So I figured out how to install my block heater

kirbinster · 10-11-2005, 01:46 PM

OK, let me ask a stupid question. What does the metal part insert into in the car?

**efusco** · 10-11-2005, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kirbinster@Oct 11 2005, 11:46 AM
OK, let me ask a stupid question. What does the metal part insert into in the car?

[snapback]139532[/snapback]

Well, it is an "engine block heater. One might assume it inserts into the engine block! :P

Did you read the first post of the thread? The OP describes how/where the metal part goes fairly well.

I'm going to try to take some photos, if I can, when I install mine and either post a knowledge base article or start a thread with the photos.

Only reason I'm getting this is b/c I'm getting greedy with my gas mileage and just want to attenuate the winter hit as much as possible. I'll probably block my radiators a bit too--anyone got any good suggestions on a proceedure for that?

tomdeimos · 10-11-2005, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by efusco@Oct 11 2005, 01:35 PM
Well, it is an "engine block heater. One might assume it inserts into the engine block! :P

Did you read the first post of the thread? The OP describes how/where the metal part goes fairly well.

I'm going to try to take some photos, if I can, when I install mine and either post a knowledge base article or start a thread with the photos.

Only reason I'm getting this is b/c I'm getting greedy with my gas mileage and just want to attenuate the winter hit as much as possible. I'll probably block my radiators a bit too--anyone got any good suggestions on a proceedure for that?

[snapback]139565[/snapback]

I got indoor outdoor carpet squares from Home depot and put one on each half of the radiator.
You need to remove the plastic top cover, but it goes off and on easily with the little plastic fasteners.
Then you can slide the carpet in. They go in one side easier, and then you can drag one over.

I just leave them loose, so net effect is about 3/4 blockage max. This is for temps from -20 to +30 F Remove one if going high speeds or weather gets warm. Or just monitor temps carefully with a scan gauge etc.

tomdeimos · 10-16-2005, 10:30 PM

Thanks for all the tips on where to get these heaters, and how to find the block hole.
Sure helps to have skinny arms putting it in. Anyway got mine in today.

Temperature here 55 degrees today. I plugged in and took some scan gauge temp readings. Starting engine temp was 67 deg, I guess from driving up my ramps to
do the install.

Time 0 Engine at 0 deg F delta
2 min 6 deg
5 min 11 deg
10 min 16 deg
15 min 20 deg
20 min 24 deg
30 min 27 deg
45 min 33 deg
1 hr 22 min 42 deg

Based on this I'm thinking even 15 min warm time will help significantly for temps around 20 deg or so, 1 hour for temps to 0 deg and 2 hours for - 10 deg F.

Frank Hudon · 10-16-2005, 10:53 PM

I give it three hours on a timer and this takes the ICE temp to 115F, 47C. I've plugged it in over night sans timer and it gets to 47C so I can only assume that it is regulated with a thermocouple. The car will not go into S4 till 70C and that takes about 1/2 mile of side street driving. I don't worry about the cost as we pay 6.5 cents a kilowatt and the block heater that I have draws 3.2 amps which makes it about 360 watts maybe a bit higher as the line voltage tends to rise a bit late at night depending on how many go-op's are in the neighbourhood. The gas savings more than pay for it's use. On a Classic without the thermous. On a G2 probably less time but if it's regulated who cares it'll only take what it needs. I'd love to have a demand meter on that run just to see real K/W hr useage.

tomdeimos · 10-17-2005, 08:47 AM

Thanks Frank. That's great news. So the heater will work even better than what I measured in warm temps.

storm petrol · 10-17-2005, 10:25 PM

How does the temperature scanner work?

Is this readily obtainable, affordable technology?

Is it something that could easily be installed permanently or is there some better way to get a reliable, routine readout of the coolant temp?

Thanks,

storm petrol

Frank Hudon · 10-17-2005, 10:47 PM

I use Graham Davies MiniScanner in my Classic Prius. and I use a CANVIEW scanner in the 2k4 Prius.
The CANVIEW scanner is still under developement but it gives you RPM, Temp, BSOC, KW output from the ICE and MG2 along with recovery from braking, among other readouts from the buss on the car. If you search here on PC on CANVIEW it should give you more info. Be advised that a lot of the posts for it were lost in the crash.

storm petrol · 10-18-2005, 08:50 AM

Frank,

Thank you for the info.

I ran the search but the only result was your last post. I guess the others were lost.

Is this scanner something that you can use as routine instrumentation in the cabin? How does it hook up to the car to provide all this info?

