Block Heater

[daverd4]

I have a MF 194F with a Perkins engine that I mounted a snow blower on the front of. I keep it at our cabin in the Blue Mts. in a enclosed building and I just ran power to the shed.
Would it hurt anything if I leave the block heater plugged in all the time so it's warm when I get up there to blow the road out. It's a really short block heater the longest one that
would screw into the block. So, it takes about 3 or 4 hrs. to get it warmed up.

 

[Jim.ME]

Those in block heaters are not designed to be used that way. Unless it has something for a thermostatic control it will just keep heating until it burns up. And it is going to use electricity constantly if powered up.

You will need something to turn it on when the ambient temperature drops to a set point, and off when the engine coolant temperature reaches a set point. It should also have a way to keep it from operating on days when it is just old, no snow, and you don't need it. Maybe a system you can control from a smart phone if you have Wi-Fi there.

 

[wore out]

''it will just keep heating until it burns up''

LOL, where did you get that idea?

In cold country in the winter season there's MILLIONS of engine heaters plugged in 24-7 for weeks on end.

The non-thermostatically controlled block heaters are generally low enough in wattage that ''thermal runaway'' doesn't happen.

The high wattage ''heat it up quick'' tank heaters/recirculating heaters HAVE thermostats to cycle them on and off to limit temperature.

To the O.P., here's a couple of options to hold down the cost of power and keep your engine ready to start when you need it......

https://www.amazon.com/Farm-Innovat...20831&hvtargid=pla-274612062233&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Badger...20831&hvtargid=pla-571980818857&psc=1

 

[Jim.ME]

"LOL, where did you get that idea?"

I have dealt with truck and equipment fleets for years. I got that idea from seeing it happen and having to change burnt out block heaters. I won't disagree with you that some are left on 24/7 and don't burn out, but some do, so it is not a LOL possibility, in my opinion. Overnight, over a weekend are one thing. A week, or more, of steady running would be another. The thermal cube or timer you suggest would be along the lines of what I mentioned for needing controls for the heater.

As a side note. I have also seen engine heater cord connections and cords burn up (and even start a fire). Care needs to be taken to see that cords are properly sized, and connections are kept tight and dry.

 

[Rustytech]

I agree with wore out. Leaving it on all the time wont hurt anything. First of all it cant thermally run away,think about it if it warms up close to the opening point of the thermostat it will just circulate cooler water in to be heated and that which is warm will be cooled in the radiator. Heat always goes to cold (laws of thermodynamics) provided your thermostat is good it will circulate on its own. The real question is your willingness to support your energy suppier with your hard earned money. I was told of an independent triaxle driver hear in central pa.that bought a brand new Mack truck and never left it get cold. All year around it was plugged in summer,fall,winter,spring even when when he knew he wasnt gonna run it. When he got home at the end of the day he plugged it in. Of course he did regularly scheduled maintenance on it. At one million miles Mack offered to buy it back from him,and this was before the commonality of synthetic oil. He credits it to the fact the engine never went through thermal shock cycles. Believe me or not thats what I was told. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Phil T]

You better be prepared for a BIG electric bill. Most I have draw 400 watts, that is 1KW every 2 1/2 hours. That is close to 10 KWHs a day times 30 cents per KWH in Maine looks like about $90 a month by my calculations. Better look for a cycle timer.

 

[daverd4]

Thanks for all the input and ideas.

 

[miangus]

In cold weather I leave my MF 65 plugged in for days at a time. I think it's a very low wattage, something under 200 watts. There have never been any issues. The water temp never gets high enough to show on the temp gauge. My JDs with the external tank heaters will bring the temp to operating temp in about 30 minutes. They are 1500- and 2000-watt heaters with thermostats.