One block heater or two?

[Piwoslaw]

I believe I have found a block heater for my engine, and I think my engine block has 2 plugged holes in the back, so the question is: Is one heater enough, or should I install two?

With two heaters the engine will heat up faster, which is good when I need the car on short notice. Also, I should get a higher engine temperature on cold winter mornings. And if one stops working I still have the other.

On the other hand, two heaters is twice the current draw, so wires may need to be beefed up. Also, the cost is not too easy to swallow (100€ each, plus installation).

So, will the gains of adding a second block heater be worth the extra costs? Or maybe instead of the second block heater a small glue-on oil pan heater would be more worth while?

[Daox]

The last time I saw a block heater cost analysis it basically broke even (but you still get the benefits of heat sooner). I do agree that two would be nice for quick heat up and less heat loss due to the quicker heat up.

[RobertSmalls]

My hunch is that two heaters will heat you up more than twice as fast as a single heater. While you're waiting for your engine to get hot, it's shedding heat to its environment, and the less time you spend doing that, the greater the efficiency. But you'd have to be more careful about how long you leave it running, so as not to waste too much electricity.

Worth an extra >100 Euro? Probably not.

Are you sure you can't get a $20 block heater off Amazon.com?

[Piwoslaw]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

Are you sure you can't get a $20 block heater off Amazon.com?

I wish. From the scarce information I've found, my engine block's holes are some weird shape, hence the need for an almost custom made heating element. DEFA makes heaters for most cars, and the only reason they offer those non-standard models is b/c of the Scandinavian market. From my discussions at the local forums, and with mechanics, I seem to be the only person who knows that block heaters can be used south of Scandinavia

[RobertSmalls]

There is always the coolant circulating type: Amazon.com: Kat's 13100 1000 Watt Alumininum Circulating Tank…

[comptiger5000]

I'd personally go with a higher powered circulating type, such as the one posted above, or a KIM Hotstart installed in the heater hoses. They're not too expensive, and are a pretty much universal install. Either a 500 watt or 1000 watt should heat it up nicely.

[320touring]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

There is always the coolant circulating type: Amazon.com: Kat's 13100 1000 Watt Alumininum Circulating Tank?

hi, can these 'pipe mounted' circulators ensure that the coolant in the block is heated? If so how do they bypass the thermostat?

If they only heat the coolant from thermostat to rad, then they wouldnt speed up the time for the block to get to operating temp?

With a block heater as the OP has suggested, you'd be heating what needs heated?

[Daox]

They go on the lines that go to the heater core I believe.

[RobertSmalls]

You install it on the engine side of the thermostat, e.g. in the heater bypass hose. Downside: it circulates the heat through the heater core if you parked the car with the heater on. You'll spend electricity heating the cabin, not just the engine.

Edit: aw, you beat me to it, Daox.

[320touring]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

You install it on the engine side of the thermostat, e.g. in the heater bypass hose. Downside: it circulates the heat through the heater core if you parked the car with the heater on. You'll spend electricity heating the cabin, not just the engine.

Edit: aw, you beat me to it, Daox.

thanks for the info fellas
It makes more sense now-but i see the issue regarding cabin heating.

Would it not be possible to insulate the block to minimise the time and amount of elec required to heat?

Essentially similar ro a thermos flask-the blok coolant would remain warmer for longer?

I have no idea how you'd do it-just puttin a possible solution out there that may cost less than a second block heater?