For those with block heaters

[pmsmechanic]

Well when I use a block heater it's because I'm more concerned about getting the engine started than I am about engine wear. There's a lot less money involved in plugging in a block heater vs buying new battery's because they aren't testing in the top percentiles.

 

[ultrarunner]

A friend started her car and it rattled for a few moments...

I asked her if it always did that and she said no.

Checked the oil and down a full quart...

Odd because no oils light or low pressure and after a few moments sounded fine...

Added the quart and no more noise.

I would think as long as there is enough oil to flow it should rattle?

 

[CalG]

Well when I use a block heater it's because I'm more concerned about getting the engine started than I am about engine wear. There's a lot less money involved in plugging in a block heater vs buying new battery's because they aren't testing in the top percentiles.

Yup! I've got both the heater and the battery charger on the same stretch. Both go on when it's warm up time.

A warm battery just spins he engine up sooo much better.

 

[Sportsman762]

So my question is for those of you with block heaters and in the colder climates, how long do you leave the heater plugged in before you start it? I live a 2 to 3 hours south of the Canada border and it can get pretty cold at times.

Having a location in your profile would help as 2 hours south of Canada is a whole lot different if we are talking Washington, vs Montana as Cold means something different. When I lived in the Twin Cities in Minnesota there were several factors. Some equipment starts easier in the cold than others. The Ford 555 backhoe was much easier starting than the Allis 7030. With that being said for the Allis we would plug it in if it was 15-35 deg for 1 hour, if it was 0-15 deg then 2 hours. Never used it colder than that. The Ford 555 backhoe we would plug in 0-20 deg for 30 minutes, -10-0 for 1 hour and less than -10 then 3 hours and heat the batter with the charger. The skidsteer with a kubota diesel we would plug in 0-20 deg for 30 minutes, -10-0 for 1 hour and less than -10 then 2 hours.

On a humorus note when I was in Arkansas they would plug equipment in if it was less than 40 degrees. Most of the time it was because their batteries were low cranking amps and old. Also they would cringe when i would let the engine turn over a few times before it would start. More than three turns and they would get jittery.

A few other tricks I learned living in the north. Make sure you have a good battery. One trick we would do on really cold days is to put a battery charger on it with fast charge (do not use a smart charger) then put it on the 200 amp assist when trying to start. It will help warm the battery making starting much easier. Remember cold batteries have severely reduced starting capabilities. You can also heat the intake manifold with a propane torch. I have started equipment that was sitting outside in -30 degree air temp days (windchill was -60's). Patience and use of lots of tricks is what it takes. One -20 deg day we had to start a 80hp diesel for an emergency job. A tarp over the unit with a large propane torch and the block heater going had it going in under an hour.

How well do the digital or mechanical timers work when they get really cold?

What I am trying to convey is that the heating time is temperature and machine dependent. We can all say what we do but it will require experimentation on your part to determine what works. I have no advice on timers. We just would plug equipment in and let it sit or let it heat over night. The block heaters have thermostats to prevent damage.

I didn't think about the holiday type light timers.

Look at the amp rating. They will most likely not be rated high enough and could lead to a potential fire issue. Ex: 1500 watt block heater at 120v is 12.5 amps. Also use a good heavy extension cord. I prefer 12 gauge. The SJTW (cheap cords) thermoplastic insulation will crack and the insulation just flake off in cold weather, I have destroyed many moving them when it was cold. Use a good cord like a SOOW or SJOOW that can handle the cold. They cost more but are worth it especially after getting shocked from a SJTW that failed while it was plugged in.

 

[pmsmechanic]

For me how long I have the block heater plugged in depends.... on how cold it is, how windy it is. When it's convenient for me to go out and plug it in.

I don't get really fussy about it. I'm usually awake around 5 or 6 so if I'm planning on using the tractor or car I'll go and plug them in. By 8 or 9 they are warm enough and ready to go.

I'm not one for letting engines sit and idle to warm them up. I'd far rather just work them lighter for about 10 - 15 minutes. They warm up a lot faster and you don't end up with a lot of unburnt diesel in the oil.

If it's really cold I'll slip the transmission of the tractor into neutral and run the hydrostatic for a minute or so to warm up the oil. The cars both get moved into a heated shop if it's good and cold and we want to go somewhere in the morning. It just takes way less time for everything to warm up.

Another tip is that I take a garbage bag and put it on the grill of the car in cold weather. I'll do the same to the tractor and cover the whole screen. While that helps to warm them up you do need to pay attention to the heat gauge.

 

[Williy]

I just cleaned up my battery cables and coated them so I
should be good for the life of the battery. Our car I idle
approx 2000 ft to warm up then its 3 miles to the hyway
The small 4 cyclender cars heat up pretty fast even in cold
weather

willy

 

[bdhsfz6]

I'm considering a block heater for my new diesel generator but I question the economics. The OEM block heater would draw 500 watts continuously, and based on current electric rates, will cost almost $500 per year to operate. The manual says if operated correctly and warmed up before use, the life expectancy of the diesel is 6000 hours. On average, I use a generator less than 100 hours per year, so in theory it should last 60 years. Over that time, the block heater will use $30,000 worth of electricity. The generator cost $10K and could be replaced several times, instead of paying that much in electric bills.

I realize these numbers are not absolute and can be affected by many things. Electric rates, inflation, machinery costs, using a heater timer or thermostat, etc. will all change the economics. Even if operating the diesel without fully warming shortens it life by half, it will still be more economical to replace the generator than pay for the electricity to keep it warm.

I always warm up my tractors before use, the economics for such an expensive machine are quite different. The auto start transfer switch for the generator only allows a 5 minute warmup before applying load. The manual says it should be 30 minutes when the temp is below 32F.

It doesn't get much below 0 F here anymore and the generator is in an unheated building, which buffers the outside temp somewhat. My diesel tractors all start on the coldest mornings without the aid of a block heater and if the generator does as well, I see no practical need for a block heater.

 

[Oaktree]

I'm considering a block heater for my new diesel generator but I question the economics. The OEM block heater would draw 500 watts continuously, and based on current electric rates, will cost almost $500 per year to operate. The manual says if operated correctly and warmed up before use, the life expectancy of the diesel is 6000 hours. On average, I use a generator less than 100 hours per year, so in theory it should last 60 years. Over that time, the block heater will use $30,000 worth of electricity. The generator cost $10K and could be replaced several times, instead of paying that much in electric bills.

Is this an emergency generator that needs to start in event of a power failure? I guess you have to weigh the cost of running the heater vs the consequences if it doesn't start.
Maybe compromise and run the heater only in winter months?

 

[bdhsfz6]

Is this an emergency generator that needs to start in event of a power failure? I guess you have to weigh the cost of running the heater vs the consequences if it doesn't start.
Maybe compromise and run the heater only in winter months?

Yes, it's a house backup generator.

If I have trouble starting it in cold weather, I may do as you suggest.

 

[RjCorazza]

I am a fan of block heaters, but I would certainly not run a heater 24/7 (even just in the winter) on a standby generator with an automatic transfer switch. That $30,000 number is an eye opener!

I will pre heat my tractor for 3 hours if there is snow in the forecast that I think I'll need to plow. For power outages, by the time my tractor is hooked up to the pto generator it's warmed up enough to transfer power.