When to plug in?
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 297
Likes: 5
From: Northwestern Ontario
That's the problem.
The coolant flowing past the block heater cavitates around the tube and causes them to burn out.
Found out the hard way with two Detroit 6-71's in my boat.
When I changed them though I added thermostats (in the water jackets, Detroit part). That way I could leave them plugged in all the time.
The coolant flowing past the block heater cavitates around the tube and causes them to burn out.
Found out the hard way with two Detroit 6-71's in my boat.
When I changed them though I added thermostats (in the water jackets, Detroit part). That way I could leave them plugged in all the time.
I have owned an auto shop for 20 years, and worked on autos for 37 years, and have never found they are ruined by leaving them plugged in......
Up here in Northern Canada, our vehicles are plugged in for months on end every night, and I always warm them up while plugged in...been doing that for 40 years.....never had one burn out that way.
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Gordon
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Found this on Kats Engine Heaters Site... I have never ran my engines while heater is plugged in just to be safe.
5 MOST COMMON FAILURE CAUSES FROM INSTALLATION OR OPERATOR ERRORS
Pre-heater plugged in while engine is running.
Air not bled from system (run engine until maximum system pressure is reached before plugging it in).
Plugged in before it is installed to see if it gets hot (trust us; IT WILL!)
Do not use a Kat's engine heater when using a 100% solution of antifreeze.
These heaters are equipped with a three prong (grounding) plug and should be connected to a properly grounded circuit.
If an extension cord is used in conjunction with this heater, be certain that the wire size of the extension cord is of adequate size for the wattage of the heater and distance from the receptacle to the heater. Consult a licensed electrician if further information is required.
Do not start engine with heater plugged in. Element hot spots could occur causing the element to burn out.
5 MOST COMMON FAILURE CAUSES FROM INSTALLATION OR OPERATOR ERRORS
Pre-heater plugged in while engine is running.
Air not bled from system (run engine until maximum system pressure is reached before plugging it in).
Plugged in before it is installed to see if it gets hot (trust us; IT WILL!)
Do not use a Kat's engine heater when using a 100% solution of antifreeze.
These heaters are equipped with a three prong (grounding) plug and should be connected to a properly grounded circuit.
If an extension cord is used in conjunction with this heater, be certain that the wire size of the extension cord is of adequate size for the wattage of the heater and distance from the receptacle to the heater. Consult a licensed electrician if further information is required.
Do not start engine with heater plugged in. Element hot spots could occur causing the element to burn out.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
Found this on Kats Engine Heaters Site... I have never ran my engines while heater is plugged in just to be safe.
5 MOST COMMON FAILURE CAUSES FROM INSTALLATION OR OPERATOR ERRORS
Pre-heater plugged in while engine is running.
Air not bled from system (run engine until maximum system pressure is reached before plugging it in).
Plugged in before it is installed to see if it gets hot (trust us; IT WILL!)
Do not use a Kat's engine heater when using a 100% solution of antifreeze.
These heaters are equipped with a three prong (grounding) plug and should be connected to a properly grounded circuit.
If an extension cord is used in conjunction with this heater, be certain that the wire size of the extension cord is of adequate size for the wattage of the heater and distance from the receptacle to the heater. Consult a licensed electrician if further information is required.
Do not start engine with heater plugged in. Element hot spots could occur causing the element to burn out.
5 MOST COMMON FAILURE CAUSES FROM INSTALLATION OR OPERATOR ERRORS
Pre-heater plugged in while engine is running.
Air not bled from system (run engine until maximum system pressure is reached before plugging it in).
Plugged in before it is installed to see if it gets hot (trust us; IT WILL!)
Do not use a Kat's engine heater when using a 100% solution of antifreeze.
These heaters are equipped with a three prong (grounding) plug and should be connected to a properly grounded circuit.
If an extension cord is used in conjunction with this heater, be certain that the wire size of the extension cord is of adequate size for the wattage of the heater and distance from the receptacle to the heater. Consult a licensed electrician if further information is required.
Do not start engine with heater plugged in. Element hot spots could occur causing the element to burn out.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,220
Likes: 62
Without trying to get into a P***ing match, that is not the case.
I have owned an auto shop for 20 years, and worked on autos for 37 years, and have never found they are ruined by leaving them plugged in......
Up here in Northern Canada, our vehicles are plugged in for months on end every night, and I always warm them up while plugged in...been doing that for 40 years.....never had one burn out that way.
--
Gordon
I have owned an auto shop for 20 years, and worked on autos for 37 years, and have never found they are ruined by leaving them plugged in......
Up here in Northern Canada, our vehicles are plugged in for months on end every night, and I always warm them up while plugged in...been doing that for 40 years.....never had one burn out that way.
--
Gordon
Well I guess good fortune has been on your side then. I had to replace 2 heaters due to my ignorance of running the engines with the heaters plugged in. Maybe for a few minutes it is not a problem, but I don't remember how long they ran.
But maybe since they were 1500 watt heaters that increased the risk of having them burn out.
Kat's engine heaters is an OEM supplier for many - so for me, I'll go with the do not run the engine when plugged in.
My advice is simple and cost free - yours could be inconvenient and or costly.
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