Radiator Positioning

supastar · L Plate Warrior Joined: 26 Jun 2015 Karma :

I've seen pictures where the inlet to the top of the rad must be higher than the top of the cylinder. Something to do with potential steam blowing off!

I want to mount my rad virtually flat and low down. Any problems?

Paul

ps I will be using an EWP.

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

As long as you have airflow over it, it'll work.

The filler point needs to be the highest point in the system to allow you to get all of the air out when you fill it up. You can work around it to a certain extent with bleed screws, but it turns into a ballache.

Any reason why you want to mount your radiator away from air flow and nearer to flying stones?

ps I don't know what EWP means.

Fisty · Super Spammer Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Karma :

supastar · L Plate Warrior Joined: 26 Jun 2015 Karma :

Sorry. It's for a hovercraft with the radiator below the front lift fan. Of course, it would be filled from the highest point.

EWP is an electric water pump. Instead of the mechanical unit. It has many advantages. It runs off a controller to give slow running for a quicker warm up, temperature controlled operation and the water can continue to run with the engine off. This removes the residual heat. It also releases useful power.

Wonko The Sane · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jan 2013 Karma :

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

Does your cooling system have an expansion tank?
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supastar · L Plate Warrior Joined: 26 Jun 2015 Karma :

Yes, if you mean the overflow device that then sucks it back in as it cools.

Why do you ask?

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

...........the "steam blow-off" thing.....could have been for a closed system maybe. My bike has the radiators on the side of the engine, facing out...but they have fans too....and the fairing helps to direct the air. What's the top forward speed on the hovercraft? I'm guessing the radiator's not going to catch as much air as it would on a bike.
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supastar · L Plate Warrior Joined: 26 Jun 2015 Karma :

I won't have a sealed system. And I'm thinking of using the Evans synthetic coolant (Powersports R) which is water free. Comments?

The lift fan will potentially provide massive airflow over the rad. I can move it around to get the required cooling. The fan will run regardless of the craft speed as it must hover even at zero speed. I hope it will do 55-60 mph.