solar powered system for block heater

[grsthegreat]

All my block heaters are 1500 watts. I do have one old magnetic oil pan heater that was 400 watts…..didnt do much. I used it on my old onan generator.

How far away is the tractor stored from a power source?

 

[oldnslo]

Frost plug heater on my 2400 is 450 watts. Smaller engines don’t usually require 1500 watt heater

 

[4570Man]

Glow plugs may not be enough to start his tractor if in a really cold climate. I know at -10 F my Branson struggles to turn over with out block heater plugged in for awhile.

There’s always the old school tarp and torpedo heater plan. If you want safer theres inverter generators. A solar setup would cost thousands of dollars and still require to be turned on an hour or two ahead and not used indefinitely. A couple of deep cycle batteries and one solar panel like most people are probably envisioning is a woefully inadequate setup.

 

[oldnslo]

There’s always the old school tarp and torpedo heater plan. If you want safer theres inverter generators. A solar setup would cost thousands of dollars and still require to be turned on an hour or two ahead and not used indefinitely. A couple of deep cycle batteries and one solar panel like most people are probably envisioning is a woefully inadequate setup.

The original heat source was build a fire under the oil pan or engine. I have used coals and heated rocks since a little less chance for fire.

 

[bsekf]

You could buy a bunch of jumper batteries for what a solar setup would cost. And solar doesn't work worth a dam covered in snow or dark!