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Block heater has died

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Dark_matter_doesn't, Oct 20, 2014.

  1. Dark_matter_doesn't

    Dark_matter_doesn't Prius Tinkerer

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    Infinite resistance, doesn't draw current. It's been installed for a few years. It was a Toyota of Canada part.

    Anyone else have theirs die? Is this to be expected?
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    We've used ours a lot, virtually every first start of the day. Not driving the car every day, maybe every other day now.

    Block heater still fine, though I did drag the plug down the road one time, ground it half off. Spliced in a replacement, no further problems. Could it be a problem with the plug, or the last few feet of the cord?

    Not sure how you test this without cutting a foot or two off. Maybe with a pin probe through the insulation? Resistance should be in range of 30~40 ohm I think, when it's good.
     
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  3. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

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    The cord went bad on my Gen2's EBH after just 1.5 winters, had an open. Worth a shot to rule out, if you were measuring at the cord vs. at the block heater prongs itself.
     
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  4. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

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    So yall do have Plug-ins.
     
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  5. Dark_matter_doesn't

    Dark_matter_doesn't Prius Tinkerer

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    Thanks for the cord check ideas. I don't recall seeing any reports here of block heater failures.
     
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I recall someone visiting Alberta from southern US, and the locals had him half-convinced that plugins were big there: pretty much every driveway sported a vehicle with an extension cord running out to it. ;)

    I'm in lower mainland BC..., we saw someone SWIMMING at kits beach day before yesterday. I get some puzzled looks over block heater use year 'round.
     
  7. Dark_matter_doesn't

    Dark_matter_doesn't Prius Tinkerer

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    It was the plug. I used sharp probes to poke thru the cable insulation to determine this, plus that the heater is still 35 ohms resistance. I put a new plug on the cable, then discovered that my 110 VAC timer has a ridge that blocks the larger body of the new plug. Damn. Now I have a short extension cord connecting the heater to the timer.

    I do have a "plug-in" Prius, but the energy charge is in the form of heat, not electricity.
     
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