So I figured out how to install my block heater

[efusco]

Originally posted by tripp@Nov 29 2005, 08:25 PM
Just ordered my block heater last night. I think that I'm going to try to install it from the top since I don't have any safe way of getting the car high enough off the ground. I'm sure I'll be consulting this thread quite often right up to and during the installation. After that perhaps a radiator block. Depends I suppose on how effective the block heater is at improving the MPG. I have a short commute (about 5 miles/15 minutes) and I've noticed a pretty substantial drop in the 1st 5 minute block on the consumption screen when it's cold out. It hasn't gotten really cold but morning temps are in the high 20s and low 30s.

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Dude, you're gonna love the block heater with that short commute! I have just documented a 55mpg 1340 mile month of NOVEMBER! That just blows away any previous Novembers I have on record (2 others). I give ALL the credit to the EBH--with it I see 50-60mpg first 5 minute bars. When I can't plug in (tonight at a party for 3 hours) I felt lucky to get 35mpg the first 5 minutes.

[jayman]

Originally posted by efusco@Nov 26 2005, 11:48 PM
I plugged in the other day at work but the outlet turned out to be 'dead'...man did I notice a difference! 

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I've learned that the hard way while on the road for work and staying at motels. I eventually got a little plug-in outlet checker.

You may want to consider those commerical electrical cords with lighted ends. I think it's a small neon bulb inside. As soon as you plug the cord in, both ends light up and you immediately know the outlet is live.

They are a bit pricey though.

[tripp]

Originally posted by efusco@Nov 29 2005, 10:23 PM
Dude, you're gonna love the block heater with that short commute!  I have just documented a 55mpg 1340 mile month of NOVEMBER!  That just blows away any previous Novembers I have on record (2 others).  I give ALL the credit to the EBH--with it I see 50-60mpg first 5 minute bars.  When I can't plug in (tonight at a party for 3 hours) I felt lucky to get 35mpg the first 5 minutes.

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Sweet. Yeah, this last week we've had a cold snap and I'm seeing 25-35 MPG in the first 5 minutes. It's usually 50-75 MPG the second 5. That's just a function of traffic lights and lady luck.

[oly_57mpg]

Originally posted by tripp@Nov 30 2005, 02:21 PM
Sweet. Yeah, this last week we've had a cold snap and I'm seeing 25-35 MPG in the first 5 minutes. It's usually 50-75 MPG the second 5. That's just a function of traffic lights and lady luck.

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It's been getting really cold here at night and I've been using the block heater almost every day.
On the days that I use the block heater, I usually average about 30-40 MPG within the first 5 mins and greater than 50 MPG there after.
On the days that I have forgotten to use the block heater, I usually average 15-25 MPG within the first 5 min, 25-45 MPG in the 10 minute range, and finally 50+ MPG in the 15 minute range.

The other added benifit to the block heater is the cabin warms up _much_ faster than normal.

I'm getting my watt-meter connected to it tomorrow tonight to see what it draws right after the car was driven and then what it draws over night.

EDIT: I forgot the watt-meter at work, again, so I'll get those readings tomorrow night.

[tripp]

Originally posted by oly_57mpg@Nov 30 2005, 07:13 PM
I'm getting my watt-meter connected to it tonight to see what it draws right after the car was driven and then what it draws over night.

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Cool. I'll be interested to hear what you have to say on that subject. I was assuming that I'd also get a timer to control the EBH.

[KMO]

Does anyone know if a 230V version of this heater is available for Europe? Presumably it must be offered in Finland etc...?

[jayman]

Originally posted by KMO@Dec 1 2005, 06:37 PM
Does anyone know if a 230V version of this heater is available for Europe? Presumably it must be offered in Finland etc...?

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Apparently, DEFA of Norway offers one. I'm unsure of the mains configuration, more than likely it ships with a bare end cord and you have to supply the proper mains plug.

http://www.defa.net/heating.php3?lang=

[oly_57mpg]

Originally posted by tripp@Nov 30 2005, 10:59 PM
Cool. I'll be interested to hear what you have to say on that subject. I was assuming that I'd also get a timer to control the EBH.

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OK!
The Wattmeter is connected. It doesn't seem to matter what the engine temperature is... the EBH draws 408-412 Watts.

The ambient temperature was 0.6 C. A DS2438 was used to capture the temperature.

Here's the Wattmeter that I used:
Smart-Watt
It was calibrated to the Radian Watt hour Standard -> %0.01 error. The Smart-Watt is no more than 0.5% inaccurate.

[tripp]

Originally posted by oly_57mpg@Dec 1 2005, 09:08 PM
OK!
The Wattmeter is connected.  It doesn't seem to matter what the engine temperature is... the EBH draws 408-412 Watts.

Very cool. Thx for the data. Now the question is how often will it run. I assume that it shuts off when the engine reaches 47 deg C (isn't that the target temp). The other interesting thing would be for a given OAT how long does it take for the engine to reach the target temp.

[tripp]

That smart watt device is cool. Checked out the web site. I didn't see any pricing there. What does one of those guys cost? So do you have a wireless hub or router in your garage?