Which Block Heater for winter?

[WilliamBos]

If this one circulates water it would be considered one of the best.

Otherwise go for the Freeze plug [ I know that is not the right term] heater or the lower radiator one.

The dipstick heater suggests volumes just by it's name.

The magnetic oil pan ones will work but heating the coolant will do a better job of getting the whole engine block warm. This also heats the oil ehh!

Exactly!! Get the BLOCK HEATER, the frost plug one!!

 

[Northland]

Where we live in Northern Ontario -20C or colder is common so I have block heaters, on timers, for my wife's car and my truck even though they are both in an unheated garage.

My tractor has a block heater but I also use a Katz magnetic heater in conjunction with the block heater. I place it on the underside of the hydraulic fluid tank of the tractor. 1 to 2 hours like this and my tractor is ready to go in minutes even at -30C.

Up here in the north block heaters save a lot of wear and tear and get you operational that much faster.

 

[Northland]

Sorry JB, I forgot to give my answer to your question.

Having both a block heater and the magnetic heater now, if I only could have one, I would choose the magnetic heater due to it's versatility in being able to place it anywhere.

 

[JB4310]

Update, I went with the lower radiator heater. it's only 375 watts but after only about 1/2 an hour the block felt warm to the touch, they recommend 2 hours min and up to 5 hours to get max heat rise of 60* over outside temp.
Got it from Pep Boys for $ 29.99, came with a 3 ft cord, easy install. this one is for 1.25" hose, the ones for 1.5" and 1.75" are 600 watts. put a new hose in at the same time also 30 bucks. Just installed it today so haven't tried it yet with a cold start but I think it's gonna help alot.
JB.

 

[al b]

That looks good. I need to do the same to mine.

 

[Diamondpilot]

My vote is for a lower rad hose heater. I put one on and cant believe I lived with out it. I had a mag heater and a dipstick heater and they were worthless.

Chris

 

[Northland]

Looks good JB-for $30 you can't go wrong

 

[jbrumberg]

My vote is for a lower rad hose heater. I put one on and cant believe I lived with out it. I had a mag heater and a dipstick heater and they were worthless.

Chris

I did the same thing to my old Ford 1100 years ago. What a difference in starting ! Good job JB . Jay

 

[JB4310]

Update, After having some cold temps to test this heater out.
They told me 2 hours min on time, but it seems after 2 hours it doesn't get any warmer, after 2 hrs everything is warm the whole block and top of the radiator.
Even after just 1 hour the tractor fires right up, better than it did in the fall with much milder temps.

Seems to be just what this machine needed to be happy, I'm happy to

 

[studor]

On mine I turn on the key after about fifteen minutes to see if the temp guage has moved -- it usually has -- and then it will fire up like it's summer time. Even an hour seems like a long time but may be it needs it -- try the temp guage thing
regards
Steve