Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Use engine block heater to warm Catalyc converter ?

Piwoslaw · 04-23-2012, 05:30 AM

There pad type heaters. I have one on my oilpan to supplement the coolant heater, but I've seen users here with a heating pad on the engine block or transaxle. You could use a low power pad wrapped around the cat to slowly bring it partially up to temp, giving it a head start. If well insulated from the outside then maybe you might get it 60-80°C above ambient. Not sure if the pads are made to handle temperatures that high? I think it's doable, just need to get the parameters right.

Some of the pads are for 12V DC, so you could prewarm the cat 1-2 minutes before starting the engine, or keep it warm when coasting (SentraSE had a thread about that not too long ago).

PS: Why is this in the Unicorn Corral?

EDIT: You know, they make heating pads especially for cats. Meow cats

04-23-2012, 05:30 AM	#11 (permalink)
Piwoslaw aero guerrilla Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Warsaw, Poland Posts: 3,749 Svietlana II - '13 Peugeot 308SW e-HDI 6sp 90 day: 58.1 mpg (US) Thanks: 1,329 Thanked 749 Times in 476 Posts	There pad type heaters. I have one on my oilpan to supplement the coolant heater, but I've seen users here with a heating pad on the engine block or transaxle. You could use a low power pad wrapped around the cat to slowly bring it partially up to temp, giving it a head start. If well insulated from the outside then maybe you might get it 60-80°C above ambient. Not sure if the pads are made to handle temperatures that high? I think it's doable, just need to get the parameters right. Some of the pads are for 12V DC, so you could prewarm the cat 1-2 minutes before starting the engine, or keep it warm when coasting (SentraSE had a thread about that not too long ago). PS: Why is this in the Unicorn Corral? EDIT: You know, they make heating pads especially for cats. Meow cats __________________ e·co·mod·ding: the art of turning vehicles into what they should be What matters is where you're going, not how fast. "... we humans tend to screw up everything that's good enough as it is...or everything that we're attracted to, we love to go and defile it." - Chris Cornell [Old] Piwoslaw's Peugeot 307sw modding thread Last edited by Piwoslaw; 04-23-2012 at 05:37 AM..