Need A Block Heater for 6V92

oldmansax · November 14, 2011, 05:28:54 PM

The block heater on my Wanderlodge is toast. Looks like the PO left it on (it's hardwired to a switch in the bedroom) & drained the coolant. I have power to the cord but the plastic nut that screws onto the heater that keeps the cord plugged in is melted. 1982 6V92TA

Here's the thing: every one I have ever had was a plate affair with 4 bolts to the block. This one is screwed into the block. I can't tell much about it because it is between the frame rail & under the AC compressor. It feels like it's 3/4 inch, maybe?? I am hoping somebody else has seen one of these & I can get it before I tear things apart. Maybe it's a DD part & not some aftermarket thing BlueBird used

Any suggestions?

TOM

thomasinnv · November 14, 2011, 05:58:44 PM

I had a similar problem on mine, the connector and nut was charred. I cleaned it all up, put barrel connectors on the wires, attached them to the heater and filled in the hole with rtv. Been that way for a year and a half now with no problems. Sometimes you just gotta use back yard engineering.

luvrbus · November 14, 2011, 06:01:04 PM

Not a DD heater Tom those are Kat's I can give you the number for the plate block mounted from Hotstart and that is DDV-151-B looks like a DD factory heater

good luck

eagle19952 · November 14, 2011, 06:05:06 PM

Depends where you are and where your going...all ofthese are Arctic approved...bought and installed enough to deserve a dividend....

The silicone pad heater is best applied with hi-temp RTV and duct tape,wait 24 hours before plugging in and just leave the tape to weather away.

http://www.hotstart.com/home/products/hotflow-engine-heaters/

eagle19952 · November 14, 2011, 06:10:24 PM

Quote from: eagle19952 on November 14, 2011, 06:05:06 PM
Depends where you are and where your going...all ofthese are Arctic approved...bought and installed enough to deserve a dividend....

The silicone pad heater is best applied with hi-temp RTV and duct tape,wait 24 hours before plugging in and just leave the tape to weather away.
PS Allisons even like a 100-150 watt heater.

http://www.hotstart.com/home/products/hotflow-engine-heaters/

oldmansax · November 14, 2011, 07:23:03 PM

Quote from: thomasinnv on November 14, 2011, 05:58:44 PM
I had a similar problem on mine, the connector and nut was charred. I cleaned it all up, put barrel connectors on the wires, attached them to the heater and filled in the hole with rtv. Been that way for a year and a half now with no problems. Sometimes you just gotta use back yard engineering.

I am pretty sure the element is toast. The connector is not hurt & is tight. Just the nut is melted.

Quote from: luvrbus on November 14, 2011, 06:01:04 PM
Not a DD heater Tom those are Kat's I can give you the number for the plate block mounted from Hotstart and that is DDV-151-B looks like a DD factory heater

good luck

Clifford, where should the heater be mounted on a 6v92? This is the only one I've ever had & the bottom of it has hoses & wires everywhere. Can't see nothing. I know I will have to move a bunch of stuff to replace this but I don't want to remove anything unnecessarily. This looks like the right heater I think:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Detroit-Diesel-6V92-and-8V92-Engine-block-heater-/190600398655?pt=Other_Vehicle_Parts&vxp=mtr&hash=item2c60ab473f

What's your opinion on replacing the one that's already in there? Are the Kat heaters just junk?

Quote from: eagle19952 on November 14, 2011, 06:05:06 PM
Depends where you are and where your going...all of these are Arctic approved...bought and installed enough to deserve a dividend....

The silicone pad heater is best applied with hi-temp RTV and duct tape,wait 24 hours before plugging in and just leave the tape to weather away.

I would really have to move a bunch of stuff to mount one of those!!

Hope it doesn't come to that.

TOM

luvrbus · November 14, 2011, 07:34:44 PM

They are good heaters Tom you see lots of 71 series with the screw in type just below the head on the front of the engine,if it is easy to change go for it

good luck

oldmansax · November 14, 2011, 08:04:37 PM

Quote from: luvrbus on November 14, 2011, 07:34:44 PM
They are good heaters Tom you see lots of 71 series with the screw in type just below the head on the front of the engine,if it is easy to change go for it

good luck

Easy is a relative term! LOL Wish I was in AZ!

I'm gonna try a mirror tomorrow to see if I can see anything. It feels like a freeze plug heater but there is no screw of anything to tighten it up. It feels like it has a notched nut like something on a romex electrical connector as big as the freeze plug hole on it. I tried Googleing Kat block heaters & found some but none that looks like what I have.

TOM

Mex-Busnut · November 14, 2011, 08:59:43 PM

Dear Friends,

We have a 110-volt heater that is on one of the engine heater hoses on our skoolie, with the 5.9-liter Cummins. (I believe it is 1,500 watts. Will check tomorrow.) We will probably never have need to use it on the skoolie down here in Mexico. Can it be adapted to the 6V921 on our bus?

bevans6 · November 15, 2011, 05:48:22 AM

I have the screw in type. It works very well, the element is about 6" to 8" long and it's 1500 watts so if you have it on a 15 amp outlet that's about all you can use. The thread is either 3/4" or 1" pipe, I forget which. You could try reading the resistance of the element, I think it should be around a tenth of an ohm.

Brian

chuckd · November 15, 2011, 09:33:01 AM

Tom, I have spare block heater, will look later today to see if it is screwed into the block, my memory (which at best is highly suspect) is that it is that type of heater.

Chuck

PS It is for a 79 version of the 6V92.