Block heaters

[JerryG]

They do work great, the worst problem is finding the room to put one. I have one on my 166 hp Perkins generator and it is warm anywhere you touch it. When it starts, it's just like it was just turned off. I bought one for my new tractor and have yet to find a place to put it. Actually I haven't looked very hard. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

It looks like all tractors would have a place to connect the hoses if you can put a cab with heat on.

 

[PeteV]

I am far from an expert but I have a problem with blockheaters on timers. They create condensation cycles. As the warm engine block is cooling down after the power is removed, it makes an exellent moisture collector, both on the inside and outside of the engine. You will be surprised by the amount of water you can find in the oilpan after a couple of blockheater cycles without starting the engine and boiling off the water. I've seen major damage done to aircraft engines this way, both due to corrosion of steel parts and the lack of lubrication due to massive amounts of water in the oil. if you do want to use a timer, I would suggest to use one of those fancy 7 day timers, that way you only get one cycle if you can't make it one week in stead of 7 cycles
pete

 

[755inNY]

RonR,

What did you do with the old Ford at the end of the work day when you had to go out to a cold truck without the benefit of being plugged in?

Jeff

 

[RalphVa]

If the block heater you have is like the ones I've had in a couple of Benzes, these are heating elements, which typically draw quite a bit of amperage and aren't on a temperature sensor. They'd boil the water if it weren't for heat loss probably being higher than they can input.

You really only need to put them on about an hour before starting the vehicle. That's it. Otherwise, you're wasting electricity.

Ralph

 

[Egon]

The block heaters are temperature controlled. They do not run continually unless required. They will cycle on and off as required.

Typically they draw from 750 to 1500 watts.

Egon

 

[RonR]

755inNY,

I was usually smart enough to sit and wait while it warmed up. Until it finished it's fast idle cycle, trying to rush it would almost always end up with more time spent with freeing up the choke. On the way home, I was usually more patient.....

Thks,
Ron