Tractor Heater Timers Calculator
Engine Block Heater
Diesel Engines can be a challenge to start in cold weather. To improve low temperature starting, engine block heaters can be installed to warm engine via the engine coolant. If block heaters are not standard with a particular engine manufacturer, after market block heaters are available. A block heater usually needs only 1 to 2 hours to warm an engine for starting however many operators will either leave the block heater plugged in whenever the tractor is not in-use or plug-in the heater in the evening for use the next morning.
There are three types of block heaters:
- Freeze plug heater - heater is inserted through a freeze plug hole in an engine block and into the coolant chamber of an engine. It is likely the most efficient because the heating element is housed inside the engine.
- Circulation heater - heater is a can with a heating element contained inside and an inlet and outlet on opposite ends of the can. A heater hose is connected between an engine coolant port near the base of the engine and the inlet on the heater and a second hose between the outlet of the heater and an engine coolant port near the top of the engine. The coolant circulates by thermal buoyancy from the engine through the heater and into the top of the engine.
- Lower radiator hose heater - heater is inserted into the lower radiator hose. The heating element heats the engine coolant and the coolant flows by thermal buoyancy into the engine. Proper coolant level in the radiator is required for this heater to work properly.
Cost of Operating
A 1000 watt engine heater that runs 10 hours per day (overnight typically) from late November through mid March will use about $ 90 in electricity. A clock timer can save money on your electric bill by activating the engine block heater two hours before it's normally used, saving over $70 in electricity per year. For 120 volt block heaters of 1800 watts or less, plug in timers (often used for pools) are available that cost about $20, see Photo. For block heater over 1800 watts or heaters that operate on 240 volts, timers will cost $40 to $60. In both cases the payback is less than one season. Timers are available at most hardware stores and building centers. Timers should be outdoor or weatherproof rated and installed on properly grounded electrical circuits.
Approximate Yearly Operation Cost for Different Wattage Engine Block Heaters
(assuming cost of $0.10911/kWh)
| Heater Wattage | Cost for 10 hour/day | Cost for 2 hours/day | Savings/year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400 | $43.65 | $8.73 | $34.92 |
| 600 | $65.47 | $13.10 | $52.37 |
| 750 | $81.84 | $16.37 | $65.47 |
| 1000 | $109.11 | $21.83 | $87.28 |
| 1250 | $136.39 | $27.28 | $109.11 |
| 1500 | $163.67 | $32.74 | $130.93 |