Block Heater - How's this for a crazy idea?

[Spindrift]

Assuming strong batteries, what's the likelihood that I could run my block heater off my inverter and still have enough juice left to fire off the engine; say 1 hour of warm-up, 2 hours? I have no idea what the block heater draws.

[DmaxMaverick]

600 to 1000 watts for an hour would kill your batteries. They probably wouldn't even come back. At that rate, they probably wouldn't last 15 minutes, assuming your batteries are tip-top.

The only remote option you have is a fuel fired type heater, like Espar. Even it uses a little juice to run a circulation pump, and HVAC, if you enable it. They are expensive, but work as advertised. Talk to Greg Landuyt (lubespecialist.com or lubricationspecialist.com) about that stuff. He uses and sell Espar engine heaters.

Added on edit:
You could also install a remote starter system with the on/off timer feature. The engine will start itself when the temps get to a set temp, and cycle on/off as needed to keep the engine warm. They are much less expensive than the heaters.

[Spindrift]

I didn't realize they needed so much electricalcity to operate. Oh well, so much for thinkin' that late in the day.

[moondoggie]

Good Day!

Yeah, it's pretty disappointing, but that's how it goes. Assumptions: 600W/110V tank heater, 85% efficient inverter, battery voltage = 12V. Rough numbers: The inverter would draw ~ 59 amps from the 12V battery(s). If run off a separate deep cycle battery, it would still flatten a 100 amp/hour battery in ~ 1.7 hours. If you used your cranking batteries, they might last a little longer (because there are two of them), but it would hurt them to draw them down so far.

Then you have another problem: How you gonna recharge the deep cycle battery? You've gotta pack that energy back into the battery during the next trip, or your're going backwards. If you add up the winter-type loads on your alternator (rear window defroster, fan on high, etc.), that ~ 100 amp alternator is using a considerable portion of its capacity just running the truck, PLUS it has to recharge the cranking batteries. If you've only got 25 amps of alternator capacity left (after powering the truck) to charge the deep cycle battery, your trip would have to be ~ 2.4 hours long for each hour of powering the frost plug heater, just to recharge the deep cycle. :(

If anyone wants to post a site that sells the keep-warm mentioned, that would be nice. :D

By the way, I don't consider ANY ideas crazy, they just need to be checked out.

Blessings!

Brian Johnson, #5044

[eracers999]

Remember the commercial for clark gasoline that showed the guy hauling his garage behind his car.

Late 60's early 70's if i remember right. tongue.gif
Kent

[Dvldog 8793]

Howdy
I worked for Motorola about 10 years ago and we used to install these on transport vans for the railroad. These guys could be sitting in the middle of nowhere waiting for a train and these were the ticket. no plug in and always a warm truck. The only problem that we ever had was a truck ran out of gas in the parking lot after being left for a week. Hopefully they have corrected that!

Ready Start can be programmed to automatically start your vehicle at the same time the next day, at low temperature, or at low battery voltage. Never come back to a dead battery again!

http://www.designtech-intl.com:8080/merchant.ihtml?pid=162&lastcatid=18&step=4

[markrinker]

I wondered if you could do the same thing, then did the math. Kinda like trying to vaccuum up your vaccuum, or going flying by grabbing the seat of your own pants...

For about $400 you can buy a lightweight and compact generator to both power your block heater and top off the batteries. I have been using one extensively this winter to warm trucks and skidsteers.

Each 1/2 gallon tank of gas (4-stroke, no oil mixing) yields ~4 hours of run time, just enough to warm up the truck. Not bad for a buck's worth of fuel!!!

[CareyWeber]

Originally posted by Spindrift:
Assuming strong batteries, what's the likelihood that I could run my block heater off my inverter and still have enough juice left to fire off the engine; say 1 hour of warm-up, 2 hours? I have no idea what the block heater draws. Spindrift,

Espar diesel engine heaters are the best thing for what you are wanting to do. They can be programed and they only use small amounts of 12 volt electricity. Greg carries them, but they're $$$$$$.

Webasco (doubt it's spelled right) is another brand too.

Carey

[Spindrift]

Mark,

It was your generator post a month or so ago that got me started to thinkin' 'bout another option.

[moondoggie]

Good Day!

Dvldog 8793: Thanks!

Brian Johnson, #5044