There’s no doubt an aftermarket heat exchanger can help yours or your customer’s machine run more efficiently. But why should you choose an aftermarket aluminum core? This post will cover absolutely everything you need to know about aftermarket aluminum cores. Let’s get into it!
Our goal with this blog is to help you make the right decision. And feel confident in it.
So that the next time you’re considering repairing a rad with a heavy-duty aluminum core, you’ll have the information you need to make the right choice.
So let’s get into everything you need to know about aluminum aftermarket cores!
What is an aftermarket core?
An aftermarket core is a radiator core manufactured by a company that isn’t the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). This is what we do here at West End Rad!
Aftermarket cores are uniquely customizable, higher performing and typically much longer-lasting than purchasing from the OEM.
What is a bar and plate heat exchanger?
Often times, OEMs will construct aluminum heat exchangers in a bar and plate style. This means they use thick “bars” and “plates” that they stack together.
We also manufacture and offer this style of heat exchanger here at West End Rad. This style of heat exchanger separates various types of fluids, as well as air and hot air.
In addition, OEMs also often prefer the Tube and Fin style, which are lighter duty than Bar & Plate.
What is an extruded tube heat exchanger?
An extruded tube heat exchanger is a type of heat exchanger that uses parallel extruded tubes to exchange heat between two fluids, like air and water.
This is another style of heat exchanger we manufacture here at West End Rad.
We manufacture our extruded tube heat exchangers from aluminum. This makes them lightweight and efficient.
What’s better: an extruded tube heat exchanger or bar and plate?
While every machine has different needs when it comes to a heat exchanger, one style is not necessarily “better” than the other.
Both extruded tube heat exchangers and bar and plate have different advantages. Let’s take a look!
The advantages of extruded tube heat exchangers:
1. Efficiency
Because there is more surface area in the tubes, extruded tube heat exchangers can provide enhanced heat transfer.
2. Durability
Extruded tube heat exchangers are more resistant to leaks and corrosion due to their robust construction and the use of high-quality materials. This often results in a longer lifespan and reduced maintenance costs.
3. Versatility
Extruded tube heat exchangers are easily customizable for any heavy-duty industry. This is because they are ideal for optimizing space, or accommodating unique flow patterns.
The advantages of bar and plate heat exchangers:
1. Accessibility
Bar and plate heat exchangers are a more standard style across most heavy-duty industries, meaning they are more readily available.
2. Cost Effectiveness
Oftentimes, aftermarket bar and plate heat exchangers are more reasonably priced since the design is simple & straightforward to manufacture.
3. Durability
Bar and plate heat exchangers are extremely durable due to the vigours testing procedure our team here at West End Rad puts them through. This ensures they are 100% leak-free up to 25 PSI.
What’s the difference between a 2-row, 3-row, 4-row and 5-row core?
The main difference between 2-row, 3-row, 4-row and 5-row aluminum cores is the number of rows of cooling tubes inside the core.
In other words, cooling tubes are a critical part in keeping your engine cool. The more tubes you have, the more cooling.
Core tubes are responsible for:
- Absorbing heat from the engine
- Transferring heat to the fins
The choice between a 2-row, 3-row, or 4-row aluminum rad core depends on how much cooling power your equipment needs and the conditions it operates in.
What type of equipment is a 4 or 5 row core good for?
Equipment that works in dusty or dirty conditions would benefit from a 4 or 5-row core. This would help reduce clogging between the fins.
This was the case for our client, Rocking U Feeders. The radiator in their feed-lot truck was constantly clogging. Here’s how we fixed it.
This is one of the great things about a custom aluminum core. You can customize not only the number of rows but the fin spacing, header width and height and tube style.
More on this over on our aluminum core manufacturing page.
What are the benefits of an aftermarket industrial all-aluminum radiator?
Industrial aluminum radiators have a lot to offer. Especially if you work in an extreme environment, like mining, oil & gas or construction.
Here are some of the advantages of aluminum radiators for both off-road machines and heavy-duty and/or off-road fleets :
1. Lightweight
Aluminum radiators weigh less than traditional options like copper-brass. Therefore, all-aluminum rads improve fuel efficiency and are easier to handle and install.
2. Corrosion-Resistant
All-aluminum radiators resist rust and corrosion.This ensures your heat exchanger lasts longer. And is crucial for heavy-duty applications where equipment faces harsh conditions.
3. Better Cooling Efficiency
Aluminum radiators dissipate heat quickly. This helps keep engines and machines cool. Aluminum can prevent overheating, especially in demanding industrial or high-performance applications.
4. Durability
Heavy-duty aluminum radiators are more durable than plastic, steel or copper-brass rads. As a result, they are more capable of withstanding the extremes of heavy-duty industries.
