So I figured out how to install my block heater

[jayman]

Originally posted by Frank Hudon+Oct 16 2005, 09:53 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Frank Hudon @ Oct 16 2005, 09:53 PM)</div>

On average we're 1 cent a kwh cheaper. Yet folks still don't plug in till it gets to -20 C or colder. Strange.

If you have a DMM please measure the resistance of the heater. I'm guessing 30-35 ohms?

<!--QuoteBegin-Frank Hudon@Oct 16 2005, 09:53 PM
the line voltage tends to rise a bit late at night depending on how many go-op's are in the neighbourhood. .

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Oh you have that problem too?

jay

[tomdeimos]

I'm guessing I can use about 10 cents of electriciy per day to save 50 cents of gasoline.

I probably pay more than double the Canada pricing for electricity, but it is much warmer here too, so I'm expecitng I wonl't need quite as much heating time, more like 30 min to 1 hour.

Definitely seems to save even for temps like up to 50 degrees F, but this would depend on your warm up time like how fast you can go starting out, up hill or down. I spend a lot of warm up time at lights and car stays cold normally for over 10 minutes typically.

[Frank Hudon]

Originally posted by storm petrol@Oct 18 2005, 04:50 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

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small computer unit that fit's above the glove box and hooks up to the MFD and displays the data on the screen. It hooks up to the OBD11 connector under the dash to get the information from the car. Still in developement but getting close to release. I'd guess about an hour to install and your on your way learning about the Prius.

[Frank Hudon]

Originally posted by jayman@Oct 18 2005, 05:27 AM
On average we're 1 cent a kwh cheaper. Yet folks still don't plug in till it gets to -20 C or colder. Strange.
If you have a DMM please measure the resistance of the heater. I'm guessing 30-35 ohms?
Oh you have that problem too?

jay

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just checked it and with a warm engine block it measured 34 ohms. Best thing about my block heater was it was a dealer installed option and I got the car at dealer cost. Don't think they made much money off me. They and Toyota just wanted it out of inventory.

[hdrygas]

Well I did it!!! Installed today and I have to say my first time out was great. I gained much higher MPG graphs, all be it at mid day and 61 F. I was in full hybrid mode before I left my development!! We will see how it goes in the am. My only question is should I put the car on the time when I am on call and may have to rush in at night, or should I put it on the timer?

[Frank Hudon]

Originally posted by hdrygas@Oct 19 2005, 06:03 PM
Well I did it!!!  Installed today and I have to say my first time out was great.  I gained much higher MPG graphs,  all be it at mid day and 61 F.  I was in full hybrid mode before I left my development!!    We will see how it goes in the am.  My only question is should I put the car on the time when I am on call and may have to rush in at night, or should I put it on the timer?

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interesting question! your going to have to weigh the amount of times that your called out per time your on call. If it's only one time out of 10, I'd just plug it into the timer, and take your chances, if it's 8-9 times out of 10 I'd just plug it in. As it seems to regulate at about 47-48C means it has it's own thermostatic switch. So your never going to use 375-400 watts for 8-10 hours that it's plugged in. But I don't know how often it cycles on and off in an 8 hour period to say exactly how much current it's using. Other times I'd just plug it into the timer, starting about 3 hours before you normally go to work. Henry your turning into a Prius Geek!

[DanMan32]

Measuring a resistive heater when cold will always be less than when it's hot. Measuring it when it's cold is unreliable. What you can do is measure actual current (inductively or measurning the voltage drop across a known resistance in series), and the voltage across it, then using E=IR or R=E/R you can figure out the operating resistance.

[MNPrius]

Hi - Picking up my new Prius today. I'm wondering if a block heater is necessary? I've never had one for my "regular" cars - but I do live in MN. The car will be stored in a garage. Thanks for the information -- this website forum is AWESOME!

RMNPrius

[Frank Hudon]

Originally posted by MNPrius@Oct 20 2005, 09:56 AM
Hi - Picking up my new Prius today.  I'm wondering if a block heater is necessary?  I've never had one for my "regular" cars - but I do live in MN.  The car will be stored in a garage.  Thanks for the information -- this website forum is AWESOME!

RMNPrius

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welcome to the nut bar division of PriusChat were people keep their car engine warm to try and get the best mileage possible for the least amount of money spent. Were other wise a pretty normal bunch of people. If your garage is heated probably no real advantage to a block heater but if it's unheated and cold IE: 0F or below I'd investigate your electricty cost and start figuing out the difference in mileage that it can give you. If you do this you'll probably be in the Geek club pretty quickly.

[9G-man]

Originally posted by efusco@Oct 11 2005, 02:35 PM
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?

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Evan, wasn't there a thread on the old site about a guy in Japan that blocked most of his radiator to get better mileage. This would also possibly attenuate the ICE's need to run to provide heat for the heater in colder WX too. A coolant temperature would be ideal for knowing just how much to block. Im gonna search the old site.