Anybody ever install a heater?

[Stone]

We are thinking about cutting a hole in the firewall (under our legs) and putting a small fan in the engine compartment to move a little heat to our legs when we are road hunting.

Anyone ever try this?

[my1423]

Not personally on a cart but on a gator so similar.
Trailer checker needed more heat.

This was a 4 stroke!! Would not do this on a 2. Plug up in no time.
We took a stock vw bug exhaust manifold and cut it up and rewelded the ends up a new exhaust using the vw header in between.
They have an aluminum heatsink around the header with a sheet tin casing.
They work awesome but be sure to use good aluminum ducting because it will melt the plastic stuff. Be very careful on the welds so you dont get exhaust in the cab. Went over all of the welds with brass just to be sure we did not have that issue.

Then found a 12v defrost blower for something (cant remember what it was off of but had apx 2 1/2 outlet.) Ran a switch that turned on a generic relay and put a 10 amp circuit breaker on it.
Hooked that up the vw air vent to 2 old pete dash vents and ducting.
Mounted inlet under the seat and ran a piece of square tubing up the back of the seat and put 2 vents one on each side and capped the top. Het riser outlet.


Just remember Warm scent can carry easier. Make sure your blower inlet has a filter on it and its in the cab so you remove a little scent and not blow it all over. This also makes the heater work better.
Assuming you have a canvas cab ect already.

[Stone]

I was thinking more simple. Cut a 3 or 4 inch round hole in the firewall and put a small fan in it to pull some heat out of the engine compartment.

[StoveBolt]

They also have propane heaters that go in your cup holder,
don't know how much heat would get to your legs though.

[Stone]

Originally Posted by StoveBolt

They also have propane heaters that go in your cup holder,
don't know how much heat would get to your legs though.

We strapped a coleman sportcat catalytic heater between us last week and it worked well but was a bit cumbersome. This is where we got the idea of cutting a hole and adding a fan.

[LVCJ]

I've done what your saying in reverse. I needed to cool off the engine, so I put puller fans in the firewall to bring in cooler outside air across the hot motor. I don't see why you couldn't do it with the fan going the opposite way.
I would just make sure your exhaust piping is far away as possible as to help avoid pulling any carbon monoxide up into the driver area. This maybe be even more an issue at slow speeds.

[Stone]

Originally Posted by LVCJ

I've done what your saying in reverse. I needed to cool off the engine, so I put puller fans in the firewall to bring in cooler outside air across the hot motor. I don't see why you couldn't do it with the fan going the opposite way.
I would just make sure your exhaust piping is far away as possible as to help avoid pulling any carbon monoxide up into the driver area. This maybe be even more an issue at slow speeds.

Excellent! I can set it up so the fan can be reversed in the summer!

[kgsc]

I saw an enclosure a while back that looked like it had curtain rods hanging from the roof. You gained access by sliding back and forth.. That with a propane heater in the cup would be plenty

[Stone]

Originally Posted by kgsc

I saw an enclosure a while back that looked like it had curtain rods hanging from the roof. You gained access by sliding back and forth.. That with a propane heater in the cup would be plenty

If you look at my sig pic or my album you will see that she can be closed up to a degree.....still need access for shooting. We aren't interested in a heater in the cup holder as we need freedom of movement in that area. Plus there will soon be a gun rack right above the cup holders.

[kgsc]

I would be a little scared with a fan coming from the engine compartment as that is where the exhaust comes out. Now of you ran a hose off the exhaust out the back of the cart out of harms way I think it would be good.