ARTICLE
Engine block Heaters
Starting diesel engines during cold weather can be frustrating if engines are not properly prepared for lower temperatures. Batteries that are weak may not crank the starter motor fast enough or long enough to start a cold engine. As the temperature goes down, so does battery capacity. A battery that has all of its power available at 80 degrees F will have only about 46% available power at 0 degrees F. Plus, the engine will be 2.5 times harder to start at 0 degrees due to thicker oil and resistance to movement of internal moving parts. In effect, an engine is about five times harder to start at 0 degrees F than at 80 degrees F.
Engine Block Heaters are used to heat the engine block and engine fluids of gas and diesel vehicles as an aid to starting in cold weather. The heater is operated using standard household AC power and the heat generated is distributed throughout the engine by the convective flow of the warmed coolant. The heaters are approved to North American and European electrical standards and designs are available for most engine makes and models. Two basic types of heaters exist. The conventional heater is directly installed into the coolant jacket of the engine and the conduction heater is installed against the engine block or into a dry port of the engine.
In addition to helping start the vehicle, Engine Block Heaters provide other benefits. The warmed engine produces significantly fewer emissions during and after starting. Heat output from the vehicle cabin heater will be quicker. And engine and starter system components will have extended life due to the reduction in wear associated with starting cold engines.
The thermostat cycles the heater on and off based on the temperature of the coolant in the engine. This allows the heater to operate only for the amount of time necessary to maintain a given coolant temperature – more in cold weather and less in cool weather. This in turn reduces the electric power used, saving energy and money.
Article written by Jack Van Cleve of http://www.engineblockwarmingcontroller.biz
SIMPLE CALCULATIONS
ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF YOUR ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
Here is a simple way to determine your energy consumption :
Wattage of your Block Heater =
TIMES
Base Kilowatt Charge =
TIMES
Days used =
TIMES
Hours per day =
Simple math = Cost of Block heating =
Also consider 1 more element of how many days the outside temperature was below that recommended to need the block heaters usage. “Was it below Freezing?”
Example: 1500-watt engine block heater Times $.12 Per kilowatt hr. Times 120 days of usage, times 12 hours per Day
This adds up to $259.00
Lets cut that usage down to 2 hours per day and throw in 15 days of above your pre-set turn on temperature.
You now only pay $37.80 to warm up the vehicle or a savings of $221.20 in your pocket.
This reflects over 80% energy savings.
Your numbers input will vary depending on the rates you pay and the size of your engine block heater and the time used both days & hours and outside temperature.
These methods of energy consumption are based on simple math applications found in many electronic publications.
Save those dollars and stop giving it to the electric producers.
Thank you:
Jack Van Cleve; President
Engine Block Warming Controller
