Block heater with break-away magnetic connector

[Ari]

I've been wanting to install an EBH and also rig a magnetic plug. I'm sure most people are content to just plug in their EBH and then unplug it in the morning, but I would like to simplify things a little and be able to drive away without having to remove the cable. A magnetic plug would allow me to forget about the power cable in the mornings. I could have the system on a timer so it's not always burning power but I would otherwise leave it plugged in.

At home I have a deep fryer and it has a 110V magnetic plug that will probably deliver 15 Amps. It's a safety device that reduces the chance of a kid tripping over the wire and pulling the fryer down from a countertop. That connector would be ideal for this EBH application! However, the spare parts available for these fryers only include the cable itself, not the other half of the connector:

http://www.theconsumerlink.com/TFal/detail...SS%2D983927/100

Anyone know of a source for similar magnetic plugs? It's also the same idea as the cable on Mac laptops, only bigger. I've searched online and come up with nothing except fryer parts, but there would be many uses for a plug like this.

Thanks!

[efusco]

I don't, but I'd be interested if you find something.

[a priori]

Just to clarify: The break-away would attach to the male plug at the car's grill?

[efusco]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(a priori @ Oct 15 2007, 08:42 PM) [snapback]526118[/snapback]</div>

Just to clarify: The break-away would attach to the male plug at the car's grill? [/b]

I think you'd have to replace the male end with a separate piece made to mate with the female side. You'd probably have to modify your extension cord as well.

[hobbit]

wow, I wasn't even aware that breakaway plugs were available for
120vac rather than just safe low-voltage. If you figure out who
makes it for the fryers, please post it. Hmm, maybe some running
around at the hubbell and eagle and leviton sites might turn up
something..
.
_H*

[jbeletti]

Ari,

Were you able to find out any more about the potential of creating a magnetic breakaway cord or connector for the Prius EBH?

A week ago, my neighbor showed me his magnetic breakaway cord on his fondue pot. I was intrigued for sure

Since then, I too have been researching various sorts of breakaway cords. I looked at more mechanical methods first. But I am fearful of the pulling force required for them and what that sort of stress does to the conductors. Even with a fixed receptacle under the bumper (vs. a dangling cord).

Found some nasty truck fires where the fire investigation suggested that the cause may have been related to stressed insulation and/or the wire itself within the cords.

I am just trying to prevent the inevitable when I back out of the garage after forgetting to unplug

Jim

[Northbend08]

The fire service uses outlets (inlets?) that use a spring to eject the extension cord when the ignition is switched on. While more complex than a magnetic connection, the parts are available.

Here's one: Kussmaul Electronics Co., Inc. Super Auto Eject Data Sheet , though not a model I'm familiar with. The linked page says it is wired to the starter circuit, but the ones I've used are linked to the ignition, and you can hear the cord spring out of the ejector and strike the floor (or wall).

[jbeletti]

Thanks for the link. Great products at Kussmaul. Not sure I'd want that big receptacle on my Prius but I may put one on my truck for a battery tender. I have a truck that sits 95% of the time and is used for towing an RV only. I could put one of those in the rear bumber (diamond plate aluminum and large enough).

But I really like that auto-eject feature and will continue to research this. Not sure if anyone has seen the inside of their front bumper for any reason (crash repair etc). Wondering if it's packed with sensors for air bag deployment of if one of those receptacles could be put in from the back-side, say behind a hinged license plate bracket???

I realize that this talk is sort of the "lazy man's way out" but it can also be a safety consideration on that one day a year I leave the house "stupid" for some reason.

Jim

[oly_57mpg]

Originally Posted by Ari

I've been wanting to install an EBH and also rig a magnetic plug.

Not to worry, eventually, one of the plugs going to the EBH will pull free. I've driven off [to work] and forgot to unplug the EBH a few times. Either the NEMA 5-15 plug from the car will pull out of the extension cord, or the extension cord will pull free from the outlet in the house!

Would you please measure the gap between your fry'ers magnetic plug? If it's 0.5 in, then that's a normal width for NEMA plugs. You could solder/glue some steel blades in a normal female plug and hope that the steel will hold the magnet in place... Or just allow the steel blades to bend out of the femal NEMA cord.

[Bob64]

Another possibility:

The tension of the car backing out will damage the wiring of the EBH before the plug lets go.