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Plug it in, plug it in!
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:32 pm
by konadog
After last winter's grim cold I get a block heater installed this fall in preparation for more of the same this year. And while it's not even been below freezing yet, I've been plugging the bus in when I leave for the dog walk in the mornings. We leave for work about an hour and a half later and wow what a difference! Hazel as never not started, but is always grumpy about waking up when it's chilly. Now she starts easy peasy and all smooth! Love it! Well worth it in my book!
Re: Plug it in, plug it in!
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:53 pm
by Jamesandnicole
I had the same experience! I love block heaters :)
Re: Plug it in, plug it in!
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 7:10 pm
by flyfishn
Love mine too. Also left the other morming forgetting to unplug it. It is so wrapped around my bull bar, no damage...phew.
Re: Plug it in, plug it in!
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:32 pm
by almac
ive been thinking of putting on a magnetic heater:
http://www.princessauto.com/truck-trail ... tic+heater
only problem, is that i want to semi-permanently mount it, and im not sure where...

Re: Plug it in, plug it in!
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:36 pm
by robinimpey
I had a magnetic heater, better than nothing. Installed a lower rad hose heater, much better. But the best of all is an actual block heater! Well worth the time and money, particularly for those of us that endure real winter temperatures.
Re: Plug it in, plug it in!
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:37 pm
by tomanique
Kona, how much was your install? (If you don't mind me asking)
Re: Plug it in, plug it in!
Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 1:38 am
by Adam
Block heaters can be a life saver, especially if you've forgot to purge your engine of WVO before it got cold. I wonder if I cold install a block heater in my WVO tank to keep the oil at a decent temp in winter for quick switch overs.....hmmmm. Sorry about any possible thread hijack Scott

Re: Plug it in, plug it in!
Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 8:53 am
by loki
Adam wrote:Block heaters can be a life saver, especially if you've forgot to purge your engine of WVO before it got cold. I wonder if I cold install a block heater in my WVO tank to keep the oil at a decent temp in winter for quick switch overs.....hmmmm. Sorry about any possible thread hijack Scott

hotfox + coolant heater? not sure what temps the block heaters get to but I suppose if it's safe for engine oil it's probably safe for WVO.
Re: Plug it in, plug it in!
Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 9:06 am
by DelicaFreaka
Do the block heater, you won't regret it....................Kirk out.
Re: Plug it in, plug it in!
Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 9:18 am
by konadog
tomanique wrote:Kona, how much was your install? (If you don't mind me asking)
Under $200.00 - and my bus is an automatic - a much more involved project than a manual :)
Re: Plug it in, plug it in!
Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 1:01 pm
by Jungle Jon
almac wrote:ive been thinking of putting on a magnetic heater:
only problem, is that i want to semi-permanently mount it, and im not sure where...

If you want a permanent mounted heater, you could consider a peel and stick pad like:
http://www.canadianpolarpad.com/
From their webpage, I'm not so sure about their understanding of physics, but in practice their product does it's job of heating up the oil. I put one on Big Blue and I noticed a difference in the starts. A block heater would likely be better though, or perhaps a combination of the two.

Re: Plug it in, plug it in!
Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 1:35 pm
by loki
Jungle Jon wrote:almac wrote:ive been thinking of putting on a magnetic heater:
only problem, is that i want to semi-permanently mount it, and im not sure where...

If you want a permanent mounted heater, you could consider a peel and stick pad like:
http://www.canadianpolarpad.com/
From their webpage, I'm not so sure about their understanding of physics, but in practice their product does it's job of heating up the oil. I put one on Big Blue and I noticed a difference in the starts. A block heater would likely be better though, or perhaps a combination of the two.

I wonder if anyone has tried a stick on or magnetic pan heater along with an electric oil pump to circulate the oil (I'm not ever sure that part is possible mind you). the heat would be better distributed then and you would have the added bonus of never starting dry again (one thing that I think would at least double the life of any engine if used from new).
Re: Plug it in, plug it in!
Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 2:50 pm
by Tinytoy
I have the cranium tire 125w Polar pad on my Carry.The beast starts in -40 after being plugged in for an hour.
I have the block heater on my van and am thinking about applying one of the 125w pads to the oil pan as well.
On the truck I completely covered the pad in silicone, not just the outside edges. Less chance of snagging!
Re: Plug it in, plug it in!
Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 7:53 pm
by Jungle Jon
loki wrote:
I wonder if anyone has tried a stick on or magnetic pan heater along with an electric oil pump to circulate the oil (I'm not ever sure that part is possible mind you). the heat would be better distributed then and you would have the added bonus of never starting dry again (one thing that I think would at least double the life of any engine if used from new).
I like that idea, I wonder if the product shown in
THIS thread could be modded to do that...
Re: Plug it in, plug it in!
Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 8:30 pm
by nvanadm
I got one put on at CVI during my last service before I moved back to Ontario. I've been using it for at least a month and it makes a HUGE difference. I've had my Delica for over a year and I have not had a single problem with it and I've never had it not start either, but the way it runs first thing in the morning is amazing. Not sure how much it cost as I had a few things done at the same time, but whatever it was it was worth it!