looking for recommendations on a propane block heater.

[catdogs]

My job requires me to park my truck for sometimes long periods of time during our Montana winters where I don't have electricty to plug in the block heater. I am looking for a non-electric or propane operated block heater of some kind. Anyone have any suggestions? thanks in advance.

[Darren5531]

If you could figure out the exact mount of draw a electric block heater takes then you could see if 3rd battery would do the trick for you. Then either run two alternators or just a very strong one to charge all 3 batteries.

I don't know exactly what you could put together propane wise to heat it up. You might be able to take along a propane heater in your bed then turn that on to heat up some water or coolant or something. Then run a line to your oil pan and go from there. Or you could just run the propane heater right by the oil pan and rig up a switch but of course burning propane right next to either your gas lines or oil isn't such a safe idea.

Just a couple quick thoughts.

Darren

[76m880]

why not a military artic heater kit

[Robyn]

First off, Welcome to TDP.
Glad to have you aboard

A kit is available for an idle up feature.
Set the Idle at 1000 RPM and let the little creature run if its that cold.
If your temp outside is not below 10-15 the sucker should start right up though.

A block heater draws a fair amount of current.

Depending on how long the truck has to set (many Hours) a little suitcase generator to plug the stock block heater into might be an easy fix. Not any hard work just start the little beast and plug it in and go.

Not any quick/cheap solutions

There is a unit called Blue Heat but I am sure they are not cheap

Robyn

[DmaxMaverick]

Welcome to the Forums!

Your truck has a Diesel engine, correct? If so, have you considered a Diesel fuel fired heater (one fuel, no hassle)? There are a lot of options in this area. Several TDP Advertisers (http://www.thedieselpage.com/vendors/main.htm) sell them as bolt-on kits with a lot of nice features. I suggest you start looking at www.lubricationspecialist.com, and go from there. Unless you have another reason for wanting propane on the truck *wink*, adding another fuel system would be detailed and possibly problematic.

[wade-ve7trw]

Heating up the block to start the engine.
1--messy and possibly dangerous-- roll of paper in a tin can soaked in alcohol or diesel (messy) lit and set under oil pan for half an hour.
2-- not messy but dangerous--tiger torch and twenty pound porpane tank-two or three lenghts of stove pipe shoved under front end of viechle. in about half hour will start like the middle of summer.
3--safest means-- Blue Heat made by wabasco. When installed with all options will start and heat up the coolant in block and circulate through out the entire system. Draw back is that for every hour you run it you should run the unit at least one hour. timers are available as are remote start for tempature and hour timers.
Hope this helps--

[catdogs]

I like the idea of a diesel fired heater, I have not heard of those. I'll look into them. My truck does not start very good when it is below 20 degrees. I have checked the glow plugs, controller, pressure checked the fuel system, the lift pump is good, I just don't want to get stranded and have to walk home. I'm also wondering about battery heaters. I have heard of "heating pads" that work great for teh batteries. What does the arctic cold kit consist of??

I have a '88 with the 6.2.

[DmaxMaverick]

Battery blanket heaters are OK, but not a fix for a starting problem. They'll help a little with an otherwise healthy system, but aren't a fix. Your truck should start reasonably well at ~20°. You could have timing or glow plug issues you aren't aware of. Something as simple as a bad fuel filler cap can cause problems in the cold (tank content contraction causes vacuum if it isn't vented).

A fuel fired block heater will heat everything under the hood, to some degree, including the batteries. If you are seriously looking for a heater solution, the fuel fired heater is the answer. Not only that, it will also heat the cab while it's operating. A nice feature when it's really cold.

[Robyn]

The glow system is a good place to start BUTTTTTT dont forget the injectors. A set of injectors that are on the way out will work fine for moderate temp starts and once the engine is warm they will run fine (or at least seem to)

In the cold you need a set of squirts that are working their best. The pop pressure needs to be right at its peak and the spray pattern needs to be a nice fine mist cone rather than a pee stream that sort of slops all over.

Good cranking RPM is a must and a starter thats in good order and good batteries and cables will do this for you.

Personally I would be spending my $$$ on making the systems right as it will not only give you top quality starts but also better power and mileage too. So you can possibly kill two birds with one stone.

Good luck

Robyn