Block Heater

[jc06vmax]

With temps below zero coming up here the next couple of nights, the same thought enters my mind that has in years past: it sure would be nice to have a block heater in the blazer.

Mine usually takes around 20 minutes to blow warm air on a real cold morning, and when you have to leave for work at 4:15, that extra 20 minutes of sleep seems appealing.

Who is running/has run a block heater? Likes/dislikes? Best type/kind/brand? I've never ran one but always thought it would be nice to have...

 

[73k5blazer]

I have a block heater in mine. OEM style that's installed in place of a freeze plug. I love it.

I have a charger/inverter, so I plug in and it keeps the battery charged, then I have a switch to flip the block heater on. Just don't flip the switch on when it's not plugged in, or it will use the inverter to supply power to the block heater!

It's nice to get near instant heat. Especially when it's -15 and blowing 25mph winds outside. There is no dislike about it.

 

[WJACKSON11X]

I have a block heater in mine. OEM style that's installed in place of a freeze plug. I love it.

I have a charger/inverter, so I plug in and it keeps the battery charged, then I have a switch to flip the block heater on. Just don't flip the switch on when it's not plugged in, or it will use the inverter to supply power to the block heater!

It's nice to get near instant heat. Especially when it's -15 and blowing 25mph winds outside. There is no dislike about it.

Sweet setup! Do you have a build thread on it? I would be very interested in seeing how this is done. I don't need the block heater, but would like the inverter/charger setup.

 

[73k5blazer]

Thread on that is here

I've since replaced that charger/inverter for a different one, the original one crapped out on me. New one is 1000W and has a much better charger on it, one where it slows way (knocks amperage back) down as it approaches top voltage. It also has selectable amperage for charger, 2,5,10,20. I set it to 2, slowest rate. The plug port, which I never took a picture of, is a marine male plug port installed right above the left rear taillight. So all I do is take an extension cord and plug into the port and it powers the charger and 120AC outlet (essentially, shore power). When not plugged in, it will invert for the 120v AC outlet.

 

[Ned Kelly]

Block heaters work. They are low cost, and no downside.

 

[diesel4me]

No downside,unless you consider the extra 50+ bucks a month to run one for electricity...

 

[sweetk30]

also our big radiators don't help with warm up in the real cold.

try blocking 1/3 of it with cardboard . this might help a lot also .

 

[Mastiff]

I've got a freeze plug one in the CUCV. Don't need it much since moving to Tucson. Almost a must have for diesel in cold climates unless you really like leaning on the starter. Don't mess with the rad hose style ones.

Only downside is install. I recall getting the old plug out was a PITA.

For a while in Iowa I contemplated the Alaska style winterization with block heater plus heater pads for oil pan, trans pan and batteries. Not needed, more like a fun project.

IIRC, there was a CUCV option for a diesel powered pre-heater thing with a bunch of tubing plumbed around. I can't remember the details. Kinda cool because it would be self contained.

 

[diesel4me]

You can get propane powered block heaters,semi's use them...a guy I know used one of those along with some baseboard heaters from a house to heat his 20x20 garage,and it actually worked pretty good...

I like the idea of a propane powered block heater,because once you get you truck to start at home,and you drive somewhere that has no access to 110V,like your parking lot at work,chances are you'll have trouble getting it to start to go home if its been zero out all day..with one of those,you just fire up the heater and let it warm up awhile,and off you go.