Surprised how much block heater helps starting diesel

[CalG]

A lot of the value of the low power charger is that it keeps the battery a little warmer. An increase in the temperature adds a lot of cranking power. I never have starting issues because I park everything inside buildings I keep above freezing. However, when I get sloppy and crank my John Deere without letting the glow plugs work, it starts but doesn't sound good at 40 deg F.

Back in the old days, some people, instead of adding block heaters to cars, would just bring the battery inside at night and put it back in when they wanted to start it in the morning.

I used to run a battery heater pad. Worked good on a fully charged battery. But with these modern battery tenders that display the battery state when hooked on, I can see the charge status. The dynamo just can't keep up with the winter time lack of day light.

 

[RustyA]

Had a Montana 5740C that I put two new frost plug heaters in an for some reason neither one worked, showed continuity but never heated the block. Installed a battery warming blanket and glue-on oil pan heater pad and wired them together on one plug. Between the 5W40 full syn being warm and battery being warm it started like a dream even at -20F

 

[goeduck]

If I ever buy another tractor I am going to do it in the winter and go to the lot on the coldest day that I can and test start it without glow plugs.

 

[LouNY]

Many of the tier 4 have beat you to the punch,
they start like my truck.
Turn the key to start then release it,
it will start cranking when it's ready to.
After the glow plugs have run for the length of time the computer decided was right.

 

[tduby]

(IMHO) None of these make sense (to me).
Where would an air bubble come from?
The thermal shock (rush of ice cold coolant) explanation could makes the most sense, but if it destroys the block heater, then how long after unplugging it should you wait for heater and surrounding coolant to cool? 2 seconds, 10 seconds, 1 min.?

Maybe there is a good reason not to run heater with engine running...

water flowing creates lower pressure in certain spots that with the increase heat from the element can creat steam bubbles and when they collapse it takes little bits of metal away. Probably not a huge problem but with the pain they are to change I wouldn稚 run it.

 

[Tony H]

Searched this site for my block heater related question... No luck. Yes, below 20F my tractor needs a lot of help starting, even cycling the glowplugs.
My neighbors Kabota, fires right updater glowplugs light goes out.
Anywho the real question.. These simple household Timers, the don't list their amperage capability. At just under 4 amps for my block heater, I wonder if these times will be OK long-term. I don't need to strain them and have the contacts arc closed.
Anyone rely on this type of timers?

 

[RickB]

Not if they don't list an amperage or wattage rating. I wouldn't buy one to turn a lamp on without knowing what it is rated for.

 

[Peter 315]

Make you own like I did.......

 

[RjCorazza]

Searched this site for my block heater related question... No luck. Yes, below 20F my tractor needs a lot of help starting, even cycling the glowplugs.
My neighbors Kabota, fires right updater glowplugs light goes out.
Anywho the real question.. These simple household Timers, the don't list their amperage capability. At just under 4 amps for my block heater, I wonder if these times will be OK long-term. I don't need to strain them and have the contacts arc closed.
Anyone rely on this type of timers?

There are plenty of 15 amp rated timers available that would be preferable to an unrated device. The Holiday decorations isle should be full of them.

I have the manual dial types, electronic 7 day type, and my current choice of a WiFi controlled plug in outlet (WeMo).

 

[fried1765]

Make you own like I did.......View attachment 680481View attachment 680482

I have a couple of those timers around somewhere.
Think I'll do that, if I can find 'em.