My Engine Block Heater install

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?

 

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

www.metrotpn.com

 

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

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?

 

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

 

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

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.

 

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.

 

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

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?

 

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

 

ok. I bought the EBH. I consider my fairly tech inclined but dang, they made it hard to install. Are there any group meets in Chicago on the weekend I could get some help installing this thing.

 

Were you looking for something like this Chicago Prius Group Meet on Sunday the 25th. If you come I will install it, my ramps are still in the car from the last one I did. Parking lots work very well for this, only takes 20-30 minutes.

Wayne

 

19 now, looks like it will be awhile since the warm weather is coming.

Wayne

 

Is the block heater still justifiable if you have a heated garage? My garage
stays about 50 degrees in the winter(southern Wisconsin) yet my first 5 minute
bars are lower then in the summer.
Anybody doing block heater installs at Hybridfest in Madison?

Ted

 

Will it help you..yes.

What time do you want your heater installed at Hybridfest, Sunday morning at the owners informal tech event OK? Friday evening right before the ice cream social? Saturday in the middle of the fairgrounds, we could have the public countdown the time!

Wayne

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TedT @ Mar 27 2007, 02:37 PM) [snapback]413167[/snapback]</div>

Look at it this way. I get the engine temperature up to over 100F almost any time of the year with the block heater. That's a definite improvement over a 50F garage temperature. I suspect it would be some advantage almost any time of the year.

Dave M.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ Mar 14 2007, 07:40 AM) [snapback]405274[/snapback]</div>

Sorry, I somehow missed your post. I hope the weather was good and your trip to the zoo went well. Did you see Tai Shan?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusRos @ Mar 28 2007, 05:10 PM) [snapback]413766[/snapback]</div>

Thanks, it went well, though it was cold: temps in the 30s with a brisk northerly wind. Is Tai Shan the baby panda? If so, yes we did, ever so briefly. He (she?) seemed rather bashful, whereas Mom and Dad had no problems showing off their bamboo-eating skills.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ Mar 28 2007, 08:14 PM) [snapback]413859[/snapback]</div>

I just purchased an EBH from the above referenced site. I called my dealership and they told me $160 installed, I purchased the item for i think it was $49 from that site.

My question is, would it be very difficult for me to install myself? Or should I just let the dealer install it?