Increasing the output of standard radiators

[mpooley]

I got a couple of 12v computer fans put them between the panels in a double convector.  They lie flat but for some reason move , causing a horrible grinding noise and then need to be repositioned.

I managed to find a thermocouple that switches on the fans if the pipework is more than 35? degrees.

The room seems to heat up faster but I believe this could be a placebo effect.

The only downside is the hum of the fans...

I have a 12v rail so a 12v power source was not a problem.  What I might do is put on a radiator shelf since the
radiator is below a window and I believe the curtains are deflecting the heat to the glass rather than the room.

dinitro

How did you fit the thermocouple Dinitro?

[Ivan]

I can do this for one of our radiators - I have a solar air heater which sucks air out of the corner of the room, through the solar heater, and back into the room behind the radiator (at the bottom). If I accidentally leave the fan running when there's no sun, there isn't a noticeable cooling effect (solar heater is vacuum-tube, and the pipework is well insulated with about 3-4" of armaflex). However, when the heating comes on, when the fan is running, the room heats up much faster and reaches a higher temperature by the time the central heating turns off.

I stress this is not an improvement in efficiency any more than fitting a bigger radiator. It simply means that more of the heat is given up in this room, so either less is given up in other rooms, or the boiler works harder to keep the circulating temperature up.