Re: KPack

Posted by HH56 On 2022/11/12 23:58:52

Quote:
The core sizes and overall layout of the heaters are about the same. The main difference between the 51-4 and 55-6 heaters is how air flows in the box and thru the core.

51-4 air flow only utilizes half of the core at a time which to my mind kind of restricts the amount of air that can flow thru. The core rests at a fairly shallow -- almost flat -- angle up toward the top of the box. It rests on some sheet metal which forms a section of the outlet path in a kind of a plenum that covers the bottom center of the core. Air enters from the bottom of the box and because of the sheet metal covering the core center it is forced to go thru at the outer sides of the core -- roughly a quarter of the total core is available on each side. Air goes thru the core into the upper half of the box where it turns around and exits into the car thru the center of the core which is resting on the sheet metal plenum.

For 55 they redesigned the core placement so air goes thru the entire core at one pass. Because the 55-6 core is almost vertical, the bottom of the core rests on the bottom of the box just behind the air tube. Air still enters the bottom of the box but is in front of the almost vertical core. It passes thru the core and exits the back side of the box straight into the car.

Logically the amount of air flow doubles for 55-6 but whether the temperature changes significantly is unknown. In theory slower flow and two passes would produce hotter air but whether the higher temp is enough to beat what might be a slightly lower exit temp and more supply into the car is a question.