Author Topic: Large thermostat for thermosiphon circulation  (Read 1294 times)

webman

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Large thermostat for thermosiphon circulation
« on: August 28, 2023, 10:59:29 AM »
Hello!

I have a setup with large tractor radiator (50mm water hose attachment). Im counting on free circulation, so no waterpump to keep it as simple as possible. I ordered a thermostat kit from stationary engine parts, but the thermostat opening hole is very small/restrictive (maybe 1/2 inch).

Does anybody have an recommendation for bigger thermostat, that has good size opening hole. So that it wouldnt restrict circulation that much. Manufacturers dont seem to state the hole sizes for thermostats :-\

Thanks!
« Last Edit: August 28, 2023, 11:03:26 AM by webman »

38ac

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Re: Large thermostat for thermosiphon circulation
« Reply #1 on: August 28, 2023, 11:12:00 AM »
In my humble opinion and experiance there is no need for a thermostat in a thermosyphon system.  The water will not move until warmed and the warmer it gets the faster it moves and this is what a thermostat does in a pump circulated system. If the engine is over cooled a gate valve will regulate it as desired.
Collector and horder of about anything diesel

webman

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Re: Large thermostat for thermosiphon circulation
« Reply #2 on: August 28, 2023, 11:32:20 AM »
Thanks for your input!

My biggest concern is that I live in freezing climate (up to -30 celsius degrees in winter). Im afraid that the temperature difference between upper outlet and lower inlet puts too much tension to cast iron and possible cracking it. Is this legit concern with Lister CS engines?

Total volume of coolant is about 14 litres and seems to take quite a long to heat the frozen coolant, without thermostate.

Hugh Conway

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Re: Large thermostat for thermosiphon circulation
« Reply #3 on: August 29, 2023, 12:06:53 AM »
@ Webman
We are running a 6/1 Listeroid in Canada. It lives outside in an open shed,
and is mostly used in winter for off-grid battery charging.
It has never seen -30* but has seen -20* during several winters.
We use a cast iron radiator with 1" hoses between the engine and rad.
We do not use a thermostat, and agree with 38AC on that one.
No problems with this cooling set-up for the last 11 years and 3000 + hours of operation.
KISS principle works for us.
Cheers
Hugh
JKSON6/1  (Utterpower PMG ) Off-grid
Lister 6/1 Start-O-Matic engine......running with PMG
1963 BMW R-27 project

webman

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Re: Large thermostat for thermosiphon circulation
« Reply #4 on: August 29, 2023, 01:17:49 PM »
@ Webman
We are running a 6/1 Listeroid in Canada. It lives outside in an open shed,
and is mostly used in winter for off-grid battery charging.
It has never seen -30* but has seen -20* during several winters.
We use a cast iron radiator with 1" hoses between the engine and rad.
We do not use a thermostat, and agree with 38AC on that one.
No problems with this cooling set-up for the last 11 years and 3000 + hours of operation.
KISS principle works for us.
Cheers
Hugh

Thanks for your input Hugh!

This is good to know, as you guys have similar climate as we have in Finland.

Maybe I will forget the thermostat for now.

What kind of starting aids do you guys use in Canada for these listeroids?

 I'm baffeling between glow plug and intake heater. Block heater wouldn be very practical with heavy mass and shed being outside.

What kind of electrical system does glow plug kit need to work? I have 12v starter and battery for the engine.

Also, I have an offgrid cottage, and using listeroid for cold weather battery charging.


Thanks again for any tips!

-Juha
« Last Edit: August 29, 2023, 01:21:32 PM by webman »

Hugh Conway

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Re: Large thermostat for thermosiphon circulation
« Reply #5 on: August 29, 2023, 05:10:58 PM »
Good day Juha
We don't normally use any starting aids on our Listeroid other than an electric starter.
This engine has a belted on Hitachi  12V starter/generator (normally used in a golf cart) for electrical starting and starter battery charging.
This particular engine is hard to hand start when it is below freezing.
The engine does not have a COV, but it probably would be useful.
Maybe a COV on a listeroid would ease starting in very cold weather, have not tried it

(My Dursley 6/1 does have a COV and it hand starts easily in any temperature. It does not get used much, it only powers larger shop tools)

Have not used a glow plug, but I think that's the way to go for really cold starting, our small diesel truck uses  glow plugs and about 30 seconds of heat will allow it to start effortlessly. they use 12VDC
Since the single  Listeroid glow plug is only energized for about a minute, power use is not great.
A couple of times my starting battery was flat in very cold weather. I used a propane torch in the intake for hand starting. Still difficult to start, but it does start. I am pretty well up in years, (75+) so maybe a younger me wouldn't have so much trouble!

BTW, here's a source for a glow plug and other parts. I have dealt with them several times over the years, they are very helpful.
https://www.stationaryengineparts.com/lister-cs-glow-plug-conversion-kit.html

Cheers
Hugh
JKSON6/1  (Utterpower PMG ) Off-grid
Lister 6/1 Start-O-Matic engine......running with PMG
1963 BMW R-27 project