How many have disconnected the grid heater circuit.

[dpuckett]

KSB is for smoke control; grids are for smoothing out the cold shakes. I would use them. I figure if my battery cant handle a week or two of short trips, I need a new one anyway. I always seem to find some excuse to run 20-30 min down the highway or through town at least every 2 weeks, more than enough time to recharge the batteries.



I still plug it in overnight- I am doing an experiment to see if a warmer engine actualy uses less fuel, as many of my trips dont alow the engine to reach full operating temp. Some theorize that much of the fuel (energy) burned it wasted trying to warm up the block and head (not to be confused with BlockHead; please refrain from commenting)



Daniel

 

[JLEONARD]

I only use the grids when below 25 F. It taxes the alternator too much

170 k + miles and I'm still running the original alternator.

Therefore I disagree

 

[Greenleaf]

It's BLOCH-HEAD if your south of the equator. So, sod off mate. :-laf



My school buses that have the grid heaters toast the alternartor. I mean, they are destroyed in about three years or less. If, the bus has NO grid heat, the alternators last for years, and years. Take it for what it's worth.



May I add that the grid heaters on the bus are on directly after the engine is started and long afterwards. The alternator doesn't know what hit it.



My trucks are not used in winter. I have no idea how many alternators they have had over the years, installed by the PO. I do not have grid heaters on my trucks.

 

[dpuckett]

So, do you walk, or drive a bus home? :-laf Mom's truck had a CRAPPA alternator last 3 years, after the original failed @7. She has about 4 years on the current one, local rebuild.



I am by no means arguing, just giving my point of view- dont buy NAPA (or ANY parts store) if you dont have to.



How'd we get from crossovers to alternators? you guys are a wandering bunch



DP

 

[cojhl2]

It's BLOCH-HEAD if your south of the equator. So, sod off mate. :-laf



My school buses that have the grid heaters toast the alternartor. I mean, they are destroyed in about three years or less. If, the bus has NO grid heat, the alternators last for years, and years. Take it for what it's worth.



May I add that the grid heaters on the bus are on directly after the engine is started and long afterwards. The alternator doesn't know what hit it.



My trucks are not used in winter. I have no idea how many alternators they have had over the years, installed by the PO. I do not have grid heaters on my trucks.

The alternators must be awfully weak if they are destroyed just doing what they were designed to do.



Do other folks have this problem? Is there a better alternator available? If so I want one. Thats one thing I don't have time for is alternator failure. They should run for years. .

 

[Greenleaf]

How'd we get from crossovers to alternators? you guys are a wandering bunch



DP

DP, the topic here is grid heaters and 'lectrical stuff. What you heating with? Your not running the truck's exhaust indoors again are ya!!??

 

[cerberusiam]

It's BLOCH-HEAD if your south of the equator. So, sod off mate. :-laf



My school buses that have the grid heaters toast the alternartor. I mean, they are destroyed in about three years or less. If, the bus has NO grid heat, the alternators last for years, and years. Take it for what it's worth.



May I add that the grid heaters on the bus are on directly after the engine is started and long afterwards. The alternator doesn't know what hit it.



My trucks are not used in winter. I have no idea how many alternators they have had over the years, installed by the PO. I do not have grid heaters on my trucks.

For somebody that lives as far north as you AND parks his truck when the sun goes behind a cloud, your sure full of advice. :-laf :-laf



FWIW, my 92 is still on the original alternator at 15 years and +300k. For the last 8 years it has lived where the grids cycle 6 months out of the year. On the 5 trucks my kids and I own alternators and grid heaters have never been a problem.

 

[cojhl2]

How'd we get from crossovers to alternators? you guys are a wandering bunch



DP

Ya gotta stay awake when yer runnin wioth this group thats for sure. .

 

[PToombs]

Definitely can't leave us alone, wander right into traffic!

My '92 has 200k and the original alternator. Last 4 years, no winters though.

 

[rlyons]

If you want to disable them to conserve battery power,(can't see why), but if you do then put a toggle switch on the dash hooked inline with the power supply to the relays so that if it doesn't want to start then you can turn them back on.

 

[Kiohio]

At -12 this morn I sure am glad I plugged the old girl in.....

Yesterday, I started it after work.

No plug all day, it was around 7 here.

She started but wasn't happy about doing it.

Everything stock, except very minor pump tweakin'

Noticed some big wires had a lot of corrosion that head to the relays on drivers fender well.

Will fix that when she goes in the garage for a new bumper and rear spring hangers.

A guy here told me everyone he knows with Dodges HAS to plug them in if it gets anywhere below 20... I told him they must have other issues then

Durn Ford Truck guys :-laf



KO