Filter Life

[Greenvans]

Does having the heater jacket on the Donaldson fuel filter prolong the life of the filter, or does it just reduce the warm up time and help keep the VO consistently at temperature?

-Andy

[Wilson]

you dont even need it in warm months... but in cooler times it simply keeps and helps put heat in the oil. I dont think it would have any impact on filter life... other than warm oil flows thru a filter easier.

but once the coolant gets it hot, the same result is achieved...

[Marv]

I dont think it would have any impact on filter life... other than warm oil flows thru a filter easier.

but once the coolant gets it hot, the same result is achieved...

This would be my guess as well. Only way it could be considered as extending filter life is how it aids in heating the oil, thereby lowering its viscosity enough to more easily flow through the filter.

When my first filter started stopping up, the system would only come on once the manifold and all associated plumbing was fully heated (10-15 mins of driving). My guess was after it was heatsoaked, the viscosity was low enough that the system could still maintain pressure even though the filter was almost completely stopped up.

[greasyX]

The filter wrap is there to insure ALL the oil in filter is warmed to spec(160-180).This keeps temp at constant to eliminate variable that would make V3 module "think" there is something wrong.With a system that relies solely on pressure and heat to efficiently burn WVO I would call it a cold weather fail safe..............greasy

[Clay]

the oil spends alot of time making its way through the filter and if its 20 degrees outside that filter will be cold without the heated wrap. The result would be a substancial loss of heat in the oil - which will result in poor filter flow. The filter recieves no heat from the coolant so the 12v heater jacket is all the heat you get at that point. I even put a sleeve over mine in Jan. when its really cold to help insulate it from the wind chill.

[skyskijason]

I even put a sleeve over mine in Jan. when its really cold to help insulate it from the wind chill.

How did that work out? I was told NOT to do that by a manufacturer of this type of heater. They said it will burn out much sooner and depending on what you wrapped/covered it with, you could start a fire!

I know a few conversions that have been using these for a while and they tend to have a short lifespan anyway... When mine fail (I have 2 now), I will return to a coolant wrap on filter. I only went away from that because I was trying to get my low-speed driving VO temp where it should be (I would lose 50-60 degs fuel temp in a traffic jam or 'around town' no-load driving!). I hoped that less restriction in coolant loop would help - it did not. I added a MB aux coolant pump (both PSD's) and no longer have the problem and the 'restriction' of tubing around the filter will not affect coolant flow at all with the pump in-line.

I've been threatening to build a skid plate under VO components for years now! That would also help keep some of that cold air off stuff.

[Wilson]

The filter recieves no heat from the coolant so the 12v heater jacket is all the heat you get at that point. I even put a sleeve over mine in Jan. when its really cold to help insulate it from the wind chill.

The heat transfer alone from the V3 will get the filter hot. Not as good as heater blanket, but hot enough for warm months.. Jason has said this

[Clay]

The heat transfer alone from the V3 will get the filter hot. Not as good as heater blanket, but hot enough for warm months.. Jason has said this

Totally agree. If you want to go a little farther with that, in warmer months heat from the hot asphalt alone will heat your V3 to more than 180* also.

I was talking about cold temps.

[Jack_Toepfer]

I've been threatening to build a skid plate under VO components for years now! That would also help keep some of that cold air off stuff.

You don't seem like the lazy type.

I on the other hand... lol

It would be so easy with the right tools...

[Clay]

I figure if Jason has never needed a skid plate due to tearing something up, i don't. He gets WAY further off the road than some peeps.

[skyskijason]

I'm not too concerned about off-road - it is that peice of road debris at 70 mph that worries me!!

On that topic, I still need to finish repairing my 5th wheel after hitting a tire/wheel combo on the way here. Damage report: blackwater holding tank obliterated, 1/2 of the 'skin' on bottom of camper is gone, all of the insulation in missing skin area is gone, the ductwork for heat system is destroyed, the front axle is bent!! and everything behind blackwater tank smells like sh!t... (debating turning it in to insurance , the big issue is I LIVE IN IT most of the time, so I'd have to live somewhere else while greedy camper place milks insurance for repairs)

I was rolling along at 70mph at nite and just as I came over an overpass, I see this tire laying in middle of my lane. I had a guardrail on one side and a big rig on the other - all I could do was slow down and try to 'center' it under truck/trailer. I guess the rear diff or shock mount or something kicked it up and it stood upright about 1/3rd of the way under camper (smashing the holding tank and ripping a bunch of 'skin' off). Then, the nearly upright tire hit the axle, causing damage to it (100 miles later the tires on that axle are feathered pretty good). I have towed THIS camper well over 30k miles in the last year alone - this is the only incident. I have not even had a close call.

I promise if that hit was taken by V3, it would likely be laying in the middle of I-80 right now. It is more realistic that a chunk of tire carcass would simply rip the hoses/wiring out though...

[Jack_Toepfer]

That sucks Jason.

My recommendation is to let your insurance take care of it. They may find something along the way and it could cost significantly more to repair when they do find it. Thats a cost you won't have to swallow.

And I hate insurance companies.

[Marv]

I'm not too concerned about off-road - it is that peice of road debris at 70 mph that worries me!!

On that topic, I still need to finish repairing my 5th wheel after hitting a tire/wheel combo on the way here. Damage report: blackwater holding tank obliterated, 1/2 of the 'skin' on bottom of camper is gone, all of the insulation in missing skin area is gone, the ductwork for heat system is destroyed, the front axle is bent!! and everything behind blackwater tank smells like sh!t... (debating turning it in to insurance , the big issue is I LIVE IN IT most of the time, so I'd have to live somewhere else while greedy camper place milks insurance for repairs)

I was rolling along at 70mph at nite and just as I came over an overpass, I see this tire laying in middle of my lane. I had a guardrail on one side and a big rig on the other - all I could do was slow down and try to 'center' it under truck/trailer. I guess the rear diff or shock mount or something kicked it up and it stood upright about 1/3rd of the way under camper (smashing the holding tank and ripping a bunch of 'skin' off). Then, the nearly upright tire hit the axle, causing damage to it (100 miles later the tires on that axle are feathered pretty good). I have towed THIS camper well over 30k miles in the last year alone - this is the only incident. I have not even had a close call.

I promise if that hit was taken by V3, it would likely be laying in the middle of I-80 right now. It is more realistic that a chunk of tire carcass would simply rip the hoses/wiring out though...

Hate to hear of the bad luck Jason...hope they get that taken care of for you.

I also have debated on some type of protection for the V3. If for nothing else, just to keep some of the road grime off of it.

[Clay]

sounds like they could total it...which would be shor t and sweet...cut a check and go buy a new one.

[skyskijason]

sounds like they could total it...which would be shor t and sweet...cut a check and go buy a new one.

lol, Since its just an '07, even at what a dealer would charge to fix it, it wouldn't total it... (I will repair the holding tank, and all the other parts are under $500, including a new axle - and then my insurance won't go up!)

Although, I have been thinking about how convienent it would be to use a Toy Hauler cargo area to set up 'mobile' dewatering/filtering station, hell I'd prolly even make bio-d on the road if I had the space! The problem is, at $71k retail price for the only T.H. I've seen that I like (Inferno) - I can make what I've got work!

Check it out though, the $71k one has ALL those options. Even at 2.5 times what my junk cost - it may be worth it quality-wise.

http://www.infernotrailers.com/photo-features.htm