bmwe21.net forums

http://www.force4.co.uk/1946/Force-4-Wi ... ister.html

• Draws 15 amps
• Power: 12V, 168W(Hot)

Will the alternator support it?

The in car demister is fine but the engine takes an age to warm up enough to actually start demisting when the car isn't moving. I can't be bothered freezing my bollocks off in the E21 every morning before work any more.

Jim had a natty solution with an extension lead and small heater.

Just be careful you don't end up with an e21 shaped BBQ.

I still recall that idea from last years thread when all my locks froze! Not workable at present since I live in a block of flats. Moving to a house soon so I'll definitely be doing that on cold mornings.

maybe you need to swap the pipes round which go to the heater matrix? not sure...

Nah, I think they're right. It gets hot, just takes ages when the car isn't moving. These things are supposed to be 'instant heat' though.

Does anyone know if the alternator can handle it? The heater I linked is designed for boat windscreens but I saw some people using them on track cars in a forum thread elsewhere for demisting.

yeah probably, 90 amp alternator isn't it?

Cool. Didn't want to fry anything!

I wonder if there's any solution other than block heaters for quickly increasing engine temps on cold mornings...

How about a remote car starter?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-WAY-FM-TO-F ... 4179f5110b

I actually had an even nattier solution which I was going to try and manufacture/sell but too problematic for mass market.

You need a spare battery or a jumpstarter thing, some minor electronics and a remote control. You connect your 12v heater to the battery via the remote and go to bed, when you wake up and it's frosty you click the remote. Battery gives it's soul to heat the car. Reason I couldn't make/sell is the recharge at the other end issue. You could take the box into work and charge it under the desk I suppose.

If you want to give it a go I may still have the remote control box in a storage cage outside my old unit, but it was pretty simple to make. Remote control kit from maplins and a big relay to handle the heater current.

There's mileage in that Jim, I'd definitely get a prototype made. My relis in the States all have auto start from their key fobs. Used to like having the car start while i'm still in the mall to come back to a toasty warm car. Only really safe with Automatic cars though - your idea will swing both ways!

Drink some concrete n harden up lol

e21-Mark wrote:How about a remote car starter?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-WAY-FM-TO-F ... 4179f5110b

A lovely idea that, I guess, wouldn't work on an E21 with weber carb'd engine??
Would only work with injected engines, electronic ignitions and/or more modern engine swaps, am I mistaken? I can't remember a lot of times my car being started in the cold just by turning the key: I always have to press the gas pedal as well at some point, so technically speaking, this couldn't be done from one's bed lol

Otherwise I get in the mood of ordering that gadget...Maybe to fit with a future engine swap

Same, there's a fine art to getting my car going. One pump of the accelerator. 1 inch of choke (depending on the temperature outside). Takes two tries sometimes. Good idea for injection though as you say. A bigger worry for me though is having a running, unattended E21 - I don't think the local hoodlums could resist taking it!

Reck wrote:Same, there's a fine art to getting my car going. One pump of the accelerator. 1 inch of choke (depending on the temperature outside). Takes two tries sometimes. Good idea for injection though as you say. A bigger worry for me though is having a running, unattended E21 - I don't think the local hoodlums could resist taking it!

Well the one's I used would start the car, would unlock the doors, however if you either pressed the break or the accelerator without first installing the original key back, then the car would turn off. Nothing to stop someone just sitting in your car, but who knows - could turn out to be an attractive woman dying to get her hands on the owner of such a cool car

Yeah, you've got me reconsidering now. If only it could be rigged to lock the doors again once said attractive woman was inside - then again, nobody knows how to get out once they're in anyway!!