Engine Block Warmer Project
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,265
Likes: 2
From: Garden City, KS
My Dad went through stock alternators like candy back when he had the truck... he was only running an inverter too. It was a big one, though... it was like 10x10x30". HUGE!!!
< Samantha...my Co-Pilot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 768
Likes: 11
From: Fallon, Nevada
I don't think you could call this a practical way to utilize your engine block heater because of the cost involved and space required for the batteries(many), the inability of the alternator to recharge the batteries, and the inefficiencies of the inverter.
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 350
From: Breckenridge, TX
If it were me I'd stick a Miller or Lincoln 10k watt welder/generator in the bed and light that sumbiotch off every morning at 4am. I bet the landlord would love to have an unobtrusive cord on the snow after 84 decibles of that crap every morning... 
But seriously, Honda makes those ultra-quiet generators. If you really absolutely have to plug the truck in, get one of those and carry it around, you can run it pretty much day or night anywhere and not upset anyone.
And really moreso than worrying about the block heater, invest in a good quality grille blanket. I can make my coolant go from 20* to 100* in about 2 minutes using the high idle mod with my blanket on, and my block heater only gets the coolant up to about 80* in two hours (Note: coolant temp reads 100* on the Insight when I first turn the key on, but once it starts running it drops to 80* and starts climbing from there).
But seriously, Honda makes those ultra-quiet generators. If you really absolutely have to plug the truck in, get one of those and carry it around, you can run it pretty much day or night anywhere and not upset anyone.
And really moreso than worrying about the block heater, invest in a good quality grille blanket. I can make my coolant go from 20* to 100* in about 2 minutes using the high idle mod with my blanket on, and my block heater only gets the coolant up to about 80* in two hours (Note: coolant temp reads 100* on the Insight when I first turn the key on, but once it starts running it drops to 80* and starts climbing from there).
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 52
From: Southern Colorado
As much as I love plugging my truck in - I will be switching to synthetic oil next year. That may mostly address your cold starting issues. My truck has a terrible case of the romps and white smoke when started below about 20F.
I think it's impractical to try to run a block heater from the batteries. 1000 watts is a lot of juice. It sounds like you need a Webasto diesel heater, but they are not sold in the US. Imagine a diesel-powered programmable engine heater that can fire up at 3AM and heat your coolant, using just a tiny amount of diesel. These are used all over the world but here.
I think it's impractical to try to run a block heater from the batteries. 1000 watts is a lot of juice. It sounds like you need a Webasto diesel heater, but they are not sold in the US. Imagine a diesel-powered programmable engine heater that can fire up at 3AM and heat your coolant, using just a tiny amount of diesel. These are used all over the world but here.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
From: northern,california
The Grease Works Online Store
Long time since I posted. These heating pads are for fuel tanks but I am sure it would work for the oil pan.
Long time since I posted. These heating pads are for fuel tanks but I am sure it would work for the oil pan.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the input guys, and its not that I have to plug it in. The truck cold starts from -15 just fine, a little rough idle at first but thats all. I just feel like it would be better for the engine. Im wanting to make this truck last as long as possible.
And as far as how long I run it, its usually around 45mins to an hour of the truck running.
I realize its not a very practical idea, but if I can get it to work I think it would be awesome.
And to whoever mentioned the timer I was thinking about that today actually. Apparently after around 4hrs the block is not going to get any warmer, so I was thinking I could just wire up a timer so that it would turn on at around 0200, so that when I leave for work at 0500 the fluids would be more willing to move (Less viscous I believe).
This is still currently in the development stages haha, but I'm trying to find another power source right now. I'm big into projects, but the NAVY hours dont really allow to me to do much anymore
And as far as how long I run it, its usually around 45mins to an hour of the truck running.
I realize its not a very practical idea, but if I can get it to work I think it would be awesome.
And to whoever mentioned the timer I was thinking about that today actually. Apparently after around 4hrs the block is not going to get any warmer, so I was thinking I could just wire up a timer so that it would turn on at around 0200, so that when I leave for work at 0500 the fluids would be more willing to move (Less viscous I believe).
