Circulating block heater question

Philip d · Jan 6, 2018

Can you leave them plugged in 24/7 or should they only be used a couple of hours before you need the tractor?

TGP · Jan 6, 2018

Won't hurt nothing but your wallet.

I try to use a timer if I'm going to be regular.
But sometimes that plan isn't practical when you
Never know when you might need to start it.
Tom

donjr · Jan 6, 2018

I put a timer on mine. I fed about three in the afternoon, and had the timer turn on at noon. Most of the time, I hopped on the tractor and it started right up. If I needed it in the morning, I just turned it on an hour or two ahead of time. It usually only took about a half an hour most days to start most days.

Philip d · Jan 6, 2018

Ok thank you very much. We have it on a 3505 Massey that's hooked to the generator on our dairy for the winter. Trouble with that is you never know when your going to need it so it needs to be ready to go.

JD Seller · Jan 6, 2018

Running it full time will not hurt the heater or tractor. Try to keep the coolant in good shape as rust/calcium will effect the heating element life.

I have had them on tractors I left on all of the time for just the same reason you are. I did wire the cord supplying them to a thermostat that kicks off if the weather gets above a set temperature. So on days it is above 30 or so your not using electric.

Philip d · Jan 6, 2018

Now that's a good idea

JD Seller · Jan 6, 2018

Philip most commercial vent fan switches like they use in hog buildings, usually have both sets of contacts in them. One turns on at a set high temperature going up and the other turns on with a declining temperature. FarmTec has them that will handle the amperage you need for a tank heater. Usually 15 amps max on 110 volt.

quefan · Jan 6, 2018

Standby gen sets use heaters similar to this

https://www.hotstart.com/en/home/markets/generator/generator-products/

T-stat control according to the coolant temp.
As JD said you could also use ambiant air temp sensor to completely cut off heater above a set temp.
If you could incorporate some type of insulating blanket over the hood/engine this would help the heater out.
Outside temp here in Ottawa -26C Outside genset coolant at +40C yes 2x 3000 watt heaters make the meter spin.
Stay warm
Q.
engine heater

Russ from MN · Jan 6, 2018

Newer GM vehicles come that way, the thermostat is part of the cord.

700KK · Jan 7, 2018

wHEN WE HAD LIVESTOCK WE LEFT A TRACTOR PLUGGED IN ALL WINTER.now when we need one I plug it in about 4 hrs to warm up and use a timer.

Circulating block heater question

Philip d

Well-known Member

TGP

Member

donjr

Well-known Member

Philip d

Well-known Member

JD Seller

Well-known Member

Philip d

Well-known Member

JD Seller

Well-known Member

quefan

Member

Russ from MN

Well-known Member

700KK

Member

Similar threads