I think the trouble with an active heater is powering it, at least unless one is willing to upgrade the alternator to run a dc/ac converter.
Wonder if I can insulate the pump/lines from blowing air for the winter.
Wrap the filter with 3/8" copper tubing, then some variety of insulation.. Plumb the small return line from the top of the radiator to the coil then to the expansion tank.. It's been working dandy for me for years..
Is the fuel in the filter long enough to absorb much heat like that? I'm assuming so, ever measured temp increase?
Is there a fuel filter retro-fitable with the thermostat to not return so much fuel to the tank or whatever it does below a certain temp?
On my wvo system I had a temp sender in the tank and right at the pump.. The wvo would come out of the tank at about 90-100 deg and after the heat exchanger the goal was 170 deg.. In the summer it was no problem, but that first winter I was falling about 10 - 20 degrees short.. The above mentioned solved the issue.. Thinking about it though, in my situation I'm not sure if it helped warm the fuel more, or just maintained the temp..
I like the idea of the filter wrapped in line from the rad-overflow route Brett.. sounds a smart use of waste energy.
It is a good idea. Looking at my A2 airbox with stock NA A1 fuel filter setup in an A1 chassis, it'll never happen without changing either the filter location or the airbox, the intake pipe is damn near touching the filter as it is.
It sure could use it though, will see.