Funny how great minds think alike.  I also was thinking of using the air cond. system mounted above the rear seats as a way to distribute the warm air (should I decide to gut the a/c).  Would be great if one could put the whole assembly within the unit, with the exception of the water container (leave that under the rear seat and use hoses thru the closet up to the unit).  Makes it much more compact too!  :)

Wil Haslup <whaslup@GMAIL.COM> wrote: Mike Rouby wrote:
> Thought of this, this morning mainly for camping...but it should work for when the vehicle is moving as well....Kinda a DIY project that makes me wonder why the Bug crowd hasn't done this already...So i'm second-guessing myself.

> Anyway...here's my idea....Since I already converted my Mercedes Diesel to run on veggie oil - I realized the same parts can be utilized to build a heating system.

> Parts:

> * Inline 12v heater (bought on Ebay for $70 - basically a temp. controlled glow plug in a metal Tee)
> * inline electric carb fuel pump (or 12v water pump - eg early Westy)
> * water container (small windshield resevoir or header tank from an import car)
> * antifreeze/water
> * small 12v electric fan (forced heating)
> * vent panel (fitment under rear seat)
> * small heater core
> * 3/8" hose - a couple of feet
> * some bracketry
> * relay and wiring to aux. battery including switch

> Fit the whole thing under the rear seat.

> Can anyone tell me why this would be a bad idea?

> Thanks.

...using an electric element for heat will suck amps so I'm unsure if
your aux. battery will be getting enough charge from the alt. to keep it
at a relatively charged state if you use the heat consistently and for
long periods.  It may, but I just can't tell without knowing more about
the power required run the unit as you describe it.

Using a fluid system to move the heat keeps your element inside a
housing so you're minimizing risks that would be present with a forced
air over electric element sitting under your seat.

...hmmm.

Thought the AC compressor was removed from my Air cooled before I got
it, I still have the duct work behind the front seats on the ceiling.  I
wonder if there might be a way of utilizing those for heat distribution.

--

Wil

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