alternative power for engine heater
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Ouray, CO
Off-grid, like a hunting trip temporary thing? or you a full time homesteader?
An (unheated) but well insulated shed/garage likely would be better than just leaving it outside and using a block heater. Maybe a small wood burning stove to warm it up before bed-time? (We've got a great small wood-burning stove in CO that'll keep our 2.5 gar 'barn' warm for a few days once it's warmed up...
(it's mostly built into the hill and all the walls are 12" ICF (insulated concrete form).
An (unheated) but well insulated shed/garage likely would be better than just leaving it outside and using a block heater. Maybe a small wood burning stove to warm it up before bed-time? (We've got a great small wood-burning stove in CO that'll keep our 2.5 gar 'barn' warm for a few days once it's warmed up...
(it's mostly built into the hill and all the walls are 12" ICF (insulated concrete form).
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Senior User
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Its a one or two night trip at most. I have a spare RV/Boat battery sitting on a battery tender and 400w inverter but if its a 1000watts thats a bit.
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Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Northern California
Up at my off grid cabin in the winter we build a fire first thing in the morning, brew up some coffee , stand around the fire getting warm and have a cup. When the fire gets some nice coals going put a shovel full under the pan. Takes a lot less then you would think.
Edit, a shovel full of coals placed under you camp chair keeps you toasty as can be on even the coldest night.
Edit, a shovel full of coals placed under you camp chair keeps you toasty as can be on even the coldest night.
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Pirate - I did that with a dutch oven 2 years ago, started charcoal in it (thats what we had) and shoved it under the truck after the flames were down. It melted the 6inch snow base to gravel so I had lots of distance between it and the pan. Put some wind breaks up around the edge and let it heat. Replaced the batteries right after that too, they were weak to say the least.
Livinglarge - well, its -21 there now, weather.com says low of 20 next saturday when I was planning on going but between now and first post the event date has moved into feb. If it wasn't for the glow plug codes and issues I wouldn't worry about it as its started at -15 before (albeit a little cranky), just can't swing the cash to fix.
Livinglarge - well, its -21 there now, weather.com says low of 20 next saturday when I was planning on going but between now and first post the event date has moved into feb. If it wasn't for the glow plug codes and issues I wouldn't worry about it as its started at -15 before (albeit a little cranky), just can't swing the cash to fix.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Pirate - I did that with a dutch oven 2 years ago, started charcoal in it (thats what we had) and shoved it under the truck after the flames were down. It melted the 6inch snow base to gravel so I had lots of distance between it and the pan. Put some wind breaks up around the edge and let it heat. Replaced the batteries right after that too, they were weak to say the least.
Livinglarge - well, its -21 there now, weather.com says low of 20 next saturday when I was planning on going but between now and first post the event date has moved into feb. If it wasn't for the glow plug codes and issues I wouldn't worry about it as its started at -15 before (albeit a little cranky), just can't swing the cash to fix.
Livinglarge - well, its -21 there now, weather.com says low of 20 next saturday when I was planning on going but between now and first post the event date has moved into feb. If it wasn't for the glow plug codes and issues I wouldn't worry about it as its started at -15 before (albeit a little cranky), just can't swing the cash to fix.
If you can't do it now, and it's only 1 night, I'd get up every few hours and let it idle. Then again I'm a Floridian
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I would really look into the glow plug issue.... When I first got my ex, it was throwing codes... I don't remember what the dealer did ( may have been a harness and a couple plugs) but I don't think it was expensive...
If you can't do it now, and it's only 1 night, I'd get up every few hours and let it idle. Then again I'm a Floridian
If you can't do it now, and it's only 1 night, I'd get up every few hours and let it idle. Then again I'm a Floridian
Floridian! I'm about 45 miles north of SnowSeeker and the event is in Brainerd MN, not the furthest north person here but its -16 this morning.
--Mike
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From: North Dakota
I was quoted minimum of $585 IF it is simply the glow plugs, if its the harness they said a bunch of other stuff has to come out, including removing the injectors. Well, the injectors haven't been replaced on that side so if they come out...might as well replace them as well. At that point 2000+
Floridian! I'm about 45 miles north of SnowSeeker and the event is in Brainerd MN, not the furthest north person here but its -16 this morning.
--Mike
Floridian! I'm about 45 miles north of SnowSeeker and the event is in Brainerd MN, not the furthest north person here but its -16 this morning.
--Mike
By event, you mean that ice fishing deal that goes on every year?