MiHG 10 Prius Block Heater Install, 2-10-07

[Bradlee]

TWO GUYS and TEN BLOCK HEATERS, OUT TO SAVE THE EARTH

The Milwaukee Hybrid Group (MiHG) Will Hold It’s Second Prius Block Heater Group Install This Saturday in Pewaukee

Pewaukee, Wis. – This Saturday around 9am, people will be wondering what is happening to their Kopmeier Drive neighborhood. There will be as many as 10 Toyota Prius hybrids in the street and around the garage of Bradlee and Justin Fons, founders of the Milwaukee Hybrid Group for a block heater group install. Ten MiHG members will be traveling from Madison, Beaver Dam, Belgium and Thiensville WI. and from Chicago and Tinley Park IL. to have new block heaters installed by two other MiHG members. This will be the second such event offered by the MiHG to its members. The first occurred on Sat. Dec 17th in Oak Creek WI. when 5 Prius had block heaters installed in about 2 1/2 hours hours. This time, MiHG members intend on getting this done by 1pm: 10 heaters in 10 cars in 4 hours.

Most MiHG members believe that block heaters are an energy efficient means of improving cold start fuel mileage and lowering greenhouse emissions. National Resources Canada estimates that winter fuel economy can improve as much as 10% with a block heater. Environmental Services of Anchorage, Alaska states that a block heater can reduce cold start CO emissions by an average of 60%. In addition a block heater can give you more heat quicker than in a vehicle without one. Block heaters can also reduce engine wear and promote cold weather starting all for about 30 cents a day (with a timer set for 3 hours).

Though MiHG members are always looking for ways to improve mileage and lowering emissions, block heaters are as effective in any vehicle hybrid or conventional. And the last benefit is that you will have heat in your vehicle within minutes after starting. Many will find that benefit alone well worth the investment.

For additional information on block heaters and other EcoDriving tips to better fuel economy, stop in at the Milwaukee Hybrid Group booth at the upcoming Milwaukee Auto Show. Look for our members in the hybrid green vests.

Bradlee Fons
brad@milwaukeehybridgroup.com

[FireEngineer]

This will be sooooo fun. If you have a block heater that needs to be installed come to Pewaukee. This is not limited to MiHG members, any Prius owner is welcome. I promise to take good care of your Prius.

Wayne

[Bradlee]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FireEngineer @ Feb 9 2007, 10:57 AM) [snapback]387421[/snapback]</div>

This will be sooooo fun. If you have a block heater that needs to be installed come to Pewaukee. This is not limited to MiHG members, any Prius owner is welcome. I promise to take good care of your Prius.

Wayne
[/b]

Well the boys did it. Though the temps outside were about 5 above zero, the temp may have been about 20 degrees inside, considering we had about 10 people huddling about and schmoozing while Wayne and his son Richard and Ken are trying to get some work done. They did 8 cars in about 4 hours! Wonderful camaraderie!

We started about 9:15am and were done by about 1pm. We talked our way of getting about 13 parking tickets because Pewaukee winter parking regs do not allow street parking. The officer was impressed with what we were doing, even if we parked our 3 Insights and 10 Prius illegally.

Members and friends bought Texas Chili and just about every flavor of Kringle made, in addition to good coffee and tea. Though nobody took advantage of it, maybe because they would have felt guilty that the boys were out in the cold, the movies "Inconvenient Truth" and Who Killed the Electric Car" were available to be seen.

Justin took several drivers out for some intense driver training while the boys worked their magic. Several grill blocks were also installed by members too. Members exchanged current mpg stats and additional tips on getting better mileage overall.

All and all it was a wonderful time to meet new friends and to talk shop. The real stars of this event were Wayne and Ken whose unselfish dedication to our members and our mission was spectacular. Thanks to Eric Powers for setting up this install from Madison. I thank all people who brought food and to my wife Marie who kept the members warm with sustenance and to Judy whose chili nourished us.

Wayne Mitchell and Ken Keuler you are the BEST.

Bradlee Fons

[usbseawolf2000]

I don't know much about the Block Heaters. I think I know how it works but want to know more about it.

It is an electric heater to keep the engine block warm right? So you'll need to plug it in? Does it draw the electricity all the time or does it has a timer? Say, I get up and drive to work at 8:00 AM in weekdays. Can I schedule it to start warming up at 7:55 AM? It would be a waste to have it plugged in overnight isn't it? Do owners plug it in right before they drive off?

Dennis

[cewert]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(usbseawolf2000 @ Feb 11 2007, 10:34 AM) [snapback]388437[/snapback]</div>

I don't know much about the Block Heaters. I think I know how it works but want to know more about it.

