Re: Block Heater Overnight? Reply #25 – March 16, 2012, 11:34:26 am J D, Here is what I made up. It's a 1000 watt Detroit/Cat long block heater element into a few copper fittings and circulated from one side of the engine block to the other side. Pump is a 110V generic solar/domestic hot water circulating pump. Unit is mounted next to the engine batteries. The heating elements are about $35 new off ebay. No need to pay list price. You just have to make sure they are 1000 watts. The stock Detroit block heater is in a poor location and takes forever to get the engine warm enough to start on really cold mornings. You don't have a bad idea. Would need a 12V pump to move the water. Bosch heater circulating pump off a Mercedes could be found at a Pick-n-pull wrecking yard for $5 off most any year vehicle. Mounted in the engine compartment on the passenger's side. EZ to remove. Would think it could run several hours without bringing the battery down too much but just a guess.Pierce Quote Selected
Re: Block Heater Overnight? Reply #26 – March 19, 2012, 01:27:04 pm I finally got around to testing my block heater. See the photos of its location on the 400ISL in a previous post above. I checked the temp at the block heater with an IR thermometer....69.5 degrees. The engine has not been run for days, so this is definitely ambient. I turned on the block heater using its switch at the bottom of the bed (2003 U295) and by the time I got back to the rear of the coach to check the temp it was up to 95 degrees. So it definitely works. It just needed to be plugged in. Quote Selected
Re: Block Heater Overnight? Reply #27 – March 19, 2012, 02:16:22 pm Excellent. One more thing off the "to do" list. Quote Selected
Topic: Block Heater Overnight?