Testing a block heater

[Pipestone Kid]

I have a 2004 JD 4110 with a JD block heater. Is there a test I can do to see if it is working? This morning I had it on for about an hour and a half. When I went to start it, it turned over rather slow, but started OK. Of course, one other possibility is the battery is getting tired--it is the original battery. Any feedback is welcomed. Thanks, Jim
P.S. It was zero degrees but in a garage.

 

[grsthegreat]

if you have a clap on meter, you can do an amp test on one leg of the circuit. see if theres a draw. you cant just clamp it around the entire cord, you need to do it around only one wire (black) of the 120 volt circuit.

 

[tcartwri]

Cord should get warm to the touch. Make sure the extension cord it's on is a decent gauge and not too long.

 

[RickB]

Easiest way to test them is to plug them in to a known power source. Every one I have ever owned or used that was functional got hot to the touch within seconds.

 

[grsthegreat]

Easiest way to test them is to plug them in to a known power source. Every one I have ever owned or used that was functional got hot to the touch within seconds.

but you have to remove it from block to test it this way. A meter can test it while installed.

 

[RickB]

but you have to remove it from block to test it this way. A meter can test it while installed.

What?????? Plug it in, touch it, how much easier can it be? No removal necessary, no meter necessary. They either work or they don't.

 

[grsthegreat]

What?????? Plug it in, touch it, how much easier can it be? No removal necessary, no meter necessary. They either work or they don't.

?? my block heater on the JD870 didnt get hot to the touch at all. Maybe im thinking of something else than what your talking about. I cant even reach the ones on my trucks...there buried up underneath everything else.

The only way i knew my old JD was working was the tractor started up easier with it plugged in.

 

[RickB]

?? my block heater on the JD870 didnt get hot to the touch at all. Maybe im thinking of something else than what your talking about. I cant even reach the ones on my trucks...there buried up underneath everything else.

The only way i knew my old JD was working was the tractor started up easier with it plugged in.

The OP has a tractor. Coolant heaters I have owned were installed in tractors, with one exception. Generally you can walk up to a block heater in a tractor and touch it, sometimes after opening a hood or removing a side panel. I can't imagine a functioning block heater on a Deere 870 or anything else for that matter that didn't get warm to the touch. By definition they make heat. It's kind of amazing to even be involved in a discussion of this nature. I've been using coolant heaters in diesel tractors for the past 40 plus years. It's not new technology, or something I'm guessing about.

 

[grsthegreat]

The OP has a tractor. Coolant heaters I have owned were installed in tractors, with one exception. Generally you can walk up to them and touch them, sometimes after opening a hood or removing a side panel. I can't imagine a functioning block heater on a Deere 870 or anything else for that matter that didn't get warm to the touch. By definition they make heat.

My 870 had it in a freeze plug somewheres on the engine...dont remember where. There was a plug that ran down and was zipped tied next to the starter. thats all i remember about it. Whenever i want to know if something electrical is working, i use a clamp on meter. a can get a reading and know in a matter of seconds how many watts its pulling. Been an electrician for 30 years. Old habits are hard to break

 

[Soundguy]

I have a 2004 JD 4110 with a JD block heater. Is there a test I can do to see if it is working? This morning I had it on for about an hour and a half. When I went to start it, it turned over rather slow, but started OK. Of course, one other possibility is the battery is getting tired--it is the original battery. Any feedback is welcomed. Thanks, Jim
P.S. It was zero degrees but in a garage.

a good 'combo' to go with a block heater is a trickle charger on t he battery.

have a timer setup to turn the block heater and the trickle charger on. additionally.. a mag heater on the oil pan and the hydro pan will help.. that way you have warmed coolant.. engine oil.. and hydro oil.. plus a topped off and warmed battery. that's a magic combo for good starting in cold weather for a diesel.