HI!... I just installed a coolant heater in my truck today. Took about an hour. I don't like the frost plug type block heaters so I went with a "T" style that gets spliced into the lower rad hose. The one I bought is 650 WATTS compared to the 180-280 WATT ones that come in our trucks. This one hisses pretty loud when it's plugged in, but at least it tells me whens it's working. It gets hot though. Before I installed it, I plugged it in a wall socket for about 3 seconds and I couldn't touch the heating element, it was that hot. Got it plugged in now and will see how she works in the morning. It's about 20 degree's here right now but with the W/C factor it feels like 0.

 

..ahh all better now...

when i leave the heater plugged in at night my temp guage moves "up" when the key is turned on also..

sure helps the defroster work faster too

...zap!

 

Yea, scratch that. Had it on a timer this morning to start at about 230am bc i leave at 630 am. and the piece of **** didnt warm the truck up one bit, yet it still made kettling sounds.

 

It doesn't really warm up the engine it just helps it from getting too cold. if its 20* outside, the engine may only warm up to 30*. this is better for the engine to start than the colder temp. Also it depends on the heater you have.
Zap has a diesel so he prolly has a heater with more wattage.

 

well ...you could always do what neil did and put a heater in the bottom radiator hose

they work very well

just make sure you get the right size for the i.d. of the hose

and do not remove the spring if the hose comes with one

...zap!

 

You sure the timer can handle the power of the heater?

Does the shorter/bigger cord (alone/no timer) work consistently?

Just a theory, but you may not be delivering enough power to the heater if the voltage drops across the timer. The heater may get out of its normal range of operation for less current. IOW, the timer may be creating the same problem as the smaller/longer cord.

Another thought: is your wall outlet old/worn? Could cause an intermittent conx. if the receptacle has lost its spring... $1 fix.

HTH. -Ed

 

...As long as his problem doesn't lie in the outlet or source.

One more thought: the outlet is not on a switch that your not aware of someone messing with (ala Christmas Vacation)?

BTW--I heard the hose heaters need to be higher power because they're less efficient--IIRC I read this from a tech guy from Alaska on another auto forum I read.

 

Powersource is just fine.Lol. The heater is getting power because I hear it boiling/kettling. Even before I had the timer it didnt warm the engine, but still kettled. I don't know maybe its a really low wattages thing. Think I'll just give up on it. Not worth my time to mess it.


Thanks guys