Anyone Used a Magnetic Block Heater?

Fergienewbee · Jan 23, 2015

A guy I work for suggested I get a magnetic block heater. He said they were using them on a construction site to start diesel lifts. Anybody ever used one and how did they work?

Larry

DGinVT · Jan 23, 2015

I have used them in the past with both diesel and gas engines and they seemed to work alright. Right now my tractors all have block heaters to warm the cooling water which are controlled by a timer.

old harv · Jan 23, 2015

They help a wee bit but nothing compared to a recirculating block heater. They are only 200 or 300 watts instead of 1000 or 1500 watts. They are also on the outside of the engine instead of heating inside of the engine. I have used them on the oil pan to help out the real heater when it's -40. I don't know if it helped or just made me feel better.

Pitch · Jan 23, 2015

They work much better to keep an engine warm than to warm it up from scratch.

notjustair · Jan 23, 2015

I've had better luck with them when I slapped them on the intake manifold to help the preheated grid on the backup generator. With time the magnet gets wiggly and then the heater itself hovers about 1/8 inch away from whatever it is clamped to. I suppose it's better than a poke in the nose.

Russ from MN · Jan 23, 2015

I have one, I use it along with the block heater on our JD4600, I put it on the oil pan, and I'm sure it helps. They are only about 250 watts so don't expect any miracles!

hd6gtom · Jan 23, 2015

I have 1 stuck to the inside of my metal building they are junk, if I ever think to grab it when going to the garbage it will go.

retired farmer · Jan 23, 2015

Got one stuck on the loader right now. I have had good luck with them. Have to watch them tho because the last two I have used have burned the cord off the top of the heater after a couple years use.

DGinVT · Jan 23, 2015

This is true, but I have used them on smaller engines with no problem

big jt · Jan 23, 2015

Like the others said. They help. Usually low wattage and not terribly efficient. It is just better to have the heating element in the coolant.

That said I have one on the bottom of the air filter on my JD 60. Heats up the oil in the filter which in turn helps to heat the incoming air. Also use them on air cooled stuff sometimes.

All in all they help but are not a full on substitute for a proper block heater.

jt

Part Time Pete · Jan 23, 2015

They don't really make enough heat for anything big. I use one on my compressor - 250 watts is about right for that
Pete

Fergienewbee · Jan 23, 2015

Thanks for the input.

Larry

paul · Jan 23, 2015

I have a pair of 300 watt. As mentioned they help, can maybe heat the fuel filter with one or the like, but certainly no substitute for a real tank or block heater.

If you get them on the bottom of the oil pan, they need to heat the pan, that heats the oil, heat rises and heats the block some. This all takes a lot longer than just heating the water.

Paul

russ1 · Jan 23, 2015

I use one on my combine. It has to be on the bottom of the oil pan so all of the heat is absorbed and it has be on all night. It heats the oil enough to let starter crank at a much higher speed.

Anyone Used a Magnetic Block Heater?

Fergienewbee

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DGinVT

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old harv

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Pitch

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notjustair

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Russ from MN

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hd6gtom

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retired farmer

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DGinVT

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big jt

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Part Time Pete

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Fergienewbee

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paul

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russ1

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