This is still currently in the development stages haha, but I'm trying to find another power source right now. I'm big into projects, but the NAVY hours dont really allow to me to do much anymore
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 7
From: NH
You would be better off trying to convince your landlord. If you could prove to her that the cord is designed for outdoor use and you are plugging into a GFCI (some block heaters will trip GFCI's) outlet.
Maybe you could kindly ask an electrician to talk to her or call her to explain that it is safe.
Maybe you could kindly ask an electrician to talk to her or call her to explain that it is safe.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 177
Likes: 1
From: Wasilla, Alaska
I agree your engine is going to last a lot longer if you plug your truck in during below freezing temps. In your situation I would seriously consider a diesel fired coolant heater like an Espar or Webasto. These run off your fuel tank (if yours is a diesel) and heat the engine coolant and circulate it. They work great but cost a bit, they pop up on ebay from time to time but you have to be quick.
Espar Heater Systems | A World of Comfort | Automotive
texastech_diesel cold fronts help an engine reach operating temp and maintain it in cold weather but they do nothing to warm up a cold engine.
Synthetic 5w-40 is another great idea but will not make up for not plugging in.
tazo heating pads work great for the oil pan and transmission pan but they require an electrical outlet. Most of us up north run a block heater, oil pan heater, and a transmission pan heater. Some guys even run heated pads under their batteries or trickle chargers/battery tenders.
Once the temps did below Zero F mechanical things tend to stop operating properly if not warmed up first. Yeah you might get away with it here and there but is it worth the risk with the price of engines and parts on these trucks?
Espar Heater Systems | A World of Comfort | Automotive
texastech_diesel cold fronts help an engine reach operating temp and maintain it in cold weather but they do nothing to warm up a cold engine.
Synthetic 5w-40 is another great idea but will not make up for not plugging in.
tazo heating pads work great for the oil pan and transmission pan but they require an electrical outlet. Most of us up north run a block heater, oil pan heater, and a transmission pan heater. Some guys even run heated pads under their batteries or trickle chargers/battery tenders.
Once the temps did below Zero F mechanical things tend to stop operating properly if not warmed up first. Yeah you might get away with it here and there but is it worth the risk with the price of engines and parts on these trucks?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
Likes: 5
From: Corvallis, OR
As others have stated, there are a lot of reasons this isn't a very feasible idea. First, you'll need deep cycle batteries, which are spendy. Second, you will completely overload your charging system and probably cause a failure there. Third, you shouldn't use an inverter beyond it's continuous power rating, those things are notoriously overrated to begin with and it will probably burn up pretty quickly. Don't take this the wrong way, but when I read stuff like this I just shake my head (I'm an EE). If you don't HAVE to plug the truck in, look into a pre-oiler system or switching to 5w-40 synthetic for better lubrication at startup.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
Theoretically speaking a Webasto, or linked Espar heaters are the best option, but on practical side it is a costly one.
Webasto heaters are used on boats and high end RV in US for generations, but owning one I can say that reliability is not too good. Brochure makes the unit to look simple, but it is having at least 3 electric motors, bunch of sensors, electronic board and so on.
Wear-out motor brush, or seized bearing will put whole unit out of order and those units use pretty cheap motors.
I hope those units become more popular now with higher fuel prices. Semi truck drivers traditionally run the engines for comfort heating. Those engines consume 1gal/hr, while aux heater only 1 cup/hr on high and just few onces on low. When fuel was 90 cents a gallon -nobody was considering spending $1000 or so for Webasto unit.
Now with diesel reaching $4 plus laws forbidding diesel idling the market for those heaters very likely will become huge.
Webasto heaters are used on boats and high end RV in US for generations, but owning one I can say that reliability is not too good. Brochure makes the unit to look simple, but it is having at least 3 electric motors, bunch of sensors, electronic board and so on.
Wear-out motor brush, or seized bearing will put whole unit out of order and those units use pretty cheap motors.
I hope those units become more popular now with higher fuel prices. Semi truck drivers traditionally run the engines for comfort heating. Those engines consume 1gal/hr, while aux heater only 1 cup/hr on high and just few onces on low. When fuel was 90 cents a gallon -nobody was considering spending $1000 or so for Webasto unit.
Now with diesel reaching $4 plus laws forbidding diesel idling the market for those heaters very likely will become huge.
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