So I figured out how to install my block heater

[Frank Hudon]

Ken1784 what do you pay per kilowatt of electricity in Japan.

[kenkneeb]

Originally posted by Frank Hudon@Nov 3 2005, 07:15 PM
from the top you will have to remove the relay box for sure, and having little arms will help a lot. After finding the hole where it goes into, take the heater and coat with silcone grease put it down back and slide into the hole and clip it in. Then hook up the cable and snake it out to the front of the engine compartment. A long tall skinny kid would be an asset. Mind you most are no where to be seen when needed.
Edited: note that working on the ICE when it's cold is a definate advantage as well

[snapback]150273[/snapback]

Thanks Frank:

Is it your thinking that only the relay box needs to be moved out of the way? I believe I remember you put yours in from the bottom, yes? Anybody else do the top down approach and were you successful at it? Also, if you were successful, can you itemize your 'things re/moved".

Please Advise.

Thanks again to all,

Ken

[Frank Hudon]

Originally posted by kenkneeb@Nov 3 2005, 04:39 PM
Thanks Frank:

Is it your thinking that only the relay box needs to be moved out of the way?  I believe I remember you put yours in from the bottom, yes?  Anybody else do the top down approach and were you successful at it?  Also, if you were successful, can you itemize your 'things re/moved".

Please Advise.

Thanks again to all,

Ken

[snapback]150281[/snapback]

remember mine is on the 2k3 but looking at the 2k4 I think if you removed the relay box (unbolted it and set to the side) lay down on the ICE with your head towards the drivers side and slide your whole arm under the cowl and drop your forearm down and then feel for the gap between the ICE and MG1 housing and when you feel the round part that would be the bell housing on a normal engine feel on the back of the block at the firewall side of the ICE and you should find the hole. Cold engine only as the exhaust manifold is right there.

[kenkneeb]

Originally posted by Frank Hudon@Nov 3 2005, 07:49 PM
remember mine is on the 2k3 but looking at the 2k4 I think if you removed the relay box (unbolted it and set to the side) lay down on the ICE with your head towards the drivers side and slide your whole arm under the cowl and drop your forearm down and then  feel for the gap between the ICE and MG1 housing and when you feel the round part that would be the bell housing on a normal engine feel on the back of the block at the firewall side of the ICE and you should find the hole. Cold engine only as the exhaust manifold is right there.

[snapback]150284[/snapback]

Ouch, Right You Are.

I'll see which way seems most feasible having had to drive the car to the lift I'm going to use. Perhaps I'll grab a cup of coffee and let the vehicle lose some heat before 'diving in'.

Thanks again for the review. I'll post my experiences. BTW, I've got an '05.

Ken

[ken1784]

Originally posted by Frank Hudon@Nov 4 2005, 09:20 AM
Ken1784 what do you pay per kilowatt of electricity in Japan.

[snapback]150274[/snapback]

Frank,

Following is our data...
http://www.tepco.co.jp/e-rates/index-j.html

=== Standard menu ========================
base fee__1,092 yen/month (my case:40A)
__0-120kWh__15.5610 yen/kWh
120-300kWh__20.6430 yen/kWh
300kWh-_____22.1865 yen/kWh

=== Special menu-A =======================
base fee__1,260 yen/month (up to 6KVA)
__0- 90kWh__19.7925 yen/kWh (07:00-23:00)
90-230kWh__26.2500 yen/kWh (07:00-23:00)
230kWh-_____28.1925 yen/kWh (07:00-23:00)
nighttime___ 6.3525 yen/kWh (23:00-07:00)

=== Special menu-B =======================
base fee__1,260 yen/month (up to 6KVA)
daytime(summer)__31.9200 yen/kWh (10:00-17:00)
daytime(other)___26.7225 yen/kWh (10:00-17:00)
morning/evening__21.4200 yen/kWh (07:00-10:00/17:00-23:00)
nighttime________ 6.3525 yen/kWh (23:00-07:00)

Ken@Japan

[efusco]

I figure that as 5.4 cents/kwh at night--the main time you'd be using the EBH.

[Frank Hudon]

so I take this to mean you pay a base rate of 1092 yen then say if you use and additonal 200Kw you would pay 1867.23 for the first 150Kw and 1651.44 for the next 80Kw. is that correct?
just looking at my bill, charge for 62 days
base charge @.11930 per day
usage charge 1633kwh at.06050 per kwh
then some tax $11.57
total bill $117.77 for 2 months.

so my take is for 816.5Kwh, my one month useage you'd pay
base 1092
1867.32 for the next 120kwh
3715.74for the next 180kwh
11,495.32 for the rest
total 18170.38 yen
converted to CDN$ 182.85
is this correct?

[ken1784]

Originally posted by Frank Hudon@Nov 4 2005, 12:39 PM
so I take this to mean you pay a base rate of 1092 yen then say if you use and additonal 200Kw you would pay 1867.23 for the first 150Kw and 1651.44 for the next 80Kw. is that correct?

Yes.

just looking at my bill, charge for 62 days
base charge @.11930 per day
usage charge 1633kwh at.06050 per kwh
then some tax $11.57
total bill $117.77 for 2 months.

so my take is for 816.5Kwh, my one month useage you'd pay
base 1092
1867.32 for the next 120kwh
3715.74for the next 180kwh
11,495.32 for the rest
total 18170.38 yen
converted to CDN$ 182.85
is this correct?

[snapback]150345[/snapback]

I think the 300kWh over part is 516.5 X 22.1865 = 11,459.33
Then, total is 18,134.39 yen.
(Just a small correction. )

Ken@Japan

[dreichla]

Originally posted by kenkneeb@Nov 3 2005, 08:08 PM
My recommendations . . .
I'm sure coming down from the top is the correct way - but I felt unsure of myself to start dismantling things in order to gain access.

dreichla, love the sentiment and the articulation of angst and satisfaction you painfully achieved at the end of the 'block heater tunnel'.  My day of reckoning is tomorrow...

One question, when you mentioned:

'I'm sure coming down from the top is the correct way - but I felt unsure of myself to start dismantling things in order to gain access."

were you refering to the attempt at installing the block heater from the top of the engine compartment?  That's what the tech at ToyotaDepot in Langley BC mentioned to Steve, the parts guy, when I asked for any tips or tricks for the install.  Steve didn't mention and I didn't know to ask whether or not "Dismantling Things" were required in order to gain access for the 'top down' approach.  But after looking in the engine compartment, OYE, sure seems like "Somethins Got To Go!"

Please advise as I am bringing my Prius in tomorrow to have my tire guy put it up on his lift so that I can hopefully snake the block heater into its tubular resting place.

Thanks,

All the best,

Ken

[snapback]150270[/snapback]

Yes, but as I've learned from past experience, sometimes the things I take apart don't exactly go back that way.

I tried to fix my camcorder a while back and, well - let's just say I'm not taking any video anymore.

I stuck a bright colored marker flag up from the bottom to the point where the heater was to be inserted, and then looked down from the top. There's a lot of stuff in the way, but without it, it might be easier. Maybe just a few bolts, cowlings, hoses, etc. are easily removed, but not by this master puzzle builder.

[jayman]

Originally posted by Frank Hudon@Nov 3 2005, 10:39 PM
base charge @.11930 per day
usage charge 1633kwh at.06050 per kwh
then some tax $11.57
total bill $117.77 for 2 months.

[snapback]150345[/snapback]

Hi Frank:

Manitoba Hydro now charges 5.8 cents per kwh for the first 175 kwh, then 5.6 cents for the remainder. The monthly service charge is $6.50 and there is tax on top of it.

jay