For those with block heaters

[Slowpoke Slim]

I’m in NE British Columbia. Can get bitterly cold here. I use a mechanical timer that plugs into a regular wall outlet. Don’t use a GFCI type outlet, they nuisance trip frequently. When the vehicles haven’t been plugged in I have found that 2 hours is sufficient for the block heater to do its job in temps down to -40. At that temperature you should just stay inside by the wood stove anyway.

Around here, we just call that "Tuesday".

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I have a block heater, an oil pan heater, and a hydro sump heater on my 25 series Branson. In winter time I have all 3 plugged in to a pig tail zip tied to my FEL mount and plug it into an outdoor timer. It takes about an hour for it to warm up enough that I can just fire it right off with one glow plug cycle. But I'm also using synthetic oil in both engine and hydro. That makes a huge difference.

I have my timer set to come on at 4am, and it will switch itself off at 10am. I have that large of a timer window set so that I can go out there anytime after 5am, or wait as long as 10am to go out on a weekend morning, and just hit the glow plugs once and just fire it up and go. It doesn't get any "warmer" by keeping it on as long as I do, but it gives me a wider window of start up times. Since I'm using synthetic oil and hydro, I can just get moving pretty much as soon as I start it up, with no additional "warm up time" needed. Just get out there and clear the snow and get on with my day.

 

[Nipigonite]

I've searched the forum and I've seen multiple answers on the subject of how long one should have the block heater on before starting. I live a few hours south of the Canada border and it can get pretty cold at times and for days at a time. 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.

Before we moved further north, I'd plug the wife's car into a timer and run the cord underneath the garage door. Can't do that up here as we have plenty of mice to worry about. The timer I have is digital and I'm concerned how well it would work when the device gets really cold outside instead of inside. Is the one you use digital or is it a mechanical one? How do they stand up to getting cold? Not to concerned about it getting wet as I can put it under the tractor hood and will get removed when I unplug it when I go to start.

If it matters, I have a 1990 Ford 1520.

I use a mechanical type timer on my tractor. The type you pull out or push in the plastic tabs to start and stop. It is programmed to turn on for an hour, off for an hour for several hours during the daylight hours when I do my snow blowing. Works great.

 

[CalG]

I’m in NE British Columbia. Can get bitterly cold here. I use a mechanical timer that plugs into a regular wall outlet. Don’t use a GFCI type outlet, they nuisance trip frequently. When the vehicles haven’t been plugged in I have found that 2 hours is sufficient for the block heater to do its job in temps down to -40. At that temperature you should just stay inside by the wood stove anyway.

Is that -40 Celsius or Fahrenheit?

;-)

 

[pmsmechanic]

Is that -40 Celsius or Fahrenheit?

;-)

O boy.... It's very close to the same temperature in either scale. And yes it's cold!

 

[bdhsfz6]

I've seen ethanol wars, engine oil wars and brand wars. This thread is a new one for me: preheat wars.

Yeah, much conflicting information here, but I've learned a lot.

It's caused me to rethink my current home backup generator project. Instead of using an auto transfer switch, I'm changing to manual start for the diesel engine. The auto transfer switch allows only a 4 minute warmup before adding load. The recommended time in the engine manual is 10 to 20 minutes, depending on temperature. With manual start, I can make the call myself.

I'm still considering a block heater or other method of prewarming. I'm not sure of the best method for the climate here. It rarely gets below zero F, and the genset is located inside a barn. The building isn't heated but it does buffer the outside temp somewhat.

I guess the best approach to preheating depends on where you live, the type of engine your trying to start, it's location, and the type of equipment it powers.

 

[DarkBlack]

Diesel, is an internal combustion engine in which ignition of the fuel is caused by the elevated temperature of the air in the cylinder due to mechanical compression; thus, the diesel engine is called a compression-ignition engine (CI engine).

This contrasts with engines using spark plug-ignition of the air-fuel mixture, such as a gasoline engine or a gas engine(using a gaseous fuel like natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas).

I know very well how engines work.
He wasn’t saying or even implying gasoline vs diesel engines. Not sure why you felt the need to post this unrelated info, for a question I was asking , him

 

[Greenland South]

Is that -40 Celsius or Fahrenheit?

;-)

They are both the same on the the thermometer

 

[ultrarunner]

I know very well how engines work.
He wasn’t saying or even implying gasoline vs diesel engines. Not sure why you felt the need to post this unrelated info, for a question I was asking , him

Just my honest informational reply to the question posed.

No other underlying motive…

 

[oosik]

My M6040 has no block, tank or lower radiator hose heater. It starts well at -20F without these features.

HOWEVER - I'm retired and have been for quite a spell. I have no reason to be anywhere at any specific time. When it's very cold outside - I find it's much better to just remain inside. Hot cup of coffee or chocolate and JD.

I've experienced MAJOR frustration due to extreme cold weather. Get up @ 1am so I can clear the snow off my mile long gravel driveway and get to work on time. Leave for work @ 5am and fight the uncleared county roads. All the way to work. Then...I'm the ONLY fool who shows up for work. Due to heavy snows and cold weather - work has been cancelled for that day.

I'm retired now, baby. I'll go when I'm damned good and ready.