Thanks again,

storm petrol

tomdeimos · 10-18-2005, 09:20 AM

And I use the scan gauge which you can find threads on here too. It is an inexpensive ugly box with readouts for up to 4 items, as well as some trip recording functions.

I use it to montor: Coolant temp, %Load, 12 volts voltage, and RPM. Only big thing missing is HV battery current.

10-16-2005, 10:53 PM	#15
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I give it three hours on a timer and this takes the ICE temp to 115F, 47C. I've plugged it in over night sans timer and it gets to 47C so I can only assume that it is regulated with a thermocouple. The car will not go into S4 till 70C and that takes about 1/2 mile of side street driving. I don't worry about the cost as we pay 6.5 cents a kilowatt and the block heater that I have draws 3.2 amps which makes it about 360 watts maybe a bit higher as the line voltage tends to rise a bit late at night depending on how many go-op's are in the neighbourhood. The gas savings more than pay for it's use. On a Classic without the thermous. On a G2 probably less time but if it's regulated who cares it'll only take what it needs. I'd love to have a demand meter on that run just to see real K/W hr useage. __________________ You can quote me on this, People who drive vehicles that idle at a traffic light, are idiots. mine 2k3 avg. 5.36 for 46,915Km Best tank 4.4L per 100K 64.2 Imperial 53.4 U.S. gallon, MiniScanner, SilverStars, block heater, winter lips, in as of Oct 15, out on April 25. In again on Sept. 21st. her's 2k4 "B" avg. 6.01 for 42,317 Km Best tank 4.02L per 100K, CAN-view with OBD11 module and flashloader, SilverStars, 06 Chrome grill bar, Michelin HydroEdge, upper and lower grill blocker,upper out as of April 7, lower out on April 28. In again on Sept 21st.

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10-11-2005, 01:46 PM	#11
kirbinster Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Morris County - New Jersey Posts: 575 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	OK, let me ask a stupid question. What does the metal part insert into in the car?

10-16-2005, 10:30 PM	#14
tomdeimos Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Lexington, MA Posts: 995 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Thanks for all the tips on where to get these heaters, and how to find the block hole. Sure helps to have skinny arms putting it in. Anyway got mine in today. Temperature here 55 degrees today. I plugged in and took some scan gauge temp readings. Starting engine temp was 67 deg, I guess from driving up my ramps to do the install. Time 0 Engine at 0 deg F delta 2 min 6 deg 5 min 11 deg 10 min 16 deg 15 min 20 deg 20 min 24 deg 30 min 27 deg 45 min 33 deg 1 hr 22 min 42 deg Based on this I'm thinking even 15 min warm time will help significantly for temps around 20 deg or so, 1 hour for temps to 0 deg and 2 hours for - 10 deg F.

10-17-2005, 08:47 AM	#16
tomdeimos Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Lexington, MA Posts: 995 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Thanks Frank. That's great news. So the heater will work even better than what I measured in warm temps.

10-17-2005, 10:25 PM	#17
storm petrol Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: 44 degrees, 42 minutes North; 73 degrees, 29 minutes West. Posts: 62 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	How does the temperature scanner work? Is this readily obtainable, affordable technology? Is it something that could easily be installed permanently or is there some better way to get a reliable, routine readout of the coolant temp? Thanks, storm petrol

10-17-2005, 10:47 PM	#18
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I use Graham Davies MiniScanner in my Classic Prius. and I use a CANVIEW scanner in the 2k4 Prius. The CANVIEW scanner is still under developement but it gives you RPM, Temp, BSOC, KW output from the ICE and MG2 along with recovery from braking, among other readouts from the buss on the car. If you search here on PC on CANVIEW it should give you more info. Be advised that a lot of the posts for it were lost in the crash.

10-18-2005, 08:50 AM	#19
storm petrol Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: 44 degrees, 42 minutes North; 73 degrees, 29 minutes West. Posts: 62 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Frank, Thank you for the info. I ran the search but the only result was your last post. I guess the others were lost. Is this scanner something that you can use as routine instrumentation in the cabin? How does it hook up to the car to provide all this info? Thanks again, storm petrol

10-18-2005, 09:20 AM	#20
tomdeimos Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Lexington, MA Posts: 995 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	And I use the scan gauge which you can find threads on here too. It is an inexpensive ugly box with readouts for up to 4 items, as well as some trip recording functions. I use it to montor: Coolant temp, %Load, 12 volts voltage, and RPM. Only big thing missing is HV battery current.