Engine block heater

[Gene]

Hi everyone,

 

Anyone using an engine block heater? What type? If it is a "freeze plug" heater, where did you install it?

 

Any thoughts or experiences on this would be appreciated!

 

Thanks

 

Gene

[Eagle]

The factory unit was a freeze plug heater. I put one in an '88 XJ that I fixed up for an ex-GF who moved to Montana. It went on the left side of the block, IIRC in the front-most freeze plug hole.

[HOrnbrod]

Mopar 82201506

 

http://www.amazon.com/Cherokee-Engine-Heater-Mopar-82201506/dp/B007NPL3OM

 

 

Download Installation Guide HERE

[Gene]

Thanks gentlemen!

 

How long would it take for this to heat the engine?

 

Gene

[HOrnbrod]

If you live in Western Maryland why do you need a block heater? A 50/50 antifreeze mix is all you need to prevent freezing.

 

But with that said, a warm engine does save the strain on the batteries & starter when the temps go down below freezing. And the engine warms up much quicker and you'll have heat & defrosters almost immediately.

[Eagle]

Thanks gentlemen!

 

How long would it take for this to heat the engine?

You don't use it to heat the engine -- you leave it plugged in while the vehicle is parked so it's partially warmed up when you go to start it.

 

I guess if you park the MJ for a week (or weeks) at a time, the drill would be to plug it in Friday night to be ready to go on Saturday morning.

[91Pioneer]

Block heaters only need to be plugged in for two hours prior to leaving (startup). Operating it all night is wasteful.

[Gene]

Hi everyone,

 

Thanks for the replies. Western Maryland is up in the mountains, we actually have more Western Pennsylvania/Pittsburgh area weather. Typically there will be a few nights below 0° every winter.

 

However, the main reason I'm interested in the block heater is because I live about a mile from my work. Typically, in the winter, the engine never gets warm. Consequently, the oil picks up fuel, water, and whatever else to get contaminated very quickly.

 

So I'm thinking of putting the block heater in, and putting it on a timer, and starting with perhaps two hours of preheating.

 

Gene

[64 Cheyenne]

 

Hi everyone,

 

Thanks for the replies. Western Maryland is up in the mountains, we actually have more Western Pennsylvania/Pittsburgh area weather. Typically there will be a few nights below 0° every winter.

 

However, the main reason I'm interested in the block heater is because I live about a mile from my work. Typically, in the winter, the engine never gets warm. Consequently, the oil picks up fuel, water, and whatever else to get contaminated very quickly.

 

So I'm thinking of putting the block heater in, and putting it on a timer, and starting with perhaps two hours of preheating.

 

Gene

 

 

Pretty sure your average hardware store timer won't be up to the amperage load of a block heater, actually rather dangerous, puts your average timer at the upper limit of its capacity, which is usually about 15 amps.

[Gene]

Typically these are 600 watts, some as high as 1000 watts, which would be 5 to 8.5 amps. I imagine  I can find a timer to handle this.

 

Thanks

 

Gene

[dunnc1991]

Used to use a timer for my Powerstroke in the winter. Would come on about 2 hours before I'd leave. Never gave me any issues.

[HOrnbrod]

Just use a cheap timer to trigger the coil side of an AC relay. Use the relay load terminals inline  with the AC hot wire going from the outlet to the block heater.

[64 Cheyenne]

Just use a cheap timer to trigger the coil side of an AC relay. Use the relay load terminals inline  with the AC hot wire going from the outlet to the block heater.

 

Interesting, could you expand on this?

[HOrnbrod]

When the timer turns on, it's + output goes goes to one of the coils pins of a NO (Normally Open) AC relay. The other coil pin is hardwired to the - side of the timer. Then the relay load contacts close, and pass the hot AC line from the outlet to the heater. The neutral side of the AC outlet is hardwired to the heater.  Easy peazy.  :yes:  Just your everyday relay circuit turning on a load.

[Gene]

Just use a cheap timer to trigger the coil side of an AC relay. Use the relay load terminals inline  with the AC hot wire going from the outlet to the block heater.

 

Most of these that I have seen use a 24 volt coil....

 

Thanks

 

Gene

[91Pioneer]

I use a timer basically identical to this heavy duty outdoor one, I recommend something like this: http://amzn.to/1PhPmj5

[HOrnbrod]

http://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Digital-Power-Programmable-Switch/dp/B008999RYY

[yxmj]

To go back to the OP question.

 

If your requirement is to have a "Block Heater" that aids in your engine getting to operating temp faster and your heater blowing warm air quicker then look into one of these.

 

Google recirculating coolant heater.....

 

This is one I have it goes in a heater hose.....you can also get them that go in a rad hose. Basically it is a normal block heater with some added features. This has a high output coil 1000-1500 watts as well as a powered impeller that circulates the preheated coolant through the engine block, as opposed to a normal block heater that heats the coolant around were it is installed and relies on the heat radiating out from there.

 

And to answer everyone's next question,,,here are a couple of T-stat housings........see the hole beside were the t-stat sits....the one in line with the heater hose....

 

 

This opening is what allows the coolant to circulate through not only the engine but through the heater core as well.

 

On my jeeps i leave my heater control to max and the control set to defrost.....when this heater kicks in (yes it is on a timer) it heats and circulates the coolant, it produces enough heat to (for those of you who have to deal with it) keep the ice off the window and melt any snow that lands on the windshield. And as the coolant is uniformly warmer it takes less time to warm up and get heat blowing.

 

2 Fast block heater tips from the GREAT WHITE NORTH

 

1) you don't need any equipment but your ear to test a block heater.....with the vehicle cold...plug the block heater in....immediately kneel down and stick your ear in the wheel well above the front tire...listen...a working block heater will make the exact same hissing and popping sounds you hear when you plug in an electric kettle and it starts up.....and when running you should still be able to hear the hissing sound....but it is more prevalent on startup.

 

2) As stated above....use a timer.....it only needs about and hour or so to heat up.....plugging it in longer will not make it warmer......go back to the electric kettle analogy...plug the kettle in....once it boils....it is boiled.....leaving it plunged in will not make it hotter.

 

. :MJ 1: .

[dunnc1991]

^ that's pretty slick, never seen one of those before. Definitely sounds like it'd be handy in a cold weather area.

[HOrnbrod]

This hole?

 

 

That in-line block heater / circulator pump is slick. I've never seen one before. Easier install too the the freeze plug type. Here's a radiator hose in-line:

 

[gogmorgo]

Gotta watch with those circulating heaters. Some of the pumps operate as check valves, so if you hook them up backwards you'll get great heat, until you turn on the engine.

 

The regular block heater still won't put out enough heat to warm the engine up in one mile. May not even get the coolant up above freezing from 0f, but I'd have to look back at the charts. (The studies everyone cites were done at my university, and the results are proudly on display). Two hours is where the heating slows down, and it'll climb a bit after that, but not much past the four-hour point.

Something else to keep in mind is blasting the defroster on high heat onto a cold windshield is a good way to crack it...