Surprised how much block heater helps starting diesel

[CalG]

A lot of the value of the low power charger is that it keeps the battery a little warmer. An increase in the temperature adds a lot of cranking power. I never have starting issues because I park everything inside buildings I keep above freezing. However, when I get sloppy and crank my John Deere without letting the glow plugs work, it starts but doesn't sound good at 40 deg F.

Back in the old days, some people, instead of adding block heaters to cars, would just bring the battery inside at night and put it back in when they wanted to start it in the morning.

I used to run a battery heater pad. Worked good on a fully charged battery. But with these modern battery tenders that display the battery state when hooked on, I can see the charge status. The dynamo just can't keep up with the winter time lack of day light.

 

[RustyA]

Had a Montana 5740C that I put two new frost plug heaters in an for some reason neither one worked, showed continuity but never heated the block. Installed a battery warming blanket and glue-on oil pan heater pad and wired them together on one plug. Between the 5W40 full syn being warm and battery being warm it started like a dream even at -20F

 

[goeduck]

If I ever buy another tractor I am going to do it in the winter and go to the lot on the coldest day that I can and test start it without glow plugs.

 

[LouNY]

Many of the tier 4 have beat you to the punch,
they start like my truck.
Turn the key to start then release it,
it will start cranking when it's ready to.
After the glow plugs have run for the length of time the computer decided was right.

 

[tduby]

(IMHO) None of these make sense (to me).
Where would an air bubble come from?
The thermal shock (rush of ice cold coolant) explanation could makes the most sense, but if it destroys the block heater, then how long after unplugging it should you wait for heater and surrounding coolant to cool? 2 seconds, 10 seconds, 1 min.?

Maybe there is a good reason not to run heater with engine running...

water flowing creates lower pressure in certain spots that with the increase heat from the element can creat steam bubbles and when they collapse it takes little bits of metal away. Probably not a huge problem but with the pain they are to change I wouldn稚 run it.

 

[Tony H]

Searched this site for my block heater related question... No luck. Yes, below 20F my tractor needs a lot of help starting, even cycling the glowplugs.
My neighbors Kabota, fires right updater glowplugs light goes out.
Anywho the real question.. These simple household Timers, the don't list their amperage capability. At just under 4 amps for my block heater, I wonder if these times will be OK long-term. I don't need to strain them and have the contacts arc closed.
Anyone rely on this type of timers?

 

[RickB]

Not if they don't list an amperage or wattage rating. I wouldn't buy one to turn a lamp on without knowing what it is rated for.

 

[Peter 315]

Make you own like I did.......

 

[RjCorazza]

Searched this site for my block heater related question... No luck. Yes, below 20F my tractor needs a lot of help starting, even cycling the glowplugs.
My neighbors Kabota, fires right updater glowplugs light goes out.
Anywho the real question.. These simple household Timers, the don't list their amperage capability. At just under 4 amps for my block heater, I wonder if these times will be OK long-term. I don't need to strain them and have the contacts arc closed.
Anyone rely on this type of timers?

There are plenty of 15 amp rated timers available that would be preferable to an unrated device. The Holiday decorations isle should be full of them.

I have the manual dial types, electronic 7 day type, and my current choice of a WiFi controlled plug in outlet (WeMo).

 

[fried1765]

Make you own like I did.......View attachment 680481View attachment 680482

I have a couple of those timers around somewhere.
Think I'll do that, if I can find 'em.

 

[Tony H]

Make you own like I did.......View attachment 680481View attachment 680482

I see, you didn't make you own, you just have a big robust timer that has the amperage rating listed on it.

I'll have to eyeball these 'Typical' timers again. I know last time I looked I didn't see peerage ratings. I need to sleep at night knowing a stupid timer not going to set my garage ablaze.

 

[Peter 315]

I see, you didn't make you own, you just have a big robust timer that has the amperage rating listed on it.

I'll have to eyeball these 'Typical' timers again. I know last time I looked I didn't see peerage ratings. I need to sleep at night knowing a stupid timer not going to set my garage ablaze.

