Homemade cabin heater core

[Esser]

As much as I like buying from Kitfox, has anyone made their own cabin heater setup with a motorcycle rad and some CPU fans? It doesn't seem too difficult, I'm just worried about a leaking cap etc since it's on it's side.

As much as I like buying from kitfox, with the exchange rate being what it is, I think I could make this for about a hundred bucks CDN as apposed to three hundred USD.

Any thoughts, objections?

[Ramos]

Why not just use an actual heater core for a small car? NAPA (in the USA) sells many of them for less than $50.00 around here. It would eliminate the concern of a leaky cap. Just thinking out loud, here.....

[Av8r3400]

I used a small "Earl's Cooler" from Jegs with CPU fans to make mine.

The plate style cores transfer heat more efficiently than the woven tube style.

[Norm]

As much as I like buying from Kitfox, has anyone made their own cabin heater setup with a motorcycle rad and some CPU fans? It doesn't seem too difficult, I'm just worried about a leaking cap etc since it's on it's side.

As much as I like buying from kitfox, with the exchange rate being what it is, I think I could make this for about a hundred bucks CDN as apposed to three hundred USD.

Any thoughts, objections?

Josh I have one out of a Geo Metro I can send you if you would like.
Norm

[jrthomas]

Here's some from Canada. A pretty good price too. http://seareycanada.com/Aircraft%20C...%20Heaters.htm

[jrthomas]

I bought this one last year. Last winter was so mild I haven't installed it yet. It looks to be very high quality. http://www.universalpartsinc.com/sho...750255&c=10550

[Esser]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Norm I may take you up on your offer. Maybe when Jeremy is back out west and I finally go see his plane.

Has anyone reversed one of the fans and drilled holes in the glare shield for defrost?

[efwd]

Yes, someone mentioned that they had done that in a previous thread. seems to me that that might not be a bad idea. There happens to be so much blow by from the top of the fan I am not sure if I won't be getting that effect anyhow. It feels to me that only half the fan output makes it through the heater core.
Eddie

[Esser]

I wonder what kind of DC motor it is? If you could reverse the polarity so it went backwards when you needed defrost and forwards when your wind shield was taken care of.

[Danzer1]

Josh, these are simple pc fans. Many places sell reversible fans. For that matter, many also sell water cooling pc radiators that are set up for 1 to 4 fans and also drilled to accept the fan mounting and with various coolant inlet and outlet sizes and locations. Try http://www.frozencpu.com/ for both items.

Greg