Start the beast...Anywhere...

[aircrew]

What do you guys think about this idea?

Taking my 78 BJ40 and add yet another 12v battery, then using a 12v block heater, or 12v oil pan heater. Fit a timer on the heater so that the heater would come on a hour before start and only take power off the one battery.
Then when the vehicle is started use a voltage regulator to charge the extra battery, and keep the others seperate. this way you could be anywhere in the cold north and have your rig start.

Is there even such thing as a 12v engine heater???

Just a thought, or is there a much easier wayh to run this, like hotter glow plugs or a fuel line heater that would run with the glow plugs??

 

[BiG BoB]

Or do it the russian way... Light a fire under it!

Sean

 

[aircrew]

Lol, thats funny. I actually used a heat lamp once. very similar to a fire...

 

[Christian]

Why not do it (IMO) the right way, get a Coolant Heater:

http://www.webastoshowroom.com/blueheat/blueheat_products_ttc1.htm

I know they are prizy, but I had one once, and damn, they are nice! You can even get a kit to start it via SMS!

 

[brownbear]

http://www.espar.com/html/products/coolantheaters.html

another option

 

[Christian]

http://www.espar.com/html/products/coolantheaters.html

another option

Also a good product, known here as Eberspächer. Actually they are both German products, Mercedes uses the Espar/Eberspächer as aux heater in their Diesel E-klasse.

 

[motorcoach123]

Another alternative, made in Richmond, Canada:
http://www.proheat.com/

Not sure how small their preheaters go.

Gord

 

[brownbear]

Another alternative, made in Richmond, Canada:
http://www.proheat.com/

Not sure how small their preheaters go.

Gord

I could not find a little heater on their website. The smallest is still pretty big for buses.

One of the smallest burns 1.8 litres per hour. That's not something to leave on all night

 

[motorcoach123]

I could not find a little heater on their website. The smallest is still pretty big for buses.

One of the smallest burns 1.8 litres per hour. That's not something to leave on all night

Yeah, thats no good for a cruiser....but they make many models for coaches, from 40,00 btu to 80,00 or more. Not sure if their entire line is shown on the website. I just like to deal with a Canadian/local company, if all other things are equal.

Gord

 

[canucksafari]

Or do it the russian way... Light a fire under it!

Sean

Actually, not only the Russians did that. I worked as ski patrol and lift operator at a ski hill when I was younger. One lift didn't have power, so when it got below -20 we had to pull the batteries at night. In the mornings we made a fire with charcoal on a garbage can lid. Once it was just hoat coals we would slide it under the oil pan for about 20 minutes before trying to crank her up. It worked fine even up to -40. Its not as good as a diesel heater but it sure is a lot cheaper. And a plus is you can cook up a hot dog while you wiat for your oil to thin out. If you are doing cold weather camping below -20, you might consider bringing a long a small BQ and some briquets - just in case. I would say a lid but the lids on the garbage cans now seem to be pretty thin compared to what they use to be. If you are regularly out stopped in temps below -20, then you might consider a diesel heater.