ByronBob
Veteran Member
I like the timer idea. They told me 30 mins was enough but depending on the temp I may go longer
engine heater for cold winters
- Thread starter zekeman
- Start date
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I purchesed mine from tractorbynet. As others have noted you do not need it on that long. I just use a timer from Depot which was about $4.95. I bought 5 of them but they all got used up on my reef tank (wave, lights etc)!
If you do leave on longer you will just see an increase in Kw on your bills. Since our rads are so small a huge length in time is not needed (so to speak). When I had my old Powerstroke diesel after 1-month of plugging it in at night and leaving on all night, the timer was the way to go. Using about 1K watts per hour, for 8-hours per day for 30 days adds up quick.
If you do leave on longer you will just see an increase in Kw on your bills. Since our rads are so small a huge length in time is not needed (so to speak). When I had my old Powerstroke diesel after 1-month of plugging it in at night and leaving on all night, the timer was the way to go. Using about 1K watts per hour, for 8-hours per day for 30 days adds up quick.
Boondox
Elite Member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2000
- Messages
- 3,871
- Location
- Craftsbury Common, Vermont
- Tractor
- Deere 4044R cab, Kubota KX-121-3S
I didn't use a block heater for my first tractor, and even at 30 below it always started. Made a heck of a lot of protesting sounds, but it started.
My second tractor came with a block heater installed for free. The first winter I never plugged it in, and the tractor started just like the old one -- plenty of protest but it ran. Then one night I plugged in the heater. Next morning, bitter cold, wicked nasty weather, I started it up. Absolutely no sounds of protest, no hesitation, and a much faster warmup. Been using the heater ever since.
It might not be necessary, but my old girl deserves the best!
Pete
My second tractor came with a block heater installed for free. The first winter I never plugged it in, and the tractor started just like the old one -- plenty of protest but it ran. Then one night I plugged in the heater. Next morning, bitter cold, wicked nasty weather, I started it up. Absolutely no sounds of protest, no hesitation, and a much faster warmup. Been using the heater ever since.
It might not be necessary, but my old girl deserves the best!
Pete
ByronBob
Veteran Member
Many things on this forum can qualify as subjective opinion. But a lot of things in life are that way. When it comes to heaters when you look at the cost vs the return it really isn't a big decision to make. For $30 you can get a piece if equipment which has been proven by people all over the place to help your tractor start easier.
When someone is asking about "should I or not get one" you just think for that little amount of money how could it matter too much if the results aren't cut and dry unless penny pinching is crucial. Henro mentioned that it made HIM feel better and I agree but if you saw your tractor start much easier then go for it.
When someone is asking about "should I or not get one" you just think for that little amount of money how could it matter too much if the results aren't cut and dry unless penny pinching is crucial. Henro mentioned that it made HIM feel better and I agree but if you saw your tractor start much easier then go for it.
To all ,
Thanks for the responses, my conclusion is to get the block heater- like most have said its good to have the option if some nasty weather is coming. Being the cost of the heater is low, and fairly simple to install
As ByronBob says, it just makes sense to have.
As Pete said, just the fact it helps " warm-up " that by itself is reason enough and a money saver.
Sorry I can't mention you all, just my ONE finger that I type with is getting tired. its now off to the Mahindra forum to ask about specific installation on the 4110
Ron
Thanks for the responses, my conclusion is to get the block heater- like most have said its good to have the option if some nasty weather is coming. Being the cost of the heater is low, and fairly simple to install
As ByronBob says, it just makes sense to have.
As Pete said, just the fact it helps " warm-up " that by itself is reason enough and a money saver.
Sorry I can't mention you all, just my ONE finger that I type with is getting tired. its now off to the Mahindra forum to ask about specific installation on the 4110
Ron
Egon
Epic Contributor
Vehicles
A block heater could be your vehicle's best friend
It's a sound motorists have come to dread: the groan of a cold engine struggling to turn over on a bitter winter morning. The good news is you can avoid the sinking feeling it causes by using a simple, inexpensive and proven device: the block heater. Not only will your vehicle start more easily, it will consume less fuel and produce fewer emissions linked with climate change and urban smog.
A block heater is an electric element that warms the coolant in your engine, which in turn warms the engine block and lubricants. Warm engines start more easily, achieve their peak operating temperature more quickly, and don't have to work as hard to pump oil through the block. All of that translates into better fuel economy - in fact, studies have shown that block heaters can improve fuel economy by as much as 10 percent.
Don't throw those energy savings out the window by leaving the block heater plugged in overnight. Instead, use an electric timer to turn on the device two hours before you plan to drive the vehicle. This is all the time needed to warm the engine; anything more is a waste of electricity.
