A method of determinataion of the heat loss coefficient when using alpha-calorimeters operating according to the principle of heat exchange models is presented. A simplified relationship is given for the determination of alpha , which yields a rather small error compared with the exact solution. An experiment is described involving the use of transducers of this kind for the investigatiaon of heat transfer in transport vehicle units under the conditions where the use of other transducers is difficult. Therefore, the data obtained form experiments contain elements of novelty.