a seriously drafty soft top. It had a replacement fiberglass body and absolutely none of the original heater parts. I drove it for two winters in western Massachusetts with no heat, no defroster. I used to drive hunched over with one hand between my leg and the seat to keep warm. I was in college and had no money at the time. A friend gave me a heater core out of a '77 dodge tradesman van, and I had a electric radiator cooling fan from a 1990 VW fox. I put it all together in a box that was maybe 14"x14"X12". The fan pushed air through the radiator core mounted at the front of the box. I put the box in the back between the front seats so that the heat was pushed forward towards the windshield. It worked so well that I would have to shut it off every five minutes so that I didn't die of heat exhaustion.

Funny thing is, to this day I sometimes catch myself driving in the winter, hunched over with one of my hands under my leg, with no heat on. Then I realize I'm in my truck and reach over and turn the knob. Old habits die hard...

That's an awesome story of making due with what you have got and/or can afford.

Its not that I don't want an electric heater or that I can't afford a $300 heater...just the principle that there isn't much to them and I figure I can build one for way less. I have it roughly made and just found a 3 position switch so I don't pull a TRETECH and pass out from too much heat lol.

So far I have a new heater core from Advanced Auto for $30, a radiator fan from Advanced Auto for $45 and a switch from Napa or $16. All held together by some scrap plywood that wasn't going to get used anyway....so far I'm winning. We'll see.

With the homemade cab, space is a premium. Where did all you guys mount your heaters at. I'm thinking above and to the right of me, out of sight lines and heater hoses can run under the tractor up the back of the tractor to the core. Any thoughts?

Pics to come if it works :thumbsup:

 

[2458n]

Drove a 68 VW in college so am aware of the no heat thing. I am not aware of a electric heater that works as advertised. Have tried many but usually really unhappy. Best so far has been a very small propane heater mounted on a board. With the space limitations in a cab the solutions so far seem great.

 

[PILOON]

My heater is mounted front top right with hoses following the cab post.
In my cab that position is the least invasive and being high blowing downwards the windshield gets 'defogged' and my feet get warmed.
My torso gets the leftovers. LOL
I never need gloves and generally need to remove my parks
My heater core is a carter (from school bus) 6" X 6" X 2" pushed with a computer 12 volt muffin fan.
Hook up used standard 1/2" copper pipe covered with tubular foam pipe insulation with automotive heater hose under the hood.
It is a 2 speed. On or off!

 

[roygage]

Mine is a about 8 inch's square and sits in the right rear corner of the cab atop the fender, pulls outside air from underneath, ducted to windshield and windows with PCV pipe.

Good location for me, out of the way. Used heater hoses draped along the fender.