Engine block heater question

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Josiah Harder, Oct 13, 2022.

  1. Josiah Harder

    Josiah Harder Light Load Member

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    Hello I just recently bought my first truck and because I drive in Canada and pretty far north sometimes I want to install some sort of block heater generator to protect the engine from cold starts. I've tried looking it up online but when I search for engine block heaters I only get results for the kind you plug into an outlet. I'm looking for one that mounts to the frame under the hood. I don't want an APU I had lots of trouble with the carrier on my company truck.

    Any input on how well those systems work and how much it costs with install also would be appreciated!
     
  2. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

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  3. Josiah Harder

    Josiah Harder Light Load Member

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    singlescrewshaker Thanks this.
  4. howard7

    howard7 Bobtail Member

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  5. Josiah Harder

    Josiah Harder Light Load Member

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    That also looks like a good option thank you! A few questions: Does it heat the interior also or just the engine? Is the controller able to be installed in the bunk panel or does it have to be somewhere on the dash? And did that 2k include the cost of labor to install or did you do it yourself?
     
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  6. howard7

    howard7 Bobtail Member

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    It depends on how you plumb the water. In your original post you were just talking engine heat, but you can route the hot water from the heater through one or both of your heater cores. It has a way to wire in a relay to turn on your heater fans if you wish. They also make products that supply both hot air and water if you want to go that route. The wiring that comes with the kit is long enough to install the control about anywhere you want. There is no labor in that figure as I installed myself. I did spend another $170 having the local welding shop make a bracket for me out of aluminum to mount the enclosure under the sleeper. With these units, the combustion fan and water pump run from the truck batteries, so you have to make sure they are up to it in cold weather. The controller does have a user adjustable setting to shut off the unit before the batteries are too low to start the truck.
     
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  7. Josiah Harder

    Josiah Harder Light Load Member

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    Thank you for all that info. I already have an espar for bunk heat but thought maybe if I can get it all in one system that would be nice. What you've explained sounds very nice
     
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  8. MartinFromBC

    MartinFromBC Road Train Member

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    What i have on 19 of my trucks, and almost every piece of equipment, they work great!
     
  9. Josiah Harder

    Josiah Harder Light Load Member

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    Do you have to put them in an enclosed casing if they're mounted on the frame to protect them from all the salt and sand during the winter or do they hold up well on their own?
     
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  10. MartinFromBC

    MartinFromBC Road Train Member

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    The model 90 is in a housing already, so no need to.

    I cannot speak to other models of webasto, but would assume they are also.