Just got my block heater hooked up and since I have never used it how long should I plug it in before I am ready to start the beast. 8V92
Thanks
Ed
Quote from: edvanland on December 17, 2017, 12:15:31 PM
Just got my block heater hooked up and since I have never used it how long should I plug it in before I am ready to start the beast. 8V92
Thanks
Ed
Couple hours is usually sufficient
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Outside temp can make a difference on how long to have it on, but 1 to 4 hours should be sufficient. Use over time will tell you the minimum time required. How many watts is your here rated at? Also keep plug cover on plug when not in use and use a minimum 12 ga. extension cord to connect to it. Any lighter,(14 or 16 ga.) will cause plug/ cord overheating/ deteoriation over time. You may want a reminder tag for steering wheel when attached to remember to unplug it. You don't want to start out with it attached and rip engine out of coach......
Ed, you live in Arizona. You don't need a block heater you blockhead. ;D
Or were you planning to travel to Alaska in January? :D
Gary
I had a block heater installed this fall. A few hours has been enough so far, but I've not yet tried it below the mid 20s.
My plan is to install a weather resistant outlet in the engine bay which is connected to the 120v system in the bus. I'll be able to turn it on/off from inside the coach by flipping a switch.
If you plan to travel anywhere that the temps get cold the block heater makes starting much easier.
Quote from: chessie4905 on December 17, 2017, 12:43:31 PM
You don't want to start out with it attached and rip engine out of coach......
Yeah! This happens all of the time! We lose a lot of engines this way! :-) Or do like n the fire department, put the plug in next to your entrance door so you notice it is plugged in when you walk into the bus and remember to unplug it. ;)
Gary just put the cord on a retractable reel then no worries on unplugging, just pull away and it winds itself up. 8)
Quote from: Van on December 17, 2017, 02:19:20 PM
Gary just put the cord on a retractable reel then no worries on unplugging, just pull away and it winds itself up. 8)
Yeah, great idea Van. :D Actually some fire trucks plug into the back and when you pull forward a bit, it unplugs itself. I am not a fan of retractable cord reels myself, seems like they tend to retract only when you don't want them to.
Well if you'd quit cutting off those pesky lil ground terminals they might hold better in the receptickle ;D ;D
;D
I'm sure he is joking, but don't consider retractable cord reels for any significant loads. All of them will degrade quickly with anything over 10 amps. Those internal contact strips are light weight brass fingers. Put a pilot light on your block heater switch inside of coach so you don't forget to turn it off.
Down to around 40F there should be no need for a block heater
Quote from: luvrbus on December 17, 2017, 05:01:12 PM
Down to around 40F there should be no need for a block heater
where i come from...if the oil falls off the stick...it better start :) it's worn out rings and low compression where they need a heater.
One trick is to crank it for 5 to 7 seconds with fuel lever held in no fuel position. Slowly release lever while cranking. The no fuel crank adds some heat to combustion chamber to assist in starting.
A pre-heated engine is a happy engine. If you are leaving early plug in the night before. Block heaters are supposed to shut off at 140f.
Also less smoke on startup, with a preheated engine, lvmci...
I have only used it down into the 30's. I found an hour quite adequate.
You can leave it plugged in for as long as you want to pay for the electricity...?
Plug it in for an hour, or less, depending on outside temps, and off you go.
Safety first! Many bus engine sized block heaters use significant power. No coiled up cables, good quality and condition cord and ends. If there is heat at the plug-in, think hard about swapping a fresh outlet, the contacts inside get beat-up too...
X2 for a system of reminders to not drive away plugged in. There's 2 kinds of busnuts: those who have driven away with something deployed, and those who haven't, YET...