5. Customizability
Here at West End Rad, we custom manufacture aluminum radiators. This means you can tailor your core to specific cooling needs and equipment specifications. Regardless of the industry you work in, we can create a custom rad that works for you.
Check out the key differences between our aluminum rad and an OEM aluminum rad.
What’s the difference between an all-aluminum radiator vs. copper-brass?
Industrial aluminum radiators have several key advantages when compared to copper-brass radiators:
- Aluminum rads use wider tubes in the core. This allows them to cool more efficiently than copper-brass radiators.
- Aluminum rads weigh less than a copper-brass radiator of the same size. This generally makes them more fuel efficient.
- Aluminum rads cool faster than copper-brass rads.
- Aluminum rads don’t corrode as easily as copper-brass rads.
All this said, copper-brass cores also have their own advantages. Especially in heavy-duty industries!
For more information, check out our blog post Aluminum Radiators vs. Copper-Brass Radiators – Understanding The Key Differences & Advantages.
How do all-aluminum radiators improve cooling efficiency?
Industrial aluminum cores maximize cooling efficiency in several ways.
1. Wider tubes
First aluminum radiators use wider tubes, typically starting at 1-5/8″. This is wider compared to copper-brass tubes, which are typically between ½” or ⅝” tubes. This increases the flow of coolant and enhances heat transfer. Therefore, more coolant passes through the radiator at a time, improving overall cooling.
2. Increased surface area
Next aluminum cores have a larger surface area by having more fins and wider cores. This maximizes the contact area between the coolant and the air, facilitating better heat dissipation.
3. Effective Heat Dissipation
Finally once the coolant is hot, aluminum rads allow for rapid heat transfer to the surrounding area. This ensures the engine stays cool during operation, even in the most demanding conditions.
Are all-aluminum radiator cores better for heavy-duty industrial applications?
Generally yes. Industrial aluminum rads are ideal and even better for heavy-duty applications.
Why?
Because of their strength and heat tolerance. They’re extremely reliable and long-lasting in industrial settings.
If your equipment is running for long periods of time and at a high temperature, an all-aluminum core is probably the right option for you.
What industries are all aluminum radiators best for?
Various heavy-duty industries use aluminum heat exchangers.
Here’s a few of the industries we manufacture all aluminum radiator cores for:
Can you customize an all-aluminum radiator core?
Yes! In fact, our team specializes in manufacturing custom off-road and diesel aluminum heat exchangers, oil coolers and charge air coolers that fit your machine’s exact needs.
Whether you’re upgrading an existing OEM cooling part or designing something entirely new, our team makes it easy to order a custom-built all-aluminum radiator tailored to your exact specifications.
Are all-aluminum radiators more expensive than traditional radiators?
Not necessarily. Industrial aluminum cores and complete radiators do tend to have a slightly higher upfront cost. However, they offer greater savings in the long run.
How exactly?
Because of their durability, corrosion resistance, and efficiency.
All this means your rad will require less maintenance. And therefore, less money!
Keep in mind, the cost of an all aluminum radiator is also dependent on the size and application. For example, an aluminum core for a large piece of mining equipment will come at a higher cost than an aluminum core for a semi-truck.
What is the lifespan of an all-aluminum radiator?
The lifespan of an all-aluminum radiator can be anywhere from 5-10 years with proper maintenance. However lifespan will greatly differ from one machine to the next, depending on working conditions and other preventative maintenance.
Because aluminum is resistant to rust and corrosion, these radiators typically last longer than copper-brass rads.
Of course, this is all dependent on how your core is used. For example, rads used daily for long periods of time may have a shorter life span.
Further to that, rads that are used in dirty working conditions where clogging happens often may require a recore after just a few years.
Can aluminum radiators be repaired if they get damaged?
Yes, you can easily repair aluminum radiators if they become damaged. Specifically, and what we do here at West End Rad, is recore aluminum rads.
Recoring is a cost-effective alternative to purchasing an entirely new radiator. To recore a radiator, a mechanic removes the damaged core and replaces it with a new one.
Aftermarket Aluminum Radiator Cores Available In Western Canada
We are proud to serve radiator shops, fleet owner-operators and small to medium sized enterprises across Western Canada.
See all our unique aluminum core styles here:
Our high-quality, custom aluminum cores can be customized to meet your work extremes. You can rely on our dedicated team to provide you with top-quality industrial aluminum rads that meet your exact needs.
Curious about what aftermarket aluminum radiator cores are available in Western Canada? Contact our team for more information.
Toll-free: 1-877-RAD-CORE (723-2673)
