Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - Torpedo Heater ducting
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Torpedo Heater ducting
IndianaDrake777
01-26-08, 04:35 PM
I want to extend the reach of my torpedo heater 15 feet by attaching a 6" flexible duct to the end of it. The instructions say not to "duct" the heater. This heater is used outside and the extension is to reach under a tanker to unfreeze the brakes. What are the concerns? Any other suggestions.
Jay11J
01-26-08, 05:30 PM
Do not think of using flex on it... It's going to melt and good chance of fire. These heater has the flame in the air stream, and it's too hot.. That's why they don't advise any type of duct...
Just aim the air flow to where you want the heater to warm up something.
Just aim the air flow to where you want the heater to warm up something.
hankhill6018
01-26-08, 05:47 PM
If the say don't duct, then don't duct. Regardless if it's located inside, outside or anywhere else, numerous things could happen as a result of doing what you propose.
Finding a material that would withstand the heat first comes to mind but you also have to take in to consideration but changing the design of the heater may cause it to malfunction. Adding tubing to the discharge could cause excessive heat build up causing problems. It could also alter the air ratio of the flame causing it to burn improperly.
Finding a material that would withstand the heat first comes to mind but you also have to take in to consideration but changing the design of the heater may cause it to malfunction. Adding tubing to the discharge could cause excessive heat build up causing problems. It could also alter the air ratio of the flame causing it to burn improperly.
Grady
01-26-08, 08:16 PM
Like they said, DON'T DO IT. You would be at serious risk of fire. If the tanker doesn't carry flamable or combustible materials, just move the heater under the trailer. It will thaw the brakes. Been there, done that.
morinifp
01-28-08, 11:00 AM
I agree with the other posters that you should not do it.
You should take a trip to your local small airport. They commonly employ kerosene and electric torpedo style heaters to preheat the engines of small Cessna's and other planes during cold weather. Airplane batteries are small and light, and can never turn over a cold engine. At my airport they use a metal gasket with an air gap, and attach about 10 feet of rubber 6" hose. You fire this up and put the end right into the engine cowling and then sit in the freezing plane and wait for 20 minutes so you can then start it up and go up in a drafty freezing airplane :-)
You should take a trip to your local small airport. They commonly employ kerosene and electric torpedo style heaters to preheat the engines of small Cessna's and other planes during cold weather. Airplane batteries are small and light, and can never turn over a cold engine. At my airport they use a metal gasket with an air gap, and attach about 10 feet of rubber 6" hose. You fire this up and put the end right into the engine cowling and then sit in the freezing plane and wait for 20 minutes so you can then start it up and go up in a drafty freezing airplane :-)
marksr
01-28-08, 11:08 AM
I agree with not using any ducting but what I have done when using one outside is; use something to kind of deflect or contain the heat to a certain area.