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magnetic heater for fuel tank

S

SHR4010

New User
To help with cold weather starts and operation, I am looking to hang a magnetic heater on the side of the fuel tank (diesel) to take the chill off of the fuel before starting. I plan to run the heater at the same time as the block water heater (plugged in the nite before I plan to use the tractor the next day). Has anyone done this in the past? Was it sucessful?
 
I tried one on an oil pan. It didn't seem to transfer much heat; I don't know how much wattage it was, maybe it was just too small. Never tried it on a fuel tank.
 
I have two of them, and they are way to hot for fuel would be my guess. Seems everytime I use mine, I get a burn mark some where. I would guess the fuel would bubble / boil.
 
I have one that I use on the oil pan of our JD4600 along with the block heater. The oil pan will get warm to the touch in a couple of hours, which I am happy with. Most that I have seen are small enough wattage that it should not be a problem, but I would be careful the first time. They sell battery warmers that might also work for a fuel tank, just an idea.
 
Maybe try a battery warmer around the fuel filters - that may help in starting - also have heard using a hair dryer to feed warm air helps with cold starting -

for cold weather running you shouldn't be using anything - how are you going to keep anything plugged in while you are driving around? maybe enclosing some of the sides of the engine may help
 
The fuel in the tank won't reach the pump or injectors for a minute or more after you start the engine. It will chill back down I think on the trip from the tank to the pump. Put a stiff dose of anti-gel in the fuel tank on a mild (+30) day and I think you will accomplish the same thing. On my tractors which have the fuel filter mounted on the side of the engine I put an old ski hat over the filter to help hold engine heat on the filter
 
You need the fuel filter warmed on a diesel. Heating the tank is probably not the best.

You want warmer air going in - heating the water jacket helps with that, intake gets some heat from the cast iron.

You want the oil thin enough to make starting spin faster - again the block heater will warm up the thin films of oil, and slightly heat the oil pan.

A magnetic heater on the oil pan will help with the oil, and slightly get the intake and oil film warmer.

Synthetic or thinner oil helps.

Good battery & fresh starter will spin better.

Adding anti-gel, new fuel filters, using a blend of #1 diesel will all condition the fuel properly.

Just heating the fuel tank is not a good plan. Maybe if you run into an issue it can be part of getting things working again. Actually heating the fuel filter will be the part that helps then... Heating the fuel tank isn't going to offer you much.

--->Paul
 
As long as you aren't using biodiesel(gels at 35 degrees), and your fuel is properly treated/blended for the temp you will be operating in,you don't need to heat it.
 
Won't make the least amount of difference. Use the heater on the engine oil pan instead.
A self regulating battery tender would be worth even more.
 
If you have winter fuel it wouldn't make any difference. You'd be much better off using a battery blanket in addition to your block heater, to have the most cranking amps. A magnetic heater would be better for something like a hyd. tank or maybe an oil pan. Dave
 
Paul...
Where are you (climate wise) to post "You need the fuel filter warmed on a diesel."

I'm literally on the frozen TUNDRA where it gets t0 -30ºF and COLDER and have NEVER needed to warm a fuel filter 'cause I use good winter fuel. WHY do you feel that fuel filters need to be warmed???
 
If the wrong fuel starts to jel, it will move out of the tank & through the line but will plug up the small mesh in the filter.
 
The simple solution is... don't have the "wrong" fuel on the tank when it gets cold... be prepared for winter, it's a LOT less stressful and CHEAPER than trying to work around mistakes!
 
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