Power Saver Cord

[dpetre]

Temro's of Canada makes an energy saver cord that attaches to the inlet heater hose that will turn your block heater on once the temperature of the hose get down to 20 degrees F and shuts off at 40 degrees F. The unit is rated for 1500 watts. part number 3600013 I purchase several of these a couple years ago at the local NAPA in Fairbanks. I think the price then was $30. The money you save on electricity you can spend on other upgrades.

 

[illflem]

Here's another device that has worked well for me, the Thermo-Cube. Ace Hardware carries them for $15. They are availible in other temp ranges also check here http://www.thermocube.com/

 

[dpetre]

Thermo cube

The thermo cube looks like it would work good where the temperatures are mild and do not stay below 35 degrees for long periods of time. Power saver cycles on and off by sensing the water temp in the engine. So if it is cold it will stay on long enough to bring the water temp up to 40 degrees and then shuts off. Thanks for the information on the thermo cube I will stop and see if they sell them here in Fairbanks.

 

[illflem]

Some folks use a Thermo-cube in conjunction with a timer so the heater only runs right before you need the truck only when it's cold enough. Thermo-cube is installed after the timer. Some folks that have used a Thermo-cube under the hood have reported it doesn't run long enough, I believe it. I once took some temp measurements with a infrared temp gun under the hood on a nice even 0°F day after the heater had been running 4 hours, top of the valve cover 70°, upper radiator hose 120°, injection pump 55°, bottom of oil pan 40°, center of steering wheel 20°, truck had been parked over 24 hours. It all depends on how fast you need to start up, some folks (like firemen) don't want to wait for the heaters to start and like the underhood temps getting up there. I like the fact that with higher underhood temps you don't have to use the grid heaters and prolonging the wait to start system's/battery's life so that it does work when you aren't near a plug.

 

[Amianthus]

It's all where you place the thermocube. I had placed mine on top of the engine in a number of spots. No good. I finally put it right next to the radiator and it performs like I want / need it to. Warms up the engine enough so that the heaters don't cycle and I can take it to the Firestation for a fire call.



Other than that, a timer would work good enough for most people. And a timer with a thermocube would make most everyone else happy.

 

[BWilson]

So are you guys just using this with your stock block heater? Does it really keep it that warm???

 

[dpetre]

Stock block heaters work good if given enough plug in time. A 650 watt block heat will warm the vehicle in about 2 hours at zero. When it is 50 below or colder I plug in at night and it is warm and ready to go in the morning. In real cold weather country you will need a oil pan heater, transmission heater, battery blankets or trickle charger. Synthetic oil for engine, and synthetic gear lube for the axles. Interior heater if you have leather or plastic seats. The circulating type heaters will warm you vehicle up quicker than a block heater and are easier to change if they go bad.