Community Forums

Doc Mark · 12-14-2005, 05:09 AM

After searching the forums, I still didn't find answers to my questions so I'll start a new thread.

We're leaving soon for substantially colder (low 20's) weather than we have been in before and I don't understand the uses of the heater. Does it have to remain on whenever we are stopped? Do you turn it on only as you are starting the engine? I know I have to plug it in in the shore power compartment and then throw the switch above the passenger seat but that's about it.

Any help greatly appreciated!

Doc Mark · 12-14-2005, 05:09 AM

After searching the forums, I still didn't find answers to my questions so I'll start a new thread.

We're leaving soon for substantially colder (low 20's) weather than we have been in before and I don't understand the uses of the heater. Does it have to remain on whenever we are stopped? Do you turn it on only as you are starting the engine? I know I have to plug it in in the shore power compartment and then throw the switch above the passenger seat but that's about it.

Any help greatly appreciated!

"007" · 12-14-2005, 06:16 AM

Mark, I do not own a DP but when I was in Alaska we had block heaters in all heavy equip, trucks and cars. What it was is a heater coil in the oil pan, that you had an electric plug that you plugged into 110AC to heat the oil when you parked the vehicle over night. During daily use it wasn't necessary only over night. The heated oil would flow easier in sub 0 temps.
If this isn't what you are looking for someone I'am sure will stand to correct me but I'am sure you will get the answer your looking for.

"007"

ploiselle · 12-14-2005, 05:06 PM

I am not an expert on block heaters, so I hope this simple explanation will get you started.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Does it have to remain on whenever we are stopped? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
No. You don't need to turn it on unless you are stopped for a substantial amount of time and it is cold enough for the oil temperature to return to the outside temperature. The purpose of the heater is to warm the oil which helps lubricate the engine for easier starting and running in the first few minutes of operation.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Do you turn it on only as you are starting the engine? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
It should be turned on at least several hours before you are going to start the diesel. In my case I need to warm 24 quarts of oil. I have read there is a thermostat and therefore can be turned on the night before, but I don't have any documentation to support this. The thermostat is supposed to keep the oil at a constant temperature. We plug the diesels in at work 24/7 when not in use in the winter. If you are leaving very early, some put theirs on a timer to start several hours before they are going to start the diesel.

I hope this in conjunction with 007's answer helps.
Paul

Bob Dickinson · 12-15-2005, 02:50 AM

I am fulltimming and still work. I spent three winters in Maryland and when parked and plugged into shore power I turned my block heater on and left it on.
Bob

Cruzer · 12-15-2005, 04:25 AM

Doc Mark, the engine block heater is designed to warm up the engine block, coolant, and oil so that it cranks over and starts easier in cold weather. Generally they are a heater coil that is installed into the side of the engine so that the heating element is right in the engine's water jacket. The coolant then allows the heat to filter through the engine, warming it up.

These heaters are not "blastomatics"

so they will take time to do their job. They are not designed for a quick instant heat. They are relatively small in output so the time required to preheat the engine will vary as to how cold it is. Your Cat or Cummins manual probably gives you some parameters on this.

Now, you can start most any engine in cold temps without preheating it. However, cranking a cold, stiff diesel over at cold temps isn't the best thing for it so the preheater will take a load of stress off that engine. I find that 2 hours makes a big difference in 20 degree weather and if I were camping in zero weather I'd just leave it on overnight. Note that it does not hurt to leave it on for long periods of time. The only drawback is the cost of electricity if you are paying for the light bill.

Doc Mark · 12-15-2005, 09:05 AM

Thanks Mark - That's what I needed to know.

Merry Christmas!

Baldo · 12-16-2005, 07:18 AM

Mark,

How fast does the block heater heat your engine for cold starts?

I did a little experiment with the block heater of our 02DSDP, which should probably not be to unlike how your block heater might perform in your KSDP in terms of F degree rise in various given periods of time after turning the switch on. If you click on either of the two files (preferably the second file) listed in the link below, you can see the rises in engine temp based on the 20 F degree ambient temp (outside temp) at the time realizing that the engine temp rises will vary with the ambient temperature at the time:

edit: Sorry, the link isn't coming up correctly, my lack of knowledge. If you go to the Yahoo Newmarowners Forum and click on files and go down to Cold Start, you can pick up the files and chart.
Fred
02DSDP, Spartan, Cummins 350

Doc Mark · 12-18-2005, 02:58 PM

Fred - thanks. You are a MOST thorough documentor!

Mark

Mike and Claudia · 12-29-2005, 03:59 PM

We have unfortunately been in the COLD COLD Texas Panhandle for the past two months. I plugged a short HD extension cord into the bottom of the Block Heater receptical in the elect. compartment, and then ran it to the water compartment, where I plugged in a small heater. This not only keeps all of the tanks warm, but I can turn it off during the day by turning off the "Block Heater" switch on the front panel of the MH.

Also, the couple of times it got so cold ( -4 ) that my wrapped hose froze up, I could use the water in my water tank which was nice and warm.