It is an electric heater to keep the engine block warm right? So you'll need to plug it in? Does it draw the electricity all the time or does it has a timer? Say, I get up and drive to work at 8:00 AM in weekdays. Can I schedule it to start warming up at 7:55 AM? It would be a waste to have it plugged in overnight isn't it? Do owners plug it in right before they drive off?

Dennis
[/b]

Yes, it is an electric heater that you plug in which will heat up the engine block before you drive. In cold weather, it will improve fuel efficiency (cold starts are inefficient), warm up the cabin faster and reduce wear and tear on the engine and reduce emissions. Usually, block heaters require 2 or 3 hours to fully heat the block. Most people put the heater on a programmable timer to turn on 3 hours before you leave (otherwise you are paying for several hours of wasted heating overnight.)

As far as fuel savings, it depends on how far you drive, but I think it almost always comes out ahead. Electricity here costs $0.10/kWh. The block heater draws (I believe) 350 watts, so 3 hours of heating will draw a total of 1.05 kWh = $0.10 to warm up the block. If I've done my math correctly, at $3/gallon all it has to do is save .03 gallons of gas to pay for the electricity. That should happen very quickly.

Search for "block heater" on this site and you will find all the info you ever wanted. I just purchased one from www.toyotadepot.com for $56 + shipping.

[thefortunes]

I was one of the mass of humanity in Bradlee's garage taking advantage of Ken's & Wayne's knowledge, patience, flexibility & willingness to give it their all (including some blood I found on my engine the next day).

To everyone involved - THANK YOU again!!!!!

I truly enjoyed the comraderie (even though it WAS very cold) and it was fun discussing other mods and ideas that we have "talked" about on PriusChat.

[dzucc]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bradlee @ Feb 11 2007, 10:01 AM) [snapback]388429[/snapback]</div>

Well the boys did it. Though the temps outside were about 5 above zero, the temp may have been about 20 degrees inside, considering we had about 10 people huddling about and schmoozing while Wayne and his son Richard and Ken are trying to get some work done. They did 8 cars in about 4 hours! Wonderful camaraderie!

We started about 9:15am and were done by about 1pm. We talked our way of getting about 13 parking tickets because Pewaukee winter parking regs do not allow street parking. The officer was impressed with what we were doing, even if we parked our 3 Insights and 10 Prius illegally.

Members and friends bought Texas Chili and just about every flavor of Kringle made, in addition to good coffee and tea. Though nobody took advantage of it, maybe because they would have felt guilty that the boys were out in the cold, the movies "Inconvenient Truth" and Who Killed the Electric Car" were available to be seen.

Justin took several drivers out for some intense driver training while the boys worked their magic. Several grill blocks were also installed by members too. Members exchanged current mpg stats and additional tips on getting better mileage overall.

All and all it was a wonderful time to meet new friends and to talk shop. The real stars of this event were Wayne and Ken whose unselfish dedication to our members and our mission was spectacular. Thanks to Eric Powers for setting up this install from Madison. I thank all people who brought food and to my wife Marie who kept the members warm with sustenance and to Judy whose chili nourished us.

Wayne Mitchell and Ken Keuler you are the BEST.

Bradlee Fons
[/b]

It was a great time had buy all, despite the bitter cold. Special thanks to Bradlee and Justin for their generous hospitality ( and heat), and to Wayne, his son and to Ken. You guys gave more than your all. Ken, a few skin grafts and you'll be fine.
Thanks again!

[FireEngineer]

Has anyone seen the blood and forearm hair(don't ask, the wife noticed it) I lost? 16 installs and counting.

It was another fun time getting those block heaters installed. Also great to see and meet some more Prius owners. Please use those heaters and block up your upper and lower grill to get the full benefit.

Thanks to a little trick Ken showed me, I now can do '06-'07's in 30 minutes or less despite the additional spoiler lip.

Again anyone needing to get a block heater installed in the Chicago Tri-state area just let me know.

Wayne

[dzucc]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FireEngineer @ Feb 13 2007, 09:16 AM) [snapback]389454[/snapback]</div>

Has anyone seen the blood and forearm hair(don't ask, the wife noticed it) I lost? 16 installs and counting.

It was another fun time getting those block heaters installed. Also great to see and meet some more Prius owners. Please use those heaters and block up your upper and lower grill to get the full benefit.

Thanks to a little trick Ken showed me, I now can do '06-'07's in 30 minutes or less despite the additional spoiler lip.

Again anyone needing to get a block heater installed in the Chicago Tri-state area just let me know.

Wayne
[/b]

Wayne,
I tried your little trick with the weather stripping around te light and front grill. Great tip! Thanks again for the help last Saturday.