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Or do it my way: squirt squirt of the starting fluid and fire away 🔥
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Quote from: Scott & Heather on December 18, 2017, 08:12:41 AM
Or do it my way: squirt squirt of the starting fluid and fire away 🔥
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oh no ::) .... you have to know you are a rebel.
using ether is easy. while squirting it into your engine, you simply chant Do know harm, and it won't ;D
We were going up Hwy 101 a couple of weeks ago and were behind a newer Holiday Rambler. His umbilical cord was dragging behind (about 20 feet of it) and the plug was gone from the end. When we slowed down through a small town, I laid on the air horns to get his attention, but he just kept going. Figured there wasn't anything he could have done at that point anyway. I wonder if sparks flew when it ripped out of the pod :o
Will and Wife
Ether will start it quick, however thick oil doesn't flow well and can cause lack of Lubrication for a second or two. But there are times when electricity isn't available or you don't have something like a webasto.
Quote from: chessie4905 on December 18, 2017, 10:52:05 AM
Ether will start it quick, however thick oil doesn't flow well and can cause lack of Lubrication for a second or two. But there are times when electricity isn't available or you don't have something like a website.
Is there a website for starting a cold diesel now? Lol
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a cookie sheet and a bag of charcoal works great
dave
Quote from: sledhead on December 18, 2017, 03:08:21 PM
a cookie sheet and a bag of charcoal works great
dave
a weed burner some propane and 12 feet of 4" stove pipe with a 90 works faster.
These work well too. 350,000 BTU. Give it about 60 seconds and you will be up and running. ;D
Quote from: eagle19952 on December 18, 2017, 08:56:48 AM
oh no ::) .... you have to know you are a rebel.
using ether is easy. while squirting it into your engine, you simply chant Do know harm, and it won't ;D
Just put your wallet between your finger and the spray nozzle!
Quote from: Jim Eh. on December 18, 2017, 05:33:04 PM
Just put your wallet between your finger and the spray nozzle!
myth.
I have witnessed, sold, and used cases of ether in my career in the Arctic with no ill effects.
granted, i wouldn't use it against pre heaters.
but detroits don't have those.
I know, you and everyone else is right and I am wrong, so save that.
Lol. Donald was razzing us. But yes, all of these scary blow up stories using either haven't deterred me. And I'm two buses, and almost 70,000 Bus miles in so far.
But I do use a block heater when I have one.
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I've been rebuilding diesels since 1975 and I know exactly what ether does. It should only be used as a last resort when your batteries have one last crank in them.
Quote from: Geoff on December 18, 2017, 06:11:48 PM
I've been rebuilding diesels since 1975 and I know exactly what ether does. It should only be used as a last resort when your batteries have one last crank in them.
i started working on Detroits in 1971.
worked for a DDTerex dealer early in my career.
tuned Detroit's transporting me and my tools in a helicopter many times
30 years in construction.
and never hurt a Detroit with ether.
I've cleaned more than 3 empty cans from the cabs of dump trucks more than once
the worst damage i ever saw was when an empty can exploded in a pickup truck. the guy left it in the glove box.
When I put mine in my 4106, I used a waterproof electrical outlet on the bulkhead that has a switch/w idiot light in the bathroom. The day to leave, get up turn on block heater take shower etc., at 40 degrees 1 hour for 8V71, at 30 d 2.5 hours if it is colder then that I DO NOT what to be there! I also put an idiot on the dash to let me know the 120v is still plug in. I was going to hook it up to the starter relay but felt I might want to start the coach while still plug in, I have. And yes I did forgot to unplug on my class-c many-many years ago.
As these diesels don't make any significant heat idling,leave block heater on while warming up before you leave or just wanting to run in middle of winter to see why air system is froze up.lol
LOL I use the AZ starting method you push the button in the 70 degree winter time temperatures
Yes Cliff but in the high country is gets a little colder than that. Mine is kept in the garage. Thanks all. Geoff rebuilt my engine 5 or 6 years ago.
Quote from: luvrbus on December 19, 2017, 06:21:48 AMLOL I use the AZ starting method you push the button in the 70 degree winter time temperatures
Yep, my favorite way, too (although I'm 2500 miles from AZ).
What rings in my head when I hear block heater is push the start button and head south. For those Down Under, head north. LOL
Up here a block heater can also mean a toque (knitted cap) that we wear when it gets cold like -20. You normally don't need to plug it in.
JC