HOTSTART Engine Heaters &
Thermal Management Solutions

The right heater depends on your engine displacement, coolant system volume, ambient temperature range, available voltage, and whether the installation is in a hazardous location. As a general guide: the TPS series suits small engines (under 10L displacement) with simple thermosiphon setups; the CB series handles most standby generator applications (10–30L); the CL series steps up for larger engines needing higher wattage; and the CSM HOTflow® is the choice for large critical engines requiring forced circulation. Call our technical team at 800-275-3181 for a free sizing consultation.

Both the TPS and CB series are thermosiphon heaters — they rely on natural convection to circulate heated coolant without a pump. The key differences are size and wattage. The TPS (Thermosiphon) is designed for smaller engines and lower wattage requirements, with a compact footprint. The CB series uses a pressure die-cast aluminum tank and offers more heat and voltage options, making it the more versatile choice for medium-to-large diesel and gas engines, including most standby generator applications. If your engine is larger or in a demanding environment, the CB is typically the better fit.

Proper heater sizing depends on several factors: (1) Engine displacement — larger engines require more heating capacity; (2) Coolant system volume — the total volume of coolant determines how much heat is needed to reach target temperature; (3) Minimum ambient temperature — colder environments require higher wattage to maintain engine temperature; (4) Target temperature — most applications aim to maintain coolant at 90–120°F (32–49°C); (5) Available power supply — voltage and phase determine which models are compatible. HOTSTART provides a sizing tool on their website, or you can contact Indeco's technical team for a free sizing recommendation based on your specific engine make and model.

Yes. HOTSTART acquired Kim Hotstart, and current HOTSTART models are designed to be direct replacements for legacy Kim Hotstart heaters in most applications. The CKM HOTflow® model is specifically engineered as a true drop-in replacement for legacy convection-based systems. Indeco maintains cross-reference data for Kim Hotstart part numbers and can identify the correct current HOTSTART replacement for your unit. Provide your existing model number or part number when you call, and our team will match it to the appropriate replacement.

HOTSTART part numbers are typically found on the nameplate or data tag affixed to the heater body. The tag includes the model number, serial number, wattage, voltage, and phase. If the tag is damaged or missing, you can identify the heater by: (1) measuring the tank dimensions and inlet/outlet port sizes; (2) noting the wattage and voltage from any visible wiring; (3) checking the engine OEM documentation for the original heater specification. Indeco's technical team can help identify your heater from photos or dimensions — call 800-275-3181 or email us with your engine make, model, and year.

Yes. HOTSTART manufactures a full line of hazardous location certified heaters for use in Class 1, Division 1 and Division 2 environments. The CSE and CLE series are UL C/US listed for North American hazardous locations (Class 1, Div. 2, Group D and Class 1, Div. 1, Group D respectively). The CSA and CLA series carry IECEx/ATEX certification for international hazardous location applications. The EE series is hard-wired and available in single and three-phase configurations for the most demanding hazardous environments. Indeco serves oil & gas customers across Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana and can assist with specification and compliance documentation.