Cheap built-in block heater plug - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

puddleglum · 05-04-2011, 11:01 PM

This is a very simple mod that is mostly for looks, but I thought I would post it here in case someone else might want to try it. I've been wanting to install a permanent mount for some time, both for looks and also to keep the road grime from rusting the plug. I know you can buy these for RV's and big trucks, but the ones I could find around here were at least $35-40 and I didn't want one that bad. Anyway, I had an old 7 pole trailer plug laying around and I found that a rubber extension cord end was just the right size to fit in the hole. All I had to do was carve a notch in the side of the rubber for the locating tab in the housing, trim off the back a bit and slide it into place. It did need a couple of warps of electrical tape to get it perfect, but the locking screws in the housing seated nicely into the rubber and it works perfect. The plug is attached to a 3 plug extension cord under the hood.

euromodder · 05-05-2011, 05:23 AM

Neatly done.
A dab of black paint on the screws will make it even less obvious.

Daox · 05-05-2011, 10:03 AM

Nice job. Marinco also sells a nice plug that is a bit cheaper, I think around $20. The cover over the plug isn't quite as nice though. Its a rubber plug instead of a hinged door. I used one of these on my Matrix and my plug in lawn mower.

morphector · 05-05-2011, 10:48 AM

Really nice idea, I'll probably do it to my ford focus due to my gf always forgetting to unplug the car before leaving (it happened 3 or 4 times this winter only). At the begining of the winter she lost our timer and an extension (and this was a 20$ one that is still soft when its really cold)

TomO · 05-05-2011, 01:25 PM

Looks very nice! And inventive!

dennyt · 05-05-2011, 01:29 PM

$16.99 at Amazon.com
Amazon.com: Conntek 15 Amp 125-Volt NEMA 5-15P Straight Blade Flanged Inlet: Sports & Outdoors

puddleglum · 05-05-2011, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morphector

Really nice idea, I'll probably do it to my ford focus due to my gf always forgetting to unplug the car before leaving (it happened 3 or 4 times this winter only). At the begining of the winter she lost our timer and an extension (and this was a 20$ one that is still soft when its really cold)

One thing I noticed with the trailer plug is that there is a locking tab on the lid that latches nicely over the extension cord end. If you try this and your worried about forgetting to unplug, you might want to remove the lock tab. I may remove it on mine for the same reason.

Christ · 05-05-2011, 10:19 PM

Not that it would be practical for everyone, but why not just use a 6 pin trailer setup attached to an extension cord male end? Leave the cord in the car, so you can plug in when you are on the go.

puddleglum · 05-05-2011, 10:26 PM

If I could have gotten a plug for under $20 I probably wouldn't have made one. Things are almost always cheaper south of the border and shipping usually negates any savings. As for the rubber plug, I think it might be a little better seal than the hinged door, although maybe harder to use. Still, my cost was under $4 so it was worthwhile.

morphector · 05-05-2011, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puddleglum

One thing I noticed with the trailer plug is that there is a locking tab on the lid that latches nicely over the extension cord end. If you try this and your worried about forgetting to unplug, you might want to remove the lock tab. I may remove it on mine for the same reason.

I'm about to install a relay that when 120v is on block heater the car won't start....