Plagerized from Govt. website.
Egon
A block heater could be your vehicle's best friend
It's a sound motorists have come to dread: the groan of a cold engine struggling to turn over on a bitter winter morning. The good news is you can avoid the sinking feeling it causes by using a simple, inexpensive and proven device: the block heater. Not only will your vehicle start more easily, it will consume less fuel and produce fewer emissions linked with climate change and urban smog.
A block heater is an electric element that warms the coolant in your engine, which in turn warms the engine block and lubricants. Warm engines start more easily, achieve their peak operating temperature more quickly, and don't have to work as hard to pump oil through the block. All of that translates into better fuel economy - in fact, studies have shown that block heaters can improve fuel economy by as much as 10 percent.
Don't throw those energy savings out the window by leaving the block heater plugged in overnight. Instead, use an electric timer to turn on the device two hours before you plan to drive the vehicle. This is all the time needed to warm the engine; anything more is a waste of electricity.
Plagerized from Govt. website.
Egon
Egon
Epic Contributor
And another Govt. Statement.
Anchorage, Alaska - It is time to get in line if you're planning on taking part in the city's block heater program.
Agen's Automotive says they're getting a lot of calls from people looking to get a block heater installed in their vehicle for just $25. Monday is the first day Agen's will start installing the block heaters. Residents from Anchorage to Peters Creek up north and Bird Creek to the south are eligible.
If you would like to make an appointment you can call Agen's at 563-2436.
To get more information about the city's block heater program at the Municipality of Anchorage's Web site.
Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Anchorage, Alaska - It is time to get in line if you're planning on taking part in the city's block heater program.
Agen's Automotive says they're getting a lot of calls from people looking to get a block heater installed in their vehicle for just $25. Monday is the first day Agen's will start installing the block heaters. Residents from Anchorage to Peters Creek up north and Bird Creek to the south are eligible.
If you would like to make an appointment you can call Agen's at 563-2436.
To get more information about the city's block heater program at the Municipality of Anchorage's Web site.
Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
ByronBob
Veteran Member
Egon,
I'll call this the south but here in the US block heaters in cars are pretty rare. Most people with diesel do heaters but very few cars do. I've seen in Auto books where you can have one installed at the dealer but it's just not very popular.
Alaska of course is north (way north) as is your place in Nova Scotia. I'd bet the Atlantic waterway keeps you warmer than say Chibougamu. There it's a way of life and hence standard operating procedure to have. Just not down here
I'll call this the south but here in the US block heaters in cars are pretty rare. Most people with diesel do heaters but very few cars do. I've seen in Auto books where you can have one installed at the dealer but it's just not very popular.
Alaska of course is north (way north) as is your place in Nova Scotia. I'd bet the Atlantic waterway keeps you warmer than say Chibougamu. There it's a way of life and hence standard operating procedure to have. Just not down here
texastomtom
Gold Member
What about this ?
For those of you who are like me,, I have a thermostatic recepticle to turn on heat lamps in the well house.
How about using a timer, then plug a thermo-switch that turns on at 34 degrees into that, then into the tractor.
Down here in texas it may get up to the 70's during the day but down into the teens at night.
This way no waste for electricity when it isn't even cold. But when it chills down at night it will come on if it is cold enough - and if you need the tractor that morning it is ready.
Then again maybe you guys plan better than I. I never know if i'm going to get to use the tractor or not. Might be called for work (regularly).
If it stays cold where you are the timer would be plenty, with wild temp swings like we get often the combo might be nice !
tom
Also,
What temperature do these units typically heat the tractor to?
I don't have a block heater (yet)
Even on moderatly cold days It doesn't run as smoothly till it warms up. ( We havn't even had a killing freeze yet )
For those of you who are like me,, I have a thermostatic recepticle to turn on heat lamps in the well house.
How about using a timer, then plug a thermo-switch that turns on at 34 degrees into that, then into the tractor.
Down here in texas it may get up to the 70's during the day but down into the teens at night.
This way no waste for electricity when it isn't even cold. But when it chills down at night it will come on if it is cold enough - and if you need the tractor that morning it is ready.
Then again maybe you guys plan better than I. I never know if i'm going to get to use the tractor or not. Might be called for work (regularly).
If it stays cold where you are the timer would be plenty, with wild temp swings like we get often the combo might be nice !
tom
Also,
What temperature do these units typically heat the tractor to?
I don't have a block heater (yet)
Even on moderatly cold days It doesn't run as smoothly till it warms up. ( We havn't even had a killing freeze yet )