Kenlowe Hot Start preheater

[JHertzman@xxxxxxx]

In AD7-347 Jaap Bouma referred twice, in two consecutive posts, to block
heaters, in one saying "Buy the Kenwood Hotstart from the UK. I have used it,
it's good and reasonably priced" and in the second "Preheating the engine
block has a number of advantages, not only at "deep sub-zero temperatures",
but also when it's simply cold and wet outside. A preheated engine gives you
instant interior heating and demisting (definitely nice in a gtv6 with its
hopeless ventilation system), no need to take it easy during the first 10
minutes of driving, with less emissions, better fuel economy, less
condensation of water in the engine and reduced wear."

I had never heard of the Kenwood Hotstart, and had been looking in vain in
U.S.A. catalogs for block heaters for a couple of people who had asked about
them, but hadn't thought of checking UK catalogs. 

Found it (or a clone) in the Europa Specialist Spares catalog- does not list
www or email, but fax (01283)814976 - listed as the Kenlowe (not Kenwood) Hot
Start (two words), and it looks like a neat idea. It is a separate unit (i.e.
not in-the-block or the old standard in-the-lower-hose Calrod heater) which is
inserted in the heater-hose loop, heating both the block coolant and the
heater core. Arrows on the diagram imply that it actively pumps rather than
depending on thermosiphon, as the arrows show circulation from the Kenlowe to
the lower front-of-engine heater connection, then from the top rear of engine
to heater core and back to the Kenlowe. Evidently fast, the blurb says 3.0 kw,
plug in 20 minutes before start or connect to timer. Both 220v and 110v
versions available, and the catalog code number is HS430. I assume that the
"Kenlowe" is the same company which first marketed electric cooling fans under
that name a few decades ago, highly reputed back then. 

It is decidedly pricier than the J.C. Whitney lower hose things were forty
years ago (about $5, when you could buy a new Spider for $3,000) at 116.78
GBP. I live in a relatively benign climate and do not have starting problems
but the thought of not having chattering teeth and fogged windows for the
first ten minute of even a twenty degree (f) commute sounds downright
Sybaritic.

On behalf of teeth-chatterers throughout the great plains and northern
territories, many thanks to Jaap Bouma-

Cordially,

John H. 

------------------------------