Well I did not make the timer but I made the setup works great and no fires..........

 

[fried1765]

Well I did not make the timer but I made the setup works great and no fires..........

That exact same timer is used all across the USA for pool pumps, and many other applications, by licensed electricians.

 

[Chris from Ontario]

My old David Brown diesel is next to impossible to start at the freezing point or less. No glow plugs. But with the block heater I've started it at -30 with no problems.
It also really helps with the cranking to push the clutch down all the way. You don't want to be trying to turn the thick transmission fluid at the same time as the engine.

 

[fidowanttobe]

I can count on one finger how many times I HAD to start mine without plugging it in. Very rare it can't wait 30 minutes, it takes that long for me to suit up! I watch the weather and use a timer like the one Peter 315 made.
Listening to it rattle rattle makes me cringe and I refuse to do it.
To me, saying "Why plug it in? It always starts?" is like saying, "Why change the oil? It still runs!" Must be my upbringing.
Most farmers I know that need one everyday leave it plugged in 24/7. All winter is cheaper than a starter.
If you don't think mag heaters do anything, get yourself a cheap infrared thermal gun. You'll be surprised.

 

[ruffdog]

I can count on one finger how many times I HAD to start mine without plugging it in. Very rare it can't wait 30 minutes, it takes that long for me to suit up! I watch the weather and use a timer like the one Peter 315 made.
Listening to it rattle rattle makes me cringe and I refuse to do it.
To me, saying "Why plug it in? It always starts?" is like saying, "Why change the oil? It still runs!" Must be my upbringing.
Most farmers I know that need one everyday leave it plugged in 24/7. All winter is cheaper than a starter.
If you don't think mag heaters do anything, get yourself a cheap infrared thermal gun. You'll be surprised.

^^Agree^^ If I need to plow with it, I plug it in and then do the hand shoveling I have to do. Then, maybe go in and have a cup of coffee and a oatmeal cookie. By then I can start it but I should put another log on the fire, then, it is ready to plow.

 

[fried1765]

I can count on one finger how many times I HAD to start mine without plugging it in. Very rare it can't wait 30 minutes, it takes that long for me to suit up! I watch the weather and use a timer like the one Peter 315 made.
Listening to it rattle rattle makes me cringe and I refuse to do it.
To me, saying "Why plug it in? It always starts?" is like saying, "Why change the oil? It still runs!" Must be my upbringing.
Most farmers I know that need one everyday leave it plugged in 24/7. All winter is cheaper than a starter.
If you don't think mag heaters do anything, get yourself a cheap infrared thermal gun. You'll be surprised.

Thanks!
You have just prompted me to check out how much my mag heater does, or doesn't do.
Like you, I usually add heat any time the air is below 50 degrees.
The clanking and rattling of a cold tractor engine hurts my heart.

 

[LouNY]

When it's cold out actually when it's cool out my 574 with the little german diesel does not like to start without some heat,
you can tickle it with the nasty spray can and it will start.
If I have to start her when it's cold and I haven't had a chance to heat it up,
I will tow start it, 10-20 feet in high gear and she is up and running.

 

[RjCorazza]

At some point at around 32f I generally use my block heater for 3 hours prior to starting. On my previous L3410 3 hours was the sweet spot where the block didn't get any warmer. With the block heater plugged into a WiFi plug I can either manually turn it on from my phone, or let my pre determined schedule take over (on at 0100h, off at 0400h) so I can head out on my plow run at 4am.

Like others have said, I don't NEED to pre heat in order to start, but the machine sounds happier and I get cab heat much sooner.

 

[crazyal]

I rarely use my block heater. But the glow plugs are controlled by the computer so they stay on as long as needed. If it's below zero I'll shut the switch off and then back on to run the glow plugs twice. You would be amazed just how much that helps. When i do use the block heater it's for only about 10 to 15 minutes. Anything more than that doesn't really help.