heated dipstick (or similiar)

[treegump]

Anyone have any ideas? Are there any other options to block heating other than a heated garage and the factory plug-in core heater?

 

[Mad Maxx]

I'd say the Heated Dipstick would be the next best thing other than Garage or Core Heater.

IIRC, they make some kind of a Mat you Stick on the Oil Pan as well that you Plug In.

 

[DennisG01]

IIRC, they make some kind of a Mat you Stick on the Oil Pan as well that you Plug In.

http://kennedydiesel.com/ Look under "Truck Accessories". I've got the model 512 sitting on my workbench. Eventually I'll get it on there. Figuring on just splicing it into my block heater's cord.

 

[kojo]

I dont know if linking is allowed, but this is manufacturers site: http://www.espar.com/html/products/technology_coolant.html

I have espar (eberspächer here in europe) Hydronic 5 It is basically small oil burner which is controlled by timer or remote control or phone and it has own waterpump what circulates water through engine and heater core. If you can afford it i recommend it warmly, there is no thing called cold morning with that

Lubrication specialist seems to be dealer

 

[Matt Bachand]

http://kennedydiesel.com/ Look under "Truck Accessories". I've got the model 512 sitting on my workbench. Eventually I'll get it on there. Figuring on just splicing it into my block heater's cord.

Due yourself a favor and just permanately run a 3 way cord through there with an easy spot to plug/unplug which devices you want to use. I have this right behind my DS battery, so I can run my battery tender when I use my heater block, or just the batt charger without the heater.

This way you can choose what to use, and if a short or problems happens with one, your not wired in hard. THe last thing you want to be doing when its FRIGID out is splicing wires/chasing problems

 

[DennisG01]

Due yourself a favor and just permanately run a 3 way cord through there with an easy spot to plug/unplug which devices you want to use. I have this right behind my DS battery, so I can run my battery tender when I use my heater block, or just the batt charger without the heater.

This way you can choose what to use, and if a short or problems happens with one, your not wired in hard. THe last thing you want to be doing when its FRIGID out is splicing wires/chasing problems

A while back, I installed a permanent receptacle into my front bumper for the block heater. So, I'd like to stick with only one place to plug-in. But, you bring up a good point. What I'll do is get a nice, waterproof quick-connect for the pan heater's wire and splice that connection into the block heater's wiring. That will keep my (1) plug in the bumper and keep my butt from freezing if there's problem! Thanks, good thought!

 

[treegump]

well - it'll just be my accessory heater cause there was smoke coming up from the connection point. I'll check the resistance when I get a chance - but I'm pretture sure its fried.

 

[DieselSlug]

I was lookin into thos hearter sticks when i had no plugs, but i have new plugs now so never got there. I have a onboard tricle charger and the stock block heater on my truck now. What i did was i bought a 6 foot outdoor related extension cord with a 3split female end on it. I have the heater and charger plugged in and a baby outlet protector in the third (to keep the water out). I then ran the cord to out fron right next to my drivers side parking life through the grill louvers. Its sweet.

 

[Chevylover]

A while back, I installed a permanent receptacle into my front bumper for the block heater. So, I'd like to stick with only one place to plug-in. But, you bring up a good point. What I'll do is get a nice, waterproof quick-connect for the pan heater's wire and splice that connection into the block heater's wiring. That will keep my (1) plug in the bumper and keep my butt from freezing if there's problem! Thanks, good thought!

Same here (Thanks to Dennis for getting one for and sending it across the pond) ! !



---------------------------------------------------------

I dont know if linking is allowed, but this is manufacturers site: http://www.espar.com/html/products/technology_coolant.html

I have espar (eberspächer here in europe) Hydronic 5 It is basically small oil burner which is controlled by timer or remote control or phone and it has own waterpump what circulates water through engine and heater core. If you can afford it i recommend it warmly, there is no thing called cold morning with that

Lubrication specialist seems to be dealer

There is another manufactor here in euope for such heaters, called WEBASTO -> http://www.webasto.us




Cu,
Sven

 

[Monarkman]

possibly a oil pan heater

 

[iamdave0887]

well - it'll just be my accessory heater cause there was smoke coming up from the connection point. I'll check the resistance when I get a chance - but I'm pretture sure its fried.

I ohmed out both of mine and i believe they were around 25-30 ohms. NOt 100% sure at the moment as it's been a while.

I"d pull the cord out and take a look at it before condemning the heater. The heater's usually don't go bad.

 

[Franko914]

possibly a oil pan heater

They make the magnetic heater that "thunks" onto the steel oil pan (bottom or side), rated between 150 to 350 watts house current. I would run a long extension cord from a timer plugged into a wall socket to the heater. Set the timer to come on 1 to 2 hours (depending on the outside temp) before you need to start the truck. Just don't forget to unplug and "unthunk" the heater from the oil pan. The attached photo is a 200W unit made by Kats ($29-$40).

Regards,
Franko

 

[DieselSlug]

They make the magnetic heater that "thunks" onto the steel oil pan (bottom or side), rated between 150 to 350 watts house current. I would run a long extension cord from a timer plugged into a wall socket to the heater. Set the timer to come on 1 to 2 hours (depending on the outside temp) before you need to start the truck. Just don't forget to unplug and "unthunk" the heater from the oil pan. The attached photo is a 200W unit made by Kats ($29-$40).

Regards,
Franko

I have a kats one also but it is gigantic, i used to use it on the cold nights, but it sucks to climb under there to "thunk" and "un-thunk" it...

 

[treegump]

ok - another question i suppose. Is there a heater that has a low draw that can be hooked up to the batteries? I sit in an office from 7ish-5ish. If I could turn something on at 3ish, that'd be alright. The alternator can just recharge the batteries (45 min commute)

 

[mr_goodwrench_06]

I want a wabasto! $1300 is a little too steep for me though.

Bill

 

[jamierayo]

Oil pan heaters are good in addition to a block heater (freeze plug or inline tank heater), but they don't take the place of one.
The only kind of oil pan heater that's worthwhile is the silicone pad kind. Some have 3M tape on one side, others you glue on with RTV. Either one is fine. In my experience, the tape eventually comes off, and you end up sticking it back on with RTV.

 

[Franko914]

ok - another question i suppose. Is there a heater that has a low draw that can be hooked up to the batteries? I sit in an office from 7ish-5ish. If I could turn something on at 3ish, that'd be alright. The alternator can just recharge the batteries (45 min commute)

There's an outfit that sells pad heaters (do a search for that name without the space and dot com it). They have a couple of 12V models: FH-50 is 50 watts and draws 4.0 amps; FH-100 is 100 watts and draws 8.0 amps.

If you decide to go this route, make sure you have a deep-cycle battery, otherwise your non-deep-cycle battery will never be the same again once you discharge it past a certain point.

Regards,
Franko

 

[Dave01]

Oil pan heaters are good in addition to a block heater (freeze plug or inline tank heater), but they don't take the place of one.

I agree. Its great to warm the oil, very good for the engine, but the block heater gets some thermal flow in the coolant so most of the block has some heat in it. Having both is the best way to go.

I've been looking at pan heaters for my veg fuel tank, looking at amp ratings on the 12 v heaters. I think even a small one would pull a battery down pretty quick, I don't think you'll be happy with that setup. My plan is to use it when running, different story.