Are such additions to the Prius popular in US?

What are they?? Power outlets of some kind?

 

I've never seen anything like it in US models.

 

Boy I bet the guys in Alaska and some of the northern states would like this.

 

I believe the block heaters are standard in Canada. There was a discussion awhile back. The question on whether to add one comes down to:

• Our residential rates are 12.9 cents/KWH. I think Frank determined he needed a 3 hour warm-up period so that would cost me 38.7 cents. Based on my last $1.969 fill up, I would have to save 0.2 gallons of gas in the first five minutes to break even with the electric cost alone. At winter's worst, my first 5 minutes were around 18 MPG so I'd have to get 21.6 MPG. Most of the winter my first five ran about 25 so I'd have to get 30.
  
  Of course, without doing it, I don't really know how much it will improve those first minutes.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dontcheff\";p=\"91647)</div>

2 1/2 hour on a timer is optimum for me. The Prius block heater is a 400 watt unit and we pay .0618 cent's Canadian a KW hr. so it costs me a little over 6 cents a day to use it to heat the ICE to a temp of 37-40C depending on OAT. And I want one of the plug covers like you have on your car!

 

Are these two heaters something you could order and have installed? If so where? I would not mind a warm cabin in the winter even if our climate here is not that severe. Having Bell all warmed up and ready to go would not be bad either!

 

The "block" heater used in Canadian Prius, and as far as that goes all block heaters in Canada and the United States, has a short cordset, usually under 1 metre long, that leads from the heater. You're supposed to snake this cordset outside the grille and then plug it into an extension cord.

As Frank mentioned, we only have a 400 watt block heater in Canada. Apparently, it isn't an immersion-style coolant heater but it actually bolts to the side of the block and heats part of the block.

Could you please tell us if your Scandinavian Prius uses a coolant heater, or a heater that warms the side of the motor block?

In temps down to -20 C, a 2 hour on time will probably be enough. From -20 C to -30 C, better leave it plugged in 3-4 hours. And any temp below -30 C, better leave it constantly plugged in. A strong wind will also necessitate longer plug in periods in "warmer" temps.

The cover in the front lower grille is very similar to the plug-in point used on commercial diesel-powered equipment and transport trucks, like Kenworth and Peterbilt. The same plug-in point is wired to power the coolant circulation heater, oil pan heater, and battery warmer.

It's much handier to just plug the female end of the extension cord into the socket, it's a much better electrical connection. A Canadian company that offers these for HD trucks has a few different styles:

http://www.phillipsandtemro.com/Files/CABP...ERDATASHEET.pdf

http://www.phillipsandtemro.com/pub_AppGuides.asp

If you look up our 1NZ-FE motor in their catalog, it tells you "contact dealer for appropriate product."

I personally don't use interior car warmers as I don't trust them. There were numerous car fires here last winter, especially during that month long -40 stretch, caused by the interior car warmer. Many were recalled from the Canadian market.

The best thing to ensure reliable cold starting and quick warmup / increased comfort is, in order of priority: coolant heater, battery warmer, and oil pan heater. It's best to have all three. Most batteries will freeze and go dead in temps colder than -43 C.

 

wow 1400 watt I'd love to get one of them. I could in 2 1/2 hours get it to 70C and S4 leaving the driveway at home. As it is most time's I'm in S4 about 1/2 mile from home. Jay have you seen the block heater plug cover on the Ford Expedition? the hole in the grill with the flip over cover. I had it priced and it's $127.86 my cost. Way to much for me. I'll check but the last time I looked at the Phillips/Temro plug cover it was almost $100 also. When I'm on holidays this fall I'm going junkyarding up in the interior and see if I can scrounge up one of the Ford units.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dontcheff\";p=\"91702)</div>

the Canadian block heater is a dealer installed option as well. Mine was on the car when I bought it and the price on the invoice is $150 installed.
I'm not familiar with Finland but is your electrical supply 220 volt 50 cycle or some other variation?

 

Frank:

Geez I haven't been to a Ford dealership in maybe 6 years. However, I did play around with the Ford Canada website. I didn't know you could get an Expedition with air suspension. I would really appreciate that over washboardy pavement and potholes!

I'll swing by a Ford dealer tomorrow and see if I can find an Expedition on the lot. There should be plenty of them due to the higher fuel prices. In the front grille you say?

I've seen such connectors in Industrial chemical plants. They're not watertite for washdown duty but are used to provide protection from light overspray.

I've had some experience with both Leviton and Hubbell products, but prefer Hubbell. At least their website is easier to use:

http://www.hubbell-wiring.com

http://www.hubbellcatalog.com/wiring/catal...es/Page-V21.pdf

http://www.hubbellcatalog.com/wiring/catal...es/Page-A23.pdf

Hope this helps. I'm sure you have access to large electrical distributors that may have on display the exact covered male plug you need.

Jay

 

Yes! thanks Jay that's just what I've been looking for. Now to chase it down but I doubt that'll be a problem. Thanks agian.

Yup in the grill just below the liscence plate mounting bracket.

 

Frank:

No problem, you may even have some of the Hubbell products at work.

I like how Hubbell has a small engineering draw beside the part number, clearly showing overall dimensions and mounting hole spacing. Sure makes rough-in a lot easier.

Jay

 

coolant heaters have the element inside the ICE block and the current Prius NA heater just sits on the metal of the outside of the block. Some coolant heaters are cut into the lower radiator hose and some are plumbed into the block drain and the outlet goes into the hose for the heater feed.

 

In Finland Prius uses Defa heater that warms the motor block from outside.

In Finland electricity is 230V/50 Hz just like in all northern Europe.

http://www.defa.com/finn_dok_h.php3?merke=...e=2&lang=&ndid=


http://www.defa.com