Block Heater Questions

[djradz]

I think you mean 1,500 watt timer. 15,000 watts would equate to about 125 amps which would not only heat the engine but be enough to do some serious welding. Seems to me the heater I put in (right from the dealer) was somewhere in the range of 100 to 300 watts, so most any timer for lights will work just fine. In the end, check what the heater draws and then size the timer accordingly.

 

[djradz]

I think most of the new tractors should have a FULL radiator. Most, like newer autos, have a coolant overflow tank that has lines on them for cold and warm engine levels. With the overflow tank, the radiator should be full to overflowing and the level is maintained by the fluctuating level in the overflow tank. Any time the radiator is low, the level is automatically replentished as the engine cools by it drawing in additional fluid from the overflow tank. After running the tractor a few times, the level in the tank becomes somewhat predictable and should only fluctuate between the cold and warm levels.

 

[Mosey]

I've been wondering about this myself. Our electric hot water heater in the house has elements that wear out and have to be replaced. I don't know how many hours they last. The hot water heater also creates a build up of some white stuff, I don't remember the name, and the manual says to drain it once a year to clear that stuff out. Wouldn't the tractor engine block also get this build up if the block heater is used a lot? Fortunately, I don't need to use mine very much, only about a dozen times a year for 2 or 3 hours at a time.

 

[tawilson]

I guess I've never looked under the hood of the newer tractors. My 2120 doesn't have an overflow and I didn't realize they were coming with them now.

 

[djradz]

That's odd. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif My old 1988 vintage 1720 had one. How old is your 2120?

 

[tawilson]

Mine's a 1997. Maybe I better go check again. Or maybe I was thinking of my 1300 which around a 1980.