Engine Block Heater Question

[Gadget Man]

I have a question for you diesel engine experts. When I exercise my RV generator during the winter, I use my C7’s engine block heater to help add a load on the generator. After all these years, I’m now wondering if this is a bad idea. Will heating the engine coolant once a month without driving, create unwanted oxidation?

Thanks.

[Bigd9]

I'm far far from an expert. But my gut feeling is I don't see how any "oxidation" would occur because you warmed the big engine coolant. In my engine, the coolant never gets hot, just 10 to 20 degrees warmer than the surrounding air.

But your question reminds me I need to run my generator soon. Thanks!

[Cat]

No it usually takes higher temperatures to breakdown antifreeze. We had some localized antifreeze overheating around the turbo bearing cooling jacket. The way the turbo coolant lines were routed would trap the coolant in the turbo housing after the engine was shutoff. This basically would burn the antifreeze. This would discolor the antifreeze and give it a very unusual smell. The turbo bearing housing could get very very hot depending on the engind load factor and if the engine was shutdown immediately after the high load factor. The lines were rerouted so the if the coolant boiled the coolant develope some flow through convection. Safe Travels

[wolfe10]

I agree.


As long at the coach's diesel engine is not running/you are not driving, the engine block heater is a good choice for one of the loads on the generator. Sometimes hard in winter to load a generator to 50% capacity. Couple of space heaters are another/additional load to consider.

[Cat]

Originally Posted by wolfe10

I agree.


As long at the coach's diesel engine is not running/you are not driving, the engine block heater is a good choice for one of the loads on the generator. Sometimes hard in winter to load a generator to 50% capacity. Couple of space heaters are another/additional load to consider.

X2 spacer heaters are a excellent way to develop a load.

[Unplanned Tourist]

The only negative I can think of is the heating and cooling could cause some condensation to occur inside your engine. If you are in a dry climate, no problem, but in a wet climate, maybe find another way to load up your genset.

I just ran mine today and used 2 little cube heaters at full whack for around 45 minutes. They draw 24 amps together, so that's around 3,000 watts. A nice load for my 5,500 watt genset.

Another plus for using electric heaters is that they'll dry the air inside while they are running.