My Engine Block Heater install

[Rangerdavid]

Just as proof of the increased mileage since my EBH install, here's a photo from this morning when I went to fill
'er up. as you can see, 494 miles, 50.4 mpg. Not bad at all for mountain driving in the winter time........

(forgive the fingerprints, those potato chips were a bit greasy!! :-))

[edwede]

ok. I give. I looked around on the internet and asked my dealer. Finally, I found it is only sold in Canada. I guess there isn't a group buy going on, so where can I buy one?

[JimboK]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusmon @ Mar 13 2007, 02:22 PM) [snapback]404933[/snapback]</div>

ok. I give. I looked around on the internet and asked my dealer. Finally, I found it is only sold in Canada. I guess there isn't a group buy going on, so where can I buy one? [/b]

www.metrotpn.com

[PriusRos]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ Mar 12 2007, 08:09 PM) [snapback]404489[/snapback]</div>

Pretty simple: It warms your engine block to substantially higher-than-ambient temperatures. The Prius' fuel economy is better with a warm engine than cold, so the idea is to boost MPG, especially for short drives where FE is at its worst..

As previously mentioned, there is a hole drilled in the engine block from the factory that's designed for the heater. The heater is installed into that hole, and a power cable with a standard 110V AC plug on the other end is routed through the engine compartment to be accessible from the outside, most often through the lower grill I would guess (which is where mine is). The plug is plugged into an extension cord which is then plugged into any household AC jack. In my case, I have it plugged into a outdoor jack through an outdoor Intermatic timer set to turn on about 3 hours before I leave home.
[/b]

Thanks for the explanation. So, that means you have to plug it in every day.

What is your mileage in the first 5 & 10 minutes of driving using the EBH compared to without the EBH?

[JimboK]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusRos @ Mar 13 2007, 06:48 PM) [snapback]405030[/snapback]</div>

What is your mileage in the first 5 & 10 minutes of driving using the EBH compared to without the EBH?
[/b]

My morning commutes have been ranging from 30-45 MPG, depending on my starting point, for the first 5 minutes. Pre-EBH, they were in the 20-30 MPG range. I haven't paid much attention to the difference in the second 5-minute segment, because it's in the first segment that I'm mainly interested in the direct effect on MPG. After that it is more meaningful to me that I can get the car into ICE-off glides within the first 5 minutes. That means for the second segment (and beyond) I can take full advantage of pulse & glide to the extent traffic and terrain allow.

A combination of the EBH, warmer morning temps (44F), and some luck with traffic produced by far the best commute on this morning's route I've ever experienced: 72.6 MPG over 11.4 miles.

[PriusRos]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ Mar 13 2007, 06:50 PM) [snapback]405062[/snapback]</div>

My morning commutes have been ranging from 30-45 MPG, depending on my starting point, for the first 5 minutes. Pre-EBH, they were in the 20-30 MPG range. I haven't paid much attention to the difference in the second 5-minute segment, because it's in the first segment that I'm mainly interested in the direct effect on MPG. After that it is more meaningful to me that I can get the car into ICE-off glides within the first 5 minutes. That means for the second segment (and beyond) I can take full advantage of pulse & glide to the extent traffic and terrain allow.

A combination of the EBH, warmer morning temps (44F), and some luck with traffic produced by far the best commute on this morning's route I've ever experienced: 72.6 MPG over 11.4 miles.
[/b]

That's a pretty good improvement. In the cold weather, I usually am getting under 20 mpg for the first 5 minutes and maybe 25 in the next. One of the problems is that much of the first 5-10 minutes is spent waiting at lights or stop signs.

[NoMoShocks]

FireEngineer, would you consider helping a Safety Engineer install an engine block heater if you ever happens to be anywhere near Camas, WA? I have been wondering if you simulate wharehouse fires and burn through doors north of Chicago?

Actually, it rerely gets below 30 degrees here, but after hearing that blocking the grill can help increase mileage even when it is as warm as 50, I toy with the idea of using a block heater. Next winter, I will feel more comfortable trying the grill blocking because I will have the ScanGuage II. I am very acustomed to blocking vents on all sorts of things, but not without monitoring the temperatures.

[Rangerdavid]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusRos @ Mar 13 2007, 06:48 PM) [snapback]405030[/snapback]</div>

What is your mileage in the first 5 & 10 minutes of driving using the EBH compared to without the EBH?
[/b]

I'm with Jimbok on this one as well, my first bar has gone up from 20-25 to 35-45. The second 5 minute bar is generally up to 40-55 depending on traffic and terrain. A substantial increase in my book, which has obviously improved the overall mileage substantially for my winter driving.

It really makes me

[JimboK]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusRos @ Mar 13 2007, 11:15 PM) [snapback]405147[/snapback]</div>

One of the problems is that much of the first 5-10 minutes is spent waiting at lights or stop signs. [/b]

In DeeCee? Say it ain't so!

Yeah, frequent stops during those first few minutes are killers. A block heater would help you a lot, I would think.

Off-topic: My fiancee and I are headed your way this weekend to visit the zoo. Order up some good weather for us, would you?

[FireEngineer]

Camas, WA! Mmmmmmmmm, kids spring break coming up, tempting. And no, I don't work at the Lab north of Chicago although I will be going there for a seminar Thursday.

This morning outside temp was 58F, my grill still fully blocked, starting engine temp was 125F. Was up to 157F within 1/2 mile of driving. First 5 minute bar was 62.9MPG according to the ScanGauge II. Ended my 17 mile commute, all city streets-average speed 21 MPH, max speed 40MPH, max engine temp 198F, max RPM 2060, at 71.1MPG. The block heater works year round, you'll hit Stage 4 before you can settle in.

Wayne