Hot Water Heater Diffuser. Updated w/2 speed fan info.

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Mon Dec 08, 2014 1:00 pm

I was looking for a diffuser here:
http://willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php? ... pic&t=9420
Guys I talked to were muttering things like
"hens teeth", "needles and haystacks".

So 3 bucks and a Sunday afternoon later I came up w/this.
Not a true diffuser but it covers the port and will keep fingers
and toes out of the blower.

Materials: 3" ABS coupler, short pc 3" ABS pipe, expanded metal.
Doesn't look too out of place w/OD paint. It's a nice tight press fit
on the blower outlet.

Note the addition of the gate valve at the heater core inlet and switch
placement at arms reach from driver seat. The inline fuse is accessable also.

A couple of fotos of the diffuser itself can be seen here:
http://willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php? ... _album.php

Sorry..i had an exploded view of the unit but couldnt load it due to file size

Bretto · Post by **Bretto** » Mon Dec 08, 2014 2:10 pm

Way too many levers Rick.

Looks good.

oilleaker1 · Post by **oilleaker1** » Tue Dec 09, 2014 6:46 am

I'm doing the same. I was thinking about a 3 inch T or Elbow . I'd like to be able to aim it some. Where the first aid kit goes, I have another heater installed there. I plan on staying warm in my koenig full hardtop. I've seen t's with flapper valves internal on furnaces and was thinking I could make that in miniture. A steering column fan works great for defrost, if you can get the cab warm enough. Sadly, the old days of winter driving are not the same. Too much salt!!!!!!

You have to pick fresh snow or stay off the maintained roads. Hope to see you and Brett in June! John

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Tue Dec 09, 2014 9:13 am

oilleaker1 wrote: Hope to see you and Brett in June! John

Am countin on it John. Shoot me a firm date soon as ya got it nailed down.

Bill_F · Post by **Bill_F** » Tue Dec 09, 2014 9:13 pm

Nicely done! Make my install look like it needs to be redone

oilleaker1 · Post by **oilleaker1** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 5:47 am

All those levers would intimidate a thief into thinking I don't know how to steal this one!

John

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 9:43 am

oilleaker1 wrote: I've seen t's with flapper valves internal on furnaces and was thinking I could make that in miniture.

That gives me an idea John.. Stand Back!!

Note the dimples and the edge mill for the crs to lay snug.

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 3:58 pm

Anything worth doin is worth overdoin, or at least doin over till you get the
desired result. Added an airflow valve with a pc of 1/4" CRS and the lid
from a canna beans.

The freeflow from the blower would blow your hat off before!!. Still under 4 bucks.

Side view showing yet another lever..

Top view showing the valve partially open and the protective screen.

View from underside. A bead of JB weld did the trick here.

The can lid was cut w/can opener from the side of the can leaving the ridge for some rigidity then milled slightly for the crs to lay snug. The part fit well and has a 360 deg range of rotation. These cold wet days scream for a project like this!!

Bretto · Post by **Bretto** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 4:43 pm

Homebrew ingenuity at its finest. I think it would be neat to incorporate a rheostat for fan speed control.

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 5:55 pm

Bretto wrote: I think it would be neat to incorporate a rheostat for fan speed control.

Talk to me Bro!!

oilleaker1 · Post by **oilleaker1** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 6:19 pm

Outstanding. Now, a washer welded on the shaft as a stop with a coil spring between it and the tube would apply resistence to help you adjust the flapper at the desired opening. John

oilleaker1 · Post by **oilleaker1** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 6:23 pm

I have a set of pull type Heater switches I'm using on mine. One for each heater. They have a built in external resister that slows the blower in one of the two positions. All kinds of ideas! The farm boys that could fix anything during world War 2 were one of the reasons we won the war. When done, paint it OD and it looks factory!

John

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 1:35 pm

What would that type switch be called? I'm surfin Graingers with no joy..

oilleaker1 · Post by **oilleaker1** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 2:18 pm

Rick, they came on my '51 M38, from when the fire dept. had it. They must have installed those switches years ago. They look like a CJ2A light switch, have heater written or engraved into the knobs, and have a external resister built in on top of the bakelite switch cover. I have no idea where you'd find them. Have you tried the reostat turn type heater switch? That might work on 24 volts even though it's 12 volt. Don't know. I'm surprised you didn't get some galvenised tin and bend up a diffuser just like the original. Flappers and all! John

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 3:04 pm

oilleaker1 wrote: I'm surprised you didn't get some galvenised tin and bend up a diffuser just like the original. Flappers and all! John

I'm sure Bretto could pull it off but it's WAY beyond my metal working skills.