Block Heater Unplug first mandatory?

[Tony H]

This may be a coincidence but maybe it's something that I should just know to do.
Lot's of snow and 0 degree temps. The other day I have the Block Heater in for a few hours. Hopped in the tractor and started it up. I realized the Radio did not turn on. Then I look at the gauges and I see no Lit up switches and the Tack is bottomed out. After a quick panic that a freak'n Mouse got to my wires, I look to find I have a blown fuse. Replaced the fuse and all is good. The fuse had no reason to blow. it has not blown again. I was thinking that maybe it had to do with the block heater being plugged in as I started the tractor. I thought the Heater was isolated so the AC ground and DC ground would not conflict. Anyone have this problem? Is it common practice to unplug heater first?

 

[KYErik]

It should be completely isolated. A lot of those block heater cords are in rough shape from being unplugged as the tractor backed out of the barn and the extension cord got tighter and tighter

 

[RNeumann]

This is a long shot coincidence. The AC from the heater would have to somehow fail in the heating element.....but that only causes one fuse to blow-no way. The AC side doesn't use the tractor for a ground or neutral or power. If the paranoia is high plug the block heater into a GFCI outlet- that will trip with the slightest problem in the element or circuit.

Something probably occurred when you hit the starter that caused a voltage spike that took out the fuse. It's a 1-1,000,000 chance (voltage spike from starter that folks debated for pages about adding a diode etc yada yada yada) but it happened to you today.

Be happy you had a spare fuse and put your mind at ease. That fuse probably won't blow again and if it does it's not related to the block heater.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Interaction between the heater and your DC wiring, no way, no how. Maybe the QC on the fuse wasn't great.

 

[skyhook]

I think it's that "V" plow of your's,... get rid of it It's cursed. ( pm me for a price )Out of curiosity, what did that fuse protect (if you know). Personally, I also don't think it had anything to do with your block heater, unless the heater coil blew, in that case, it wouldn't work anymore.

 

[mrmikey]

As the others had said, can't see any relation to the block heater and the fuse blowing. On the same note tho, The block heater I put on mine , a Zero Start, said not to run the engine with it plugged it, something about air bubbles causing localized overheating. I know you didn't do it intentionally but I thought I'd throw it out there..............Mike

 

[BleedingOrange]

If you really what to know if your block heater being left plugged in caused the fuse to blow, try the same procedure again. At worst case, you are only out the price of another fuse. Just make sure you have an extra fuse to replace the 2nd blown one, just in case.

 

[Looking4new]

Unplugging the block heater first is not mandatory. It is a good habit to get into though.

 

[RNeumann]

Unplugging the block heater first is not mandatory. It is a good habit to get into though.

So true! Prevents the dreaded Drive of Shame with the cord dragging down the road......

 

[mrmikey]

From the Temro site:

Do not run your engine while the engine heater
is plugged in.
This will create an air bubble around the element which
will then cause the element to burn out prematurely.

 

[coldsteelva]

From the Temro site:

But this will not happen instantaneously. If you start and then unplug, it will be fine. I always drape the power cord for the block heater across my operator platform so I can't miss the power cord that is 'in my way'

 

[Looking4new]

My cord is 'in my way' as it goes under the hood just before the door to get in. I have no choice but to unplug it as I don't want to get tangled up in cord. (The right side step I took off and left off so I could easily get under tractor for changing filters.)

 

[mrmikey]

.....'in my way'.....

Same here, that way if you do forget it you deserve the consequences ....................mike

 

[Industrial Toys]

I can't see why a bubble would form there. It's in the middle of the block. It should help cool the element with the coolant circulating. . I sometimes Idle the engine with a block heater still plugged in always wondering if it will heat up faster.

But, I won't do it, until I get a good answer.

 

[mrmikey]

I can't see why a bubble would form there.

Nor can I. Only thing I can figure is that the moving fluid going across the hot element may cause cavitation which would cause a localized hot spot.

It should help cool the element with the coolant circulating.

Yup, I'd think the same thing.

I sometimes Idle the engine with a block heater still plugged in always wondering if it will heat up faster.

LOL, great minds, I did the same thing on my old tractor. For some reason I read the instructions this time ..........Mike

 

[Inspector507]

I always looped the extension cord through the steering wheel. Kind of hard to ignore that when you start it up. My buddy put his tractor key on a mini-carbiner. He would put it on the cord. So before he could start the tractor he had to get keys from the cord.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Curious, what some of these guys procedure is to keep from leaving the cake on the roof of the car.

 

[number two]

On the KATS website,the reasoning is the heater element is subject to damage from engine vibrations when the element is hot-as in plugged in or shortly thereafter.
I must admit I unplug and start and have not suffered any damage,but if I do,I'll have no one else to blame.
Hope this helps!

 

[TomSeller]

I always drape the power cord for the block heater across my operator platform so I can't miss the power cord that is 'in my way'

I do that sort of thing all the time. Kinda like putting my car keys under something I need to take with me.

 

[TomSeller]

Curious, what some of these guys procedure is to keep from leaving the cake on the roof of the car.

Simple. Eat it first.