Block heaters

[oceanjake]

Where do you get them? Where are they best installed on a 12v92?

 

[skater]

Kim Hot Start is a supplier. Usually installed in the front of the cylinder head.

 

[eze2bme]

Mine are on the bottom of the oil pans.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Mine are on the bottom of the oil pans.

These are two different types of heaters. The immersion type (Hotstart or Zerostart) are an element that is in the engine coolant, usually screwed into a port on the head or engine block. They also come as a remote unit that you run coolant hoses to/from if you don't have any open ports on the engine.

The second type is a pad heater(Wolverine). These can go on the oil pan or heat exchanger tank or any flat surface.

The preferred install would be an immersion unit in the head/block on a thermostat but the pad heaters do a decent job as well. I just feel the pad is potentially more of fire hazard especially if not prepped/installed exactly per the instructions.

 

[oceanjake]

Thanks for the info. The immersion type uses a thermostat to cut it off and not boil coolant? Is there any coolant loss over time by using this type of heater?

 

[davidwigler]

I plug mine into a digital thermostat.

https://www.amazon.com/Lux-Heating-...qid=1541367986&sr=8-9&keywords=lux+thermostat

I usually keep the room at about 55 degrees and run it up to 70 for a few hours before starting the engines. Works great. No boiling or coolant loss. Keeps the ERs dry too.

 

[davidwigler]

You could get fancy and set up a relay and wire it into a WiFi thermostat that can be controlled by Alexa.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NB1OB0I/ref=twister_B078RLCQ4C?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Thanks for the info. The immersion type uses a thermostat to cut it off and not boil coolant? Is there any coolant loss over time by using this type of heater?

You’ve no worries. 1,000 watt heater will generate about 115-120 F in a 12V71 with 24 gallon cooling system even if operated 24/7. That’s in S.C. climate. I might consider replacing with 1,500 watt units for less run time and quicker response in cold weather. But what I have works just fine.